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The seasonal content update for Minecraft has touched down — and it features the first new weapon introduced into the game since the mace made its debut. The javelin is now available and it could very well alter your gameplay in Minecraft, especially if you enjoy mayhem.

A Weapon Forged for Mounted Mayhem

The Mounts of Mayhem drop also incorporates a host of fresh elements and enhancements centered around animal mounts in the game. That driving concept made the spear the ideal addition for this update, as the development team had already known it was the moment to introduce a new weapon.

"We knew initially that we desired a fresh armament that would provide extended reach, and we designed it specifically for mounted combat," explained a senior product manager. "We prototyped a few different ideas, but the spear was the one that both handled superbly when we ran our trials and also made sense for the use case."

If you're asking yourself whether mounted combat means you can charge at your companions on horseback, the response is a resounding yes. In fact, there's even an attack excellently designed for it.

"[Jousting on horses is one of the biggest applications for the spear, and it's so much fun," the developer says. "The spear has a dual attack system: You have the jab attack, where you just stab your enemy. But you also have a charge attack where you couch your lance and deal more damage [with] the more speed and velocity you have. So [it’s] perfect for jousting on horses."

Aerial Mayhem & Deep-Sea Exploration

The wild enjoyment can extend beyond there, though. If you're advanced sufficiently into the game that you've been to The End, the developers have an delightfully absurd idea. "If you are quite advanced, [spears are] excellent for equipping the elytra and flying forth and creating genuine chaos," she hints.

In other words: Sky jousting is now possible, and it should be made an competitive event without delay.

Another key feature in this latest drop is the Nautilus. This aquatic being, which is modeled after the nautilus shells found in-game for years, can be tamed and mounted for submarine exploration. Not only will it transport you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also conserve your oxygen levels, so there's no need to surface for fresh air.

The rest of the additions are largely things that are out to get you, as is the nature of Minecraft. As expected, there's also a rotting sea creature popping up in the water, frequently with a Drowned on its back. If you succeed in defeat the Drowned, though, you can befriend the undead mount — or the regular one, for that matter — with a spiky fish.

"We've been thinking about this challenge periodically, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it felt like the perfect moment to also unveil something for aquatic environments," the lead elaborates. "For the Nautilus specifically, we had a few different ideas for aquatic rides that we wanted to experiment with, but the Nautilus concept art looked compelling, and we have the tie-in to the Nautilus shell that was pre-existing in the game."

She also adds that there are actually two distinct kinds of undead nautilus: regular and coral-infested undead mount. "[The variants] add variety to what you find underwater."

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Further inclusions include the Parched, desert-exclusive skeletons that can endure the sun, which means there's no escape from them if you find yourself in that biome. Sometimes you'll see them on desiccated dromedaries, another fresh creature. These passive, zombified camels have an striking appearance that sees their ribs poking out. The same goes for zombie horses, who have a similar rib-popping design and can sometimes be spawned in the darkness with a lance-wielding undead rider on their back.

The final pair of items on the drop's list are refinements, including some long-overdue tweaks to riding horses. Now, you can ford rivers and lakes while riding a horse. Also, high-tier barding is now available at the workbench, so you can give your horse the top-tier safeguarding it is worthy of.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

In summary, the last content update of the year is a notable addition. The spear on its own — and the pandemonium it invites — would have felt like a major improvement. Add in the Nautilus, and additional creatures trying to kill you, and Minecraft's definitely getting a little more dangerous.

The Mounts of Mayhem content drop is out now for Java and Bedrock editions of Minecraft.