A Massive New Minecraft Update at the End of 2025
I did not imagine that I would write this today on behalf of the entire BandurArt team. December is generally a silent month for us, game nerds. We chill and play some old games, and we are waiting to see the big releases in spring. And suddenly, Mojang resolved to become violent by the end of 2025, literally. The new Minecraft update, called “Mounts of Mayhem” (Java Edition 1.21.11 and Bedrock Edition 1.21.130), just landed, and it ruined my holiday plans. I was to see family, but now I am in my pajamas at 2 PM, and I am trying to figure out how best to fight a drowned man with a giant squid.
It feels weird after all the mild updates, but this one feels heavy and important. We’ve asked for a real combat update for a long time, not just small changes to attack cooldowns. We needed new guns and new modes of locomotion. I believe we have received what we desired, as I watch the state of chaos of my server now.
I’ve spent the last few days completely immersed in this new Minecraft update. I pulled friends to play the PvP, wasted hours in the new deep-sea biomes, and died on several occasions. And when you are asking yourself, will you patch your launcher and go back in, or is it simply hype, read on. It is time-consuming, and thus, have a coffee.
The Spear: A Weapon That Requires Skill
Everybody is talking about the spear added in this new Minecraft update. I doubted when I first heard it rumored that it would be only a long sword or a shabby trident. But the design in this update is surprisingly deep. This weapon doesn’t click; it is heavy and rhythmic.
The recipe for making it is not time-consuming: two sticks and an ingot of iron are placed at a diagonal. So you can craft it during the first ten minutes after launching a new world. However, it is more difficult to master. It has a much greater range than a sword, and you can poke creepers without blowing them up when you are just in time. That is enough to make it a prime first-game weapon.
The ability of the spear depends on your moves. When you hold your ground, it is feeble and slow. If you sprint, it hits hard. When you are on a horse, it hits like a truck.
It’s not perfect, though. The hitbox is merciless. You have to hit the tip of the spear. When you miss while traveling at high speed, you jump into a recovery animation, which lasts a second, leaving you vulnerable to being shot. It makes you play smart; you can’t run and click like a crazy person. You have to line up your shots.
The Ocean Is No Longer Safe, But It Is Worth Exploring Anyway
Yes, the spear is the primary item on the ground, but the improved ocean received a few important changes as well. For many years, the oceans in Minecraft were just fine. They were beautiful, loaded with kelp and fish, and when you had a boat, you were invincible. Nothing could catch you. That is gone now. It is completely gone. In this new Minecraft update, the ocean is hostile. It feels dangerous. It was my first experience in a boat in deep water, and I expected it to be a smooth ride. Then I heard bubbles, and a Trident shot flew past my head at a very great speed. I peeped, and a Drowned was riding a Nautilus.
The Nautilus is a totally new mob. It appears as an ancient hard-shell cephalopod. You can find it in deep ocean ecosystems, typically at the very bottom. It is not aggressive; however, a Drowned can ride it, which is frightening. The Nautilus is fast. Faster than a boat. Should a Drowned happen to see you when you are rowing along in a wooden boat, it will grab you and smash your boat, and you are in the water with it.
After a number of attempts and numerous drowned deaths, I was able to tame one. Use Pufferfish to tame it. You can saddle a Nautilus when you feed it enough Pufferfish.
There is a difference between looking at the map when you ride a Nautilus. It not only swims, but it also accelerates. You may proceed quickly underwater. You receive a status effect known as the Breath of the Nautilus when you ride. It slows the drain of your air. You cannot remain underwater indefinitely, but can remain long enough to raid a monument or explore a ravine without coming to the surface very frequently.
New Enchants To Hunt For
By the way, there are some enchants you have to watch after the release of Mounts of Mayhem. I was wasting hours at the magic table in an attempt to secure the best roll:
- Momentum. This causes damage depending on speed. A full-speed horse charge can nearly one-shot an armored player at maximum level.
- Deep Dweller. This is in the case of Nautilus. It causes your mount to swim faster.
- Phalanx. This is rare. It lessens the harm in front when you are holding a spear. It is useful in sealing in on skeletons.
Meta Changes After the Release of Mounts of Mayhem
The meta has received significant updates as well with the release of Mounts of Mayhem.
| Feature | Pre-Update Meta | Mounts of Mayhem Meta |
| Primary Movement | Elytra / Sprint Jumping | Horses / Nautilus / Elytra |
| Ocean Travel | Boats (Safe, boring) | Nautilus (Fast, risky) |
| Combat Style | Jump-crit spamming | Jousting / Hit-and-Run |
| Valuable Mobs | Villagers | Horses / Nautilus / Pufferfish |
| Biggest Threat | Creepers / Wardens | Mounted Drowned / Mis-timed jumps |
The Vibe of This New Minecraft Update
I would like to speak about something more abstract, a.k.a. the vibe. The feeling. Minecraft has always caused a special feeling. It is lonely but peaceful. This new Minecraft update leans into the lonely part but makes it a bit spookier.
They transformed the fog in the deep oceans and swamps. It is thicker now. It rolls in and out. In the deep water, it is crushing in the dark. You can’t see the surface. You are just aware of the light of sea pickles and the eyes of the Drowned.
It gives it a new layer of immersion. The game became even more atmospheric. Even the sounds have been updated. The deep ocean noise is less, and it is more rumbling. You can hear the heavy pressure around you.
Bugs And Technical Performance
I must admit that some things are worth updating even after the launch of Mounts of Mayhem. The update is big, and big updates often bring a lot of bugs.
I have witnessed rubber-banding while riding a Nautilus across multiplayer servers. The speed of this mob is so high that the server is unable to keep up with it sometimes, and you glitch backwards a few blocks. It is irritating, particularly when you are in an attempt to get away with a guardian.
In addition, the spear hitboxes are slightly inaccurate with smaller mobs. It is annoying to be on a horseback trying to strike down a baby zombie with a spear. You will miss. You will get hit. You will rage.
However, in general, the performance after the release of a new Minecraft update is quite stable. Chunk loading is quicker, particularly in the ocean. I remember the “Update Aquatic” years ago causing huge lag, but this new update seems to have improved the water rendering.
What About Economic Updates?
It’s interesting to see how this new Minecraft update affects the economy. Pufferfish prices have gone so high on our server. No one used to farm them, and now everybody is crafting AFK fish farms simply to have enough Pufferfish to mount a few Nautilus.
Horses are valuable again. Long enough, Elytra rendered horses of no use. Why ride when you can fly? But the spear will not work without a mount. Spear mechanics do not work when flying (you can attempt to do so, but it is difficult to strike). So abruptly, people are breeding horses once more. They want fast horses. The ground game is back.
Why Does This New Minecraft Update Matter?
I think the most important part of this new Minecraft update is not the spear or the squid, but the philosophy.
Mojang demonstrates that they are ready to change even the fundamental elements of the game. For years, they were scared to change combat because of criticism after update 1.9, but this new Minecraft update shows they can change combat without ruining the game’s feel. They retained the axe and the sword. They introduced a new type of weapon that complements them.
I know the Pale Garden was added before Mounts of Mayhem, but the new update uses it better. There are also special types of wood there now to be used as decorative spear handles. It is just cosmetic – you can make a Pale Spear out of white wood, and it looks cool. It gives you a reason to go back to that creepy biome.
FAQ
Does the spear allow you to walk?
Yes, but walking is slow. Unless you run or fall, it does not do much damage. The spear is most effective on a horse or to keep enemies at a distance.
Are Nautilus mobs found in old worlds?
No. To see the deep ocean places where they are, you must locate new map areas that are yet to be made.
May I spell the spear with Sharpness?
No. The spear has its enchantments. The magic of Impact is similar to the Sharpness, except that it is related to speed.
Is the new Minecraft update available on consoles?
Yes. The update came out at the same time on all platforms – PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile devices. Java and Bedrock versions are identical in this low-poly bestseller.
How do I heal my Nautilus?
Feed it tropical fish to heal it. It is a small amount, though it keeps the Nautilus alive for long underwater fights.
Conclusion
So, is this new Minecraft update good? Yes, it is very good. It is not perfect, though. The spear takes time to learn. You will kill a great deal in the process of finding it out. But it gives life to the game. It is what makes the world look bigger and more frightening.
If you have stopped playing Minecraft, now is a good time to return. Skip guides (except this one). Just jump in. Find a horse. Craft a spear. Go to the ocean. Bring pufferfish – trust me. You don’t want to be stuck deep in the ocean without a ride in this update.
I’m going back to play. I must complete my base and locate my Nautilus called “Bessie” which has vanished once again.
This new Minecraft update reminds me why I like this game. It does not concern the graphics or the official story. It is concerning the narratives that we make. My tale is spear-filled and water-filled and fun.
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