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The seasonal game drop for the block-building phenomenon has landed — and it includes the first new weapon added to the title since the mace made its debut. The javelin is finally here and it has the potential to revolutionize your approach to Minecraft, especially if you enjoy mayhem.

An Armament Designed for Chaotic Rides

The Mounts of Mayhem drop also incorporates several new features and enhancements related to riding animals in the game. That focus made the spear the perfect fit for this release, as the development team had long felt it was time for a fresh combat tool.

"We knew initially that we desired a fresh armament that would increase combat distance, and we wanted it to be mounted combat," stated a senior product manager. "We tried out a number of concepts, but the spear was the one that both felt great when we tested our prototypes and also was visually fitting for the use case."

If you're wondering whether mounted combat means you can joust against your friends on horseback, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, there's even an offensive action ideally crafted for it.

"Mounted lance combat] is a primary functions for the spear, and it's a blast," the developer says. "The spear has a pair of offensive moves: You have the quick stab, where you simply impale your enemy. But you also have a powerful lance where you couch your lance and inflict greater injury [with] the more pace you have. So [it’s] ideal for jousting on horses."

Sky-High Chaos and Underwater Adventures

The chaotic fun isn't limited to there, though. If you're deep enough into the game that you've visited The End, the developers have an even more ridiculous idea. "If you are quite advanced, [spears are] perfect for strapping on the wings and flying forth and unleashing absolute pandemonium," she teases.

In other words: Jousting in the clouds is now real, and it needs to become an competitive event immediately.

Another significant inclusion in this fresh content is the underwater mount. This sea-dwelling mob, which is modeled after the nautilus shells players have gathered for years, can be tamed and ridden for underwater travel. Not only will it transport you through the water quicker than swimming, it'll also maintain your oxygen levels, so there's no necessity to surface for oxygen.

The rest of the additions are mostly things that want to kill you, as is the nature of Minecraft. Unsurprisingly, there's also a undead nautilus popping up in the water, frequently with a Drowned on its back. If you manage to dispatch the Drowned, though, you can befriend the zombie Nautilus — or the regular one, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've long considered this problem periodically, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it appeared to be the right time to also introduce something for the ocean depths," the lead explains. "For the Nautilus in particular, we had a number of concepts for aquatic rides that we wanted to experiment with, but the Nautilus initial artwork looked compelling, and we have the link to the Nautilus shell that was already in the game."

She also points out that there are actually two different types of zombie Nautilus: regular and coral zombie Nautilus. "[The variants] add variety to what you discover underwater."

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Further inclusions include the Parched, biome-specific skeletons that can endure the sun, which means there's no refuge from them if you venture in that region. Sometimes you'll see them on desiccated dromedaries, another fresh creature. These passive, zombified camels have an excellent design that sees their bones protruding. The same goes for zombie horses, who have a similar rib-popping design and can sometimes be found at night with a lance-wielding zombie on their back.

The remaining updates on the drop's list are minor quality-of-life improvements, including some much-anticipated changes to riding horses. Now, you can ford rivers and lakes while riding a horse. Also, high-tier barding is now obtainable at the workbench, so you can provide your steed with the best defense it is worthy of.

A Spicy Send-Off for the Year

All told, the final game drop of the year is a notable addition. The spear on its own — and the mayhem it enables — would have seemed like a considerable upgrade. Add in the Nautilus, and new threats trying to kill you, and Minecraft's definitely getting a bit spicier.

The Mounts of Mayhem update is live for all major editions of Minecraft.