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The seasonal game drop for Minecraft has arrived — and it features the first new weapon added to the title since the mace made its debut. The spear is now available and it has the potential to alter your gameplay in Minecraft, particularly when you enjoy mayhem.

A Weapon Forged for Mounted Mayhem

The Mounts of Mayhem drop also introduces several new features and enhancements related to riding animals in the game. That central theme made the spear the perfect fit for this update, as the creators had long felt it was the moment to introduce a new weapon.

"From the outset, we understood that we wanted a new weapon that would add some more range, and we designed it specifically for fighting from atop a creature," explained a senior product manager. "We prototyped a number of concepts, but the spear was the one that both handled superbly when we ran our trials and also made sense for the intended purpose."

If you're wondering whether mounted combat means you can tilt at your companions on horseback, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, there's even an attack ideally crafted for it.

"[Jousting on horses is a major applications for the spear, and it's a blast," the developer continues. "The spear has two attacks: You have the thrust, where you just stab your enemy. But you also have a charge attack where you lower your spear and inflict increased harm [with] the more momentum you have. So [it’s] ideal for knightly combat."

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 explored The End, the developers have an even more ridiculous idea. "If you are in the end-game, [spears are] excellent for equipping the wings and going out and making some real mayhem," she suggests.

In other words: Aerial lance combat is now a reality, and it deserves to be an Olympic sport without delay.

Another key feature in this latest drop is the underwater mount. This underwater creature, which is based on the nautilus shells players have gathered for years, can be tamed and ridden for deep-sea journeys. Not only will it move you through the water more swiftly than swimming, it'll also conserve your oxygen levels, so there's no need to surface for oxygen.

The remaining new features are primarily things that are out to get you, as is the nature of Minecraft. Naturally, there's also a zombie Nautilus spawning in the water, sometimes with a Drowned on its back. If you are able to dispatch the Drowned, though, you can befriend the zombie Nautilus — or the standard version, for that matter — with a puffer fish.

"We've long considered this issue on and off, and again, like with the spear and [adding] more mounts, it seemed like the perfect moment to also unveil something for underwater," the developer explains. "For the Nautilus specifically, we had a few different ideas for aquatic rides that we wanted to experiment with, but the Nautilus initial artwork looked impressive, and we have the connection to the Nautilus shell that was pre-existing in the game."

She also points out that there are actually a pair of variants of undead nautilus: regular and coral zombie Nautilus. "[The variants] provide diversity to what you discover underwater."

Parched Perils & Overdue Enhancements

Further inclusions include the sun-proof skeletons, biome-specific undead archers that can endure the sun, which means there's no escape from them if you venture in that region. Sometimes you'll see them on camel husks, another fresh creature. Camel husks have an excellent design that sees their bones protruding. The same goes for undead steeds, who have a similar rib-popping design and can sometimes be encountered after dark with a spear-carrying undead rider on their back.

The remaining updates on the drop's list are smaller gameplay updates, including some long-overdue changes to riding horses. Now, you can traverse rivers and lakes while mounted on a horse. Furthermore, high-tier barding is now craftable at the crafting table, so you can give your horse the ultimate protection it deserves.

A Fittingly Chaotic Finale

All told, the final game drop of the year is a solid offering. The spear on its own — and the potential for chaos — would have felt like a significant enhancement. Add in the Nautilus, and additional creatures seeking your end, and Minecraft's definitely getting a bit spicier.

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