Minecraft Update: Spears, Swimmable and Zombie Horses

This update delivers a comprehensive content package that fundamentally refreshes the game’s exploration, combat, and atmosphere from mounts that can move across water to new Nautilus creatures, enhanced combat mechanics, and expanded desert and night threats. It adds mechanical variety, danger, and tactical depth, making the world feel more alive, dynamic, and challenging.

🐎 Mounts Reimagined: No More Sinking!

Let’s start with a quality-of-life update that every explorer has been dreaming of. Gone are the days of dismounting to drag your horse across a river.

Horses, Zombie Horses, Donkeys, Mules, and Camels are now fully amphibious. When you are riding them, they will no longer sink like a stone. They float, allowing you to traverse lakes and rivers without losing momentum.

The Ultimate Defense: Netherite Horse Armor

Your warhorse deserves the best protection. You can finally upgrade your cavalry to the max tier.

Stats: Provides a massive 19 Armor Points.
How to Craft: Head to a Smithing Table. Combine Diamond Horse Armor + Netherite Ingot + Netherite Upgrade.

🌊 deep Dive: The Nautilus Update

The oceans are no longer just for fish and guardians. Meet the Nautilus, a brand-new neutral mob that brings the sea to life.

The Standard Nautilus

Found in all ocean biomes, these creatures are more than just eye candy.

Taming: Win their trust with a Pufferfish (or a bucket of it).
Riding: Once tamed, saddle up! Riding a Nautilus grants you the "Breath of the Nautilus" effect, making underwater exploration a breeze.
Combat: They possess a Dash skill (press Jump) similar to Camels, perfect for quick escapes. But be careful if provoked, they will strike back with a dash attack.

The Zombie Nautilus

The darker side of the ocean. These spawn naturally with a Drowned rider brandishing a Trident.

Behavior: They are hostile with a rider but turn neutral if you manage to knock the Drowned off.
Taming: Yes, you can tame these undead variants with Pufferfish too!
Note: Unlike their living counterparts, they cannot be bred.

Suit Up: Nautilus Armor

Don't let your squid-steed go into battle naked. You can craft armor specifically for them in Copper, Gold, Iron, Diamond, and Netherite.

Pro Tip: Need to swap gear? Use Shears to remove the armor and saddle.

⚔️ Combat Evolved: The Spear

Put down the sword and pick up the Spear. This new weapon archetype changes the rhythm of combat entirely.

Materials: Available in Wood, Stone, Copper, Iron, Gold, Diamond, and Netherite.
The Mechanics of Reach: This is a weapon for the tactical fighter. It has an extended maximum reach, allowing you to hit enemies before they hit you.
- Warning: It has a minimum reach. If an enemy gets right in your face, you deal zero damage. Keep your distance!
Attack Styles: Master the Jab for quick pokes and the Charge for heavy hits.
Speed: Heavier materials will influence your attack timing, so choose your balance between speed and power.

Watch out: Zombies and Piglins have learned to use these too!

🏜️ Desert Dangers: New Undead Variants

The desert at night just became a nightmare.

The Parched (Skeleton Variant)

Replacing some skeletons in the desert, these bleached bones are terrifying.

Sunlight Immune: They do not burn in the day.
Combat: They shoot Arrows of Weakness with a slower fire rate (similar to the Bogged).
Spider Jockeys: In a horrifying twist, Parched can spawn riding Spiders or Cave Spiders.

The Camel Husk

A desert mini-boss roaming the sands. This undead Camel spawns at night and doesn't burn in the sun.

The Rider: It spawns carrying a Husk with a Spear AND a Parched.
Taming: If you clear the riders, the Camel Husk becomes passive. While it despawns like a monster usually, saddling it makes it persistent.

🧟 The Night Rider: Zombie Horses

Finally, the Zombie Horse is no longer a creative-mode exclusive myth.

Spawning: They appear naturally at night in Plains and Savannas.
The Threat: They come with a Zombie rider holding a Spear. If the rider is hostile, the horse is hostile.
Taming: Kill the rider, and the horse becomes neutral. Tame it just like a regular horse and slap a saddle on it.
Vampiric Nature: Remember, they hate the sun and will try to avoid sunlight.