Minecraft 1.21: Snapshot 25W41A

Great! This is a review of the new Minecraft: Java Edition 25W41A – the first winter drop called “Mounts of Mayhem.” So far, the snapshot is only available for Java Edition. The beta for Bedrock Edition (1.21.300?) has not been released yet, but as soon as it appears, it will definitely become known.

Nautilus

Let’s start with the new mob – the Nautilus. Its spawn egg looks cute, with a little water at the bottom – a hint that the creature is aquatic. Nautilus live in all types of oceans, from warm to cold. The mob itself is bright, beautiful, and moves its tentacles while swimming. It is neutral and does not attack first, but if attacked, it will fight back. The damage is not too great, but it can be a problem of the ocean.

Nautilus Shell

Sometimes Nautilus hunts pufferfish, as it feeds on them. If the mob ends up on land, it should be returned to the water as soon as possible-without it, it will suffocate. Killing a Nautilus only yields experience, so you won’t be able to obtain a Nautilus shell this way.

However, these creatures can be tamed and bred using pufferfish-both items and buckets of fish. After breeding, a small Nautilus appears, similar to a real shell. A tamed one can be saddled by putting on a saddle. When riding, the “Nautilus Breath” effect is activated, which stops oxygen consumption underwater.

Nautilus Abilities

The Nautilus has the ability to sprint, like a camel, but in water. This helps with movement and combat. Five types of armor have also been added for the Nautilus: copper, iron, gold, diamond, and netherite. It can be found in chests in underwater structures – shipwrecks, ruins, and treasure troves. Armor and saddles can be put on with a simple click, and removed with scissors.

Zombie Nautilus

There is also an evil variation – the Zombie Nautilus. It is neutral on its own, but becomes dangerous if a drowned person is riding it. Such zombie riders can attack with a lunge, causing significant damage. They can also be tamed, saddled, and even armored. But under the sun, they burn like ordinary zombies.

Spears

The next innovation of the Snapshot 25W41A is a spear, available from all standard materials: wood, stone, copper, iron, gold, diamonds, and netherite. It is crafted from two sticks and one material. The spear is visually larger than the trident and is used differently: the character holds it forward, and the attack looks like a stab.

The spear has two attack modes: normal and charged. When the button is held down, the character accelerates and delivers a powerful blow, which is especially effective when riding a mount. Damage depends on speed—the higher the acceleration, the stronger the blow. A charged attack can even knock an enemy off their horse.

An interesting feature is the limited range of close combat. If you stand too close, the strike will not connect. However, the range of a normal strike exceeds that of a sword by almost two blocks. There is a chance to hit several opponents at once.

Spear Enchantment

The spear can be enchanted, including the new “Lunge” enchantment – three levels. It allows you to make a short lunge forward when attacking. However, it quickly wears down durability when used.

Zombie Horses in Minecraft 1.21

In addition to players, zombies can now use spears. They often appear with weapons in their hands. Another return is zombie horsemen on zombie horses. These creatures now appear naturally and are often armed with spears. When defeated, the zombie horse can be tamed, but it also burns in the sun. To avoid this in 25W41A, you can put armor on it and extinguish it with water. The horse can be healed with toadstools.

The Java’s 25W41A implements everything the developers promised at Minecraft Live: new mobs, weapons, mechanics, and details. The winter drop looks rich and promises even more interesting updates ahead.