Minecraft 1.21.11 Snapshot Pre-Realese 1/4 – New version Numbering

This is a review of four pre-releases and snapshot number 25W46A, which corresponds to Minecraft version 1.21.11.
Yes, unfortunately, its not 1.22, and today we’ll learn about the new Minecraft version numbering system, the exact release date, and the changes affecting all of these pre-releases. Also, about the new cape.

Release date and new Minecraft numbering system (Java + Bedrock)

Last week, a video was released on the official Minecraft channel in which Vu Bui talked about when the new update would be released. As a result, the full release of Minecraft 1.21.11, titled “Mounts of Mayhem,” will be released on Tuesday, December 9.

The next piece of news is about version numbering. Previously, updates were released once a year – 1.19, 1.20. After the release of Minecraft 1.21, small drops started coming out approximately every 3 months: spring, summer, autumn, and winter (holiday) drops. Currently, the Minecraft version is 1.21.11, and the last long numbering was for Java version 1.7.10.

Starting in 2026, Minecraft versions will begin with the year number: all updates in 2026 will be numbered 26.x. The next digit shows the drop in the year – first, second, third, or fourth. If a version fix is needed to patch a bug, a fourth digit will appear. For example: 26.1.1. For Bedrock, everything is the same, but digits after the year may differ cause of different patch schedules and platform stuff. In general, there will be no Minecraft 1.22 version!

The numbering of snapshots will also change. Before, it was, for example, 25W45A: the first digits are the year, W is the week, and the next digits and letters are the snapshot number. Now it will be: the year, the drop number, the word snapshot, and the sequential number of the snapshot. Do you like the new format?

Changes and improvements in 25W46A

Some new mobs learned to use spears. Zombie piglins can now hold a golden spear and use a charged attack. Piglins with golden swords will swap them for spears. Piglins with crossbows can also pick up spears, but the crossbow is still their favorite weapon; other mobs wont be able to use spears.

Leather colored armor got a new texture with shading, making it look fresher. One thing changed in the achievements – mobkabob: the trial became a goal, but the task is still the same.

An extra texture filtering setting was added: disabled, RGSS, and anisotropic. RGSS improves texture clarity at moderate load, while anisotropic gives best clarity but puts heavy load on the system.

Graphical innovations

Added an option for translucent foliage. Now gaps between leaves are dark green when strict graphics are off, instead of black like before. This option improves performance on weaker computers.

Fixed a bug with boats and frames: boats no longer break frames on collision. The dispenser can equip armor and a saddle on a tamed Nautilus and a zombie Nautilus.

A new Blueprint cape with a blue scroll appeared. Its not clear yet how to get it – it only showed up for one player. Maybe its a test cape.

Graphical interface

A unique graphical interface for Nautilus appeared in Bedrock, and now also in Java. You can equip armor and a saddle, control Nautilus, zombie Nautilus, and coral zombie Nautilus.

Nautilus now make a lunging sound before attacking, giving players a chance to dodge. A new splash was added: “It’s not so easy to reach distant lands” in honor of Kurt Jmak, who reached distant lands in survival mode in 14 years.

Changes were made to the skeleton husk. Weakness effect no longer affects it. A musical cue was added during pause: it shows which track is playing. Horses, mules, donkeys, camels, and zombie horses dont panic anymore when controlled by mobs.

New creative menu

The creative menu with summoning eggs was redesigned: now divided into three categories – Overworld, Nether, and End. The Overworld has subcategories: farm animals, mounts, pets, wild animals, sea creatures, golems and peasants, monsters, and mobs. Some sea mobs, like the ancient guardian, are in the monsters category.

These are the four pre-releases for version 1.21.11 and snapshot 25W46A. And once again, Minecraft Java 1.22 and Bedrock 1.22 are canceled, we are waiting for version 26.1.