Minecraft’s final 2025 game drop is shaping up to be the most transformative update this year. Mounts of Mayhem introduces mechanics we never knew we needed—from aquatic companions to velocity-based combat systems. After diving into the testing snapshots, here are five features that absolutely surprised us.
Table of Contents
What’s Coming in Minecraft ‘s Mounts of Mayhem
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Nautilus Mount | Underwater rideable mob with oxygen preservation |
| Spear Weapon | Velocity-based damage across all material tiers |
| Zombie Horses | Finally tameable in Survival mode after 12 years |
| Camel Husks | Desert undead mounts with hostile riders |
| Swimming Mounts | All regular mounts can now cross water bodies |
1. The Nautilus Gives You Unlimited Underwater Breathing
The Nautilus isn’t just another rideable mob—it’s Minecraft’s first fully rideable underwater mount that completely changes ocean exploration. When riding a Nautilus, you receive the Breath of the Nautilus effect, which pauses your oxygen consumption until you dismount.
This eliminates the constant need for respiration enchantments, conduits, or surfacing breaks during deep-sea adventures. Suddenly, exploring ocean monuments, shipwrecks, and underwater caves becomes genuinely enjoyable rather than a race against your air meter. Baby Nautiluses are adorable too, making breeding them a delightful bonus activity.
2. Spears Use Physics-Based Damage (Finally!)
Minecraft’s first new tiered weapon in years isn’t just another sword variant. Spears feature two distinct attack types: jab attacks for standard melee combat and charge attacks that scale damage based on player velocity. The faster you move while charging, the more devastating your strike becomes.
Higher-tier spears deal increased damage but become progressively heavier, reducing the time players can maintain effective charging positions before the weapon becomes unstable. This creates genuine tactical decisions—should you wield a lighter iron spear for extended battles or risk a netherite spear for maximum single-strike damage? The charge mechanic works brilliantly with minecarts, boats, and elytra, rewarding creative combat approaches.
3. Zombie Horses Return to Survival After 12 Years
Zombie horses have been hanging out in Creative mode since 2013, and players have been wondering why they never made the jump to Survival mode. Mounts of Mayhem finally answers that question. Zombie horses now spawn in savannah and plains biomes in a lovely undead green color, and while technically passive, the riders they spawn with are hostile.
The challenge? You’ll have to unseat their hostile riders first, and those mobs might’ve discovered the spear too. Once tamed, they can wear horse armor which protects them from sunlight damage, making them viable long-term mounts. For comprehensive mount guides and taming strategies, visit our Minecraft tips section.
4. All Your Regular Mounts Can Now Swim
This quality-of-life improvement might seem minor but transforms overworld navigation completely. Your mounts don’t fear the cool waters of the Overworld anymore—they’re ready to swim, albeit at a slower pace. No more awkwardly navigating around rivers or building bridges during horseback journeys.
This means no more circumventing pesky bodies of water; now you can swim straight through. Horses, donkeys, and mules finally act like real animals that understand water exists. While they won’t sprint or jump while swimming, the convenience factor alone makes this one of the update’s best additions.
5. Camel Husks Bring Desert Combat Chaos
Desert exploration just became legitimately dangerous. The camel husk is a new undead mob that spawns in deserts, and while the mount itself isn’t hostile, the mobs riding it—spear-wielding husks resistant to sunlight—definitely are. These mounted enemies can attack at any time of day, ending the era of peaceful desert travel.
If you manage to unseat the rider, the camel husk is already tamed so you can hop right on. This creates intense risk-reward scenarios where defeating mounted enemies grants immediate access to powerful transportation. Check the official Minecraft website for combat strategies and update timelines.
Mounts of Mayhem releases by the end of 2025, marking Minecraft’s fourth and final game drop this year. The update is currently testable in Java snapshots with Bedrock beta coming soon. For the latest snapshot guides and feature breakdowns, head to TechnoSports for ongoing coverage.
FAQs
Can zombie mounts like zombie horses and zombie nautiluses survive in sunlight?
Zombie horses and zombie nautiluses can burn in sunlight like other undead mobs. However, if you equip zombie horses with horse armor, it protects them from sunlight damage, making them viable for daytime use. Zombie nautiluses will need underwater shelter or nighttime riding.
Do spears replace swords and axes as the best weapon?
Not exactly. Spears excel in specific scenarios—mounted combat, high-speed attacks, and keeping distance from enemies with jab attacks. However, traditional swords still offer faster attack speeds for standard melee, and axes deliver higher single-hit damage. Spears add tactical variety rather than replacing existing weapons entirely.
