The final game drop of 2025 is shaping up to be absolutely wild. Minecraft’s Mounts of Mayhem update just entered its pre-release phase on November 19, bringing nautiluses you can ride underwater, zombie horses charging into Survival mode, and the game’s first new tiered weapon in years. Here’s everything you need to know before the December launch.
Table of Contents
Mounts of Mayhem Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Window | December 2025 (estimated December 16) |
| Pre-Release Date | November 19, 2025 |
| Version Numbers | Java 1.21.11 / Bedrock 1.21.130 |
| Game Drop Number | 4th of 2025 |
| New Mounts | Nautilus, Zombie Nautilus, Zombie Horses |
| New Weapons | Spears (7 tiers) |
| Key Features | Underwater riding, jousting mechanics, Netherite horse armor |
Meet the Nautilus: Minecraft’s First Underwater Mount
Forget boats—you’re about to ride the ocean like never before. The nautilus is a neutral aquatic mob that spawns in all ocean biomes and becomes your high-speed underwater companion once tamed with pufferfish.
Here’s what makes it special: When riding a nautilus, you get the “Breath of the Nautilus” effect, freezing your oxygen bar and preventing drowning. No more frantically swimming to the surface!
Nautiluses can equip armor in copper, iron, gold, diamond, and Netherite variants, making them both stylish and protected. They attack using a dash ability—similar to camels—that you control with the jump button.
Zombie Nautilus variant: Watch out for the undead version ridden by drowned enemies wielding tridents. These hostile variants spawn in warm oceans and burn in sunlight (unless wearing armor).
Zombie Horses Finally Gallop into Survival
After 12 years chilling in Creative mode, zombie horses are spawning in savannah and plains biomes starting with Mounts of Mayhem. They come with that classic undead green tinge and burn in sunlight—unless you equip them with horse armor.
The catch? They spawn being ridden by hostile zombies wielding spears, creating dangerous “zombie horsemen” encounters. Take them down carefully, tame the horse, and you’ve got yourself a unique mount that’ll turn heads on your server.
Spears: Minecraft’s First New Tiered Weapon Since… Forever
Say goodbye to sword-only combat. Spears introduce two revolutionary attack types that completely change Minecraft combat:
Charge Attack: The faster you’re moving on a mount, the more devastating damage you deal. Perfect for jousting with friends or knocking hostile riders off their mounts.
Jab Attack: Keep enemies at a distance with pokes that work great in close quarters.
Spears come in seven tiers: wooden, stone, copper, iron, gold, diamond, and Netherite. Each material affects timing and stats. Golden spears are now preferred by piglins, and the new “Lunge” enchantment (exclusive to spears) propels you horizontally during jab attacks.
Pro tip: Spears aren’t just for mounted combat. Try wielding them with elytra or in a minecart to maximize their speed-based damage bonus.
Camel Husks and Desert Dangers
The badlands just got deadlier. New “Parched” skeleton variants spawn in deserts at night, shooting arrows of Weakness while riding camel husks. Unlike regular skeletons, they don’t burn in sunlight, making desert exploration significantly more challenging.
Camel husks work similarly to regular camels but come with that distinctive undead aesthetic. Any husk riding them now has a chance to drop rabbit feet upon death—finally giving this rare drop another source.
Netherite Horse Armor: The Ultimate Protection
Your trusty steed deserves the best. Craft Netherite horse armor by upgrading diamond horse armor at a smithing table with a Netherite ingot and upgrade template. This top-tier protection keeps your horses safe during intense PvP battles and dangerous biome exploration.
Pre-Release Phase: What Changed on November 19?
Mojang dropped the first pre-release earlier than expected on November 19, 2025—breaking from their usual Tuesday schedule. Key additions include:
- Texture Filtering option: New graphics setting (formerly Anisotropic Filtering) with None, RGSS, and Anisotropic options
- Spear improvements: Golden spears preferred by piglins, charge attacks now deal continuous damage
- Spawn egg organization: Now categorized by realms and mob types
- Various bug fixes: Improving stability before full release
Testing Before Launch
Want to experience Mounts of Mayhem early? Test features now through Java Edition snapshots or Bedrock Edition preview/beta builds. Always backup your worlds first—test versions can cause corruption on existing saves.
The official Minecraft website posts snapshot updates regularly, so bookmark it for the latest testing builds.
Community Reactions: Hype is Real
The Minecraft community is buzzing with excitement. Players are already theorizing jousting tournaments, underwater exploration bases powered by nautilus mounts, and creative ways to use spear mechanics in redstone contraptions.
Reddit threads overflow with build ideas incorporating the new mobs, while YouTubers prep content showcasing spear combat techniques and nautilus racing tracks.
FAQs
Q: When exactly does Mounts of Mayhem release?
While Mojang confirms a 2025 release, the most likely date is Tuesday, December 16, 2025, based on typical update patterns. The November 19 pre-release signals we’re in the final testing phase before official launch. Mojang called the November 4 snapshot the “final testing moment,” meaning all features are now being polished for release.
Q: Can nautiluses survive on land?
No, nautiluses take suffocation damage when out of water and cannot survive on land. This makes them purely aquatic mounts, unlike horses or camels. However, you can equip them with armor and saddles just like land mounts. The zombie nautilus variant also suffers on land but burns in sunlight unless wearing protective armor.
