Minecraft's combat system has remained relatively unchanged for years, with swords and axes dominating the battlefield. But that's all about to shift dramatically with the introduction of the spear in the upcoming Mounts of Mayhem update. Announced as part of Minecraft's more frequent "game drops" in 2025, the spear marks the first new tiered weapon added to the game in over 15 years—since the hoe debuted in an early alpha version back in 2010. This weapon isn't just a reskin; it brings fresh mechanics, strategic depth, and synergies with new mounts, promising to revolutionize both PvE and PvP encounters. Whether you're charging into battle on a zombie horse or jabbing at foes from afar, here's everything you need to know about the spear and its role in this exciting update.
What Is the Spear Update?
The "spear update" refers to the spear's debut within the Mounts of Mayhem game drop, Minecraft's fourth major content release of 2025. Revealed at Minecraft Live in September 2025, this update focuses on enhancing mobility and combat through new mounts and weapons. The spear is the star of the show, designed for melee and mounted warfare, with features that reward speed, timing, and positioning.
The first testable version arrived in Java Snapshot 25w41a on October 9, 2025, with Bedrock previews following shortly after. While still in development, these early builds let players experiment with the spear's core mechanics. Mojang emphasizes that details could evolve based on community feedback, so players are encouraged to report bugs and suggestions via the official channels.
Key highlights include:
- Tiered Variants: Spears come in seven materials—wood, stone, iron, copper, gold, diamond, and netherite—each affecting durability, damage, and weight.
- New Combat Style: Emphasizes range and momentum over rapid swings.
- Mount Synergies: Pairs perfectly with new ridable mobs like the nautilus and zombie horse.
- Mob Integration: Hostile mobs can now wield spears, adding new challenges.
This update builds on recent additions like the Copper Age, aiming to make exploration and fights more dynamic.
Crafting the Spear
Crafting a spear follows a familiar pattern to other tools but with a twist to reflect its design. You'll need two sticks and one unit of your chosen material (e.g., planks for wood, ingots for metals). Place the material in the top center of the crafting grid, with sticks below it diagonally or in a straight line—exact patterns may vary slightly by tier, but it's intuitive for veteran players.
| Tier | Material | Base Damage | Durability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | Wooden Planks | Low | Low | Lightweight, quick to wield |
| Stone | Cobblestone | Moderate | Moderate | Balanced entry-level option |
| Iron | Iron Ingot | High | High | Common mid-game choice |
| Copper | Copper Ingot | Moderate | Moderate | Unique to recent updates |
| Gold | Gold Ingot | Low | Low | Fast but fragile |
| Diamond | Diamond | Very High | Very High | Durable and powerful |
| Netherite | Netherite Ingot | Highest | Highest | Fire-resistant upgrade |
Upgrading a diamond spear to netherite requires a netherite upgrade smithing template, preserving enchantments. Repair spears in an anvil using the corresponding material (restoring 25% durability per unit) or by combining two damaged spears of the same tier. Higher-tier materials make spears heavier, impacting how long you can hold a charge before tiring.
Spear Mechanics and Attacks
The spear stands out with its extended reach—longer than a sword's—allowing safer engagements. It features two primary attacks:
- Jab Attack: Performed with the standard attack button. This is a slow, high-ranged thrust that can hit multiple entities in a line (a "ray" effect). Damage varies by tier: wood and gold do the least, while diamond and netherite pack the most punch. It's ideal for poking at groups or keeping distance.
- Charge Attack: Hold the use key to lower the spear into position, then release to thrust forward at a target. Damage scales with relative speed between you and the enemy—the faster you're moving (or they are), the more devastating the hit. This shines in mounted combat, turning horses or nautiluses into jousting platforms.
Spears have a "tired" state: after prolonged charging, the weapon rotates vertically and shakes, requiring a cooldown. Unlike tridents, spears aren't throwable in the traditional sense; the charge is more of a directed lunge. Mastering timing is key, as charges can knock enemies off mounts.
Additional notes:
- Base damage calculation includes enchantments and attributes after speed-based scaling.
- Spears aren't ideal for rapid combos like swords but excel in hit-and-run tactics.
Enchantments for the Spear
Spears support many standard melee enchantments, sharing compatibility with swords for things like Sharpness, Smite, and Bane of Arthropods to boost damage. However, they shine with exclusives and synergies:
- Lunge (Exclusive, Levels I-III): Propels you forward during a jab, great for closing gaps or escaping. Costs durability (8/32/128 per level) and doesn't activate while mounted, gliding with elytra, or in water. Combine with jumping for aerial charges—jump, jab, and charge simultaneously for a powerful launch. Note: High levels can break low-durability spears instantly (e.g., wood with Lunge III).
Recommended setup for a general-purpose spear:
- Sharpness V (max damage boost)
- Looting III (increases drops; sword/spear exclusive in some contexts)
- Unbreaking III (extends lifespan)
- Mending (repairs with XP orbs)
- Lunge II-III (for mobility, balanced with durability)
Incompatibilities: Lunge can't pair with certain effects, and Fire Aspect or Knockback may alter playstyles. As of now, no other spear-exclusive enchantments are confirmed, but more could arrive in future snapshots.
Spears in the World: Mobs and Drops
The update integrates spears into the ecosystem. Zombies, husks, zombified piglins, and piglins can spawn holding them (iron for undead, gold for piglins). They even know how to charge! Drop rates start at 8.5%, up to 11.5% with Looting III.
New threats include spear-wielding zombies on zombie horses, and drowned on zombie nautiluses potentially using tridents or spears. This adds layers to exploration, especially in oceans or plains.
Advancements have been updated: "Best Friends Forever" now includes taming nautiluses and zombie horses, while others like "A Throwaway Joke" incorporate the new mounts.
Integration with Mounts of Mayhem
The spear's true potential unlocks when paired with mounts. Charging on a horse, boat, or even elytra amplifies damage based on velocity. New additions like the tameable nautilus (an underwater mount) and zombie horse make jousting viable. Breed fast horses for maximum impact—years of selective breeding will pay off!
This synergy encourages new strategies: ambush from the skies with elytra charges or dominate oceans with nautilus jabs. PvP could see "knight" meta shifts, with spears countering sword rushes.
Final Thoughts
The spear update via Mounts of Mayhem breathes new life into Minecraft's combat, ending the sword's long reign and opening doors to mounted mayhem. Whether you're a casual builder experimenting with jabs or a hardcore PvPer mastering charges, this weapon demands practice but rewards creativity. Dive into the snapshot today, provide feedback, and prepare for the full drop later in 2025. With spears in hand, the Overworld just got a lot more exciting!