Minecraft Mounts of Mayhem: Spear, Nautilus & Zombie Horses
Platforms: Java Edition snapshot 25w41a+ / 25w42a, Bedrock Edition Preview 1.21.130.20 (features in testing; values may change)
TL;DR
- Spear is a new tiered weapon in Minecraft server hosting with jab and charge attack; damage scales with your velocity. There’s also a Lunge enchantment for a forward dash.
- Nautilus is a tameable aquatic mob you can ride; equip it with armor (Copper→Netherite). While mounted, Breath of the Nautilus pauses air consumption.
- Zombie Horses now spawn naturally in plains and savanna at night with hostile riders; you can dismount and tame the horse.
- Test it now by enabling Java snapshots; Bedrock players get it in preview/beta soon.
TIP
How to enable the snapshot (Java Edition)
1) Open the Minecraft Launcher → Installations.
2) Toggle “Enable snapshots.”
3) Create a new installation → choose 25w41a/25w42a (or newer).
4) Launch and back up your worlds before testing.
5) Server admins: run a snapshot server build separately; keep a rollback/backup plan.
Spear 101 — jab, charge, and the Lunge enchantment
What it is: A weapon craftable in Wood, Stone, Copper, Iron, Gold, Diamond, and Netherite. Different materials change timing and feel. The spear has extra reach and a minimum distance: stand too close and the jab won’t deal damage.
Attacks:
- Jab attack (quick press): a fast poke with knockback that can hit multiple targets.
- Charge attack (hold): gains power from spear material, your view angle, and movement speed. At high speed it can dismount enemies. After a burst you’ll see Engaged → Tired → Disengaged stages that affect knockback.
Lunge enchantment:
A spear-exclusive enchantment that augments your jab with a horizontal dash in your view direction. To get maximum distance, keep your camera perfectly level. Note it hits durability hard, so carry spare spears or Mending gear.
Mob behavior & loot:
Zombies, Husks, Piglins, Zombified Piglins can spawn holding spears; Golden Spears are liked by Piglins. Spear variants also appear in treasure chests (e.g., Buried Treasure, Bastion Remnants, End Cities).
Pro tip: Keep a torch or shield in your off-hand and spear in main hand for caves or mounted jousts. The spear’s charge pairs well with horse speed and minecart momentum.
Riding the Nautilus — a real underwater mount
Taming: Feed a Pufferfish (or Bucket of Pufferfish) to tame a Nautilus. Add a saddle to control it and start cruising. The Nautilus is an aquatic mob: it suffocates on land, so plan your routes with safe surfacing spots.
Armor & variants:
Equip Nautilus Armor (Copper, Iron, Gold, Diamond, Netherite). Armor pieces drop from chests in structures like Ocean Ruins, Shipwrecks, and Buried Treasure a clean loop between ocean exploration and mount upgrades.
Breath of the Nautilus:
While mounted, you gain a temporary status effect that pauses oxygen loss (it doesn’t refill bubbles). It’s perfect for ravines, monuments, and long underwater crossings.
Zombie Nautilus & Drowned:
A Zombie Nautilus can appear with a trident-wielding Drowned rider. The mob itself mirrors the regular nautilus but can’t be bred. Expect more hostile pressure in oceans carry a spear to dismount riders quickly.
TIP
Zombie Horses in Survival — finally
Spawning & taming: Zombie Horses now spawn at night and burn in sunlight like other undead. You can knock off the rider and tame the horse just like a regular one; equip horse armor (it even helps with sunlight protection). Spawns target plains and savanna biomes.
Drops & stats: 25 HP (12.5 hearts), variable speed/jump. Drops Rotten Flesh; some riders can drop Red Mushrooms. Tamed zombie horses are persistent and won’t despawn.
Nautilus shells: do they matter here?
The Nautilus Shell remains a treasure item from fishing and mob loot (Drowned) used as a crafting ingredient for Conduits. It’s stackable and handy for ocean bases, but not required for taming mounts in this game drop. There’s no vanilla way to “sell nautilus shells” to villagers stash them for Conduit builds or trading halls that use data packs. (Good spot to add a short trivia box about shells vs. Nautilus Armor so readers don’t confuse them.)
FAQ
Is the spear available on Bedrock Edition?
You can test spear and mounts on Java snapshots right now; Bedrock gets them in preview/beta soon. Features may change before the full drop.
Can I use the spear in boats or minecarts?
Yes, the snapshot allows creative usage scenarios (including mounted jousting). The charge attack scales with speed and view angle, so rails and horses are great for testing.
Where do I find Nautilus Armor?
In world chests like Shipwrecks, Ocean Ruins, and Buried Treasure; then equip on your mount.
Does Lunge work with charge?
No, Lunge only augments jab. It provides a forward dash but eats durability.
Do these values change later?
Yes. Snapshots are for testing; stats and behavior can shift before the full update. Keep an eye on new 25w builds and patch notes.