Minecraft Snapshot 25w41a: Spears Guide (March 2026)

Updated by Garvit Sharma
October 10, 2025
GamingGaming GuidesGaming News

Minecraft Java Edition just dropped Snapshot 25w41a, kicking off the highly anticipated Mounts of Mayhem update series! This snapshot brings revolutionary changes to combat and exploration with the introduction of spears, nautilus mounts, and naturally spawning zombie horses. As someone who’s been testing these features extensively, I can tell you this is one of the most game-changing updates in recent Minecraft history.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every new feature, mechanic, and strategy you need to know about Snapshot 25w41a. Whether you’re a seasoned Minecraft veteran or a curious newcomer, this guide will help you master the new content before it hits the main game.

Overview: What’s New in Snapshot 25w41a?

Feature	Description	Impact
Spear Weapon	New weapon type with jab and charge attacks	Revolutionizes combat mechanics
Nautilus Mount	Tameable underwater mount with dash ability	Transforms ocean exploration
Zombie Nautilus	Undead variant with drowned rider	New ocean threat
Zombie Horses	Now spawn naturally in the wild	New mount option for players
Nautilus Armor	Equipable armor for nautiluses	Enhances mount survivability
Lunge Enchantment	Spear-exclusive enchantment	Adds mobility to combat

The New Spear Weapon: Complete Combat Revolution

The spear is Minecraft’s newest weapon type, and it completely changes how we approach combat in the game. After extensive testing, I can confidently say this is the most sophisticated weapon Mojang has ever introduced.

Crafting Spear Tiers

Spears can be crafted using two sticks and any material tier, just like other tools. Here’s what you need to know about each tier:

Material	Damage	Attack Speed	Cooldown	Special Properties
Wood	Low	Fastest	Shortest	Basic starter weapon
Stone	Medium	Fast	Short	Good early-game option
Copper	Medium-High	Medium	Medium	Balanced stats
Iron	High	Medium	Medium	Reliable mid-game weapon
Gold	Medium-High	Fast	Short	Fast but less durable
Diamond	Very High	Slow-Medium	Medium-Long	Excellent damage output
Netherite	Highest	Slowest	Longest	Maximum damage and durability

Understanding Spear Mechanics: The Game-Changer

What makes spears truly revolutionary is their unique dual-attack system and range mechanics. Unlike swords or axes, spears have both a minimum and maximum reach requirement.

Minimum Reach Requirement: If you’re too close to an enemy (practically touching them), your spear attacks will deal no damage. This forces you to maintain tactical distance during combat.

Extended Maximum Reach: Spears have significantly longer reach than any other weapon in the game, allowing you to hit enemies from much farther away.

Jab Attack: Your Primary Combat Tool

The jab attack is your go-to move for regular combat. Here’s how it works:

Activation: Quick-press the primary action button (usually left-click)
Damage: Lower than charge attacks but consistent
Effect: Knocks enemies back, creating space
Cooldown: Varies by material (wood fastest, netherite slowest)
Multi-target: Can hit multiple enemies at once
Block Interaction: Does not destroy blocks, making it safer for indoor combat

Pro Tip: Use jab attacks to control crowds of enemies. The knockback effect gives you breathing room and prevents being overwhelmed.

Charge Attack: The High-Skill, High-Reward Option

The charge attack is where spears truly shine, but it requires mastery. Here’s the complete breakdown:

Activation: Hold down the secondary action button (usually right-click)

The charge attack progresses through three distinct stages:

Engaged Stage:
- Spear is ready and positioned for maximum damage
- Can deal damage, knockback, AND dismount mounted enemies
- Requires minimum speed threshold
- Visual indicator: Spear is horizontal and steady
Tired Stage:
- Spear rotates to vertical position and shakes
- Can still deal damage and knockback
- Cannot dismount enemies
- Lower speed threshold required
- Visual indicator: Spear is vertical and shaking
Disengaged Stage:
- Spear lowers and points downward
- Can only deal damage (no knockback or dismount)
- Lowest speed threshold required
- Visual indicator: Spear is pointing down

Damage Calculation: Charge attack damage depends on:

Spear material tier
Your view angle (horizontal aiming is best)
Your movement speed
Target’s movement speed

Lunge Enchantment: Spear’s Exclusive Power

The Lunge enchantment is exclusive to spears and only works with jab attacks. This enchantment completely changes mobility in combat:

Effects:

Propels you horizontally in your view direction
Maximum distance achieved when aiming perfectly level
Significant durability cost (balances the power)
Does not affect charge attacks

Strategic Uses:

Closing distance quickly with ranged enemies
Escaping from dangerous situations
Positioning for better charge attacks
Crossing gaps or hazards during combat

Durability Warning: Lunge causes substantial durability loss. I recommend using this enchantment on higher-tier spears or keeping repair materials handy.

Nautilus: The Ocean’s New Mount

The nautilus is Minecraft’s first true underwater mount, and it completely transforms ocean exploration. After spending hours with these creatures, I can say they’re worth every bit of effort to tame and ride.

Nautilus Behavior and Spawning

Spawn Location: All ocean biomes
Behavior: Neutral (won’t attack unless provoked)
Group Behavior: Usually found in small groups
Special Interaction: Attacks nearby pufferfish with dash attacks
Land Behavior: Takes suffocation damage on land

Taming Your First Nautilus

Taming a nautilus is straightforward but requires the right resources:

Required Items:

Pufferfish (regular or bucket of pufferfish)

Taming Process:

Locate a nautilus in any ocean biome
Approach carefully (don’t provoke it)
Feed it pufferfish or a bucket of pufferfish
Wait for hearts to appear above its head
Success! Your nautilus is now tamed

Pro Tip: Bring multiple pufferfish when hunting for nautiluses. They can be tricky to catch, and you don’t want to run out of taming materials.

Riding and Controlling Nautiluses

Once tamed, nautiluses become incredible underwater mounts:

Saddle Requirements:

Craft a saddle using leather and iron ingots
Place saddle on tamed nautilus
Now you can ride and control it

Movement Mechanics:

Underwater Speed: Significantly faster than swimming
Dash Ability: Press jump button to dash (similar to camels)
Breath of the Nautilus Effect: Pauses oxygen consumption while riding
Roaming Restrictions:
- With saddle: 16 blocks from home spot
- Without saddle: 32 blocks from home spot

Combat Applications:

Use dash ability to escape dangerous situations
The Breath effect allows extended underwater exploration
Perfect for underwater base building or ocean monument raids

Zombie Nautilus: The Ocean’s New Threat

Zombie nautiluses are the undead variants of regular nautiluses, and they pose a significant new threat to ocean exploration.

Zombie Nautilus Characteristics

Spawn Condition: Always spawns with a drowned rider
Rider Equipment: Drowned typically carries a trident
Hostility: Only hostile if the rider is hostile
Behavior: Similar to regular nautiluses but cannot be bred
Taming: Can still be tamed and ridden (challenging but rewarding)

Combat Strategies

When Encountering Zombie Nautiluses:

Target the Rider First: The drowned is the real threat
Use Ranged Weapons: Trident drowned are dangerous at close range
Environmental Advantages: Use underwater terrain for cover
Spear Advantage: The spear’s reach is perfect for this fight

Taming Strategy:

Eliminate the drowned rider first
Quickly feed the nautilus pufferfish before it despawns
Be prepared for a fight, as the nautilus may still be aggressive initially

Zombie Horses: Natural Spawning Arrives

One of the most requested features finally arrives: zombie horses now spawn naturally in the world! This changes the dynamics of night exploration and provides new mount options.

Natural Spawning Mechanics

Spawn Biomes: Plains and savanna
Spawn Time: During darkness (nighttime)
Spawn Condition: Always with a zombie rider
Rider Equipment: Zombie holds an iron spear
Sunlight Behavior: Burn in sunlight like other undead mobs

Taming and Utilizing Zombie Horses

Taming Process:

Same method as regular horses (repeated mounting)
Mount the zombie horse multiple times until hearts appear
No special items required – just persistence

Post-Taming Benefits:

Permanent Mount: Tamed zombie horses don’t despawn
Control: Can be fully controlled like regular horses
Healing: Can be healed with red mushrooms
Equipment: Can wear saddles and horse armor
Sun Protection: Horse armor protects from sunlight damage

Stats and Abilities:

Health: 25 points (12.5 hearts)
Movement Speed: Variable (determined at spawn)
Jump Strength: Variable (determined at spawn)
Combat Use: Excellent for mounted combat due to health pool

Strategic Advantages

Why Zombie Horses Are Game-Changing:

Night Exploration: Perfect for nighttime adventures
Combat Mount: High health makes them excellent battle mounts
Unique Aesthetic: Undead appearance for roleplaying
Resource Efficiency: No need to find regular horses first

Nautilus Armor: Protecting Your Ocean Companions

Minecraft introduces a new armor system specifically for nautiluses, adding another layer of strategy to underwater exploration.

Armor Tiers and Availability

Armor Tier	Protection	Where to Find	Special Properties
Copper	Basic	Buried Treasure, Ocean Ruins, Shipwreck	Affordable early-game option
Gold	Low-Medium	Buried Treasure, Ocean Ruins, Shipwreck	Decorative value
Iron	Medium	Buried Treasure, Ocean Ruins, Shipwreck	Balanced protection
Diamond	High	Buried Treasure, Ocean Ruins, Shipwreck	Excellent defense
Netherite	Highest	Crafting (upgrade from diamond)	Maximum protection

Finding Nautilus Armor

Loot Chest Locations:

Buried Treasure: All tiers except netherite
Ocean Ruins: All tiers except netherite
Shipwrecks: All tiers except netherite

Netherite Upgrade:

Craft netherite nautilus armor by upgrading diamond armor
Requires netherite ingots and smithing template
Same process as regular netherite armor upgrades

Strategic Armor Usage

When to Use Each Tier:

Early Game: Copper or iron for basic protection
Mid Game: Diamond for serious ocean exploration
Late Game: Netherite for maximum safety
Special Missions: Diamond+ for ocean monument raids

Armor Benefits:

Increases nautilus survivability in combat
Allows longer deep-sea exploration
Protects investment in tamed mounts
Essential for underwater boss fights

World Generation Changes: New Loot Opportunities (2026)

Snapshot 25w41a brings significant changes to world generation, adding new loot opportunities throughout the game world.

Spear Loot in Chests

Various spears can now be found in loot chests, making them accessible without crafting:

Spear Type	Location	Rarity
Iron Spear	Buried Treasure chests	Uncommon
Copper & Iron Spears	Village Weaponsmith chests	Common
Stone Spears	Ocean Ruin chests	Common
Diamond Spears	Bastion Remnant chests	Rare
Diamond Spears	End City chests	Rare

Strategic Loot Hunting

Best Early Game Spear Sources:

Ocean Ruins: Stone spears for early combat
Village Weaponsmiths: Copper and iron spears
Buried Treasure: Iron spears for mid-game

Late Game Goals:

Bastion Remnants: Diamond spears
End Cities: Diamond spears
Crafting: Netherite spears from diamond

Technical Changes and Performance Improvements

Beyond the new features, Snapshot 25w41a brings significant technical improvements that enhance the overall Minecraft experience.

Graphics Presets System

The old graphics modes (Fast, Fancy, Fabulous!) have been replaced with a comprehensive preset system:

New Preset Options:

Fast: Maximum performance, minimum visual quality
Fancy: Balanced performance and quality (default for new players)
Fabulous!: Maximum visual quality, higher resource usage
Custom: Preserve existing configurations for upgrading players

Video Settings Reorganization:

Display Section: Basic display options
Quality & Performance Section: Advanced graphics settings
Interface Section: UI-related settings

New Individual Settings:

See-Through Leaves: Previously hidden behind graphics settings
Show Vignette: Visual effect control
Weather Effect Radius: Configurable rain/snow visibility distance
Improved Transparency: Resolves transparent geometry issues (was Fabulous! exclusive)

Performance Enhancements

Expected Improvements:

Higher Client FPS: For most players due to optimization
Better Mipmap Support: All blocks now support mipmaps
Improved Distance Rendering: Vines, rails, and foliage look better from afar
Reduced GPU Load: Better rendering efficiency

Accessibility Improvements

New Key Binding Options:

Debug Category: New section in key binds screen
Separate Debug Modifier: Can be bound independently
GUI Toggle Key: Now rebindable
Spectator Shader Effects: Rebindable for better accessibility

Input Changes:

Mac Compatibility: Cmd key functions rebound to Ctrl
Consistent Controls: Better cross-platform experience

Advancements Updated for New Content

Minecraft’s advancement system has been updated to include all the new features in Snapshot 25w41a.

Updated Advancements

Advancement	New Content Added	Requirements
How Did We Get Here?	Breath of the Nautilus effect	Experience all effects including new nautilus effect
Best Friends Forever	Nautilus, Zombie Nautilus, Zombie Horse	Tame all new mount types
The Parrots and the Bats	Nautilus	Breed two nautiluses
Two by Two	Nautilus	Breed every animal type including nautilus
Monster Hunter	Zombie Nautilus	Kill a zombie nautilus
A Throwaway Joke	Nautilus, Zombie Nautilus	Hit a mob with a nautilus-related item
Take Aim	Nautilus, Zombie Nautilus	Shoot something with an arrow from nautilus back
It Spreads	Nautilus, Zombie Nautilus	Kill a mob near a sculk catalyst

Achievement Hunting Strategy

Efficient Achievement Path:

Start with taming a regular nautilus
Breed nautiluses for breeding achievements
Find and kill a zombie nautilus
Tame a zombie horse
Experience the Breath of the Nautilus effect
Complete combat-related achievements

2026 Pro Strategies for Mastering New Content

After extensive testing, I’ve developed advanced strategies for each new feature. Here are my top pro tips:

Spear Combat Mastery

Advanced Spear Techniques:

Range Control: Master the minimum/maximum reach sweet spot
Charge Timing: Learn the three charge stages by feel
Lunge Positioning: Use lunge for both offense and defense
Material Selection: Choose spear tier based on combat situation
Enchantment Synergy: Combine lunge with other enchantments

Mob-Specific Strategies:

Against Zombies: Use jab attacks for crowd control
Against Skeletons: Charge attacks from maximum range
Against Spiders: Lunge away when they jump
Against Creepers: Maximum range combat only

Nautilus Mount Optimization

Advanced Nautilus Tactics:

Dash Management: Save dash for emergency escapes
Breath Timing: Use Breath effect for extended deep dives
Combat Mounting: Fight from nautilus back when possible
Armor Strategy: Match armor tier to exploration danger
Home Base Setup: Create nautilus staging areas near ocean monuments

Zombie Horse Utilization

Zombie Horse Pro Tips:

Night Raiding: Perfect for nighttime exploration and combat
Combat Mount: Use high health for tanking damage
Sunlight Management: Keep horse armor equipped during day
Red Mushroom Farming: Establish healing supply early
Spawn Camping: Hunt zombie horses during night for multiple captures

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Based on my testing, here are the common pitfalls players encounter with the new content:

Spear Combat Errors

Beginner Mistakes:

Fighting too close (minimum range violation)
Ignoring charge attack stages
Wasting lunge on poor positioning
Using wrong spear tier for situation
Forgetting about durability management

How to Avoid:

Practice range control in safe environments
Learn visual cues for charge stages
Save lunge for tactical situations
Carry multiple spear tiers
Keep repair materials handy

Nautilus Management Errors

Common Nautilus Mistakes:

Provoking wild nautiluses unnecessarily
Forgetting to bring pufferfish for taming
Neglecting saddle requirements
Ignoring Breath effect limitations
Losing nautiluses to roaming restrictions

Prevention Strategies:

Approach wild nautiluses cautiously
Always carry extra pufferfish
Craft saddles before ocean expeditions
Plan dives around Breath effect duration
Build nautilus containment areas

Zombie Horse Pitfalls

Zombie Horse Mistakes:

Taming during daylight (burning risk)
Forgetting red mushrooms for healing
Neglecting horse armor for sun protection
Losing untamed horses to despawning
Poor spawn location choices

Best Practices:

Hunt zombie horses at night
Establish red mushroom supply early
Always equip horse armor
Tame horses immediately when found
Focus on plains and savanna biomes

Frequently Asked Questions

About Spears

Q: What’s the best spear material for beginners?

A: Stone or copper spears offer the best balance of damage and speed for new players. They’re accessible and provide good learning opportunities for spear mechanics.

Q: Can spears be used with shields?

A: Yes, spears can be used alongside shields, making them excellent defensive weapons. The extended reach allows you to attack while maintaining shield protection.

Q: How do I maximize charge attack damage?

A: To maximize charge attack damage, you need to be moving at high speed, aim horizontally, and time your attack for the “Engaged” stage. Practice on passive mobs first to get the timing right.

Q: Is the Lunge enchantment worth the durability cost?

A: Absolutely! Lunge provides incredible mobility that can save your life in dangerous situations. Just keep backup spears or repair materials handy.

About Nautiluses

Q: Where’s the best place to find nautiluses?

A: Nautiluses spawn in all ocean biomes, but I’ve found the highest concentrations in deep ocean biomes. Look for them near coral reefs or ocean monuments.

Q: Can nautiluses be used for combat effectively?

A: Yes! Nautiluses are excellent combat mounts. Their dash ability provides quick escapes, and the Breath effect allows extended underwater combat sessions.

Q: Do nautiluses despawn if I leave them?

A: Tamed nautiluses with saddles have a 16-block roaming restriction, while those without saddles can roam 32 blocks. They won’t despawn if tamed, but they might wander off.

About Zombie Horses

Q: Why would I choose a zombie horse over a regular horse?

A: Zombie horses have higher health (25 points vs 15-30 for regular horses) and spawn naturally at night, making them accessible early in the game. They also have a unique undead aesthetic.

Q: Can zombie horses be bred like regular horses?

A: No, zombie horses cannot be bred. You’ll need to find and tame additional zombie horses in the wild.

Q: Do zombie horses take damage in water?

A: No, zombie horses don’t take damage in water. They’re actually excellent for both land and water exploration, making them versatile mounts.

About Technical Aspects

Q: Will these features be added to Bedrock Edition?

A: Yes, but Bedrock players will need to wait for the beta and preview versions. The features will eventually be available on both platforms.

Q: Do I need to start a new world to experience these features?

A: No, these features will generate in existing worlds. However, you may need to explore new chunks to find naturally spawning zombie horses and nautiluses.

Q: Are there any known bugs or issues with this snapshot?

A: As with any snapshot, there may be some bugs. Report any issues you find to the official Minecraft bug tracker to help improve the final release.

Conclusion: The Future of Minecraft Combat and Exploration

Snapshot 25w41a represents a monumental shift in Minecraft’s gameplay, introducing sophisticated combat mechanics and expanding exploration possibilities in ways we’ve never seen before. The spear weapon system alone adds more depth to combat than any previous update, while the new mount options open up entirely new playstyles.

What This Means for Players:

Combat Evolution: Spear mechanics reward skill and strategy over simple button-mashing
Ocean Revolution: Nautiluses make underwater exploration viable and exciting
Mount Diversity: Zombie horses provide new tactical options for players
Long-term Investment: These features will continue to evolve throughout the Mounts of Mayhem update series

My Final Recommendations:

Start with Spears: Master the spear mechanics first, as they’re fundamental to the new combat system
Tame Early: Begin hunting nautiluses and zombie horses as soon as possible
Experiment: Try different combinations of mounts, weapons, and tactics
Provide Feedback: Share your experiences with Mojang to help shape the final release

This snapshot isn’t just an update—it’s a revolution in how we play Minecraft. The Mounts of Mayhem series is just beginning, and if this first snapshot is any indication, we’re in for an incredible journey ahead.

Ready to dive in? Download Snapshot 25w41a from your Minecraft Launcher and experience the future of Minecraft today. And don’t forget to bookmark this guide—I’ll be updating it as new information and strategies emerge throughout the Mounts of Mayhem update series!

Looking for more Minecraft content? Check out our Minecraft Copper Age Update guide for the latest features, or explore our Minecraft building ideas for inspiration on what to build with your new mounts and weapons!