Minecraft’s new ‘Combat Update’ overhauls fighting mechanics

By Danny Cowan February 29, 2016

minecraft combat update makes fighting more interesting minecraftcombat header — Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to make a map in MinecraftMicrosoft-owned development studio Mojang has released a major update for its sandbox construction title Minecraft, overhauling the game’s combat mechanics in a bid to “make fighting more interesting and offer more map-making options.”

The update greatly impacts Minecraft‘s long-untouched combat aspect, giving players more options when braving the randomly-generated wilderness in Survival mode.

Starting in version 1.9 of Minecraft, players can construct handheld shields that block enemy attacks. This addition gives combat enthusiasts a new way to take on enemies who attack from afar with ranged weaponry, as shields can now provide safety from incoming projectiles.

Close-quarters melee combat also sees a number of sweeping changes. Attacks now have a “cool-down” timer that eliminates the frantic button-mashing combat that defined earlier versions of Minecraft, and players will now need to carefully consider their strikes in battle.

In-game swords and axes now boast unique sweeping and crushing attacks, respectively, allowing players to follow up a combination of strikes with a finishing blow. Minecraft‘s latest update also lets characters hold items in both hands, and adds the ability to switch to an off-hand item instantly by pressing the F key.

Version 1.9 of Minecraft additionally introduces new enemy mobs, block types, and food items. Minecraft‘s endgame area has also been expanded, and players can now resurrect the Ender Dragon in order to relive the game’s final moments.

Other additions featured in Minecraft‘s Combat Update include skeleton riders, new arrow types, player-constructed igloos, and “a whole bunch of new sound effects,” according to Mojang.

Minecraft‘s latest patch arrives more than a year after the game’s last major update. Minecraft‘s “Bountiful Update,” released in September of 2014, introduced now-standard features like underwater dungeons, a Spectator game mode, and an alternate player skin. Minecraft players can expect to see more tweaks and additions rolled out via patches in the coming months.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributor

Danny’s passion for video games was ignited upon his first encounter with Nintendo’s Duck Hunt, and years later, he still…

Gaming

Halo Infinite’s Winter Update is the boost the shooter needed

Two Spartans side by side in Halo Infinite.

It’d be an understatement to say it’s been a rough run for Halo Infinite. The latest in the classically Xbox-centric first-person shooter series, Infinite was released in November 2021 to a steady stream of positive reviews, though its popularity quickly died off due to an unintuitive progression system, a mountain of bugs, and a disappointing lack of fresh content delivered on anything resembling a consistent release schedule.

Instead of becoming one of the quintessential multiplayer games of 2022, Infinite went out silently with no more than a whimper as its concurrent player count fell below that of its predecessor, Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Longtime Halo had fans feared this would be the case, given how Halo Infinite developer 343 Industries handled its predecessor -- the largely middling Halo 5.

Gaming

Is Minecraft worth playing in 2022?

Characters in minecraft.

Minecraft continues to draw players from many different gaming circles -- some are broadly curious, some have seen their friends play, and some come to investigate because of sessions they’ve seen with streamers or the enormous kingdoms that fans have built for themselves. But it’s been over a decade since the game was released … is it really still worth getting into right now? Does that pixelated game deserve your attention?

For many players, the answer is yes. Back in 2021, Minecraft saw around 141 million monthly active users, thanks to ongoing work to breathe new life into the title. It remains an excellent game for players who like to explore and build -- here’s where it stands today and why it’s still worth getting into.

Gaming

Minecraft takes a firm stance on blockchain tech by banning NFTs

Players running into the mouth of a Puma shaped cave in Minecraft.

Minecraft developer Mojang has officially taken a stance against NFTs and other blockchain technology, banning players from creating digital assets based on Minecraft or integrating blockchain technology into Minecraft servers.
The statement came in a July 20 post on Minecraft's website that breaks down what NFTs are and why Mojang and Microsoft don't want to associate Minecraft with the controversial technology. "To ensure that Minecraft players have a safe and inclusive experience, blockchain technologies are not permitted to be integrated inside our client and server applications, nor may Minecraft in-game content such as worlds, skins, persona items, or other mods be utilized by blockchain technology to create a scarce digital asset," the post says.
https://twitter.com/Minecraft/status/1549842815185813504
A cursory search on NFT marketplaces like OpenSea immediately exposes many unofficial Minecraft NFTs being sold without Mojang or Microsoft's involvement. Mojang's post also explains that blockchain technology could also potentially be used by some server owners to reward players with exclusive content for their actions (and transactions) in and outside of the game and introduce players to a wildly unstable currency marketplace.
As such, it's understandable why Minecraft's owners want to take action to clarify their NFT stance and crack down on blockchain initiatives that are using the IP without permission. Ultimately, the blog post also explains that the decision comes down to the fact that NFTs "can create models of scarcity and exclusion that conflict with our guidelines and the spirit of Minecraft."
As Minecraft is one of the most popular games in the world, Mojang taking a firm stance against NFTs and blockchain technology does show just how far blockchain technology is from being accepted by the gaming community, whether that be players or developers. Mojang does say that it is "paying close attention to how blockchain technology evolves over time to ensure that the above principles are withheld and determine whether it will allow for more secure experiences or other practical and inclusive applications in gaming," so this stance may change in the future. For now though, Mojang and Microsoft are keen on keeping NFTs and blockchain technology far away from Minecraft.