Minecraft Snapshot 25W41A is here and it makes waves with the Nautilus and Spear

Minecraft’s oceans aren’t quiet anymore. With Snapshot 25W41A, Mojang drops two long-teased additions, the Nautilus and the Spear, that promise to shake up both exploration and combat. We already wrote about the Mounts of Mayhem Minecraft update, which brings these features, in a previous article, and now the snapshot makes it all available for testing.

Minecraft Snapshot 25W41A: What’s new?

The Nautilus is a neutral aquatic mob that glides through every ocean biome. It won’t bother you unless you bother it first, but provoke one and it’ll dash straight at you in a whirl of bubbles. Players can tame it by feeding pufferfish, after which it can be ridden, bred, and even armoured. Picture a cross between a loyal dolphin and a medieval war mount, and you’ve got the new nautilus mob.

There’s also a Zombie variant, usually ridden by a Drowned with a trident, because of course there is. It behaves much like its living cousin, minus the romance of breeding. To keep both versions protected, Mojang adds Nautilus Armor in copper, gold, iron, diamond, and Netherite tiers; each a shiny step up in defence and bragging rights.

On land, the new spear weapon brings a fresh rhythm to fights. Crafted from sticks and the usual materials, it trades brute force for balance and range. You can perform a quick Jab or a Charged attack that builds momentum before impact, perfect for closing distance or landing a cinematic strike. Enchant it with Lunge, and even a basic jab sends you lunging forward, turning combat into something that feels halfway between fencing and parkour.

ALSO READ: Minecraft’s Mounts of Mayhem update is nearly here, and it brings a whole new era of combat

Rounding things out, Zombie horses finally gallop into Survival Mode. They spawn at night, burn by day, and can be tamed, saddled, and ridden like their living counterparts. You can feed them red mushrooms to heal them, and once tamed, they’ll stick around for good. When they’re Armoured, they’re even sun-proof.

If you’re wondering how to install the snapshot, check out this handy guide on the Minecraft website. Are you excited to give it a try? Let us know in the comments below.