Mojang has revealed the new 1.9 update for Minecraft, and this one is focusing on combat, adding such skills as weapon dual-wielding and introducing shields. According to the official patch notes, ”The combat mechanics have been updated to make fighting more interesting and offer more map-making options.”
Combat isn’t the only thing addressed in the update. The developer also noted that it would also add more mapmaking options, along with the usual tweaks and fixes.
Mojang released a changelog, but also stated that the list doesn’t have all of the new changes in 1.9:
- Added shields
- Attacking now has a “cool-down” delay, making it more important to time your attacks
- You can now hold items in both hands (default quick key to swap items is ‘F’)
- Swords have a special sweep attack
- Axes have a special crushing blow attack
- Added the elytra
- New mob: Shulker
- Expanded The End
- Added Chorus plants
- New Purpur blocks
- New End Rod block
- Added dragon head block
- Ender Dragon can be resummoned
- Added beetroot and beetroot soup (from MC:PE)
- Added grass path block
- Added igloos
- Armor protection values have been lowered
- Added tipped arrows
- Added spectral arrows
- Added Frost Walker enchantment and frosted ice block
- Added a whole bunch of new sound effects
- Added sound effect subtitles
- Brewing Stand now requires Blaze Powder to activate
- Added skeleton riders
- We believe we’ve fixed MC-10 and a whole bunch of other issues
- Removed Herobrine
