Spring is not only approaching in real life but also in Minecraft! The new 1.21.5 update has been long anticipated, but now, after a Minecraft Live presentation, it is finally playable for everyone. So, what new features are there? Well, the update primarily focuses on making the world of Minecraft more lively and fresh, which it certainly achieves. With new mob variations, new vegetation, and other exciting adjustments, this new update brings a fresh breeze into the game, making you eager to explore a new world.
New Mob Variations for a More Lively Overworld
One change that you will likely notice immediately in a new world is the new variations of chickens, pigs, and cows. All three mobs have, since the update, their normal as well as a cold and warm type. This further distinguishes the different biomes in Minecraft, albeit mostly visually. The functions remain largely the same, except for chickens, which now also lay differently colored eggs. You can tame and breed the new colorations normally, with the offspring randomly taking after one of the parents rather than the biome where the baby animal is born.
Cold animals can be found in:
- Plains
- All variations of temperate forests
- Swamp
- Cherry Blossom Forest
Normal animals can be found in:
- Savanna
- Jungle
- Mesa
Warm animals can be found in:
- Taiga variations
- Windswept biomes
For sheep, there are already 16 different variants thanks to wool, but now their spawn rate has also been adjusted according to biome. In cold biomes, sheep are more likely to be black, while in warm biomes, they now tend to have brown wool. White sheep can be found in normal biomes, and all other colors have been excluded from natural spawning. Only the pink sheep have been retained and made rarer again as a little surprise!
Wolves have also received a small update; they can now make six new types of sounds. This is meant to reflect the character of the wolves alongside their new fur colors. We’ve already written an extensive article about wolves if you want to learn more. (Wolves and Armadillos in Minecraft: Tips for Horn Shield Farming)
Revitalizing Plants: New Flora in Minecraft
One of the biggest changes is the new plant types that you can find in various biomes. These not only visually enliven the world but some of them can also play sounds that enrich the environment. If you harvest them, you can even take these sounds with you and incorporate them into your base! Let’s take a closer look at which blocks are available. You should have a pair of shears or a tool with “Silk Touch” handy.
- Dead Bush: This desert block isn’t new but has now been given possible sounds and can finally be harvested.
- Leaf Pile: A decorative block found in forests or can be crafted from burned leaves.
- Wildflowers: Yellow and blue flowers that are particularly found in birch forests.
- Firefly Bush: A bush that you can find near water. It glows at night and emits soft sounds. It is probably one of the most beautiful new plants you can find!
- Bush: A normal bush that serves as an alternative to regular grass.
- Cactus Flower: A pink flower that now generates alongside some cacti. It can also grow on self-planted cacti and be used for bee breeding and honey production.
- Dry Grass: This grass comes in both low and tall forms. It is a type of grass block found in desert biomes. Dry grass can also play sounds when placed on certain blocks.
In larger desert or mesa biomes, sand, red sand, and terracotta now also have the ability to play ambient sounds. For this, they need to be surrounded by similar blocks. On your desert expeditions, you can now hear wind sounds and the rustling of the sand! Additionally, leaves now drop small particles that generally enhance the atmosphere in forests.
Improved Maps for Exploration
In one of our recent articles, we extensively covered navigation in Minecraft (Effective Navigation in Minecraft: Using Compass and Map) , and there are also some new features in 1.21.5 that have been adopted from experimental updates. The cartographer, in particular, has received new functions and sells a few more maps to simplify your exploration.
There are three new map types: a Swamp Map, a Jungle Map, and a Village Map. The Swamp Map leads you to a witch’s hut in the swamp, while the Jungle Map takes you to an abandoned jungle temple. The Village Maps are very exciting, as they show you the way to a village in a different biome. There are maps for villages in the savanna, plains, desert, taiga, and snow areas. Additionally, the diversity of explorer maps has been adjusted so that they don’t always lead to the same place.
Important Adjustments to Known Features
There are also some smaller new features and changes that may not be immediately noticeable but do enhance the gameplay.
- For example, several features have been balanced between Java and Bedrock, so now sheep show their actual wool color after shearing, or fallen logs can now be found in some biomes. Both functions are now also available in Java.
- A significant adjustment is the spawn eggs you find in the creative menu. These not only have a different coloring but are visually adapted to their respective mobs.
- Camels now spawn not only in desert villages but also in the desert itself.
- The wandering trader now has more items to choose from and offers different sales. This is especially good for people doing various challenges.
- The recipe for the Lodestone has been adjusted so that you only need iron instead of Netherite.
- The size of the “Pale Garden” biome has been improved, so you now have more chances to explore this eerie area.
- You can fly directly into ladders, vines, or scaffolding with an Elytra, and your flight will be interrupted. This allows for easier maneuvering.
Conclusion
We have focused only on the most important new things, but there is much more to discover! The update is surprisingly packed with exciting changes that aim to make Minecraft significantly more atmospheric. It’s especially fun to explore the new 1.21.5 update together with friends and discover all the facets together. Rent your own Minecraft server and go on the hunt for the new plants or the variations of familiar animals. You are sure to experience a surprise or two!
