Minecraft 1.21 Update Officially Named Tricky Trials, Adds A New Weapon

Mojang has revealed the name of its much-anticipated 1.21 update. Tricky Trials, as it's named, will come with a host of new content, some of which the studio has shared alongside the name reveal.

But players don't have to wait until Tricky Trails to see some new content in the game. As explained in a Minecraft Monthly video, players are now able to give their wolves armor, which can be crafted by Scutes dropped by armadillos as a part of the Armored Paws update. On top of that, players will also have the option to dye the armor to personalize it more.

Mojang has also announced that Realms Plus is now available. The difference between this and the normal Minecraft Realms is that Realms Plus features an in-game social feed called Realm Stories, monthly character creator items, improved render distance, and more.

Those looking forward to playing the Ominous Trails can do so, as long as they're playing in Java Snapshot, Bedrock beta, or Minecraft preview. In the Ominous Trails, players drink from a bottle and enter a chamber where they'll be forced to fight mobs. Those who survive will be rewarded with the Ominous Trail Key, which will reward players with various items via a Vault.

In addition to the Ominous Trail Key, a new melee weapon is being introduced. Players will now be able to use a Mace. What makes this weapon different from the others is that it encourages you to drop from high places. If players land the attack, they'll be safe from fall damage, but if they miss, they'll receive all the damage. Players can test out the Mace now by playing Java Snapshot, Bedrock beta, or Minecraft preview.

Five new paintings will be coming to the game. In Minecraft tradition, the new paintings are inspired by real-world art. Console players can finally play Hardcore mode in Bedrock beta or Minecraft preview. In this mode, once players die, they can't respawn, unlike in the normal mode.

As the video continues, they name various features that'll be introduced in the 1.21 update, which include:

• Decorative Copper
• Tuff blocks
• The Crafter
• Copper Bulbs
• The Breeze
• Trail Chambers
• Trial Spawners
• Vaults
• The Wind Charge
• The Bogged
• Armor Trims
• Banner Patterns
• Pottery Sherds
• Music Disc

Further in the video, Agnes Larsson, the Minecraft vanilla game director, explained the reasoning behind calling the 1.21 update Tricky Trials. Larsson explains that it felt like a given to add trails because of the Ominous Trail. The tricky aspect came from the challenges players will face, and tricky feels like "this quirky Minecraft personality."

The Tricky Trials update doesn't have a release date yet, but it's expected to be available later this year.