Minecraft update 1.9 is out today and it turns its blocky combat into Dark Souls

Minecraft

Minecraft’s massive combat update lands today and it alters much of the core gameplay, adding depth and tactical considerations to Minecraft’s barebones combat system.

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The 1.9 update looks to shake up Minecraft’s combat in a big way, adding weapon-specific special attacks, a stamina-style cooldown delay after each swing – making timing more important – and allowing you to dual wield weaponry.

Grab a sword in your right hand and raise one of Minecraft’s new shields in your left, blocking the special new arrows other players might loose in your direction.

The game’s endgame has also seen a switch-up, with an extended The End and the ability to resurrect the Ender Dragon.

Say goodbye to Herobrine and take a look at all the changes in the full patch notes below:

  • 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