Minecraft has offered players a nearly-limitless ability to build and explore since the game was first released. Its massive and lasting popularity is largely accredited to these elements, but nonetheless, changes and new content regularly come to Minecraft.
Minecraft Java snapshots give players an opportunity to check out what could be coming to future Minecraft updates, similar to beta servers or experimental updates in other games. The latest snapshot, 22W15A, has now been released, and it's bringing a creepy change to the new mob, Wardens.
Minecraft's Wardens are found in the deep dark biome, and have already been terrifying players due to their volatile and violent nature. When players trigger sculk shriekers three times, a Warden spawns and rises from the ground, seeking out aggressors by tracking vibrations or smelling its surroundings. Wardens deal some of the highest damage in the game, making them a major threat to any cave divers. As with any new challenge, though, some players have set out to dominate the mob, and now the game is making adjustments to it to make it even more challenging. The Warden's new update will now allow it to use a sonic laser-like attack that shoots out of its chest.
Blasting energy out of a chest is a pretty common concept these days, with characters like Iron Man likely jumping to mind for many. However, this is a pretty creepy take on it; the Warden splits open its own rib cage in order to fire the sonic beam. Since it's a ranged attack, chances are most players won't be up-close enough to see it clearly, though. It's designed to switch to the sonar attack whenever players are either too far away or hiding from the Warden behind a wall. And unfortunately for players, that sonic beam is going to go straight through walls, damaging them no matter how hidden they think they are.
Not every single snapshot change makes it to the finalized release of the game, at least without some alterations. The snapshot acts as a chance for the developers to gain feedback and test changes before pushing the update to all users. It's unlikely the sonar attack will be removed, though, so players will have to get themselves ready for a challenge if they intend to face off against the Warden from this point forward. And those who don't try out snapshots will be in for a surprise when the mob officially launches.
Minecraft is available now on Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Minecraft