Minecraft Nether Update Adds New Mobs, Biomes, More

MineCon 2019 has come to a close. And this year was one of their strongest ones yet. And the biggest announcement made has everyone and their steves talking: The Nether Update.

Mojang/Microsoft has announced that their next major update will be dedicated to the somewhat lackluster land of the Nether. The update will add new biomes, new mobs, and new items to the already expansive world. Here are the details.

Biome: Soulsand Valleys



Soulsand will be more than just random patches in the Nether. Now they will expand in their own valleys, emanating an uneasy aura as blue fire and fog coats giant skeletons sunken into the soulsand.

Biome: Red Netherwart Forests



Netherwart, the premier ingredient in potion making, grows in more places than the corner of fortresses. They grow in large, lush, and kind of creepy forests! With strange particles in the air and large stalks of a stranger tree-like plant, these biomes were intentionally built to be easy to get lost in.

Biome: Blue Netherwart Forest



Not all forests are the same. This variation is similar to the red ones, but they are the exclusive host to a new type of plant: the Nether Fungi.

Mob: Piglins



Zombie Pigmen (now called Zombified Piglins) were once normal, intelligent creatures known as the Piglins. Now these Piglins are in the world of Minecraft. These bipedal pig people will attack the player on sight unless they happen to be wearing gold armor. Just don't rummage through their chests or they might get angry again. You might even be able to trade with them. Piglins can be found in small bases called Bastions throughout the Nether.

Mob: Piglin Beasts



Not every pig is a person in the Nether. This new mob is a type of beast that can be found roaming the nightmare landscape. They can be farmed for food if you're brave enough. This isn't the creature's final name either. Mojang is currently taking suggestions for the official mob name (click here to submit a suggestion).

Other Things

While they didn't throw this under anything in particular, the development team did explain that they still want the Nether to be somewhere that people can live in while still being a dangerous place. They can confirm that respawning in the Nether will be possible, but they did not explain how.

There's no official date for when this update will be coming to Minecraft, but we're excited all the same. This is a lot more intimidating than Bees.