Just in time for the 5th anniversary of the official release of Minecraft, Mojang released a large amount of new content for the beloved sandbox game. Dubbed the “Exploration Update,” version 1.11 includes several new items and features that make exploring the world both more awesome and accessible. Let’s dig into the most exciting changes!
1. New Mobs
An impressive 4 new mobs have been added in 1.11. These include the Evoker and the Vindicator, two hostile mobs of the new Illager family. Joining them is the Vex, a flying enemy summoned by the Evoker. Additionally, Evokers will drop a new item, the Totem of Undying. Holding this totem in either your main or off-hand when receiving fatal damage will consume the totem, bring the player to 1 (
To the excitement of many, the llama has also been added in this update as a neutral mob spawning in the extreme hills and savanna. Similar to horses, llamas can be tamed. While they can’t be controlled while ridden, they can be lead, formed into caravans with other llamas, and equipped with chests for easy item transportation. Don’t get too feisty with your new pack animals, though – unless you want to end up covered in spit.
2. New (and Ported) Blocks
A brand new block, the shulker box has been added in the Exploration Update. Shulker boxes behave similarly to regular chests, with the additional quality of keeping their items when broken. Crafting the shulker box is easy enough, although retrieving the required materials may not be. Simply combine 2 shulker shells with a chest to get your new, grief-proof storage container!
Additionally, the observer block has been ported to the Java version from the Pocket and Windows 10 editions.
3. The Exploration Map
Finding rare generated structures can be a pain at times. The Exploration Map aims to soothe that ache. For the cost of several emeralds and a compass, Woodland and Ocean Exploration Maps can be bought from Villagers with an interest in Cartography. This map will show a basic outline of the surrounding area and, most importantly, will specify the location of a nearby woodland mansion or ocean monument.
4. New and Re-Added Spawn Eggs
The second pre-release patch for 1.10 saw the removal of mob variant spawn eggs. But never fear, 1.11 has seen the reinstatement of (almost) all of them! Poor Ocelots…
Joining the reinstatement of mob variants are also new spawn eggs for the mobs added in this patch.
5. Woodland Mansions
The new Illagers need a place to live, and these Woodland Mansions look like just the place. These large, randomly-generated structures spawn very rarely in roofed forest biomes. Filled with dangerous Evokers and Vindicators, these pose quite the challenge to players, but contain some particularly enticing rewards. Buy a new Exploration Map to find this exciting new area!
Check Gamepedia’s Minecraft Wiki for all of your exploration needs.
Bryan Herren
Pairing a love of DOTA 2 with traditional sports statistics, Bryan previously worked as a statsman for internationally renowned gaming tournaments. He then joined the Beyond the Summit crew to help design and develop several features for the game, such as Teamfight Recap. Now, he lives in Alabama with his wife and works as a freelance production assistant and writer.
