Combat Update – Java Edition 1.9

• Release Date: February 29, 2016
• Version(s): Java Edition 1.9
• Overview: The Combat Update is one of the most game-changing updates in Minecraft history. Released on Leap Day, it overhauled the combat system, reworked the End dimension, and introduced new mechanics, mobs, items, and blocks. It emphasized strategy in combat through attack cooldowns, shields, and new weapon behaviors, while also expanding exploration with End cities, Elytra, and shulkers.

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Development History

• Development began before the release of 1.8 (Bountiful Update).
• The update took 576 days of development, the longest gap between two major updates at the time.
• A total of 56 snapshots were released (15w31a – 16w07b).
• Pre-releases: February 17, 18, 24, and 26, 2016.
• The name “Combat Update” was hidden as a QR code in snapshot 15w14a, discovered by Reddit users.
• The update was delayed to 2016 so Mojang could fix more bugs and keep the game stable during the holidays.
• This was the first year (2015) without a major release in Minecraft’s history.

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Notable Features

Additions

Gameplay Systems:

• Attack Cooldown: Weapons now have a delay between swings; stronger attacks if timed properly.
• Dual Wielding: New off-hand slot, allowing shields, torches, arrows, or other items to be used alongside the main hand.
• Attribute System Expanded: More control over entity stats via commands.
• Subtitles: Accessibility feature for sound indicators.
• Dominant Hand Option: Players can set left or right hand as their main hand.

End Dimension Expansion:

• Dragon Respawn: Ender Dragon can be fought multiple times using End Crystals.
• Outer End Islands: Infinite terrain beyond the main island, with chorus plants, new structures, and loot.
• End Cities & Ships: Structures containing valuable loot, Elytra, and Shulker mobs.
• End Gateway Portals: Generate after defeating the dragon, allowing access to outer islands.

New Mobs:

• Shulker: Found in End Cities; hides in blocks and shoots levitation projectiles.
• Skeleton Trap Horses: Rare event during thunderstorms; spawns skeletons riding horses.

New Items:

• Shields: Off-hand item that blocks attacks.
• Elytra: Wing-like item that allows gliding.
• Tipped Arrows: 14 types, crafted with lingering potions.
• Spectral Arrow: Creates a glowing outline around targets.
• Lingering Potions: Clouds that apply effects in an area.
• Dragon’s Breath: Used to brew lingering potions.
• Beetroot, Beetroot Seeds, Beetroot Soup: New crop and food.
• Chorus Fruit & Popped Chorus Fruit: Food item, teleports when eaten; used for crafting Purpur blocks.
• End Crystal: Craftable, used for respawning the Ender Dragon.
• New Enchantments:
  • Frost Walker: Freezes water underfoot.
  • Mending: Repairs items using XP orbs.

New Blocks:

• Purpur Blocks, Pillars, Slabs, Stairs: Crafted from popped chorus fruit.
• End Rod: Light source, decorative.
• End Stone Bricks: Building block.
• Grass Path: Created with a shovel.
• Frosted Ice: Forms via Frost Walker boots.
• Command Blocks: Two new types – chain and repeating.

New Status Effects:

• Levitation: Caused by shulker projectiles.
• Glowing: Makes entities outlined.
• Luck / Bad Luck: Affects loot chances.

New Particles:

• Sweep Attack, Dragon Breath, End Rod, Damage Indicator.

New Statistics:

• sleepInBed, sneakTime, pickup, drop, aviateOneCm.

New Gamerules:

• disableElytraMovementCheck
• spectatorsGenerateChunks
• spawnRadius

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Changes

• Combat Rework:
  • Sword blocking removed.
  • New “sweep attack” for swords.
  • Axes deal more damage but attack slower.
  • Shields replace blocking.
  • Weapon cooldown encourages timing over spam-clicking.
• Balance Adjustments:
  • Armor strength nerfed.
  • Tool damage rebalanced.
  • Sharpness enchantment nerfed.
  • Health regen tied more to saturation.
  • Enchanted golden apples no longer craftable.
• Ender Dragon Fight: Rebalanced with new mechanics and changed obsidian pillar layout.
• World Generation:
  • Igloos in snowy biomes.
  • Strongholds increased to 128 per world.
  • Large oak trees spawn again.
  • Fire spread increased during rain.
• Other Changes:
  • Boats improved, now seat two players.
  • Maps improved, item frames emit redstone.
  • Resource packs allow per-item models.
  • Loot is generated via loot tables.
  • Hardcore death now allows spectator continuation.
  • Villagers and skeleton AI improved.
  • Status effect icons now visible on HUD.
  • Brewing stands require blaze powder.

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Performance & Optimizations

• Particles are no longer entities.
• Improved block ticking.
• Better mob pathfinding.
• Reduced memory usage on servers.

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Trivia

• Once again, Mojang added “Removed Herobrine” in the changelog.
• The update name was teased in the April Fools snapshot 15w14a.
• Only major update released on Leap Day (Feb 29, 2016) — won’t happen again until at least 2028.

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Further Revisions (1.9.x)

• 1.9.1: Added Elytra sounds, armor toughness stat, crosshair attack indicator; bug fixes.
• 1.9.2: Fixed Realms crashes with boats and minecarts.
• 1.9.3: Stability fixes, /stopsound command, server blacklist system.
• 1.9.4: Fixed erroneous Realms warning.