Major Minecraft Update Released - Minecraft 1.9 is the "Combat Update"

[Shawn Zipay]

Minecraft was just updated to version 1.9 today and wow is it ever a major, major update. Mojang is calling it the "Combat Update" but it includes far more than just significant updates to the combat. It also includes a glider, a new mob, more things to do in The End, new plants, new blocks, enchanted arrows, and more.

The general overview changelog is below. The full 1.9 changelog is really long and there's no way in hell I'm about to paste that short novel length thing over here and/or try to format it for this site.

• 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