Mojang has promised updates for a variety of Minecraft biomes in recent years, and in some cases it has delivered, like the changes to swamps and the new underground biome found in the Deep Dark Update. While many of these past and future biome reworks include new mobs, arthropods haven’t been the focus of Mojang’s work. Minecraft has a lot of biomes that could benefit from unique bug mobs adapted to all kinds of climates. Rather than emphasizing more monstrous creatures or other animals, Minecraft should add new insects, arachnids, and crustaceans for the sake of variety.
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The Possible Future of Minecraft Arthropods
Arthropods are an important category to expand because most of the existing Minecraft arthropods are so peripheral. Endermites only spawn with the help of an Ender Pearl, which some players may never use, while cave spiders and silverfish generally can’t be found outside of a few specific habitats. The vast majority of Minecraft’s animal mobs are either mammals or fish; putting more arthropods in the overworld would make exploration a little more interesting, since players might not run into the same kind of animals all the time anymore, and it could open up mechanical opportunities too.
Several Minecraft biomes make an obvious case for a unique arthropod. For instance, Minecraft deserts don’t have a ton of attractive features, but an oversized scorpion mob could be a great alternative to spiders in this biome. Similarly, forests and jungles seem like they should be teeming with insects, just like in real life. Bees and spiders are a good start, but more could be done to spruce up these biomes. Centipedes could add a creepy new element to exploring jungles, while giant butterflies might help beautify forests, especially Minecraft’s rarer flower forest biome. Minecraft oceans are already much more diverse than they used to be, but crabs and lobsters could still help these areas step up their game.
Minecraft offers plenty of interesting opportunities to make new arthropods useful to the player. For instance, new bugs could mean new potion ingredients; it’s been a long time since Mojang meaningfully expanded the Minecraft potion repertoire, so it should consider adding some new bug-themed options like a Potion of Wall Climbing. Arthropods could also make certain items more useful. Rotten flesh isn’t good for much, but Minecraft players could feed it to certain insects like flies to tame them, distract enemies, or even prompt them to find junk items for the player, not unlike an allay. Other niche foods like poisonous potatoes or sweet berries could serve similar purposes.
Mojang hasn’t indicated that arthropods are one of its top priorities, but there may be hope for Minecraft bug lovers. Mojang has considered plans for a few different insect types in the past, including termites and Minecraft’s canceled firefly mob. Hopefully these ideas lead to something bigger that expands on the range of arthropods that Minecraft has to offer. A new list of crawling creatures could make a lot of biomes feel more special while adding new utility and making the Bane of Arthropods enchantment that much more useful.
Minecraft is available now for Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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