Highlights

  • Minecraft 1.21 introduces combat, adventuring, and tinkering, though tinkering may feel a bit overlooked in 1.21, with the crafter block serving as the main draw for redstone enthusiasts.
  • However, it feels like there is an unmentioned fourth theme in 1.21. The update brings new blocks, paintings, and pots for decoration, greatly expanding cosmetic options.
  • Considering how many parts of the game 1.21 is expanding on, every kind of Minecraft fan has a reason to look forward to the update.

While Minecraft's 1.21 update is currently without a name, Mojang has gone on record about the update covering combat, adventuring, and tinkering. Despite how broad this net is, the material released around Minecraft 1.21 has shown a fourth pillar forming for this update.

Game director Agnes Larsson is the figure within Mojang to have established the three-pillar framing for 1.21, stating that the update is intended to focus on 'combat adventures' and 'tinkering'. This is an incredibly broad range when compared to Village and Pillage or The Nether Update, but Minecraft 1.21 has delivered with what's been released so far. The crafter block could change redstone tinkering forever, new mobs and the mace will shake up combat, and the trial chamber is a tour de force for exploration.

minecraft mace
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It Looks Like Decoration Will Be A Big Part Of Minecraft 1.21

So far, major snapshots have focused on Minecraft 1.21's combat features—such as maces, ominous trials, new mobs, and trial chamber challenges. However, decoration has emerged as another big part of the update. Though every update inevitably comes with a smorgasbord of decorative blocks, 1.21 makes some big plays. Not only is the update bringing a nice variety in terms of cosmetic items, but many of these items take advantage of areas that demand expansion.

1.21's New Blocks, Paintings, And Pots Are Nothing To Sneeze At

The first slew of aesthetic additions revealed for Minecraft 1.21 were new copper and tuff blocks. The introduction of the trial chamber showed off many of these new variants, including polished tuff, tuff bricks, copper grate, copper doors, and more, but the expansion of these blocks goes even further. Copper grate, trapdoors, bulbs, doors in particular look fantastic, capturing an almost steampunk look that gels well with redstone as a system. Mojang has been very smart with copper, introducing it way back in 1.17 and building on it consistently. In fact, 1.20's brush (which requires copper) is getting extra uses in 1.20.5, so the combination here shows some really clever future-proofing.

The recent reveal of Minecraft 1.21's paintings was a real gamechanger in terms of decoration. It's been over a decade since a painting was last added to the game (not counting the four unused paintings accessible only via commands), and 1.21 will be bringing 5 new ones. Paintings are an iconic and beloved feature of Minecraft, and it's about time they got some added variety. The last few updates have constantly been adding new music discs and plants, so it only makes sense to give other avenues of decor their time in the spotlight.

On that subject, armor trims and pottery are also getting some expansion. After years of anticipation, decorated pots finally came to Minecraft 1.20 with some great application. They can store items, hold plants, and be designed in a number of ways. Armor trims were also a long requested feature, and definitely don't disappoint. New trims and new pottery sherds are fantastic to see, showing that Mojang won't leave those parts of the game in the dust. Additionally, placing pots in the trial chamber is a fun move; having players smash pots for extra loot as they explore is a nice touch to atmosphere and gameplay.

On The Other Hand, Tinkering Is Largely Forgotten

Minecraft 1.21's broad goals has unfortunately caused tinkering to get left behind. With more and more decorative features and huge boons to combat and adventuring, the crafter block is really the only draw for redstone enthusiasts. Even when counting copper bulbs, doors, and trapdoors, there's not a great deal that's really all that new. Many updates have thrown in a redstone component or two, but that hasn't made them redstone-focused. Luckily, that area of the game is already quite fleshed out—and the crafter is still sure to wow the world of redstone, as it already has in snapshot form.