10 best features in Minecraft 1.21.2 update

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10 best features in Minecraft 1.21.2 update

The Minecraft 1.21.2 update for the game's Java edition introduces the Bundles of Bravery and a host of new features. It also brings forth a new game mode while making changes to existing mechanics. These tweaks include over 300 bug fixes and balancing updates.

This article lists 10 of the best features in the Minecraft 1.21.2 update.

What are the best features in Minecraft 1.21.2 update?

1) Bundles

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The Minecraft 1.21.2 update finally brings bundles to the game (Image via Mojang Studios)

One of the highlights of the Minecraft 1.21.2 update is the introduction of the bundle — a nifty item that allows players to store a mixed stack of up to 64 items.

Bundles allow players to insert items directly into the inventory and is a great add-on to declutter storage and optimize the storage of resources. Players can select different items using the scroll wheel and use a tooltip to see what's inside. They can select any of the 12 visible items to pull out of the bundle.

Currently, players have 16 color variants to choose from:

White
Light Gray
Gray
Black
Brown
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Lime
Light Blue
Cyan
Purple
Blue
Magenta
Pink

Also read: How to get ready for Minecraft Bundles of Bravery drop update

2) Mob changes and additions

Mobs have received changes as part of the Minecraft 1.21.2 update (Image via Mojang Studios)

The Minecraft 1.21.2 update brings a host of changes to mob behavior and introduces new variants of existing ones. Baby versions of dolphins, squids, and glow squids have been added to the game. These Bedrock-exclusive features are making their way to Java as part of the vanilla parity effort. Additionally, new variants of salmon have been introduced.

As for existing mobs, wolves can now be fed cod, cooked cod, salmon, and cooked salmon, along with a wide assortment of cooked meat. Bats have received functional updates that allow them to spawn at any height above sea level as long as there is a solid block to spawn on.

3) Hardcore Mode

Realms get the Hardcore mode with the Minecraft 1.21.2 update (Image via Mojang Studios)

The 1.21.2 update brings the much-awaited Hardcore game mode to Minecraft Realms. It also introduces a world creation screen that enables players to create Hardcore Realms in-game with custom experiences.

This feature will allow a host of PVP and PVE experiences with higher difficulty, adding new layers of challenges and opportunities for players. The setting will be available when creating a new world or recreating an existing one.

4) New banner patterns

The Minecraft 1.21.2 update brings two new banner patterns (Image via Mojang Studios)

The Minecraft 1.21.2 update also introduces two new banner patterns that can be crafted in-game. The Field Masoned and Bordure Indented patterns expand the list of existing banners to a total of 10, in parity with Bedrock.

The Field Masoned Banner Pattern in Minecraft is based on the shape of bricks, while the Bordure Indented variant adds a fancy border to banners. Both patterns can be customized with dyes using a loom.

5) Changes to trial chambers

Trial chambers receive new features as part of the update (Image via Mojang Studios)

The Tricky Trials update introduced the popular trial chambers with their ominous vaults and exciting loot. The Minecraft 1.21.2 update implements modifications to these structures and expands the existing offerings. It adds new variations to hallways and introduces encounters, which are short challenges leading to larger chambers.

Additionally, the beds in the intersections now have randomized colors, while the empty chests at the entrance of the chamber have been replaced with a barrel and a hopper.

6) Ender pearl chunk loading

Ender pearl chunk loading is now enabled as part of the Minecraft 1.21.2 update (Image via Mojang Studios)

The 1.21.2 update to Minecraft also enables chunk loading for ender pearls. This means that ender pearls traveling or located in a chunk are always loaded and ticking. These changes also apply when crossing to a new dimension.

This alteration guarantees that ender pearls can always land, making cross-dimensional ender pearl travel more predictable. This is useful since ender pearls can now be placed in stasis chambers to ensure redstone-based contraptions do not stop due to a lack of ticks from the player.

Also read: How to find Pale Garden in Minecraft

7) New rarities for blocks and items

Blocks and items get a host of new rarities (Image via Mojang Studios)

Rarity depicts a set of categories that determine the color used to display the name of a particular item or block in-game. Although it has no gameplay impact, it is a great yardstick to measure the difficulty of obtaining certain items.

The rarity of an item or a block depends on the chance of finding it in a loot table as well as the amount of travel required to obtain it. Additionally, the difficulty of obstacles faced and the quantity of the item/block in a world also contribute towards determining its in-game rarity.

Crafted items inherit the highest rarity of their crafting ingredients and are dependent on the material(s) used.

8) Inactivity FPS limit and performance improvements

The update makes performance improvements and tweaks to FPS limits (Image via Mojang Studios)

The Minecraft 1.21.2 update introduces new limits on the maximum frame rate in certain situations, like minimized windows or AFK. When the game window is minimized, it is limited to 10 FPS (Frames Per Second) only.

Additionally, when the player is AFK and the game does not get any player input for more than a minute, the FPS is capped at 30. If that persists for another nine minutes, it is further reduced to 10 FPS. This applies to a minimized game window as well.

Additional improvements have been implemented in the Minecraft 1.21.2 update to boost performance with respect to optimized frame rates at higher render distances. This has also reduced the impact of loading and generating chunks on the tick rate.

Also read: How to get ready for Minecraft Bundles of Bravery drop update

9) Modifications to bees

Bees receive a host of changes to their behavior in the Minecraft 1.21.2 update (Image via Mojang Studios)

Bees were introduced as part of the Buzzy Bees update in 2019. Apart from being one of the cutest mobs in-game, these buzzing creatures are a treasure trove of resources.

The Minecraft 1.21.2 update introduces changes to bees. They now wander randomly for less time after exiting a nest or a hive, increasing their productivity. Additionally, a bee with a familiar nest or hive will wander far from it, reducing the distance it travels and its risk of getting lost.

Bees have also received an upgrade in their movements, making them less likely to get stuck on corners or try to pathfind to a flower that is unreachable or inaccessible.

10) Changes to the user interface

The UI gets a fresh coat of paint with the Minecraft 1.21.2 update (Image via Mojang Studios)

The Minecraft 1.21.2 update introduces significant changes to the user interface and improves the gameplay experience for players. The recipe book now repeats the last selected recipe when a specific key is pressed, eliminating the need to search from scratch.

Additionally, slot highlights in the UI have been updated to improve the visibility of item textures and make them more readable. Air bubbles have also received a major tweak with the addition of an empty state for air bubbles along with a wobble when the player is drowning.

The Minecraft 1.21.2 update also adds a popping sound when the bubbles pop in the user interface.

Also read: 5 things to know before exploring Pale Garden in Minecraft

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Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh