‘Minecraft’ PS4 And Xbox One December Update Bringing Elytra And End Cities

The Minecraft console updates haven’t brought content from the PC version for most of 2016. That will change in December, however, as Mojang announced the first title update for PlayStation and Xbox consoles plus the Wii, which will add features like Elytra and End Cities from the PC edition.

The Minecraft: Console Edition update will arrive toward the end of December as a free patch on all platforms. Mojang gave a sneak peek at the following three new features coming to the open-world survival and building game.

• Elytra! Soar through The End on your freshly-minted insectoid glider, or, if you’d rather practice first, why not put your aerobatic skills to the test by generating a world with the new Amplified Terrain option?
• End Cities, replete with End Ships, Chorus Plants, Chorus Flowers and Purpur blocks. Not all is as it seems, however – some blocks may conceal Shulkers, limpet-like enemies who fire homing rockets. Take a hit and you’ll take damage and experience something new, too: levitation! Elytra are essential to avoid an uncomfortable landing.
• You can now use Dragon’s Breath to create Lingering Potions – throwable potions that leave a bubbling slick behind, ideal for ensnaring unwary pursuers.

All three of these features were added to the PC edition of Minecraft in February 2016 with the 1.9 Combat Update. Elytra is equipped like a chest piece and allows players to fly like a hang glider. The player’s character won’t take fall damage unless they dive directly into the ground.

Meanwhile, the End City is accessible via the End Gateway that spawns after killing the Ender Dragon. The city is arranged on islands that surround the main End island and sports a new hostile mob named the Shulker, as mentioned by Mojang.

While Mojang isn’t ready to reveal more about the Minecraft December update yet, the Combat Update from the PC had some impactful changes to the how characters handle weapons. The update added the ability to dual wield, though the off-hand cannot be used to attack along with an attack strength meter to determine the effectiveness of an attack.

Additionally, attacking became less about button mashing. An attack cool-down was introduced to prevent players from continually swinging their swords or shooting arrows. Now, it will be more important to time your attacks.

Swords lose the ability to block since players will now be able to carry shields in their off-hand. However, they gain a sweep attack that knocks back Mobs within three blocks of the player and delivers one damage.

Axes receive an upgrade, as well, as part of the Minecraft weapon and tool rebalancing. They deliver more damage than swords with the Combat Update, but their attack speed is approximately half as slow. They also gain a new crushing blow alternate attack that can disable an opposing player’s shield for five seconds.

Bows and arrows are also on the receiving end of changes. Arrows can be tipped with potions, and their effects will trigger when they hit a target. A new Spectral arrow was also added with the Combat Update too.

Obviously, Mojang needs to officially confirm all the new features that will arrive in the Minecraft: Console Edition update in December. However, things like the shield in the off-hand when wielding a sword or arrows in the off-hand slot when holding a bow are shown in the images above. Those interested can get an idea of everything that went into the PC Combat Update by visiting the official Minecraft wiki page for the 1.9 PC patch.

What do you think of the confirmed announcement for the Minecraft: Console Edition update so far? Are there other features that you’d like to see? Sound off in the comments below.

[Featured Image by Mojang]