Mojang releases Minecraft for PC Exploration Update snapshot, adding cursed enhancements, Observer block, and more

Kit McDonald

The snapshot we’ve been waiting for since Minecon is finally here! Or at least for Minecraft PC version players. Snapshot 16W39A was teased to us during Minecon over last weekend with just enough to whet our whistle and get our appetite flowing. Aptly named The Exploration Update, the update includes many new adventures to undertake as you lay claim to the world block by block.

We’ve already covered the major key features of The Exploration Update snapshot, but to remind you there will be new Cartographer villagers in the library where you can buy maps. These will help you locate generated Ocean Monuments and a new location called the Woodland Mansion with its own list of horrible mobs to cut through.

Of course, the snapshot changelog shows that there’s more:

  • Added cursed enchantments
  • Added the Observer block
  • Added escape portals in The End
  • Added the Shulker Shell and Shulker Box
  • Added exploration maps
  • Added the Woodland Mansion
  • Added Illagers, and the Vex
  • Added Llamas
  • New command: /locate
  • Removed Herobrine

It’s not surprising that there is a list of bug fixes included in the snapshot as well. Fixes are being rolled out to correct a GUI capitalization issue, adding missing sound files, and so on.

Bugs fixed in 16w39a:

  • [Bug MC-58677] – GUI has inconsistent capitalization
  • [Bug MC-92139] – Too many tipped arrows in the “Combat” section of the creative inventory
  • [Bug MC-106077] – Missing sound files (largeblast1.ogg / largeblast_far1.ogg) because of CamelCase in 1.11.json
  • [Bug MC-107154] – Junk potion from fishing is uncraftable potion
  • [Bug MC-107165] – Brewing icon displays the incorrect color in Creative inventory tab
  • [Bug MC-107166] – Experience bottles produce pink particles.
  • [Bug MC-107170] – writeString method of PacketBuffer is not creating correct exception text
  • [Bug MC-107284] – disabling shields with axes doesn’t work
  • [Bug MC-107320] – Sort order of command autocomplete confusing

Just in case you don’t know, a snapshot is a small update that is in beta. You can access this preview by selecting it for download in your Minecraft installer profile. It’s important to remember that updating to a snapshot can corrupt your current save games and may not always be stable, and so remember to back up your save files.

It’s hard to believe that the original PC version of Minecraft is seven years old now. Through blood, sweat, and many, many tears, fans keep coming back for more. And there’s still plenty to come for Minecraft- like llamas! Download the snapshot (after backing up your save files) and jump into The Exploration Update today.