Mojang has released the first snapshot version 26.2 — and it can already be tested. The update wasn’t small: there were several major innovations at once.
The main thing here is the technical part. Rendering support via Vulkan has been added to the game. In the settings, you can now switch between it and the good old OpenGL. What does this mean? New possibilities for optimizing graphics, especially on modern systems.
But the fans are waiting for something more interesting.
Sulfur Caves are a new underground biome. Blocks of sulfur and cinnabar are found inside. Such an economy is generated most often under the mountains, but on the surface it is given out by sulfur deposits — a kind of “beacons” for adventurers. And inside the caves there are already a lot of surprises: sulfur cubes and cave spiders live, plus there are sulfur lakes. Just don’t jump in them — the liquid is bubbling and toxic.
Speaking of sulfur cubes. The new mob got some interesting mechanics. He can… absorb blocks. Yes, yes, just throw a block next to it or hold it in your hand — the cube will start jumping after you like a devoted pet. And the more he eats, the more steeply his properties change.: elasticity, slip, stickiness — everything dances depending on the eaten block — and this is not all that sulfur cubes can do.
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How does block absorption in a sulfur cube work (and why is it necessary)
The mechanics are activated simply: put a block next to the mob or hold it in your hand — the cube instantly fixes the target and begins to “digest” the material. The whole process takes 5-10 seconds. What affects the speed? The block type. Hard rocks like stone or obsidian take longer to process, while soft rocks (mushrooms, foliage) take just a few moments to process.
After the meal, the cube evolves. Its texture changes — shades of food appear, and the basic parameters jump by 20-50%. Jumping ability is up to one and a half times, stickiness allows you to climb walls, and sliding accelerates on ice. And it’s not just numbers — the mob’s behavior is really changing.
Which blocks give which bonuses (spoiler: sulfur is not the main thing)
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Stone — gives +30% durability. An ordinary cube can withstand one blow with a sword, and a stone—fed cube can withstand three. It makes a big difference if you get into a fight.
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Sulfur (from the biome of the same name) — accelerates jumps by 40%. An ideal option for cave parkour, where every second counts.
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Cinnabar is an unexpected twist. Adds a toxic effect: Any mobs attacking the cube take poison damage for 8 seconds. Excellent defensive mechanics.
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Ice — sliding is doubled. But the trick is different: the cube begins to tow the player forward by as many as 10 blocks. Fast transport in narrow tunnels, and it’s just fun.
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Spider web — stickiness is turned to the maximum. The cube clings to the ceiling and can carry loads up to 5 stacks. A real mountaineer is a loader.
Farming, breeding and multiplayer: hidden possibilities
The mechanics of absorption also reveal purely utilitarian features. Feed 10 cubes of sulfur and they will multiply, forming a swarm. It is already possible to attack spawners with such a group. The only limitation is that one cube can hold no more than 8 effects at a time. The ninth one will just reset the oldest one.
In multiplayer, owner binding works — the cube remembers the name of the player who fed it. He ignores other people’s commands. So you won’t be able to mess around behind your server neighbor’s back.
The full list of changes is in the official post on the Minecraft website. But the main thing you already know: Vulkan, sulfur caves and cubes are gluttons.
