Minecraft Java 1.21.2 Update Patch Notes: New Bundles, Hardcore Mode in Realms, and More Features

In the final week of September 2024, Mojang unveiled the “Bundles of Bravery”update for Minecraft. This minor update introduces bundles—an anticipated feature that had been in discussion for nearly four years—and brings Hardcore mode to the Bedrock Edition. Given that Hardcore mode had already been part of the Java Edition, players anticipated this update would be rather whimsical.

Yet, Minecraft Java 1.21.2 delivers a wealth of thrilling new features and updates beyond just bundles that will surely excite the community. For instance, Mojang has introduced baby variants for dolphins, squids, and glow squids—creatures that have been present in Bedrock Edition for quite some time.

Moreover, there are additional Bedrock-exclusive enhancements, including two new banner patterns: Field Masoned and Bordure Indented. Let’s dive into the detailed patch notes to explore what’s been added and modified in the Minecraft 1.21.2 update for Java Edition.

Minecraft 1.21.2 Update Patch Notes

New Additions

Introduced Bundles

About Bundles

A Bundle serves as a container allowing different items to be grouped into a single stack.
Each Bundle can hold one stack (typically 64 items), permitting various item types.
Items can be directly added to a Bundle within the inventory.
Bundles feature a tooltip displaying the contents inside.
If a Bundle contains fewer than 12 types of items, all contents will be shown in the tooltip.
If there are more, the tooltip reveals the top three rows (at least 8 types) while the rest remain hidden.
Players can extract any visible item from the Bundle.
To remove the first item, right-click is used.
Utilize the scroll wheel to select another item, followed by a right-click to extract it.
When an item is selected, it protrudes from the Bundle’s icon.
While holding a Bundle, items can be released onto the ground by right-clicking or holding the right-click.
The crafting recipe for a Bundle is one String atop one Leather.
The controls have been altered from the initial prototype:
Left-click for adding items to a Bundle.
Right-click to withdraw the top item type from a Bundle.
While the Bundle tooltip is visible, the mouse wheel can be used to choose a different item type, then right-click to extract.

Changes Implemented

Hardcore mode is now available for Realms.
The world creation interface for Realms has been enhanced.
New variations have been introduced to Trial Chambers.
Added baby variants of Dolphins, Squids, and Glow Squids.
Introduced new Salmon variants.
Sneaking while bouncing on a Slime Block no longer results in fall damage.
Improvements have been made to existing Blocks, Items, and Entities.
Thrown Ender Pearls now activate chunk loading and ticking.
Banner Pattern items have updated names and icons.
Redstone Torches have received a new design for a distinctive look.

Redstone torch changes (Image via Mojang)

Two new Banner Patterns added: Field Masoned and Bordure Indented.
Bee flight distances and cooldowns in their behaviors have been adjusted.
Raiders’ spawning mechanics have been revised.
Smithing Template items now have names consistent with their template type instead of a generic title.
Equipping a Carved Pumpkin on your head will now remove your player marker from other players’ maps.
Various items and blocks have seen changes in their assigned rarities.
New accessibility functions have been introduced.
The game now limits maximum frame rates when minimized or when the player is AFK.
A new video setting allows players to configure this limitation.
Further performance enhancements have been made to the game.
Added language support for Tzotzil, Belarusian (Latin), and High Norwegian.
Throwing items rapidly in creative mode has been throttled.

Realms Updates

Utilizes a new, comprehensive world creation screen.
Supports game rule customization.
Allows data pack customization.
The game mode for the last active world on a Realm will now be displayed on the main screen if applicable.

Hardcore Mode Features

Hardcore mode is now accessible within Realms.
Players can choose this mode when initiating a new world or resetting an existing one.

Adjustments to Blocks, Items, and Entities

Wolves can now be fed a variety of foods, including Cod, Cooked Cod, Salmon, Cooked Salmon, Tropical Fish, Pufferfish, and Rabbit Stew.
Bats can spawn at any elevation as long as it’s dark and a solid block is beneath them.
Breeze has had its targeting distance removed.
Vehicles and projectiles now have adjusted portal cooldowns.
After using a Nether Portal, Minecarts and Boats need to exit for only 0.5 seconds to re-enter (previously 15 seconds).
Ender Pearls and Arrows also need just 2 ticks after using a Nether Portal to re-enter, down from 15 seconds.
Projectiles like Arrows, Tridents, and Fishing Bobbers now bounce off the world border if hit.
New death messages appear when killed by a Mace smash attack.
Monster Spawner blocks now produce unique sounds.
Enchanted Shields now exhibit reduced glint similar to enchanted armor.
Items that transform upon consumption will not do so in creative mode.
Recipes for Suspicious Stew are now displayed in the Recipe Book.
Shulker Box and Bundle coloring recipes will no longer function if attempting to apply dye of the same color.

Trial Chambers Enhancements

Introduced new hallway variations and “Encounters,”which are brief challenges leading to larger chambers.
Intersection beds now have randomized colors.
Empty Chests at chamber entrances have been replaced with a Hopper and Barrel.

New Mob Variants

Baby variants of Dolphins, Squids, and Glow Squids are now available.
Squid Spawn Eggs will only yield adult Squids.
There is a 5% chance for Squids spawned naturally in groups to be babies.
Salmon can spawn in Small, Medium, or Large sizes.

Ender Pearl Chunk Loading Innovation

Ender pearl chunk loaders are here (Image via Mojang)

Ender Pearls now ensure that their current chunk or any new chunk they move to is always loaded and ticking.
They also load chunks when traversing to a different dimension.
This guarantees that Ender Pearls always have a safe landing, enhancing cross-dimensional travel reliability.
Ender Pearls will unload when a player logs out, reappearing upon reentry, much like other ridden entities.

Banner Pattern Updates

Each Banner Pattern item now states its pattern type in its name rather than as a subtitle.
Unique textures have been introduced for more straightforward identification of each pattern.
New Banner Patterns include:
Field Masoned, crafted with Paper and Bricks.
Bordure Indented, crafted with Paper and Vines.
The Loom no longer grants access to Bricks and Curved Border patterns without acquiring the new Banner Patterns first.

Bee Behavior Modifications

Bees will wander around aimlessly for a shorter duration after exiting their nests or hives.
A Bee with an established nest or hive now remains within closer proximity, which mitigates the chances of getting lost.
The time a Bee can take to return home has significantly increased before it abandons its path.
Bees are less likely to get stuck near corners or when close to their nests/hives.
Bees will no longer pathfind towards unreachable flowers.

Raider Spawning Adjustments

A raid will not commence if Raiders cannot find a suitable spawning area nearby the village.
Raiders must locate a spawn point no more than 96 blocks vertically from the village center to initiate a raid.
This adjustment greatly decreases the instances where Raiders fail to find valid spawn locations during raids.

User Interface Enhancements

The Recipe Book will now repeat the last selected recipe upon pressing the “selected”key (space bar or enter).
Slot highlights in the UI have been updated to improve item texture visibility.
Previous textures have been added back to the Programmer Art resource pack.
Air bubbles UI has been tweaked for better clarity.
An empty state for air bubbles has been introduced, along with a wobbling effect when the player is drowning.
Players will now hear a popping sound when air bubbles pop in the UI.

Rarity Updates

Rarity operates as a classification system indicating the color used for displaying item or block names, without impacting gameplay.
The default rarity for all items and blocks is Common, shown in white unless otherwise specified.
Changes have been made to reflect the current challenge of obtaining items and blocks, considering factors like:
Loot table probabilities, including mob drops.
Travel requirements to obtain items.
Difficulty in overcoming barriers to obtain items.
Availability of items and blocks in the world.
Crafted items inherit the highest rarity from their ingredients.

Common Items

End Crystal
Golden Apple

Uncommon Items

Sniffer Egg
Chainmail Armor: Helmet, Chestplate, Leggings, Boots
Recovery Compass
Disc Fragment 5; Nautilus Shell; Echo Shard; Goat Horns; Pottery Sherds; Ominous Bottles and Banner; Netherite Upgrade
Various Armor Trims and Music Discs

Rare Items

Enchanted Golden Apple: Notably common in Ancient Cities and Trial Chambers.
Trident and other Items shifted to Rare after evaluation.

Epic Items

Elytra; Dragon Head; Silence Armor Trim

New Accessibility Features

An option has been added to enhance the visibility of targeted block outlines.

High Contrast Resource Pack Elements

The following high-contrast textures are now available:

Tooltip framework and background textures.
Background highlights for Bundle tooltips.

Inactivity Frame Rate Limitation

The game will now regulate the maximum frame rate under specific conditions.
These moments can be configured via a new video setting, “Reduce FPS when.” Options available include:
Minimized: Locks frame rate to 10 FPS when the game window is minimized.
AFK: Caps frame rate at 30 FPS when idle for over a minute, further decreasing to 10 FPS after 10 minutes.

Performance Enhancements

Improved frame rates at higher render distances.
Noticeable reductions in performance drop when changing camera angles.
Enhanced server performance (tick rate) at elevated render distances.
Minimal impact of chunk loading and generation on tick rate.

Player Safety Measures

Skin Reporting Enhancements

A new reporting option “Sexually inappropriate”has been introduced.
This applies to skins with graphic sexual content.
Redundant reporting reasons have been removed for clarity.

Name Reporting Improvements

A text label has been added to specify that only player names are applicable for reporting.

Experimental Features

Creaking is available in experimental (Image via Mojang)

Winter Drop Content

Introduction of Pale Garden Biome, Pale Oak tree, Pale Moss block, Pale Moss carpet, Pale Hanging Moss, and Pale Oak woodset.
Added Creaking mob, Creaking Spawn Egg, and Creaking Heart block.

Pale Garden Overview

The Pale Garden is a variant of the Dark Forest biome featuring:

Pale Oaks that grow here.
Pale Moss blocks and carpets that populate the ground.
Pale Hanging Moss found dangling from Pale Oak trees.
No natural animal mob spawns occur in this biome.
Unique ambient sounds tailored to this biome.
The presence of Creaking Heart blocks, which spawn in Pale Oaks.

Pale Oak Tree Details

Pale Oak Leaves yield Pale Oak Saplings that can sprout Pale Oak trees when planted in a 2×2 configuration.
Pale Oak Logs can be fashioned into various items like Doors, Fences, Signs, and more.

Pale Moss Block Overview

This block generates naturally within the Pale Garden biome.

Pale Moss Carpet Overview

This carpet grows naturally in the Pale Garden, with special features:

It expands upwards to two blocks upon placement against solid blocks.
Bone meal can be used to facilitate its growth to surround solid blocks.

Pale Hanging Moss Insights

This moss generates beneath Pale Oak foliage in the Pale Garden, with specific growth behavior:

This moss requires bone meal to grow downward; it does not grow spontaneously.

Creaking Mob Information

Within the Pale Garden at night, Creaking mobs spawn near Creaking Heart blocks under certain conditions:

Creaking activates if a survival or adventure mode player approaches within 12 blocks and gazes at it.
It maintains activation as long as a player stays within 32 blocks.
Creaking remains stationary when players are looking directly at it.
This mob is impervious to damage and resistant to fire.
A visible particle trail appears when the Creaking is struck by players.
If the Creaking Heart it connects to is destroyed, the Creaking will vanish.
This mob spawns and despawns based on the time of day, unaffected by light levels.
Creaking cannot occupy Boats or undergo portal interactions.
Using a Creaking Spawn Egg yields a unique Creaking mob that operates independently of a Creaking Heart, subject to commands.
Players wearing a Carved Pumpkin can look at Creaking without triggering its immobilization.

Creaking Heart Details

A dynamic block that appears in Pale Oak trees, it can summon Creaking mobs at night if nearby:

Active during dark hours while dormant during the day.
It creates particle trails toward connected Creaking when hit by players.
Comparator signals relate to the distance from connected Creaking mobs.

Ambience in the Pale Garden

Ambient sounds in this biome arise from the blocks within, rather than biome settings:

Pale Hanging Moss emits atmospheric sounds when attached to respective blocks.
The Creaking Heart generates eerie noises when activated at night.

Redstone Innovations

Experimental redstone features (Image via Mojang)

Redstone Wire Adjustments

Reducing the performance impact of Redstone wire, it now only triggers updates on blocks that receive power.
New signal strength settings are implemented before updates are caused by the wire.
The update order has been refined for consistency across different contexts.

Developer’s Note: We acknowledge the general dislike of randomness in Redstone processes. Therefore, we aimed for deterministic behavior wherever feasible.

Order in Wire Changes

When a wire turns on, those closest to the power source update first.
When turning off, the nearest wires do the same.
For equally distanced wires from the source, the leftmost updates first.
If the context is unclear, the initial update is random.

Block Update Order

Block updates around the wire are determined by the direction of the power signal.
Update order follows: back, front, left, right, down, up.

Known Concerns

As these changes relate solely to Redstone wire, other interactions may yield unexpected results.
Behavior of Quasi-Connectivity contraptions might be affected, which will be addressed in future updates.

Minecart Enhancements

Experimental minecart changes coming (Image via Mojang)

Movement Improvements

Minecarts exhibit better articulation during high-speed travel.
Smoother directional changes minimize stalling or derailing events.
Minecarts can jump effectively and carry momentum off slopes.
They tilt visually while airborne.
No grinding sound occurs when Minecarts are airborne.
A new setting allows players to align their view with the minecart movement.
A new gamerule minecartMaxSpeed determines maximum speed up to 1000 blocks per second, although resistance and friction apply.

Minecart Placement Changes

Players can no longer place minecarts within each other.
Dispensers still facilitate stacking minecarts on tracks.
Minecarts can be placed consistently side by side along tracks.
Consistent mob pickup improved while traveling on tracks.
Minecarts will no longer pass through blocks on slopes.

Impact Overview

We’ve acknowledged that these enhancements might change behaviors of delicate contraptions, such as piston bolts.
Timing may shift in intricate rail networks due to these adjustments.

In addition to these new features and improvements, the Minecraft 1.21.2 update contains numerous technical changes and additions. For a comprehensive overview, interested players can refer to the official patch notes on the Minecraft website.

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