The Ultimate Guide to Minecraft's Thrilling 2023 Mob Voting Event

Highlights

Minecraft has revealed three potential new mobs for the 2023 mob vote: a crab, an armadillo, and a penguin, each with their own unique features and mechanics.

The crab mob spawns in Mangrove Swamps and adds diversity to the biome. It has the ability to walk vertically up blocks and drops a new item called the crab claw, which enables players to interact with blocks from a distance.

The armadillo mob can curl up defensively when it feels threatened. Found in Savanna biomes, it drops scutes that can be utilized to craft armor for tamed wolves. This mob provides a valuable item for players.

Now that Minecraft's 2023 mob vote has revealed all three mobs, players should ensure they have a thorough understanding of each potential new addition to the game before casting their vote. While Mojang initially hinted that all three options would be "cute" passive mobs, the official announcements have confirmed them to be a crab, an armadillo, and a penguin. However, these mobs differ from previous vote winners like the Sniffer or Allays, as they bring new features that will significantly impact Minecraft's gameplay.

Similar to other Minecraft mobs, whether hostile, passive, or otherwise, Mojang has strived to give each mob its own unique characteristics or abilities to provide players with fresh encounters and experimentation opportunities. It is crucial to consider the biome in which each mob will spawn, how they will influence and change Minecraft's future, and why players should make an effort to locate them. Whether players prioritize pragmatism or base their decision on which animal they find most adorable, it is essential to be fully informed before making the final vote.

The New Crab Mob

The crab, announced as the first mob for the 2023 vote, immediately caused excitement within the Minecraft community. Players wasted no time constructing survival bases inspired by the potential addition of this new mob. With its unique blue and orange color scheme and its tiny body adorned with giant claws, the crab would enhance both the game and players' aquariums purely based on its appearance. Moreover, its ability to scale vertical blocks, similar to Minecraft's spiders, sets it apart as a truly distinctive mob among the current passive mobs in the game. It has the potential to become just as beloved as the fan-favorite axolotl.

Although the crab does not appear to be a mob that can be tamed in Minecraft, it does bring other worthwhile features for players. Its spawning in Mangrove Swamps adds variety to this relatively new biome, enticing even the most experienced players to explore the Overworld in search of these creatures. This becomes especially appealing considering that crabs will drop a new item called the crab claw. Mojang claims that this particular item enables players to interact with blocks from a distance, a mechanic that has the potential to revolutionize Minecraft's gameplay. The clever and creative possibilities that arise once players gain access to the crab's claws are truly exciting.

The New Armadillo Mob

The second mob announced by Mojang was the armadillo, whose introduction was equally attention-grabbing as the crab's. This was due to its adorable squeal of surprise when it accidentally collided with a boat. Unlike other passive mobs, the armadillo possesses the unique ability to curl up in a defensive position when threatened. This adds a new dimension to mob self-defense, different from the offensive tactics of pufferfish, bees, or wolves. Moreover, the armadillo's defensive capabilities bring forth a new item that players can utilize for their tamed wolves, a departure from the usual player-centric items.

Similar to Minecraft's turtles, armadillos will drop a distinct type of scutes, which players can collect. However, these scutes can be transformed into armor specifically designed for players' tamed wolves, instead of being used as turtle shells for players themselves. The appearance and customization options of this armor have not yet been revealed. Nevertheless, it could be a valuable addition for those concerned about their beloved pet dogs facing danger in the Overworld. With its presence in Savanna biomes and the introduction of this invaluable item, the armadillo could become highly sought-after both in the voting process and within the Minecraft community.

The New Penguin Mob

Mojang unveiled its third and final mob: the penguin. However, this penguin is not your typical kind. It appears to be inspired by the royal penguin, characterized by its yellow crests. While players may wonder why this mob spawns in the Stony Shore biome instead of the Frozen Ocean, it is a clever nod to the polar bear, which spawns in icy biomes and originates from the opposite pole of penguins.

Unlike the other mobs in the vote, the penguin does not drop any new items for players. Similar to Minecraft's dolphins, penguin mobs are expected to be friendly and provide a speed boost to player boats. If tamed, penguins could potentially be useful companions for ocean exploration. However, like their real-world counterparts, penguins do not fare well on land, which balances their utility for players. Despite this, the introduction of the penguin mob could bring some much-needed interest to the currently underdeveloped Stony Shores biome in Minecraft.

Players have until October 13 at 5pm UTC to make their decision when voting officially opens. However, the voting period will be short-lived, closing on October 15 at 5:15pm UTC. The winner will be announced shortly after during Mojang's Minecraft Live event. Although the new mob vote has sparked discussions about whether all three mobs should be added in a potential all-star mob vote, including previous losers and runner-ups, players should not miss the opportunity to at least vote for their preferred mob this year.

Minecraft is currently available on Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.