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Minecraft: Java Edition 1.20.5, released April 23, 2024, added armadillos, craftable wolf armor and eight new wolf variants. It also changed spawn-chunk defaults and introduced technical requirements and data-format changes that matter to players, server operators and creators. Mojang followed it with Java 1.20.6 on April 29, 2024, a hotfix for issues in the Armored Paws drop.
What changed in Minecraft Java 1.20.5?
Mojang called Java Edition 1.20.5 the Armored Paws drop. Its most visible additions are the armadillo and its scutes, wolf armor, and eight wolf variants added alongside the familiar wolf. The update also reduced the default spawn-chunk radius and made it adjustable with a gamerule.
How to find armadillos and get scutes
Where armadillos spawn
Armadillos are passive mobs found in Savannas and Badlands. Spider Eyes tempt them and can be used to breed adult armadillos.
Collecting armadillo scutes
Armadillos drop scutes periodically, and players can brush them to collect scutes. Dispensers can also brush armadillos. Scutes are the crafting ingredient for wolf armor.
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How wolf armor works
Wolf armor can be equipped only on a tamed adult wolf, and only that wolf’s owner can equip, repair or remove it. It protects the wolf from most damage until its durability is depleted. Use scutes to repair it, or shears to remove it. Like leather armor, wolf armor can be dyed.
What the new wolf variants mean
Version 1.20.5 added eight wolf variants, with the variant determined by biome. These are eight additions, not eight wolves total; the familiar wolf remains part of the game.
Spawn chunks: the new default and setting
The default spawn-chunk radius changed from 10 to 2. That means the default area went from 19×19 entity-ticking chunks to 3×3. Mojang said the smaller default was intended to reduce loading times, memory use and CPU use; the release notes do not provide independently measured performance results.
Java 1.20.5 added the spawnChunkRadius gamerule, which accepts values from 0 to 32. Set it to 0 to disable spawn chunks; set it to 10 to restore the previous default radius.
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- The classic UNO card game builds fun on game night with a Minecraft theme.
- UNO Minecraft features a deck and storage tin decorated with graphics from the popular video game.
- Players match colors and numbers to the card on top of the discard pile as in the classic game.
- The Creeper card unique to this deck forces other players to draw 3 cards.
- Makes a great gift for kid, teen, adult and family game nights with 2 to 10 players ages 7 years and older, especially Minecraft and video game fans.
Compatibility notes for Java, servers and creators
Java and operating-system requirements
Java Edition 1.20.5 requires Java 21 and a 64-bit operating system. Mojang’s release notes say the included Java distribution was Microsoft OpenJDK 21.0.3.
Data packs, resource packs and item data
The update moved data packs to version 41 and resource packs to version 32. More significantly for creators, item-stack-specific properties moved from unstructured NBT tag data to structured components. Mojang says components are intended to validate item properties, support future dynamic content and improve performance in some lookup scenarios. It also warns that many data packs and custom maps will need significant upgrade work, so creators should review compatibility before updating a world or server that depends on them.
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- Now Minecraft lovers can play a special version of UNO!
- Same as Basic UNO but features Minecraft characters and includes special Creeper rule card. Draw this card and the other players have to draw three more cards from the pile!
- The goal is to get rid of all the cards in your hand.
- First player or team to 500 wins.
- When you're down to one card, don't forget to yell "UNO"!
Why 1.20.6 followed shortly after
Mojang released Java Edition 1.20.6 on April 29, 2024 as a hotfix for critical issues in the Armored Paws drop. The 1.20.5 feature list above describes that earlier release, not the current Minecraft version.
Quick Recap
Official release notes
- Mojang: Minecraft Java Edition 1.20.5
- Mojang: Java Edition 1.20.5 – Armored Paws detailed release notes
- Mojang: Minecraft Java Edition 1.20.6
- Mojang: Minecraft updates timeline
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