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One of the Minecraft community's most desired features should arrive in the vanilla game next week, according to a blog post by Mojang announcing the Java Edition 1.20.5 Release Candidate 1 snapshot. The oft-demanded wolf armor and wolf mob variants will be arriving alongside the full 1.20.5 update, which will be released sometime next week according to Mojang's Java Team:
"This week's shipping frenzy continues with our very first Release Candidate for 1.20.5! Barring any significant or critical issues found within it, this is the version we are planning to ship as Minecraft: Java Edition 1.20.5 next week." - Java Team, Minecraft.net, April 18, 2024
Barring unforeseen circumstances, Minecraft Java 1.20.5 should arrive in just a few days, bringing along the armadillo mob as well as the wolf armor and eight new wolf variants that players have long clamored for.
Why are wolf armor and wolf variants in high demand from Minecraft players?
Dating back more than a few years, Minecraft players have asked Mojang to introduce new variants for existing animal mobs to help increase the overall biodiversity of the game. It's something that Minecraft animal mods have accomplished for years, but players traversing the vanilla version of the game don't tend to see much variance in animal mobs, and this includes their trusted canine wolf companions.
Fortunately, this is changing with next week's 1.20.5 update, which introduces eight new wolf variants that can be found in various biomes. Meanwhile, the original wolf that has existed in Minecraft will continue to exist as the "pale" wolf variant.
One of the other oft-requested features by the community included a way to better protect pet wolves since they're often used in combat. Thankfully, by way of the Mob Vote 2023 winner, the armadillo, players will be able to protect their wolves with sets of wolf armor in the Minecraft 1.20.5 update. This armor can be crafted by armadillo scutes which are obtained by brushing armadillos. Wolf armor will absorb a sizable amount of damage inflicted on wolves equipped with the armor, losing durability and ultimately breaking if not repaired.
After years of petitioning Mojang and looking for mods to help improve the variety of wolves in the game and protect them adequately, next week's 1.20.5 update is making progress to meet players' requests. There are still plenty of things the community would like to see in the vanilla game, but the addition of new wolf variants and wolf armor is a step in the right direction.
The new wolf variants in the 1.20.5 update can be found in the following biomes:
- Ashen - Snowy Taiga
- Black - Old Growth Pine Taiga
- Chestnut - Old Growth Spruce Taiga
- Rusty - Sparse Jungle
- Snowy - Grove
- Spotted - Savanna Plateau
- Striped - Wooded Badlands
- Pale (Original Wolf Type) - Taiga
- Woods - Forest
Whatever players might think about Mojang's recent updates, the added variety from more wolf types and providing a way to keep them safe in combat is a positive change, and one that most players have long been hoping for. While these additions will arrive in next week's 1.20.5 update, you can always play the recently released Release Candidate 1 Minecraft snapshot to enjoy them in the meantime.
