Minecraft 1.21 Snapshot 24W05A: Patch Notes & How to Play

(Estimated Read Time: 9 Minutes)

After the exciting announcement earlier this week, the Vault has arrived, complete with all the details we will soon add to our Vault guide! So, today, we explore Minecraft 1.21 Snapshot 24W05A, what the Vault hides within its cage, and how you too can try the latest update to the game.

Overview

Alongside all the Minecraft 1.21 features released so far, Minecraft 1.21 Snapshot 24W05A adds the Vault block to Trial Chambers, which offers players a new way to earn rewards. Every player can open a Vault block once, using any Trial Keys they have earned.

Patch Notes

Technical Changes

• The Data Pack version is now 30
• The Resource Pack version is now 25
• Added a reserved region file compression id for third-party servers to use for custom compression implementations
• Added an option to not compress region files
• Allowed server operators to view dedicated server TPS debug chart

Region File Compression Algorithm

• Added a third value to the dedicated server configuration property region-file-compression:
  • none does not compress the data. Consumes significantly more space and requires significant time to read and write, even though CPU is used less. Might make sense together with filesystem level compression

Reserved Compression Id For Third-Party Servers

• Compression id 127 can now be used for custom implementations of region file compression
• When used, the version id must be followed by a namespaced string representing the custom algorithm used

Data Pack Version 30

• Potion effects stored in items or entities will no longer encode their default values
  • amplifier: 0
  • duration: 0
  • ambient: false
  • show_particles: true
• Added body_armor_item and body_armor_drop_chance to all entities that currently have HandItems and ArmorItems, and handle the same way as HandItems and ArmorItems
• Handling of Horses ArmorItem, Llamas DecorItem, and Wolf's armor has been changed to use body_armod_item and body_armor_drop_chance instead
• In commands, removed horse.armor slot argument, and added instead armor.body slot argument, applicable now to all mobs
• Added vault_connection particle
• Added Vault block with a variety of NBT elements which can be configured for custom content
  • config
    • loot_table The loot table that will be ejected upon being unlocked
      • Default value: "minecraft:chests/trial_chambers/reward"
    • activation_range The range any player who hasn't unlocked the Vault must be within for it to open its keyhole
      • Default value: 4
    • deactivation_range The range all viable players must be outside of for the Vault to close its keyhole
      • Default value: 4.5
    • key_item An itemstack that is required to unlock the Vault
      • NBT and stack count is used for comparison
      • Default value: "minecraft:trial_key"
    • override_loot_table_to_display An optional loot table which will be used for displaying items inside the cage instead of results from the config's loot_table
      • Default value: No value
  • shared_data
    • connected_particles_range The range players who have not unlocked the Vault must be within before particles will flow from them
      • Default value: 4.5

Resource Pack Version 25

• The unused attributes array in core shader definitions has been removed
• The unused position_color_normal and position_tex_lightmap_color shaders have been removed
• The position_tex_color_normal shader (only used by clouds) has been replaced by rendertype_clouds
• The IViewRotMat uniform has been removed, and the Position attribute for entities is now in (camera relative) world space
• Light direction uniforms are no longer premultiplied by the view matrix
• Added texture and model files for Vault block
• Changed texture for the Trial Key item
• Added texture and particle file for vault_connection particle

Experimental Features

• Added Vault block

Vault

• A block that holds locked treasure and loot - find the right key to eject its rewards
  • Found throughout Trial Chambers, containing the structures' most valuable loot
  • Vaults in Trial Chambers require a Trial Key to be unlocked
• Can be unlocked by an unlimited amount of players
  • After a player has unlocked a Vault, they cannot unlock that Vault again
  • If a player has not unlocked that Vault before, an orange stream of particles will flow from the player to the Vault when nearby
• Has a keyhole that will be open or closed depending on the players nearby
  • If any nearby player has not unlocked that Vault, the keyhole will be open
  • If all nearby players have unlocked that Vault, the keyhole will be closed
• Within its cage, it will cycle through and display items which are possible to eject from its loot table
• The rewards it ejects are randomized from its loot table each time it is unlocked
• Cannot be crafted or obtained in Survival, and does not drop anything when mined
• Explosion-resistant and cannot be moved
• Vaults currently reuse the same loot table that reward chests previously used in the Trial Chambers
  • This loot table is temporary and will be completely revised as development continues

Trial Key

• Updated texture to reflect new Vault visuals

Fixed Bugs In Snapshot 24w05a

• MC-225170 - Normal matrix scaling broken in some situations
• MC-260099 - Sniffer's snout shading changes during sniffing
• MC-264821 - The fog on armor worn by entities occurs too early
• MC-267922 - Wolf armor loses custom display name and other NBT when equipped

How to Install Minecraft 1.21 Snapshot 24W05A

Installing Minecraft 1.21 Snapshot 24W05A begins right inside the Minecraft Launcher before clicking play. Below, we detail each step, including those needed for experimental features once in-game.

1. First, open the Minecraft Launcher and enable snapshots under the ‘Installations’ tab.
2. Second, click ‘New Installation’ and then ‘Latest Snapshot’ in the drop-down menu.
3. Third, click ‘Create.’

With those three steps complete, a new snapshot installation will be a selectable option before clicking play! However, once in game, the steps below are also needed to enjoy the latest additions Minecraft 1.21 Snapshot 24W05A brings.

1. First, click ‘Create New World’ and then ‘Experiments.’
2. Second, enable all the experimental features you would like to see in your game. ‘Update 1.21’ is the only one required for the features of Minecraft 1.21 Snapshot 24W05A.
3. Third, click ‘Done,’ and after giving your world a fun name, select ‘Create New World’ again.

The new world should now load automatically. If not, select the world and click ‘Play’ before enjoying the game.

How to make Minecraft 1.21 Snapshot 24W05A Servers

With Vaults added, players on servers will all get their fair share of the loot! Minecraft 1.21 Snapshot 24W05A servers can be created for free through home hosting, but we recommend paid hosting options for ease of use and performance, especially since snapshots can be buggy! Paid hosting is offered here at BisectHosting and many other places around the web. No less than 4GB of server RAM is recommended.

Minecraft 1.21 Snapshot 24W05A: Patch Notes & How to Play

Vaults have the potential to make exploring structures valuable to every player long after they have been discovered. Perhaps we will see them added to older structures such as End Cities? While it would be quite the development undertaking, it would be a valuable feature for servers! Until Next Time, BisectHosting =)