Posted on 10 July 2015 - 08:13 PM

Alright, so most of you probably know that a new update is coming out for Minecraft soon, 1.9 "The Combat Update". When I heard "Combat Update" I was super excited to hopefully hear that the issues with PvP in 1.8 were fixed, being the reason they named it "The Combat Update" I later looked at the Minecraft Wiki page to see what has been released about 1.9. This is what I saw.

"Dominant hand option
An option for players to change their dominant hand on their player model[3][12][13][14]
Dual wielding
Only the main hand can be used for attacking[15]
Bows can be used even when something is in the other hand[3][16]
The other hand is invisible in first person view when not holding something[3][17]
Key to swap items between hands, default: F[3][18]
If the item in the main hand doesn't have a right-click action, the other item will be used; Workaround for placing blocks while holding tools with right-click action[3][19]
For example, if you have a pickaxe in your main hand and a torch in your other hand, right click places the torch.[3][20]
The off-hand slot is displayed next to the hotbar, on the off-hand side (left for right-hand players and vice versa)[3]
Some attributes and enchantments will apply to the off-hand item, while others will not.[21]
4 new arrow types.[28][29][30]
New spectral arrow (gold colored)
Shows mob and player outlines in their team color when hit - even when invisible[3][28][29]
NBT tag for entities to disable outlines[3]
The glowing is a status effect - you can find out whether you're glowing from a spectral arrow using the status effect HUD[3]
Arrows can be tipped with potions[3]
Each differently tipped arrow is available in the creative menu, just like enchanted books
Effect is applied on hit
Shields[28]
Will be used for blocking instead of a sword. [31]
Can be used to attack and defend at the same time.
Can use two shields at the same time[3]
Shields can have customizable patterns, like banners[3]
Used to block attacks from the side the shield is held on
Sounds for when you blocked an attack[25]"

I do not own what is above ^^^ as I had quoted this from the Minecraft Wiki page on 1.9, located here: http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/1.9

I had mixed feelings about the new features.
Dual Wielding seems a bit confusing, so, will I not need to quick switch with rod and sword anymore? or quickly press "2" two switch to my FnS? or will I be running around being able to Bowspam and swordfight at the same time?

I don't quite understand the physics of the feature.

Now, onto shields.

This seemed like a good idea in the beginning, except when I thought that people could be playing as if they had a riot shield on CoD, being able to block all hits and then smash them. So, can I just sit in a corner, sneaking and not be hit? Can I still blockhit? It doesn't seem to make much sense. People can just smack you with their sword then just run back with a shield in their hand?

I don't get it.

Now, arrows.

Four new types of arrows, eh?
Hmm, this seems like a great idea, for survival. I mean, most likely, you wont be getting any potions on SG, so you shouldn't need to worry about those. Is the outline on the "Spectral Arrows" like when you have hitboxes on? or is it more like, you can follow them around, being able to see where they ran off to after you snipe them with it?

PvP is going to change, that's for sure.
It all depends on what MCSG is going to and not going to give you in chests, maybe they'll disable dual wielding, maybe they wont give you access to spectral arrows, maybe they'll disable shields. Who knows? We'll all find out eventually. Soon enough, MCSG will have to cut off 1.7 on their servers, which disappoints me, due to all the bugs in 1.8 pvp.

That's why I'm hoping that Mojang will notice that PvP is a bit weird, and that they have patched the issues that we encounter PvPing in 1.8.

What are your opinions about 1.9? Let me know in the comments!

*I also posted this on the MCGamer thread, the link to that can be found here: http://www.mcgamer.net/threads/1-9-updates-how-will-it-affect-pvp.200522/ *

Posted on 10 July 2015 - 08:38 PM

Thanks for posting this btw, I was going to but cba.

These new changes could either completely ruin Minecraft PvP, improve it (people will learn to use the new changes to their advantage and not moan about it), or it could stay the same and servers choosing to upgrade to 1.9 but disable the new features somehow.

The ideas Mojang have had seem good but we don't really know how good it will be until the 1.9 snapshots come out.

Posted on 10 July 2015 - 11:47 PM

I don't know, at least Minecraft is adding new features to play around with in 1.9, I hope they won't saturate the game with items though.

Either way, we'll find out if Minecraft's PVP is ruined or saved when 1.9 comes out.

Posted on 11 July 2015 - 12:05 AM

Sounds interesting, might introduce more tactical combat in Minecraft.

Posted on 11 July 2015 - 12:31 AM

@SmellyPenguin being serious *shock horror*

Posted on 11 July 2015 - 12:58 AM

Exactly

Posted on 11 July 2015 - 01:16 AM

About the shields, they behave just like blocking your sword does, it is just a replacement for blocking

Posted on 11 July 2015 - 05:10 AM

I feel like mine craft is turning away from that traditional block game I bought 2 and a half years ago, and turning more into an RPG
I don't know how I feel about it

Posted on 11 July 2015 - 11:22 AM

We'll just have to wait and see. :P

Posted on 13 July 2015 - 04:28 PM

Automatically Deleted

Posted on 13 July 2015 - 06:08 PM

#ELMO

Posted on 13 July 2015 - 06:13 PM

Yes to all of these

Posted on 16 July 2015 - 01:27 AM

I remember when UHC was like a scarcely known thing and people would ask "Wot that"
Now if you don't know

Posted on 16 July 2015 - 01:34 AM

i remember when UHC wasnt full of salty tryhards


oh wait…

Posted on 17 July 2015 - 04:33 PM

minecraft pvp was already bad with 1.8, now 1.9 is going to destroy it

Posted on 17 July 2015 - 04:57 PM

nope

Posted on 17 July 2015 - 08:29 PM

Honestly 1.8 didn't destroy pvp, maybe there wasn't block hitting, but it's alright to pvp imo.

Excited to see what will happen.