Top 5 New Features and Updates in Minecraft Snapshot 24w38a

Minecraft Snapshot 24w38a, released for Java Edition players on September 18, 2024, introduces a variety of new features along with numerous changes and bug fixes. While not every change is significant or easily noticeable, some stand out as particularly impactful. This prompts the question: which additions and modifications in this snapshot are the most beneficial for players?

The answer varies depending on individual player needs. In this article, we highlight some of the key features of Minecraft Snapshot 24w38a, offering a concise overview without the need to sift through the complete patch notes.

Top Five Features, Fixes, and Additions in Minecraft Snapshot 24w38a

1) Dyeable Bundles

Bundles can now be dyed in over a dozen different colors in Minecraft (Image via Mojang Studios)

After a long wait, bundles are gradually making their way to Minecraft as a non-Experimental Feature for both Java and Bedrock Editions. Mojang Studios has introduced dyeable bundles in Snapshot 24w38a, enhancing their utility before they are fully integrated into the base game.

Similar to leather armor and wool blocks, players can now dye bundles in a range of 16 vibrant colors.

2) Hardcore Mode Now Available for Realms

Minecraft Hardcore has finally arrived for the Realms service (Image via Mojang Studios)

Hardcore Mode has been a beloved feature in Minecraft’s Java Edition for years, yet it was notably missing from the Realms service. Thankfully, Mojang has responded to community feedback, enabling Hardcore Mode in Snapshot 24w38a for Realms players. This addition allows friends to experience the thrilling challenges of Hardcore gameplay within their realms.

3) Added Shulker Box Colors to Recipe Book

Crafting recipes of different shulker box colors in Minecraft have been added to the recipe book (Image via Mojang Studios)

Previously, players in Minecraft: Java Edition were able to dye shulker boxes, but they lacked visibility into the crafting recipes for this process. Snapshot 24w38a addresses this by adding the dyeing recipes for shulker boxes to the recipe book, assisting new players who may not have understood how to utilize this feature effectively.

4) Improved Realms World Creation Screen

Realms in Minecraft will now use the fully featured world creation screen seen elsewhere (Image via Mojang Studios)

In addition to the introduction of Hardcore Mode, the Realms service also received an update to its world creation screen. With this improvement, the world creation interface for Realms now mirrors the comprehensive options available in single-player or LAN games, including game rules and datapack customization. This minor but welcome change fosters consistency across the Java Edition experience.

5) Fix for Item Disappearance Bug

A vanishing item/block bug in a previous snapshot has been fixed (Image via Mojang Studios)

Snapshot 24w36a introduced a frustrating bug where dropped items in the hotbar would vanish if the Survival Inventory tab was not selected. This was particularly problematic in modes like Creative, where dropping items could lead to losing some from a stack. Fortunately, Snapshot 24w38a resolves this issue, preventing it from affecting future snapshots or the official Java Edition builds.

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