Minecrafts latest snapshot looks like a Mod!

Last week Minecraft Snapshot 23w04a released for Java and brought with it a whole host of new features, including one that seems more like a mod! 

Snapshot 23w04a has introduced a feature fans of Minecraft have wanted for years. Adding cosmetic items into the game has always been a popular trend in Minecraft mods, allowing players to distinguish themselves from everyone else on custom servers.  

Armor trimming 

You can now edit the visuals of your armour with a range of trims at a smithing table. All armour types, except leather, benefit from this new feature. Whilst trimmed armour offers no direct enhancement, we have to admit it looks pretty cool.  

Adding a level of rarity to these armour trimmings is the fact you’ll need to get exploring to find them. Similar to other rare items like the saddle, trim patterns cannot be crafted but instead are found in structures.  

Pillager Outpost	Sentry Armor Trim
Desert Pyramid	Dune Armor Trim
Shipwreck	Coast Armor Trim
Jungle Temple	Wild Armor Trim
Ocean Monument	Tide Armor Trim
Ancient City	Ward Armor Trim
Woodland Mansion	Vex Armor Trim
Nether Fortress	Rib Armor Trim
Bastion Remnant	Snout Armor Trim
Stronghold	Eye Armor Trim
End City	Spire Armor Trim

Alongside these locations, Elder Guardians can sometimes drop a smithing template on death. The different templates allow you to choose your new armour pattern. Whereas the colour of the trim is selected by adding one of these materials: 

As part of this update, the smithing table received a redesign alongside new template items being added to allow armour trimming. That’s not all either, with another notable change being how Netherite equipment is crafted. Introduced to increase the lifetime of diamond armour and to make Netherite more of an endgame feature, you’ll now need to locate a special Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template to be able to make it. You can find these randomly in all Bastion Remnant chests with a guarantee of two in every Treasure Room Bastion Remnant.  

How to Install a Minecraft Snapshot

Installing the latest Minecraft Java Snapshot is super easy and can be done from the Minecraft Launcher. 

Method 1: 

Open your Minecraft Launcher and click the “latest release” drop-down arrow to the left of the play button. Next, select latest snapshot and click play.  

Method 2: 

This method allows you to explore older Minecraft Snapshots and even old full releases of the game, including version 1.0 of the game