Minecraft Snapshot 25w20a New Features

If you thought Mojang was winding down feature releases ahead of the next big update, Snapshot 25w20a proves otherwise. This latest snapshot for Minecraft: Java Edition brings a surprising wave of quality-of-life features, long-requested updates, immersive new music, and a few technical surprises under the hood.

As someone who follows Minecraft development closely, I can say this snapshot does a bit of everything — it enhances gameplay, deepens immersion, and empowers content creators. Let’s take a detailed look at what’s new and why it matters.

New Music Disc: “Tears” by Amos Roddy

Fans of Minecraft’s ambient soundtrack have something to celebrate. A new music disc titled “Tears” by Amos Roddy is now in the game — and it’s obtainable through gameplay.

You can get this disc by deflecting a Fireball from a Ghast, causing the Ghast to die from its own attack. Instead of just ghast tears, you’ll now receive a musical memento of your well-timed deflection.

This disc plays a hauntingly beautiful melody — another artistic gem from the composer behind Fireflies and Below and Above.

Craftable Saddles: A Long-Awaited Feature

At long last, saddles are now craftable in Minecraft. You no longer have to rely solely on RNG and dungeon loot.

Crafting Recipe:

• 3 Leather

• 1 Iron Ingot

The recipe is unlocked the moment you pick up your first piece of leather — making it accessible early in the game. This is a major change that levels the playing field for Survival players and gives you more control over progression.

Saddle and Equipment Removal with Shears

Even more impressive is the new equipment removal system. You can now use Shears to remove:

• Saddles

• Horse Armor

• Carpets

• Harnesses

However, there are rules:

• You can’t shear while the mob is ridden or being crouched upon

• Ravagers still cannot have their saddles removed

• Dispensers with shears also don’t work for this purpose

It’s a minor feature with huge gameplay implications — especially for those who manage animal mobs or work with contraptions involving horses, camels, and llamas.

Updated Biome Music Tracks by Amos Roddy

This snapshot brings six new ambient tracks by Amos Roddy to specific biomes:

New Songs:

• Below and Above

• Broken Clocks

• Fireflies

• Lilypad

• O’s Piano

• Tears (also a music disc)

Biomes Affected:

• Cherry Groves

• Forest

• Desert

• Grove

• Lush Caves

These songs are also included in the main menu rotation, making the game feel even more atmospheric and tranquil.

In-Game Music Toast and Pause Menu Display

A new setting allows players to:

• Control how often music plays

• See the song name in a toast notification

• View the currently playing track in the pause menu (top-left corner)

It’s a simple addition, but for music lovers, it’s a great way to connect with Minecraft’s stunning soundtrack — and discover new favorites.

Main Menu Panorama Update

Mojang has also refreshed the main menu panorama — the rotating background image you see when the game loads. This update gives the game a fresh, inviting new visual, hinting at deeper artistic changes to come.

Loot Table Adjustments: More Leather, Fewer Saddles

Since saddles are now craftable, Mojang has rebalanced loot tables to reduce saddle drops. You’ll now find 1–5 pieces of leather instead in the following chests:

• Monster Rooms

• Ancient Cities

• Desert Pyramids

• Jungle Pyramids

• Stronghold Altars

This helps avoid saddle inflation in worlds where they were once abundant and keeps leather relevant even in the late game.

Rain and Weather Visual Enhancements

Weather has also been subtly refined:

• Rain and thunder are now less foggy, especially in indoor areas

• Fog now affects first-person 3D HUD elements, including your hands and held items

These tweaks enhance immersion and make weather events feel more grounded and realistic — especially in survival mode.

Submerged TNT Explosion Behavior Partially Reverted

A controversial fix to MC-3697 has been partially rolled back. Now:

• Paintings and item frames are immune to explosions from submerged TNT

• Items and armor stands, however, are once again vulnerable

It’s a nuanced change that reflects Mojang’s balancing act between preserving tradition and responding to feedback.

Ghast Drop Mechanics Changed

Another small but impactful change: Ghasts now drop the “Tears” music disc when killed by a player-deflected fireball — giving a new incentive to master this tricky technique.

New Dialog System: Custom Modals

For technical users and server owners, Snapshot 25w20a adds an experimental Dialog system. It allows the creation of simple modals and text-based popups.

Dialogs:

• Are stored in the minecraft:dialog registry

• Pause the game in single-player

• Can include text, buttons, inputs, and warnings

• Show a warning sign to alert users of custom UI

You can even configure dialogs to show during server connection or in the pause menu — expanding storytelling and onboarding potential in maps and mods.

Dialogs and Server Safety Measures

Dialogs now include a safety mechanism:

• Any command executed via clickable text must request permission or be parsed safely first

• Players can exit dialog loops, and there’s always an option to return to safety

This is a direct response to community concerns and makes dialogs safer and more reliable in public worlds.

New Technical Features for Add-On Creators

Other changes include:

• can_be_sheared and shearing_sound fields in data packs

• A new custom click_event for text components

• Enhanced run_command syntax with permission checks

These features give modders and datapack developers more creative control while enforcing stricter security protocols.

Data and Resource Pack Version Updates

• Data Pack Version: 77

• Resource Pack Version: 61

If you’re a content creator, now’s the time to update your packs and ensure compatibility with the newest systems.

Realms UI and Connectivity Improvements

• Realms loading screens now display the Realms logo

• Region information is shown during connection for better server awareness

This improves clarity, especially for players troubleshooting latency or looking to optimize ping.

Expanded Sound Settings Options

New Music & Sound settings let players:

• Adjust music frequency

• Enable music start toasts

• Always view track info in pause menu

It’s a quality-of-life feature that gives users more control over in-game ambiance.

What This Means for Survival Gameplay

Craftable saddles, accessible music features, and shearing mechanics create a more intuitive and immersive survival experience. Whether you’re farming mobs or chilling in a Lush Cave listening to Broken Clocks, this snapshot enhances every part of the game loop.

Creative and Technical Community Reactions

Modders and mapmakers are already celebrating the dialog system, while survival fans are applauding saddle crafting and loot table adjustments. Snapshot 25w20a feels like a love letter to both gameplay purity and creative expression.

How to Try Snapshot 25w20a

To access it:

1. Open the Minecraft Launcher

2. Enable Snapshots in your settings

3. Select 25w20a from the version list

4. Click Play

Remember to back up your worlds before loading them in the snapshot!

Final Thoughts on 25w20a

Minecraft Snapshot 25w20a is a balanced blend of functionality, immersion, and creativity. From craftable saddles to ambient soundscapes, it reinforces Mojang’s ongoing mission to evolve Minecraft without compromising its soul.

This update may be part of a minor release cycle, but its impact is anything but small.

FAQs About Minecraft Snapshot 25w20a

Can I craft saddles now in Minecraft?
Yes! With 3 Leather and 1 Iron Ingot.

How do I get the new “Tears” music disc?
Kill a Ghast using a deflected Fireball attack.

What are Dialogs in Minecraft?
Dialogs are simple modals used by datapacks or servers to show messages or get input.

Is the snapshot stable to play with mods?
No. Snapshots are experimental. Use separate installs and backup worlds before testing.

Do I need to update my resource/data packs?
Yes, pack versions have increased to 61 (resource) and 77 (data).

What new music was added?
Tracks by Amos Roddy including “Fireflies,” “Below and Above,” and “Lilypad” — playable in biomes and menus.