In a noteworthy departure from tradition, Mojang has reintroduced the Copper Golem, a character that initially lost the 2021 Mob Vote to the Allay. This unprecedented move marks the first time a mob that did not win a vote has been brought back into the Minecraft universe, and it comes as part of the latest Bedrock Preview update. However, the Copper Golem has undergone a transformation; it no longer presses copper buttons but has been reimagined as a helpful companion for storage management.
How to Summon the Copper Golem
Players can summon a Copper Golem by placing a carved pumpkin atop a copper block. This action not only creates the golem but also introduces a new feature: the Copper Chest. Together, they provide an adorable and functional solution for managing storage without the need for intricate Redstone setups.
The Copper Golem operates by retrieving items from any nearby Copper Chest and searching for the closest standard chest that contains a matching item or an empty one. If it identifies a suitable destination within range, it will automatically deposit the item there. This allows players to simply dump their inventory into a Copper Chest and let the Golem handle the sorting, provided the destination chest already contains the item. The Golem can work with double chests and is unaffected by the oxidation levels of the Copper Chests or Golems, which remain purely visual.
Quirks and Limitations
While the Copper Golem offers a charming and practical solution, it does come with some quirks. Each golem can carry a maximum of 16 identical items at a time and tends to be somewhat slow, often getting in each other’s way as they navigate between chests. Their operational range caps at 15 blocks, and they won’t return to their own chest if they wander too far away. Players can lead Copper Golems with a lead, and they can work with Copper Chests that aren’t their own, which can expedite the sorting process. However, they currently do not deposit into barrels, shulker boxes, hoppers, dispensers, or any other container types, only standard chests. Additionally, unstackable enchanted gear can only be deposited if the enchantments match exactly.
Introducing Copper Tools and Armor
In a further unexpected twist, Mojang has introduced a complete set of copper tools and armor, adding ten new items to the game, including the Copper Chest. This addition could subtly reshape early-game progression. Copper gear occupies a space between stone and iron, sharing the same damage values as stone but boasting higher durability and better enchantability. This makes it a valuable upgrade from stone gear, particularly as iron has become more challenging to locate since the Caves and Cliffs update, while copper is now more abundant.
Crafting copper tools follows the same method as other tools or armor sets, simply substituting copper ingots for the material. The new Copper Tools include:
- Copper Axe
- Copper Hoe
- Copper Pickaxe
- Copper Shovel
- Copper Sword
For Copper Armor, players can craft:
- Copper Helmet
- Copper Chestplate
- Copper Leggings
- Copper Boots
Copper armor provides protection that sits between leather and iron, offering more durability and defense than leather but falling short of iron’s capabilities. This addition fills a long-standing gap, providing players with a middle-ground option instead of jumping directly from leather to iron.
The Practicality of Copper Gear
While the concept of copper gear appears straightforward, the reality is more nuanced. Copper tools deal the same damage as stone tools and share the same mining abilities, meaning they cannot mine redstone, gold, emeralds, or diamond ore. Players will still require an iron pickaxe for those tasks. However, copper tools excel in durability and mining speed compared to stone, lasting significantly longer and mining faster. For instance, a copper shovel can clear gravel approximately 15-20% faster than its stone counterpart. This speed enhancement, combined with improved durability, makes copper tools feel much more practical.
Moreover, copper is easy to obtain, unlike leather, which necessitates hunting for cows or horses. Copper can be found in abundance at higher elevations or acquired from Drowned, making crafting copper armor a more straightforward and quicker process than farming leather, while also providing better protection.
Oxidization and Future Prospects
Interestingly, copper tools and armor do not undergo oxidation, unlike copper blocks and golems. While this decision may have been made for clarity and simplicity, it feels like a missed opportunity to incorporate a unique mechanic that could have visually indicated durability over time. Nevertheless, copper gear fits seamlessly into the game, filling a gap that has existed for years and enhancing the early-game experience.
What this means for Xbox and other Bedrock players
This preview is currently available for testing through the Minecraft Preview app on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11, and other compatible Bedrock platforms. Unlike previous beta systems, there’s no need to opt in via the Xbox Insider Hub; the Preview now functions as a separate game on Xbox, simplifying access. To participate, players need a copy of Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, which is also available through Game Pass. After installing the Preview, players can create a new world and enable the Copper Golem Update in the Experiments section of the world creation menu.
This shift towards prioritizing Bedrock Previews appears to align Minecraft more closely with Xbox, particularly since Microsoft acquired Mojang in 2014. This marks a significant change from the past, where players on legacy consoles like the Xbox 360 and PS3 often had to wait months for new content after Java Edition updates. Despite being in Preview, these features are accessible for multiplayer testing through Realms and cross-play, allowing Xbox players to explore the Copper Golem and copper gear with friends.
When is this actually releasing?
Minecraft has evolved its content rollout strategy in recent years, now introducing features through Bedrock Previews before announcing them alongside Java updates. This new approach means that Java snapshots typically follow a few weeks later, trailing behind the Bedrock testing cycle. Historical update timelines support this pattern, with recent updates appearing in Previews before full releases. If Mojang maintains this rhythm, players can expect Java snapshots for the Copper Golem and gear within the coming weeks, with a full release potentially arriving in the next three to five months.
