Minecraft’s mob vote loser just made a surprise comeback — and it brought brand new gear to the Bedrock Preview with it

by

In an unexpected twist, Mojang has resurrected the Copper Golem, which initially lost the 2021 Mob Vote to the Allay. This is a unique occurrence since this is the first time a defeated mob has been reintroduced into Minecraft. The Copper Golem makes its comeback with the latest Bedrock Preview update.

Despite being voted for in the 2021 Mob Vote, the Copper Golem hasn’t resurfaced in its initially proposed form. Instead, it’s been creatively redesigned as a useful ally that assists with organizing your storage, rather than functioning by pressing copper buttons.

In simpler terms, by setting a hollowed-out pumpkin atop a copper block, gamers can bring forth a Copper Golem. This action also generates a new addition, the Copper Chest, which debuted in this update. The golem and chest function seamlessly from the start, providing players with a cute and convenient storage solution that doesn’t require Redstone mechanisms or intricate designs.

Copper Chests: More than just storage

The Copper Golem operates by retrieving items from any neighboring Copper Chests and then seeking out the nearest standard chest that already contains an identical item or an empty one. If it discovers such a chest within range, it will transfer the item there autonomously.

This implies that you can easily transfer your items into a Copper Chest, and if the target chest already contains that specific item, the Golem will automatically sort it out. This feature works with both single and double chests and is not influenced by the copper chests or golems’ oxidation levels; instead, it’s purely based on visual representation.

Keep in mind, it’s important to be aware of some peculiarities regarding these golems. Each golem can only hold up to 16 identical items, and because they move slowly and tend to obstruct each other quite a bit, they take time to scan and navigate between storage chests. Furthermore, their maximum range is limited to around 15 blocks, and if they stray too far from their own chest, they won’t return to it.

Copper Golems can be guided using lead and they are content to work with chests that aren’t their own, which aids in organizing items more swiftly. Remember though, they do not transfer items into barrels, Shulker boxes, hoppers, dispensers or any other container types currently; only regular chests will do. Additionally, they won’t deposit unstackable enchanted gears unless the enchantments perfectly match.

Copper tools & armor — actually useful?

Without a doubt, Mojang has surprised us once again by introducing a complete collection of copper tools and armor. This addition brings about 10 new elements to the game (including the copper chest), and it’s a change that might subtly alter the early stages of gameplay development.

In simpler terms, Copper equipment falls between Stone and Iron in terms of toughness, having the same damage resistance as Stone but with greater durability and easier enchantment possibilities. This means that it serves as a good upgrade from Stone gear, especially since iron has grown harder to come by after the Caves and Cliffs update, while copper has become increasingly abundant.

Working with copper tools is similar to handling any other equipment sets; simply replace the standard materials with copper ingots. Here’s what you get with the new Copper Toolset:

1. Copper Axe
2. Copper Pickaxe
3. Copper Shovel
4. Copper Sword
5. Copper Hoe (if applicable)

  • Copper Axe
  • Copper Hoe
  • Copper Pickaxe
  • Copper Shovel
  • Copper Sword

And for Copper Armor:

  • Copper Helmet
  • Copper Chestplate
  • Copper Leggings
  • Copper Boots

Copper armor lies somewhere in the middle when it comes to protection, being tougher and more defensive than leather gear but not as robust as iron. This makes it an excellent choice for early stages of survival, providing a welcome intermediate option for players who have outgrown leather but aren’t ready yet for full iron gear.

Copper tools vs. stone and iron: What’s the difference?

In theory, switching to copper equipment may seem like an easy upgrade, but in practice, it’s a bit more complex. On the surface, copper tools have the same attack power as their stone counterparts and possess the same mining capabilities. However, they are unable to mine redstone, gold, emeralds, or diamond ore.

To handle that task, you’ll require a pickaxe made of iron. If you think copper can serve as a lightweight alternative to iron, I’m afraid it falls short. However, where copper excels is in terms of durability and the speed at which it mines compared to stone.

Compared to stones and mines quicker as well, it endures longer, but it’s not quite as effective as iron. In a test among one community, a copper shovel was found to clear gravel about 15-20% faster than a stone shovel. This speed advantage, combined with its durability, makes copper tools seem much more useful in practice.

Copper is distinctive due to its accessibility compared to materials like leather. Unlike leather that necessitates hunting animals such as cows or horses, copper can be abundantly found at higher altitudes or effortlessly sourced from Drowned. Consequently, crafting copper armor generally proves simpler and quicker for most players than farming leather, and the protection it provides is noticeably superior.

It’s important to mention that I haven’t factored in gold armor and tools, nor chainmail armor, because they are difficult to acquire and not on par with the distinction I think Mojang aims to create with copper armor and tools.

It’s a bit disappointing, really, that copper tools and armor don’t undergo oxidation, unlike copper blocks and golems.

Instead of streamlining for clarity and simplicity, it seems like an engaging concept was overlooked – watching equipment gradually turn green over time, potentially symbolizing its durability. This could have been an exciting feature, serving as a distinctive aspect that would have further highlighted the appeal of copper gear.

In my opinion, copper equipment seems quite suitable. It doesn’t detract from what’s currently present in the game. Instead, it complements existing gear levels by providing a missing link – a tier of equipment that smooths the transition from stone to iron gear.

For novice Minecraft players embarking on their journey, this equipment serves as a helpful upgrade to their initial tools, making their stone age experience feel more refined, though it may not reach the level of an ultimate piece of gear for advanced players.

What this means for Xbox and other Bedrock players

You can try out this sneak peek using the Minecraft Preview app on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11, as well as other suitable Bedrock platforms. Unlike earlier beta versions, there’s no requirement to sign up through the Xbox Insider Hub; instead, the Preview has been transformed into a standalone game on Xbox for easier access.

To give it a spin, you’ll first need to have Minecraft: Bedrock Edition (which can also be obtained via Game Pass). After installing the Preview, begin by creating a fresh world. Next, in the world creation menu on the left, find and open the Experiments section. In this area, activate the switch for the Copper Golem Update to unlock the newest features.

Transitioning towards giving priority to Bedrock Previews appears to be a step towards integrating Minecraft more harmoniously with Xbox, considering Microsoft took over Mojang back in 2014 for approximately $2.5 billion. This change represents a stark shift compared to the way updates were managed on earlier platforms such as the Xbox 360 and PS3, where players would frequently have to wait several months after the Java Edition received new content.

Although still in the preview stage, these new features can already be tested in a multiplayer setting using Realms or cross-play. This means that Xbox users can collaborate with their friends to discover the Copper Golem and copper equipment.

Keep in mind that since it’s a preview version, it might contain errors. Also, the current game worlds won’t transfer automatically; they need to be manually imported. Importing them may lead to problems or data corruption, so if you intend to experiment with this preview using your primary world, make sure to backup your save file first.

When is this actually releasing?

Over the last few years, Minecraft has changed its approach to releasing new content by unveiling features initially through Bedrock Previews, instead of simultaneously developing and announcing them with Java. Consequently, Java test versions tend to follow a few weeks later, coming after the Bedrock testing phase.

Over the past few updates, we’ve noticed a consistent pattern:

The Armadillo and Wolf Armor were initially revealed in Previews around December 2023, and they were later incorporated into the main game in April 2024. The Trial Chambers and Breeze were then introduced in May 2024, and they were fully launched by June.

As a tech enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly waiting for updates, and luckily, Mojang seems to be on a roll! Just two months after previewing the Happy Ghast and Ghastling content back in April 2025, they released it into the game. If this pace continues, we might get a sneak peek at Java snapshots for the Copper Golem and related gear within the coming weeks. A full release could follow suit in the next three to five months. Fingers crossed!

Read More

2025-07-10 13:40