Nether Update

The Nether Update is an upcoming major update themed around revamping the Nether. This update was announced at MINECON Live 2019.

Blocks
Soul sandstone


 * Found in clumps within Soul sand Valleys.


 * Blue fire
 * Acts the same as regular fire.
 * Fire lit on soul sand will turn blue.
 * Generates naturally in the soul sand valley biome in the Nether.


 * Nether fungi
 * At least two new types of fungi will be added to the Netherwart Forests. One is teal with orange spots and the other is pinkish red in a brain-like pattern.


 * Blue nether wart block
 * A variation of the nether wart block.
 * Generates in the Blue Netherwart Forest.


 * Nether grass
 * Generates in the Red and Blue Netherwart Forest.


 * Target Block
 * Emits a redstone signal when shot with an arrow.
 * Signal is stronger depending on how close the arrow is to the center of the block.

Mobs

 * Piglins
 * Found in the Nether.
 * Are naturally hostile towards the player, unless the player is wearing gold armor.
 * Even if the player wears gold armor, piglins will become aggravated towards the player if they open a chest containing any item crafted with or related to gold near the piglin.
 * Can spawn wielding gold swords or crossbows.
 * Will be able to barter with the player.
 * Will attack wither skeletons and the new piglin beast.


 * Piglin beasts
 * Found in the Nether.
 * Are naturally hostile towards the player.
 * Appear to have a higher melee range than most mobs.
 * Can be bred and used as a source of food in the Nether.
 * Appear to drop raw beef, though this is likely a placeholder.
 * Name is not yet finalized and will be decided on by the community.

World generation

 * Biomes
 * The Nether will get at least three new biomes:
 * The Soulsand Valley includes uncovered fossils, soul sands, large speleothems, blue fog, and blue fire.
 * The Netherwart Forest Red is a dense forest with trees made of nether wart blocks.
 * The Netherwart Forest Blue is a variation of the red netherwart forest, with nether fungi found on the ground.


 * Generated structures
 * Bastions
 * Fortifications built by piglins that are found in the Nether.

Trivia

 * This update was announced during the development of Java Edition 1.15, and before the features of 1.15 were even added to Bedrock Edition.