Java Edition 15w37a

15w37a is the twenty-third snapshot released for 1.9.

Additions

 * Gamerules
 * New gamerule:.
 * Prevents spectators from generating chunks.


 * Superflat
 * New Superflat preset: The Void.
 * Spawns the player on a stone platform. No other terrain generates.
 * The Void is now a biome (id is 127).

Changes

 * Combat
 * Bows can now be used when in the offhand.
 * Shields have been rebalanced.
 * Now have a new crafting recipe.
 * Do not have a base color anymore.
 * Texture shows wooden face
 * Crafting a shield with a banner still yields a patterned shield.
 * Arrows now bounce off shields and can ricochet off a shield to hit other entities.
 * Sword attack speed increased from 1.45 to 1.6.
 * Axe attack speed is now based on the type, rather than being exactly 0.8.
 * Wooden and stone axes have as speed of 0.8.
 * Iron axes have a speed of 0.9.
 * Gold and diamond axes have a speed of 1.
 * Axe attack damage changed
 * Stone and diamond axes now deal 9 damage, instead of 8 and 10 respectively.
 * Golden Apples have been nerfed.
 * Enchanted Golden Apple regeneration level has been reduced from V to II.
 * Enchanted Golden Apple regeneration time has been reduced from 30 seconds to 20 seconds.
 * However, the Enchanted Golden Apple absorption level has been increased from I to IV to balance this.
 * Golden Apple regeneration level has been reduced from II to I.


 * Hardcore


 * If the player dies in hardcore mode, they will be put into spectator mode rather than their world being deleted.