Java Edition 1.16

1.16, the first release of the Nether Update, is an upcoming major update to Java Edition which will overhaul the Nether. This update was announced at MINECON Live 2019.

Blocks

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


 * Nether Fungi
 * Generated in the Netherwart Forest.


 * Mushrooms
 * At least two new types of mushroom will be added to the Netherwart Forests. One is teal with orange spots and the other is pinkish-red in a brain-like pattern.
 * The official name is unannounced.


 * Blue nether wart block
 * A variation of the nether wart block.
 * Generates in the Blue Netherwart Forest.
 * The official name is unannounced.


 * Nether wart stems
 * Veiny looking blocks that comprise trunks in the netherwart forest.
 * The official name is unannounced.


 * Nether grass
 * Resembles grass blocks
 * Grows on top of netherrack
 * Comes in red and blue
 * The official name is unannounced.


 * Target Block
 * Resembles hay bale's side texture.
 * 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.


 * Unnamed soul sand block
 * In clips of the Soulsand Valley, blocks with a similar color scheme to soul sand can be seen, alongside conventional soul sand.


 * Unnamed light block
 * A light-emitting block which closely resembles glowstone can also be seen.
 * Appears to compose the spots of mushrooms.


 * Unnamed stalactite block
 * This unidentifiable block makes up stalactites.

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.

Gameplay

 * Respawning
 * Players will be able to respawn in specific parts of the Nether.

Mobs

 * Zombie pigmen
 * Will be renamed to zombified piglins.

Unconfirmed features
These features were mentioned during the development of 1.16 or during MINECON Live 2019, but have not been confirmed to be added in this update.


 * Pigs
 * The feature of pigs transforming when struck by lightning may be removed.