Java Edition 16w02a

16w02a is the forty-ninth snapshot released for 1.9, and the first snapshot released in 2016.

This version was previously removed from the launcher for some time, but was added back in September 2018.

General

 * Options
 * Volume slider labeled "Voice/Speech" under "Music & Sounds".
 * Intended to be used for voice acting in custom maps.

Blocks

 * Air
 * Now translatable into other languages, for the purposes of superflat customization.


 * Beacons
 * Now immediately activate when placed on valid pyramids.


 * Bedrock
 * Can no longer drop itself as an item.


 * Stone buttons
 * Now break faster with pickaxes.


 * Wooden buttons
 * Now break faster with axes.

Items

 * Armor
 * Changed damage/armor values again to protect armored players against "backstabbing" creepers.
 * Reduction in effective defense points due to attack strength will no longer take the effective defense below 25% of the armor points.
 * Max (20) armor points damage reduction increased back to 80% (was 66% since 15w36a).

Mobs

 * General
 * Mobs are now knocked back from non-entity damage sources such as cacti (reverted in 16w03a).


 * Ender dragons
 * When summoned using will now stay in the same position no matter what.
 * Unlike summoning a dragon with, it will still flap its wings.
 * These dragons do not show their boss health bar, nor do they take damage from any attack other than.

Non-mob entities

 * Armor stands
 * Marker s will now only outline their equipment when glowing.

Command format

 * Now outputs various messages prefixed by "Searge says:" when run in a command block.
 * Now outputs various messages prefixed by "Searge says:" when run in a command block.


 * Now accepts a sound  as its second parameter.
 * Now accepts a sound  as its second parameter.


 * Selector
 * Now supports both negation and literal gamemode values.
 * Example:,  , and.
 * Example:,  , and.

Gameplay

 * Combat
 * Attack cooldown does not have as great an effect on damage: reduction is linear 50%–100% rather than quadratic 0%–100%.

Video
Video made by slicedlime: