Update 1.9 for "Minecraft" has arrived. The latest update otherwise known as the Combat update has dropped, taking the sandbox game to the next level with a slew of combat mechanic tweaks "to make fighting more interesting."

In the name of battles, shields have now been added and timing attacks are made easier with the addition of the cool-down delay. Wielding items in both hands is now possible (default quick key to swap items is "F") and several weapons have been made more useful.

"Minecraft" players can now perform a special sweep attack with their swords while the axes were made more punishing with players' newfound ability to throw a special crushing blow attack. More than that, the "Minecraft" update has some exciting new additions.

Gliding from high places is now possible with elytra now at everyone's disposal. Of course, these generous endowments will help players in taking down a new mob called the Shulker, which lurks on the outer islands of the End.

Speaking of the End, in the "Minecraft" Combat update, the desolate plane of nothingness has now been expanded. Chorus plants have also been added to roughen up the path to victory. Players will also notice Purpur and End Rod blocks peppered in the scene.

The "Minecraft" 1.9 update also added the beetroot and beetroot soup, grass path block, igloos, tipped arrows, spectral arrows, Frost Walker enchantment and frosted ice block and skeleton riders.

A dragon head block is now doable courtesy of the Combat update and the Ender Dragon can now be summoned more than once. More gameplay changes include the newfound need for blaze powder in activating Brewing Stand and the removal of the Herobrine.

For the last bits of goodness from the update, fans ought to know that the armor protection values have been lowered and that "Minecraft" is made more enjoyable with new sound effects and sound effect subtitles integrated in it.

In related news, Microsoft has hosted the first "Minecraft" virtual reality Xbox showcase. Oculus Rift VR headset creator Palmer Luckey promised that the technology will make fans "feel like [they are] inside the world of Minecraft."