With many of the latest updates with Trails and Tales as its most recent focusing on expanding the game's creative potential, Minecraft is long overdue for a combat update to redress the balance with the survivalist side of its gameplay. The last time Minecraft received a dedicated update to its combat was back in 2016, but 1.9's The Combat Update saw a mixed reception that has likely discouraged future updates for fear of aggravating the player base once again. However, if a new combat update doesn't come soon, Minecraft could find one of its core mechanics going a full decade without any attempt to improve things.