Mojang has released its annual April Fools' Day Minecraft snapshot, and the 2026 edition may be the most chaotic yet. Titled "Herdcraft" (Snapshot 26w14a for Java Edition), the update completely removes the player's inventory, replacing it with a system where every block and item you collect becomes a living entity that physically follows your character through the game world.
How Herdcraft Works
In standard Minecraft, breaking a block sends it to your inventory — a grid of slots where items are stored neatly until you need them. Herdcraft throws this entire concept out the window. When you break a block in the snapshot, it takes on a "spirit" and begins following you around like a pet. Mine ten blocks of cobblestone, and you'll have ten animated cobblestone entities trailing behind you in a parade.
The traditional inventory UI is completely gone. Instead, players must manage their growing herd of living items using special tools in the hotbar. A "Punch" command brings items to life, while an "Attack/Mine" action pops the spirit out of a block so it can be directed elsewhere. Players can lead blocks to specific locations or command them to stack.
Crafting Gets Physical
Perhaps the most disorienting change is to crafting. The familiar 3x3 crafting grid has been replaced by a physical system. To craft an item, players must physically arrange their living blocks onto the surface of a crafting table or the ground in the correct pattern. The blocks then combine into the new item — which, naturally, also becomes a living entity that follows you.
Combat has also been reimagined. Rather than manually swinging a sword, players can command their herd of weapons and items to attack mobs collectively, creating visually chaotic battles where dozens of animated objects swarm enemies.
Community Reaction
The Minecraft community has responded with the mix of delight and bewilderment that Mojang's April Fools' snapshots traditionally inspire. The update has generated over 50,000 searches on Google Trends and numerous YouTube videos, with content creators racing to showcase the most absurd situations possible. Players can try the snapshot by enabling snapshots in the Minecraft Java Edition launcher and selecting 26w14a. As with all April Fools' editions, it runs as a separate experience and does not affect saved worlds.