Minecraft: Java Edition ยท Game update

Minecraft 26.2: Chaos Cubed

Chaos Cubed added sulfur and cinnabar building sets, the sulfur caves underground biome, and sulfur cubes, passive mobs that absorb blocks and take on their physics. It also added an experimental Vulkan renderer and split the server chat and command spam thresholds.

Released
Server needs
Java 25
Protocol
776

Seven days free, no card. Pick 26.2 when you create the server, or switch an existing one from the panel.

What is new in Minecraft 26.2

The additions people noticed first, then everything else by area.

  • New sulfur caves underground biome with sulfur and cinnabar
  • Sulfur cubes absorb blocks and change physics to match
  • Sulfur and cinnabar building sets with stairs, slabs and walls
  • Potent sulfur creates geysers under water and magma blocks
  • Experimental Vulkan renderer selectable in video settings
  • Server properties split chat and command spam thresholds

Blocks and items

  • Sulfur and cinnabar blocks with stairs, slabs, walls and bricks
  • Polished and chiseled sulfur and cinnabar variants added
  • Potent sulfur creates geysers under water and magma blocks
  • Sulfur spikes generate as stalactites and stalagmites
  • Sulfur cube bucket, spawn egg and a music disc added

Mobs

  • Sulfur cubes are passive mobs from the new biome
  • They absorb blocks and take on their physics properties
  • Feeding slimeballs makes a sulfur cube grow
  • Sulfur cubes can be picked up with a bucket

World and biomes

  • New sulfur caves underground biome
  • Sulfur and cinnabar bands and potent sulfur pools generate there
  • Surface sulfur springs generate above the caves in four sizes

Gameplay

  • New advancement Uh Oh for absorbing TNT with a sulfur cube
  • Friends list added, reachable from the title screen

Commands and technical

  • Experimental Vulkan renderer selectable in video settings
  • Entity predicates now use a component-like format
  • Beds and signs use block models instead of entity models

Running a Minecraft 26.2 server

What the release means for whoever runs the server.

  • Requires Java SE 25
  • Network protocol 776
  • Data pack format 107.1
  • Resource pack format 88.0
  • Server properties now separate chat and command spam thresholds
  • Both spam thresholds default to 10 seconds
  • Minecraft Server Management Protocol updated to version 3.0.0

Before you update a world: take a backup. A world opened in 26.2 cannot be opened in an older version again. How backups work here.

26.2 on FadeHost

The right Java, set for you
A 26.2 server needs Java 25, and the panel starts it with a Java that fits. Nothing to install, nothing to pick.
Server software for 26.2
PaperPurpurVanillaFabricForgeNeoForge
Who can join
Players on 26.2. Other versions need plugins such as ViaVersion on a Paper server.
Start a 26.2 server

Questions about 26.2

When was Minecraft 26.2 released?

Minecraft: Java Edition 26.2, Chaos Cubed, was released on June 16, 2026.

What Java version does a Minecraft 26.2 server need?

Java 25. On FadeHost the server starts with the right Java for its Minecraft version on its own, so there is nothing to install or switch.

What did Minecraft 26.2 add?

Chaos Cubed added sulfur and cinnabar building sets, the sulfur caves underground biome, and sulfur cubes, passive mobs that absorb blocks and take on their physics. It also added an experimental Vulkan renderer and split the server chat and command spam thresholds.

Can players on another version join a 26.2 server?

Only players on 26.2 itself: its network protocol (776) is its own. A Paper server can let other versions in with plugins such as ViaVersion and ViaBackwards.

Can I update my world to Minecraft 26.2?

Yes. Take a backup, switch the server to 26.2 and start it: the world is converted on the first boot. A world opened in 26.2 cannot be opened in an older version again, so keep the backup until you are sure.

How do I start a Minecraft 26.2 server?

Create a server on FadeHost and pick 26.2 in the software list: Paper, Purpur, Vanilla, Fabric, Forge and NeoForge are there for this version. It is online in about a minute. The free tier runs a 2 GB server at no cost, and a paid server is sized to the RAM you need.