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BiomeBannerCorruption
File:Corruption Chasms.png

Map view of a typical Corruption biome. Vertical Chasms are visible.

Corrupt Snow Biome

In a new world, Corruption can extend into the Snow biome. Purple ice won't spread Corruption until Hardmode.

Corrupt Desert Biome

In a new world, Corruption can extend into the Desert. Ebonsand won't spread Corruption until Hardmode.

May be confused with The Crimson due to in-game text ambiguities.

See also: Underground Corruption.

"Making the world evil..."

The Corruption is a hazardous surface biome that presents a dark purple "corrupted" theme. It may exist somewhere in a generated world, generally far from a player's original spawn point. It is the counterpart to The Crimson biome and its red gore theme. A generated world will contain only one of the two, chosen at random if you pick the Random setting for the world creation, each with a 50% chance of occurring. Or you could choose which type of biome you want. The two contain similar hazards, though each has its own unique enemies, items, and blocks. The tools, weapons, and armor obtained via Corruption materials are slightly less powerful than those obtained via Crimson materials, and Corruption enemies are also slightly less powerful.

The Corruption contains purple Grass and Trees, and hazards like Eater of Souls, Devourers, and Thorny Bushes. The Corruption can also extend into the Snow biome, which will be evident by purple ice, and into the Desert, which will contain Ebonsand and purple cactus. New players should generally avoid the Corruption until they obtain decent gear and a fair amount of health (via Heart Crystals). The Corruption also features a dark background with limited daylight and unique theme music.

The Corruption area that generates initially with the World is home to Chasms that lead to Shadow Orbs and Demon Altars. Corruption Chasms are especially hazardous to beginning players due to fall damage, and players who have not yet acquired fall protection (eg. Lucky Horseshoe) or a climbing aid (eg. Grappling Hooks), or a decent amount of Rope will have a tough or impossible time contending with them. Chasms are lined with Ebonstone, which can only be mined with a Nightmare Pickaxe/Deathbringer Pickaxe or higher. Ebonstone can also be destroyed by explosives, like Bombs or Dynamite.

Corruption, like Crimson, can also spread via corrupt grass and Thorny Bushes into areas not initially infected, though slowly. Corruption spreads much more quickly in Hardmode. Corruption can be seeded in new locations by the player using Corrupt Seeds. Chasms, Shadow Orbs, and Demon Altars will not spawn in Corruption that has formed through spreading; however, Corruption enemies like the Eater of Souls, as well as Thorny Bushes, will spawn. If enough Corruption takes hold in a new area, this area will adopt theme music, background, and water color.

Purification Powder can be used on corrupted blocks to turn them into their regular counterparts. "Purified" blocks can still become Corrupted again afterwards.

Contents

NOTE: View Underground Corruption for the mobs that spawn during Hardmode in and under the cavern layer.

The Corruption
Characters Unique Treasures Unique Drops For Sale
Eater of SoulsEater of Souls
DevourerDevourer
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In Hardmode:

CorruptorCorruptor
Corrupt SlimeCorrupt Slime
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SlimerSlimer
ClingerClinger
World FeederWorld Feeder

Corrupted Desert:

Dark MummyDark Mummy
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From Shadow Orbs:

Ball O' HurtBall O' Hurt
Band of StarpowerBand of Starpower
MusketMusket
Musket BallMusket Ball
Shadow Orb (item)Shadow Orb (item)
VilethornVilethorn

From Eater of Souls:

Ancient Shadow armorAncient Shadow armor
Eater of Souls BannerEater of Souls Banner

From Eater of Souls,
Devourer, Corruptor:

Rotten ChunkRotten Chunk

From Devourers:

Worm ToothWorm Tooth

From Eater of Worlds:

Shadow ScaleShadow Scale
Eater of Worlds MaskEater of Worlds Mask
Eater of Worlds TrophyEater of Worlds Trophy
Eater's BoneEater's Bone

From any enemy
in Hardmode:

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From Clingers, World Feeders
(Hardmode):

Cursed FlameCursed Flame

From Corrupt Slimes
(Hardmode):

BlindfoldBlindfold

From Corruptors
(Hardmode):

VitaminsVitamins

From Dark Mummies
(Hardmode):

BlindfoldBlindfold
Dark ShardDark Shard
MegaphoneMegaphone

From Slimelings
(Hardmode):

BlindfoldBlindfold

From World Feeders
(Hardmode):

World Feeder BannerWorld Feeder Banner

From vegetation:

Vile MushroomVile Mushroom
DeathweedDeathweed
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From Deathweed
during Blood Moons:

Deathweed SeedsDeathweed Seeds

From terrain:

Ebonstone BlockEbonstone Block
Ebonsand BlockEbonsand Block
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From Fishing:

EbonkoiEbonkoi
Purple ClubberfishPurple Clubberfish
ToxikarpToxikarp
Corrupt CrateCorrupt Crate

From the Painter:

Lightless ChasmsLightless Chasms

Spread

In normal mode (pre-Hardmode worlds), corruption can spread, but only under limited conditions:

  • Corrupt grass can spread in a manner similar to normal grass, converting adjacent Dirt tiles with at least one side open to air (only in the Surface Layer).
  • Corrupt grass can also displace normal grass. Until version 1.2.4.1, this is true unless the grass has a Sunflower planted on it.
  • Corrupt grass may sprout Thorny Bushes, which can grow six tiles in all directions, and will spread corrupt grass to any normal grass it touches.

Naturally-occurring corruption will often be halted by various natural barriers (stone, desert, etc.) before it is even discovered, but care should be taken when creating an artificial corruption biome that it does not spread further than intended.

If all corruption and hallow blocks are purified, then when speaking to the Dryad about the world status, she will say "[name of world] is completely pure. You have done an amazing job!".

Hardmode

Once the Wall of Flesh is defeated, a world enters Hardmode. New areas of Corruption and Hallow are immediately created that extend from the Underworld up to the Surface, sometimes intersecting existing Corruption. Corruption begins spawning more dangerous enemies, such as the Corruptor, and underground, the Clinger.

File:Corruption vs Jungle.png

Corruption converting The Jungle (TEdit)

Corruption spreads much more aggressively once the world is in hardmode:

  • In addition to corrupt grass, thorns and plants, Ebonstone, Ebonsand and Purple Ice also generate corruption.
  • Grass can still be converted to corrupt grass, and corrupt grass can cover new dirt as in regular mode.
  • Mud can now be converted into dirt.
  • Jungle grass can also be converted into corrupt grass (changing the underlying block type to dirt).
  • Jungle Thorny Bushes can be converted into Corruption Thorny Bushes.
  • Stone can be converted to Ebonstone.
  • Sand can be converted to Ebonsand.
  • Ice can be converted to Purple Ice.
  • Blocks that are up to three tiles away from an existing corrupt block can be converted (even if uncorruptible blocks are in the way).
  • Sunflowers can no longer stop the spread
File:CorruptionThornyBushesSpread.png

Corruption converting the jungle thorny bushes and then spreading

The Corruption does not spread through other materials, even natural materials like clay and snow. Silt can be converted as part of the initial burst when you first defeat the Wall of Flesh, but not at other times.

In order to stop the spread of Corruption in Hardmode, a player must create a 3 tile gap filled with uncorruptible blocks (or empty space). However, in the Surface layer, exposed dirt blocks will need a 6 tile gap of uncorruptible blocks (or empty space), since corrupt grass could grow thorny bushes spanning 6 tiles. Replacing exposed dirt blocks with another block type (uncorruptible blocks may be preferred) will prevent thorny bushes from growing. One must also be wary of tunnels and shafts in the Surface layer, which could become corrupted without intervention. Hallow blocks will also stop the spread of Corruption, but will spawn its own hazards as well.

Corrupted Desert

Corrupted Desert

A Corrupted Desert.

In Hardmode, Corruption spreads through Deserts, transforming it into Corrupted Desert. It is very similar to The Corruption: The theme music is the same, and enemies are the same, with the addition of Dark Mummies.

Sand is replaced by Ebonsand. Although their color is different, cacti still drop ordinary cactus when cut. Waterleaf is not able to grow in corrupted deserts.

Trivia

  • The game Anti-Idle features an area called the Corruption, based heavily on the Terraria biome.[1]
  • The Corruption and its shadow orbs seems to be based heavily upon a story by H.P Lovecraft, "The Colour Out of Space". In the story a meteorite crashed near the small fictional town of Arkham, Massachusetts. The meteorite twisted the land, drove people insane, drained the life forces of anything around it, and deformed animals into grotesque abominations. [2]
    • This may have something to do with why meteorites begin falling after a shadow orb is smashed.

Notes

  • In 1.3, one half of the world generation progress bar will be green, and the other half purple or red, depending on if the world is to have Corruption or Crimson. Not only that, a tree at the side of the world name in world selection has one green/normal side, the other purple/red (indicating Corruption/Crimson respectively). In hardmode, part of the tree will be yellow, representing the Hallow.
  • You can also tell if your world will have a crimson or a corruption because by reading the text that describes the processes in world generation, such as settling liquids, it will either say making the world bloody, indicating a crimson. If corruption, it will say making the world evil during world generation.
  • Creating a new Corruption biome requires at least 200 corrupted blocks, such as corrupted grass, Ebonstone, Ebonsand or Purple Ice Blocks.
  • Although the Crimson replaces the Corruption at world generation, it does not prevent The Corruption from being artificially created by importing Corruption materials to a world with Crimson and vice versa. Spreading remains normal.
  • In the PC version PC version, enemies in the Hardmode Corruption have a 1 in 2500 chance to drop a Corruption Key. In all other versions they will drop Corruption Key Molds at the same rate instead.
  • Once you hit the Underground layer, the music will switch to Underground Corruption.
  • Actual dirt blocks are immune to corruption- only dirt with grass can be affected. However, dirt with one side exposed can be converted to corrupt grass, just like normal grass
  • The Clentaminator is an extremely useful tool for removing the corruption. Green Solution is recommended, unless you want to replace it with another biome entirely.
  • A three tile wide gap may not be enough to stop the spread of the corruption on the surface, as corrupted grass can spawn thorny bushes, which can bridge the gap and continue the spread. It is recommended you have three tiles of non corruptable blocks filling the gap in order to prevent this, both above the surface a bit, and down to the underground layer.

Tips

  • Any of these items can be used to completely negate fall damage: wings, Lucky Horseshoe, Featherfall Potion, Umbrella (only works when held), the Bunny Mount, any flying mount (Bee, hardmode mounts: Pigron, Cute Fishron, Rudolph, UFO). Grappling hooks can be used to lower oneself down. Rope can be used to climb down, but enemies can knock the player off the rope, resulting in a fall. If none of these items have been obtained yet, there are several items that can reduce fall damage (see Fall damage for more information).
  • To climb back out of the chasm: flying mounts, wings and/or grappling hooks are ideal. The player may also find climbing gear useful, such as Climbing Claws, Shoe Spikes, Tiger Climbing Gear or Master Ninja Gear. Rope can be climbed up, but an enemy could knock the player off. If none of these items have been obtained yet, there are several items that can increase a player's jump height (see Guide:Jump Height Comparison for a complete list).
  • Slimy Saddle with multi-jump accessories combined with a hook is a very effective way of getting out of Corruption's chasms. (Although, the Unicorn Mount can jump slightly higher, is capable of double-jump, and reduces fall damage by 80%)
  • Another way is to place platforms every few blocks (this will take some time, but will come in handy for climbing back up). They can be used to dodge enemies, make quick shelters to hide, place campfires on and use hooks safely.

History

  • 1.2.0.3:
    • The spread slows down to 33% of the Hardmode speed after killing Plantera. However it will still convert all blocks as hardmode spread would.[3]
  • 1.2:
    • There is a chance for the corruption biome to be replaced with Crimson biome in a world on generation.
    • Corruptor projectile no longer spreads Corruption.
  • 1.1:
    • Corruption spreads through Sand and Stone, and will slowly turn Mud to Dirt after the Wall of Flesh is destroyed. This allows it to spread into the Cavern layer.
    • An artificial Corruption biome now only requires 200 Ebonstone blocks instead of 500 blocks.
    • Now has own specific background.
  • 1.0.6:
    • Thorny Bushes in growing from Corruption are now destroyed on contact with the player.
    • The Corruption's music has been changed.
  • 1.0.5:
    • Corruption areas now have cave systems connecting many of the chasms.
    • Small to medium deposits of Demonite Ore can now be found when exploring the chasms.
  • 1.0.4: Number of chasms generated in the world is decreased, but each chasm now has 100% chance to spawn a Shadow Orb.

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