World of Warcraft's Corrupted Blood Bug Returns in Season of Discovery
The infamous Corrupted Blood incident, a notorious event in World of Warcraft's history, has unexpectedly reappeared in the Season of Discovery servers. Players have shared videos showcasing the deadly plague spreading through major cities, sparking both amusement and concern, particularly regarding the impact on Hardcore realms.
The original Corrupted Blood incident occurred in 2005 with the release of Patch 1.7, Rise of the Blood God, introducing the Zul'Gurub raid. This 20-player instance featured Hakkar the Soulflayer, whose Corrupted Blood spell dealt damage over time and spread to nearby players. While manageable with sufficient healing in the raid, the bug allowed players to exploit pet and minion mechanics, spreading the plague far beyond Zul'Gurub and causing widespread chaos for nearly a month.
The recent resurgence, observed during Phase 5 of Season of Discovery (released September 2024), is strikingly similar. A video posted on r/classicwow by Lightstruckx shows Corrupted Blood rapidly decimating players in Stormwind City's Trade District, mirroring the 2005 "pet bomb" tactics. The video highlights the debuff's devastating speed and the frantic healing efforts needed to survive.
Accidental Recreation and Hardcore Concerns
The reappearance of this bug has ignited debate among players. Some attribute it to unresolved issues, while others worry about its potential weaponization in the Hardcore mode, where death is permanent. The stark difference between the casual nature of Season of Discovery and the high-stakes environment of Hardcore Classic makes this a significant concern.
Despite past attempts to address the issue, the Corrupted Blood incident continues to haunt World of Warcraft. With Season of Discovery's seventh phase slated for early 2025, the question remains: when will Blizzard finally eradicate this persistent problem?
