Summary
- The infamous Corrupted Blood incident has unexpectedly reappeared in World of Warcraft's Season of Discovery.
- The Zul'Gurub raid, introduced in Phase 5, re-introduced the Corrupted Blood spell, causing widespread chaos.
- Players are unintentionally replicating the 2005 event by spreading the plague in Stormwind City, sparking both amusement and concern.
A notorious chapter in World of Warcraft's history, the Corrupted Blood incident, has resurfaced—unintentionally—in the Season of Discovery servers. Videos circulating online show the deadly plague spreading through major cities, prompting mixed reactions; some players find it humorous, while others worry about the implications for Hardcore realms.
Initially launched in September 2005 with Patch 1.7, Rise of the Blood God, the Zul'Gurub raid (a 20-player instance) featured Hakkar the Soulflayer, a formidable deity worshipped by Gurubashi trolls. Its return in Season of Discovery's Phase 5 (September 2024) brought back the Corrupted Blood spell. This spell inflicts damage over time and spreads to nearby players, though typically manageable with sufficient healing.
For almost a month after Zul'Gurub's release in 2005, Corrupted Blood affected both players and their companions, leading to its widespread dissemination outside the raid and causing significant disruption. A recent video on r/classicwow, posted by Lightstruckx, depicts the debuff's spread in Stormwind City's Trade District. The video showcases the rapid spread and the desperate attempts of players (using spells like Flash Heal) to survive, mirroring the events of 2005. The use of pets to spread the plague, reminiscent of the original "pet bombs," further underscores the uncanny resemblance.
World of Warcraft Players Unwittingly Recreate the Corrupted Blood Incident
Some players attribute the reappearance of Corrupted Blood to unresolved issues, while others express apprehension about its potential misuse in Hardcore servers. Unlike Season of Discovery, Hardcore mode features permanent death, meaning a single encounter with the plague could mean the loss of a character.
Despite past attempts to address the issue, the Corrupted Blood incident's legacy persists. With Season of Discovery's seventh phase slated for early 2025, the timeline for Blizzard's resolution remains uncertain.
