WoW: Old Bug Reemerges in Season of Discovery

World of Warcraft's Corrupted Blood Bug Returns in Season of Discovery

The infamous Corrupted Blood incident, a notorious chapter in World of Warcraft 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 source of the problem lies within the Zul'Gurub raid, reintroduced in Phase 5 of Season of Discovery (September 2024). This 20-player instance, originally launched in 2005 with Patch 1.7, features Hakkar the Soulflayer, whose Corrupted Blood spell deals damage over time and spreads to nearby players. While manageable with sufficient healing in normal circumstances, the bug allows for uncontrolled spread.

A recent video on r/classicwow, posted by Lightstruckx, vividly demonstrates the issue. The clip shows the debuff spreading rapidly in Stormwind City's Trade District, mirroring the 2005 incident where "pet bombs" were used to deliberately spread the plague across the game world. The video highlights the chaotic potential of the bug.

Accidental Recreation and Hardcore Concerns

The resurgence of Corrupted Blood has sparked debate. Some players attribute it to unresolved issues, while others worry about its potential weaponization in Hardcore mode, where character death is permanent. The difference between Season of Discovery and Hardcore mode highlights the severity of the bug's potential impact.

Despite past attempts to resolve this issue, the Corrupted Blood bug persists. With Phase 7 of Season of Discovery anticipated for early 2025, the question remains: when will Blizzard Entertainment address this latest outbreak?