WoW: Season of Discovery Players Rediscover Notorious Bug From 2005

Summary

• The infamous Corrupted Blood incident from World of Warcraft has unexpectedly reappeared in the Season of Discovery.
• The Zul'Gurub raid, introduced in Phase 5 of Season of Discovery, re-introduced the Corrupted Blood spell, causing widespread chaos.
• Players are unintentionally replicating the 2005 event by spreading the deadly plague in Stormwind City.

A notorious chapter in World of Warcraft's history, the Corrupted Blood incident, has resurfaced, albeit unintentionally, in the Season of Discovery servers. Videos circulating online show the deadly plague spreading through major cities, prompting mixed reactions. While some players find the situation humorous, others worry about the potential impact on Hardcore realms.

Initially unleashed in September 2005 with Patch 1.7 (Rise of the Blood God), the Zul'Gurub raid, a 20-player instance featuring Hakkar the Soulflayer, returned in Phase 5 of Season of Discovery (September 2024). Hakkar's Corrupted Blood spell, inflicting damage over time and spreading to nearby players, typically poses no significant threat due to readily available healing capabilities.

However, for almost a month following Zul'Gurub's release in 2005, Corrupted Blood affected both players and their companions, leading to widespread pandemonium as players intentionally spread the plague. A recent video posted on r/classicwow by Lightstruckx showcases the debuff's spread in Stormwind City's Trade District, mirroring the 2005 incident. The video highlights the rapid spread and the need for swift healing to survive.

World of Warcraft Players Unwittingly Recreate the Corrupted Blood Incident

Some players attribute the Corrupted Blood debuff's reappearance to unresolved issues. Concerns are mounting about its potential misuse in Hardcore realms, where character death is permanent. Unlike Season of Discovery, World of Warcraft: Classic Hardcore features permadeath, making the bug significantly more impactful.

Despite previous attempts to address the issue, the legacy of the Corrupted Blood incident persists. With Phase 7 of Season of Discovery slated for early 2025, the timeline for Blizzard's resolution remains uncertain.