WoW: Season of Discovery Players Rediscover Notorious Bug From 2005

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

The infamous Corrupted Blood incident, a notorious chapter in World of Warcraft's history, has unexpectedly reappeared in the Season of Discovery servers. Players have documented the deadly plague spreading through major cities, mirroring the chaos of the original 2005 event. Videos circulating online show the debuff's rapid spread and devastating effect, raising concerns, particularly for the impact on Hardcore realms.

The source of the resurgence is the Zul'Gurub raid, introduced in Phase 5 of Season of Discovery (September 2024). This 20-player instance, originally released 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 in the raid with sufficient healing, the bug allows the spread beyond the raid environment, creating widespread havoc.

A recent video on r/classicwow showcases the debuff's uncontrolled spread in Stormwind City's Trade District. The footage strikingly resembles the 2005 incident, where players exploited pet mechanics to intentionally spread the plague across the game world. This unintentional recreation highlights the enduring legacy of the original Corrupted Blood incident.

Concerns for Hardcore Realms

The reappearance of this bug has sparked debate among players. Some attribute it to unresolved issues, while others worry about its potential weaponization in World of Warcraft: Classic Hardcore, where character death is permanent. The potential for widespread disruption and griefing in the Hardcore environment is a significant concern.

Despite previous attempts to address similar issues, the Corrupted Blood bug persists. With Phase 7 of Season of Discovery anticipated in early 2025, the timing of Blizzard's fix remains uncertain, leaving players to grapple with this unexpected return of a legendary – and deadly – World of Warcraft event.