Does Breaking Demon Altars Spread Corruption in Terraria?

The short answer is: Yes, breaking Demon Altars absolutely contributes to the spread of Corruption (or Crimson) and Hallow in your Terraria world. However, the mechanic is more nuanced than simply “break altar, get more evil.” Understanding how it works is crucial for any player looking to manage the biomes of their world effectively, especially in Hardmode. Let’s delve into the details of this important game mechanic.

How Breaking Altars Spreads Corruption/Hallow

The act of smashing a Demon Altar (or a Crimson Altar) with a Pwnhammer or a better hammer (only possible after entering Hardmode by defeating the Wall of Flesh) triggers a specific event:

• Single Block Conversion: Each time you destroy an altar, there’s a 2/3 (approximately 66.67%) chance that a single, randomly selected Stone Block within the Cavern layer will be converted to one of three possible forms:
  • Ebonstone: This is the main block of the Corruption biome, causing further spread.
  • Crimstone: This is the equivalent for the Crimson biome, causing further spread.
  • Pearlstone: This is the block associated with the Hallow biome, acting as a counter to Corruption/Crimson, although it can still affect other blocks.
• No Initial Chain Reaction: Importantly, only one block is converted in this initial step. The newly converted block can then start to spread the biome as usual, but the immediate effect of breaking the altar is limited to this single conversion.

This system is crucial because it introduces the elements needed to initiate or exacerbate the spread of the Corruption/Crimson and Hallow biomes. It also makes altar smashing a double-edged sword: While necessary for accessing new Hardmode ores, it also comes with the risk of increased biome spread.

The Double-Edged Sword: Ore Generation vs. Biome Spread

Destroying Demon Altars is essential for generating the six Hardmode ores in your world: Cobalt, Mythril, Palladium, Orichalcum, Adamantite, and Titanium. However, it’s not a straightforward case of more altars equal more ore. The game mechanics are designed to make the player consider this process.

• Diminishing Returns: Every fourth altar you break spawns fewer ores than the previous set of three. This means the first three altars you destroy will give you the most ore. Breaking more than the ideal amount can be less efficient for ore generation.
• Increased Infection: While the ore generation efficiency may drop, the single block conversion on each broken altar still applies. Thus, every smashed altar, no matter how many you’ve previously smashed, has a chance to add to the corruption/hallow of your world. You are still spreading the corruption no matter what, making it a tough decision when figuring out how to manage this system.

The Recommended Number of Altars

While you can destroy every altar in your world, the optimal strategy usually revolves around breaking a balanced number. The commonly recommended approach for players looking to balance the amount of ore and the spread of infection is to destroy six altars. This usually gives players a decent amount of the new ores to explore, whilst not making your entire world corrupt. Some players, to try and reduce the chance of infection, will only smash 3, which does lower the spread, but you will be left with a lot less ore.

FAQs: Understanding Corruption and Altar Mechanics

Here are some frequently asked questions related to altar breaking and biome spread in Terraria to further clarify the nuances:

1. What happens if I break too many Demon Altars?

Breaking too many Demon Altars will lead to an excessive spread of the Corruption/Crimson and potentially Hallow, while also diminishing the amount of ore that generates from each altar. The game is programmed with a system to keep the system more manageable.

2. How does Corruption spread in Terraria?

In pre-Hardmode, Corruption/Crimson spreads slowly via grass and thorny bushes. In Hardmode, it spreads rapidly to many different blocks, including stone, sand, and ice. Defeating Plantera slows the spread by 50%.

3. How do I get rid of Corruption?

The most effective way to stop the spread is by digging wide tunnels (at least 6 blocks wide) filled with non-corruptible blocks (such as dungeon bricks or crafted bricks). You can also use the Clentaminator with Green Solution to purify affected areas, although that can take a lot of effort.

4. Do sunflowers stop Corruption?

Yes, sunflowers prevent the tiles directly underneath them from being corrupted and decrease the surrounding area’s Corruption rating by 5 tiles, offering some protection, particularly in early Hardmode.

5. Can I permanently remove Corruption from my world?

Yes, you can completely remove Corruption by digging wide tunnels for non-corruptible blocks and by using the Clentaminator, but you must be extremely meticulous. Breaking more Demon Altars after your cleanup is not recommended as this can undo your hard work.

6. Is there a way to turn off Corruption spread?

Yes, in Journey Mode, you can disable Biome Spread in the Power menu. This will stop the spread of Corruption and other biomes in your world.

7. What hammer can destroy Demon Altars?

You need the Pwnhammer (dropped by the Wall of Flesh) or a better hammer to break Demon Altars and Crimson Altars.

8. Why do Altars have 3 levels?

This is often a design choice in the game, and may refer to Earth, Heaven, and Purgatory.

9. What do Crimson Altars do when broken?

Like Demon Altars, they generate Hardmode ores and also spread Crimson/Hallow.

10. Does Corruption/Hallow spread through altars themselves?

No, the altars don’t spread corruption. The spread happens by converting blocks around the map, which is a separate mechanic. The Altars are just an item, and they don’t cause the corruption to spread.

11. What happens when you enter Hardmode?

Entering Hardmode unlocks many new challenges and content, including the spread of Corruption/Crimson and the introduction of the Hallow biome. It’s a new beginning in your world, that introduces many more challenges to overcome.

12. Is Corruption or Crimson better?

This is subjective; Crimson items and enemies are typically stronger, while Corruption items are slightly faster. The choice really depends on playstyle and preference.

13. How do I prevent Corruption from spreading into my base?

Create a wide tunnel of non-corruptible blocks (at least 6 wide) to isolate it. This forms a hard barrier that the corruption cannot get passed.

14. Can Hallow spread through the jungle?

No, the Hallow cannot spread through mud areas like those in Jungles or Glowing Mushroom biomes, unlike the Crimson and Corruption.

15. Can NPCs live in the Hallow?

Yes, NPCs can live in the Hallow without issue, making it a good location to set up your base and to try and keep it safe.

Conclusion

Breaking Demon Altars and Crimson Altars in Terraria is a necessary evil, essential for obtaining Hardmode ores but also initiating the spread of biome infections. While destroying these altars can be beneficial, understanding how the mechanics work is the key to a healthy Terraria world. The best way is to find a balance, while not allowing your entire world to become corrupt.