Does Corruption Spread After Plantera? A Terrarian’s Guide to Biome Control
The short answer is: yes, Corruption does spread after you defeat Plantera in Terraria, but its spread rate is significantly reduced. Before defeating Plantera, the Corruption (and Crimson or Hallow) spreads at full Hardmode speed. Successfully conquering Plantera the first time reduces the spread rate of Corruption, Crimson, and Hallow by 50%. This gives you a crucial window of opportunity to further contain and even reverse the spread of these biomes. Think of it as Plantera throwing you a bone, not completely solving the problem. Understanding the nuances of Corruption spread both before and after Plantera is key to maintaining a healthy and thriving world.
Understanding Corruption’s Spread: Pre-Hardmode to Post-Plantera
The Corruption, along with its crimson counterpart, starts as a relatively slow-moving threat. In pre-Hardmode, the spread is mostly limited to grass and thorny bushes. This allows for easier early-game containment using basic isolation techniques. However, the game changes dramatically once you defeat the Wall of Flesh and enter Hardmode.
In Hardmode, the Corruption becomes far more aggressive. It can now spread to a much wider range of block types, including stone, sand, and ice. This exponential increase in spread potential can quickly overwhelm unprepared players. Furthermore, new, powerful Corrupted enemies begin to spawn, making exploration and resource gathering more dangerous.
Plantera: A Turning Point, Not a Solution
Defeating Plantera marks a turning point, but it’s crucial to understand that it doesn’t eliminate the spread entirely. It merely halves the rate, offering you a breather. This reduction is significant, allowing you to implement more comprehensive biome control strategies. Consider this period as a critical moment for:
- Expanding your quarantine zones: Creating wider barriers between your base and the Corruption/Crimson/Hallow.
- Using the Clentaminator strategically: Focusing on areas closest to your base or important resources.
- Building permanent defenses: Implementing long-term solutions to prevent future outbreaks.
Ignoring the Corruption after Plantera, even with the reduced spread rate, will eventually lead to its resurgence and potential takeover of your world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Corruption and Biome Control
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how to manage and control the spread of Corruption in your Terraria world:
1. Does Hallow or Corruption Spread Faster?
All three grass variants (Corrupt, Crimson, and Hallowed) spread at the same rate. There isn’t one that is inherently “faster” or “stronger” than the others. However, the Hallow has the unique ability to convert Crimson grass into Hallowed grass. This means that in areas where both biomes are present, the Hallow can eventually overtake the Crimson.
2. What Blocks Can Corruption NOT Spread Through?
The Corruption cannot spread through certain blocks, making them valuable for creating barriers and containment zones. These blocks include:
- Clay
- Bricks (e.g., Gray Brick, Red Brick)
- Silt
- Ash
- Wood
- Dynasty Wood
Using these materials strategically can significantly hinder the spread of the Corruption and protect your important areas.
3. Can You Permanently Get Rid of the Corruption in Terraria?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to completely purify your world of Corruption (and Crimson). However, it requires dedication, time, and the right tools. The process can be particularly challenging in Hardmode, due to the initially rapid spread.
4. Do Sunflowers Stop Corruption?
Sunflowers offer limited protection against Corruption. They prevent the two tiles directly underneath them from becoming Corrupted, Crimsoned, or Hallowed. They also decrease an area’s total Corruption rating by 5 tiles. However, their effectiveness is limited, and they are not a reliable long-term solution for containing large-scale biome spread.
5. Is Crimson or Corruption Better?
Whether Crimson or Corruption is “better” is a matter of personal preference and playstyle. Corruption is generally considered easier to deal with early game but provides weaker loot. Crimson, on the other hand, features more challenging enemies early on but offers stronger rewards in Hardmode, such as Vampire Knives and Ichor.
6. Does Breaking Demon Altars Spread Corruption?
Yes, each time you break a Demon Altar (or Crimson Altar), there is a 66.67% (2/3) chance that a single random Stone Block in the Cavern layer will be converted to Ebonstone/Crimstone (or Pearlstone), thus spreading the Corruption/Crimson (or Hallow). This makes destroying altars a risky endeavor, as it contributes to the spread of these biomes.
7. What is the Easiest Way to Get Rid of Corruption?
While there’s no single “easiest” way, a combination of strategies is most effective. The Clentaminator, purchased from the Steampunker NPC after defeating a mechanical boss, is a powerful tool for converting large areas. Digging Hellevators (vertical shafts to the Underworld) and using isolation trenches are also crucial for containing the spread.
8. How Fast Does Corruption Spread After Plantera?
As mentioned earlier, defeating Plantera reduces the spread speed of Corruption by 50%. While still present, the spread is significantly slowed, giving you valuable time to implement control measures.
9. Can Hallow Infect Crimson?
The Hallow can convert Crimson and Corruption grass blocks into Hallowed grass blocks. However, it cannot convert blocks that are already fully claimed by the evil biomes (e.g., Crimstone or Ebonstone). This can lead to intertwined areas where both Hallow and an evil biome coexist.
10. Is Gray Brick Corruptible in Terraria?
No, Gray Brick is resistant to the spread of Corruption, Crimson, and Hallow. This makes it an excellent choice for building walls, bases, and other structures that you want to protect from biome spread.
11. What Should I Fight After Plantera?
After defeating Plantera, you should be able to access the Golem boss inside the Lihzahrd Temple in the Underground Jungle. Plantera drops the Temple Key, which is required to enter the temple.
12. What Changes After Killing Plantera?
Besides the reduced biome spread and access to the Golem boss, defeating Plantera also unlocks Hardmode Dungeon enemies. This adds a new layer of challenge and rewards to exploring the Dungeon.
13. What Does Killing Plantera Unlock?
Killing Plantera primarily unlocks access to the Jungle Temple and the Golem boss. This marks a significant progression point in the game.
14. Should I Break More Than 3 Demon Altars?
The ideal number of Demon/Crimson Altars to break is a complex topic. Each altar you destroy spawns new ores in your world, but it also increases the rate of biome spread. Breaking 3-6 altars is generally considered a good balance between ore generation and biome control. However, destroying more altars yields diminishing returns in terms of ore quantity, while the risk of uncontrolled biome spread increases significantly.
15. Is There a Way to Get Both Corruption and Crimson in My World?
Your world will naturally generate with either Corruption or Crimson. However, you can artificially introduce the other biome by bringing Corrupt/Crimson blocks (e.g., Ebonstone/Crimstone) from another world and placing them in your world. These blocks will gradually spread the corresponding biome.
Conclusion: Mastering Biome Control in Terraria
Managing the Corruption (and Crimson/Hallow) is a constant challenge in Terraria, especially in Hardmode. Understanding the mechanics of biome spread, utilizing resistant blocks, strategically employing the Clentaminator, and knowing the effects of key events like defeating Plantera are all crucial for maintaining a balanced and enjoyable game world. Remember, the battle against the Corruption is an ongoing one, and vigilance is key!
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