How Many Blocks for Crimson? A Comprehensive Guide to Terraria’s Spreading Evil

Figuring out how many blocks you need for a Crimson biome in Terraria can be crucial for both creating a controlled environment or for preventing its relentless spread. The magic number you need to remember is: 300 Crimson blocks. This is the minimum amount of blocks required to artificially create a new Crimson biome, either on the surface or underground. These blocks include crimstone, crimsand, and Crimson ice.

Understanding how the Crimson spreads, how to control it, and the specifics of biome creation is essential for survival in Terraria, particularly once Hardmode kicks in. Let’s delve into the specifics and address common questions to give you a thorough grasp of the Crimson.

Creating a Crimson Biome

Minimum Blocks Required

To trigger a Crimson biome, you need at least 300 Crimson blocks within a specific area. This area is defined by your character’s position; the game checks a rectangular region around your player for the required biome blocks. If the criteria are met, music, enemy spawns, and the general visual aesthetic of the Crimson will appear.

Types of Crimson Blocks

Not all blocks are created equal when it comes to Crimson generation. Here’s what qualifies:

• Crimstone: The primary rock block of the Crimson.
• Crimsand: Found in Crimson deserts and spreadable by wind.
• Crimson Ice: The frozen version of Crimsand.
• Crimson Vines: Growing on Crimson grass and actively spread the biome.
• Crimson Grass: Found on standard dirt blocks.

Underground Crimson

The same rule applies underground: you need at least 300 crimson blocks to be in an Underground Crimson biome. This means that even if you only have a few blocks on the surface, you might still find yourself in the biome deeper underground, depending on the distribution of the blocks.

Crimson Spread and Containment

How Does Crimson Spread?

The Crimson spreads through direct contact with corruptible blocks, specifically:

• Grass
• Ice
• Stone
• Sand
• Vines
• Mud
• Walls

It can jump up to three blocks to convert these blocks, and can spread even further with the aid of vines. The speed of spread increases dramatically once you enter Hardmode, making early preventative measures extremely important.

Blocking the Crimson

To stop the spread of Crimson, dig a four-block wide channel around the affected area. This gap prevents the direct contact necessary for the Crimson to spread. Using non-corruptible blocks like wood, bricks (especially stone bricks), or glass to line your channel adds another layer of security.

Key Spread Factors

• Vines: The crimson vines growing on grass are a major vector for spreading the biome and should be removed during early containment efforts.
• Walls: In hardmode, unsafe Crimson Walls can spread Crimson, so be sure to cleanse them with the Clentaminator
• Thorns: Thorns can grow over gaps in your barriers, facilitating Crimson spread. Regularly check your containment efforts and remove the thorns.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can Crimson Spread Through 3-Block Gaps?

A three-block gap is usually sufficient to prevent the Crimson from spreading directly. However, you should watch for corrupt thorns growing over the gap, as they can bridge the barrier and spread the Crimson.

2. What Blocks Do You Need to Break Crimson?

The Crimstone Block requires at least a Nightmare Pickaxe or its equivalent to break. Before obtaining such a tool, it cannot be harvested and must be worked around.

3. Why Can’t I Break the Crimson Altar?

Crimson Altars and their counterparts Demon Altars can only be broken by a Pwnhammer, which is obtained from the Wall of Flesh after you enter Hardmode.

4. What Is the Best Way to Fight Crimson Spread?

Using lava can help as an early hardmode solution to the surface crimson spread, since it burns the grass. The Hallow biome can counteract the evil biome, but is very dangerous to deal with in early hardmode. Building a four-block wide barrier with non-corruptible blocks is the most effective way to completely stop the spread.

5. How Many Blocks for Underground Crimson?

You need at least 300 crimstone/crimsand blocks near the player to be considered in an Underground Crimson biome.

6. How Do You Make Crimson Not Spread?

Build a four-tile barrier around the affected area with any material except stone, sand, ice, or dirt. The most common method is to construct a quarantine tunnel around your entire perimeter.

7. Is Crimson Better Than Corruption?

It depends on your playstyle. The Corruption tends to be easier to manage, however the Crimson has much stronger benefits in Hardmode such as Vampire Knives and Ichor.

8. Do Sunflowers Stop Corruption/Crimson?

Sunflowers prevent corruption or crimson from spreading to the two blocks below them. This can also help prevent sideways spread to an extent. Also, each sunflower decreases the area’s total Corruption rating by 5 tiles.

9. Can Bombs Break Crimson Blocks?

Crimstone requires at least 65% Pickaxe power or explosives to mine, so yes, they can break crimstone blocks.

10. How Do You Break a Crimson Heart?

Crimson Hearts can be broken with any hammer or explosives. This step is crucial for game progression, requiring at least three hearts to be broken.

11. Can Crimson Spread Through 2 Block Gaps?

Crimson spreads through direct contact with the aforementioned corruptible blocks; it can travel up to three blocks. A two block gap can be enough for early game, but be prepared for it to cross the gap in the later game.

12. Can Crimson Spread Through Wall Blocks?

Yes, the Crimson can spread through unsafe grass walls. The crimson will convert grass, flower, and jungle walls to unsafe crimson versions, which can then spread it further to other wall blocks.

13. How Long Does It Take For Crimson to Spread?

Crimson will spread about 3-6 blocks per day. The blocks it spreads on are: Grass, Stone, Mud, and Sand.

14. Does the Crimson Ever Stop Spreading?

The spread of the Crimson can be slowed and even fully stopped by building proper barriers. The Dungeon reaching the Underworld can also prevent the spread. Defeating Plantera also slows spread by 50%.

15. Can Crimson Spread Over Jungle?

Yes, the Jungle can be completely overtaken by the spread of the Crimson once Hardmode has been in effect for some time. This makes crucial Jungle items harder to obtain.

Conclusion

Mastering the mechanics of the Crimson in Terraria is crucial for both creating a controlled environment and defending your world from its insidious spread. Remember the magic number of 300 Crimson blocks for creating the biome, and employ effective containment methods like four-block-wide barriers with non-corruptible materials to protect your bases. With the information provided, you are now well-equipped to navigate the challenges that the Crimson poses. Happy gaming!