Game Mechanics Corruption spread fix aka "The Corruption grows restless!" idea

[Whatever!]

We all have our troubles with Corruption spread in hardmode, but most importantly, NEW PLAYERS.
Namely, the big V is not the problem; the further terror is.
So, I think a great way to fix the problem would be to add a tiny delay to it and communicate it better. But how?

STEP 1 > Introducing: *The Hallow grows restless!*

We all know how the jungle is pointed at for the player after 3 mech bosses are defeated, so I thought of a great tweak for this. Make Hallow spread after 1 mech boss is defeated. This will introduce biome spread to the player and teach them to fight against it as they are encouraged to watch the Hallow. Maybe they even figure out Queen Slime along the way.

STEP 2 > Introducing: *The Corruption grows restless!*

After 2 mech bosses are defeated, the Corruption is unleashed upon them. But now, they know what to expect, and the dread begins as they realise that what's been happening to the rainbow pony realm now applies to the horrible Corruption! But now they are more prepared and might also figure out the Steampunker NPC by this point.
Alternatively, Steampunker can be moved to after all 3 mech bosses were defeated, if the biome spread is to be taken more as a challenge early on.

Whether any change needs to be added to the Jungle or perhaps some indication that it will not spread in case there is no change, I don't know, as it was more of an inspiration than part of my suggestion.

If anyone likes the idea, feel free to add on how it can be improved.

 

[FroststormFrenzy]

The idea doesn't work as well as you'd think, considering the Corruption already spreads in pre-Hardmode, it's just not as strong. It can still creep up and infect spawn if you take too long, even before the Eye of Cthulhu is defeated, though a single sunflower is enough to stop it in its tracks.

Tying it to the Eater of Worlds/Brain of Cthulhu may make more sense, considering it preserves the early-game spread while ensuring players are a bit more prepared for it, and since players are already in the Corruption/Crimson, they'd be more likely to spot the change. This also flavors it as the biome reacting to its strongest monster being defeated. And just to clarify, I'm referring to the base Pre-Hardmode spread, not the Hardmode rate.

 

[Snickerbobble]

The idea doesn't work as well as you'd think, considering the Corruption already spreads in pre-Hardmode, it's just not as strong. It can still creep up and infect spawn if you take too long, even before the Eye of Cthulhu is defeated, though a single sunflower is enough to stop it in its tracks.

Tying it to the Eater of Worlds/Brain of Cthulhu may make more sense, considering it preserves the early-game spread while ensuring players are a bit more prepared for it, and since players are already in the Corruption/Crimson, they'd be more likely to spot the change. This also flavors it as the biome reacting to its strongest monster being defeated. And just to clarify, I'm referring to the base Pre-Hardmode spread, not the Hardmode rate.

Pre-hardmode spread is much weaker than that- it only spreads one tile away and only onto grass. Aside from the extremely rare worldgen that may allow it, corruption/crimson in pre-hardmode are essentially guaranteed to be contained with only minor spread towards a non-taintable barrier which are plentiful.

Personally, I don't like spread as a mechanic. It pressures players to advance and punishes those who want to take their time with other things like building. It's not challenging to combat, just a chore. I think it shouldn't be upgraded in hardmode and retain the pre-hardmode type spreading. Strong enough to make your own biomes cheaply, but weak enough where it's never an issue. Maybe use the HM spreading mechanic on a secret seed for those who want it.

 

[Whatever!]

The idea doesn't work as well as you'd think, considering the Corruption already spreads in pre-Hardmode, it's just not as strong. It can still creep up and infect spawn if you take too long, even before the Eye of Cthulhu is defeated, though a single sunflower is enough to stop it in its tracks.

Tying it to the Eater of Worlds/Brain of Cthulhu may make more sense, considering it preserves the early-game spread while ensuring players are a bit more prepared for it, and since players are already in the Corruption/Crimson, they'd be more likely to spot the change. This also flavors it as the biome reacting to its strongest monster being defeated. And just to clarify, I'm referring to the base Pre-Hardmode spread, not the Hardmode rate.

It takes like 2 minutes to remove corruption from your home in pre-hardmode. The biome can barely spread, and only on the surface. As long as you can hit grass with a pickaxe, you should be fine. My post literally begins with me talking about how it's a hardmode problem.

If you want no Corruption spread pre-Eater, there would be barely any difference IMO. In my post I am talking about hardmode spread specifically.

 

[FroststormFrenzy]

The reason I said tying spread to EOW/BOC is because it still serves the role of alerting you to it, makes thematic sense (since it's the boss of the corresponding biome triggering it), and players would be more likely to investigate since they're already there. It being pre-hardmode makes it safer for players to look into it and figure out what changed.

 

[CobaltLegend]

The reason I said tying spread to EOW/BOC is because it still serves the role of alerting you to it, makes thematic sense (since it's the boss of the corresponding biome triggering it), and players would be more likely to investigate since they're already there. It being pre-hardmode makes it safer for players to look into it and figure out what changed.

Tying it to EOW/BOC makes it and even bigger problem though, if you are talking about the spread at the rate it is in pre-hardmode then it would be fine but not really needed, even if it DOES make thematic sense, if you are talking about the spread of it as it is in hardmode then that would just be MORE stressful to new players and would make the problem worse and tying it to the second mech boss I think is a great idea while tying hallow spread to the first mech.

If I'm understanding correctly what Whatever! is saying is this; pre-hardmode spread doesn't need a change, WoF you make the V of the Hallow and the World Evil with no hardmode spread (having some pre-hardmode spread might be good though), once the first Mech is defeated you make "The Hallow Grows Restless" concept and the hallow starts its hardmode spread rate, then do the same thing but for the second Mech and the World Evil and have the "The [World Evil] Grows Restless" message a lot like how the jungle and the concept of the Hallow's message would be!