The Corrupted Sword is a powerful weapon in Megabonk that unlocks by getting the Cursed Tome to Level 20 within under 10 minutes of gameplay. This can be challenging due to the time constraint, but following an optimized strategy can make it achievable on your first try—or with a bit of luck.

This guide is based on a proven method that prioritizes speed, efficient XP farming, and survival. It uses Tony McZoom as the character for his exceptional mobility, the Desert Tier 1 map in Challenges mode on Hyper difficulty, and specific priorities for buffs and items.

Why This Method Works

  • Speed Focus: Tony McZoom's high movement speed allows you to cover the map quickly, hitting shrines and chests without wasting time.
  • Map Choice: Desert Tier 1 (Challenges) is ideal because it's straightforward, with plenty of shrines, chests, and vases for XP. Hyper mode ramps up the intensity but enables faster progression.
  • Time Management: The goal is to hit key milestones efficiently: reach the boss portal with about 2:00 left, kill the boss in 10-20 seconds, and then survive for 1:30 to max out XP gains.
  • XP Optimization: Leaving one Magnet Shrine intact ensures you vacuum up as much XP as possible in the final phase, pushing the Cursed Tome to Level 20.

This approach has worked on the first attempt for some players, emphasizing early Cursed Tome acquisition and rapid leveling.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Character and Mode Selection

  • Choose Tony McZoom: He's one of the fastest characters in the game, perfect for roaming the map efficiently. His speed helps in dodging enemies, grabbing items, and reaching objectives quickly. If you don't have him unlocked yet, alternatives like Calcium can work, but McZoom is optimal for this run.
  • Select the Map: Go for Desert Tier 1 in Challenges mode. This map has a good layout for shrines and chests, with vases scattered around for extra XP.
  • Enable Hyper Mode: This increases difficulty but speeds up enemy spawns and XP drops, which is crucial for hitting Level 20 fast.

Step 2: Early Game Priorities (First 8-9 Minutes)

  • Prioritize Shrines and Chests: As soon as the run starts, focus on activating shrines and opening chests. Shrines provide buffs, and chests often contain items or powerups. Break every vase you see for bonus XP—these add up quickly.
  • Focus on Key Buffs and Items:
    • Movement Speed: Grab any buffs or items that increase your speed to maintain McZoom's advantage and cover more ground.
    • Damage: Prioritize damage upgrades to clear enemies faster and prepare for the boss. Aim for synergies that boost attack speed or area damage, as they'll help in crowd control.
  • Acquire the Cursed Tome Early: Reset your run if you don't get the Cursed Tome by levels 2-5. Use ability rerolls to force it if needed. Once you have it, level it up aggressively by farming XP from enemies, vases, and shrines.
  • Time Check: Aim to locate the boss portal and defeat the boss with approximately 2:00 minutes left on the clock. This leaves enough time for post-boss XP farming. Move in circular patterns to avoid getting cornered and to maximize enemy kills.

Step 3: Boss Fight

  • Quick Kill: With your damage and speed buffs, the boss should go down in 10-20 seconds. Focus on dodging attacks while dealing consistent damage. If your build is strong (e.g., high attack speed and damage), this phase is straightforward.
  • Post-Boss Survival: Immediately after killing the boss, you have about 1:30 minutes to earn as much XP as possible. Survive at all costs—use your speed to kite enemies and avoid damage. Don't neglect HP or lifesteal buffs earlier if possible, as they help here.

Step 4: Maximize XP in the Final Phase

  • Leave One Magnet Shrine: Intentionally save one Magnet Shrine until after the boss. Activating it late will pull in all nearby XP orbs, guaranteeing maximum gains. This is key to pushing the Cursed Tome to Level 20 before the 10-minute mark.
  • Farm Aggressively: Run around collecting XP from defeated enemies and any remaining vases. With Hyper mode, enemy waves will be intense, so prioritize survival while vacuuming up orbs.

Additional Tips and Tricks

  • Resets Are Your Friend: If you don't get the Cursed Tome early or if your buffs aren't aligning (e.g., no speed/damage upgrades), reset the run. It's better to restart than waste time on a doomed attempt.