How to Unlock the Corrupted Sword in Megabonk

The Corrupted Sword is one of the more challenging weapons to unlock in Megabonk. The requirement is strict: you must get the Cursed Tome to level 20 within 10 minutes during a run.

Unlock Condition

Requirement: Raise your Cursed Tome to level 20 within 10 minutes of starting a run. If you fail to hit that tome level in time, the Corrupted Sword won’t unlock, and you’ll have to try again.

Practically speaking, many players use Hyper Challenge mode (or a mode with XP bonus) to make it feasible, because in normal mode it’s extremely difficult to get tome XP so fast.

Recommended Setup & Strategy

To maximize your chances:

1. Choose a fast mobility character

Many players pick Tony McZoom as the character because he can move quickly, better reach shrines, chests, and orbs.

2. Equip “safe” secondary weapon

Using Aegis or another weapon that helps with survivability is common. It gives you fallback power while you focus on tome leveling.

3. Put priority into tomes and upgrades that accelerate XP & clear speed

Cursed Tome must be your primary focus, but others like XP Tome or Quantity Tome help speed up kills and thus XP gain.

Damage Tome also helps clear stronger enemies faster so you can maintain pace.

Limit your slots: many players recommend just 2 tome/weapon slots initially so that upgrades funnel into your key items.

4. Use shrines, chests, and magnets smartly

Activate Shrines for boosts (especially XP or magnet shrines).

Keep one magnet shrine (or magnetic effect) active so orbs are drawn in.

Open chests quickly to get bonus upgrades.

Avoid detours that waste time. Your route should prioritize XP orbs, mobs, and shrines, not wandering.

5.Time pacing is critical

If by 5 minutes you haven’t made strong progress toward Cursed Tome level 10, the run is in serious danger. Some guides suggest resetting early if you fall behind.

After you defeat the boss (if you reach that point), you still need to survive to accumulate XP while time remains, because boss XP and orbs afterward help push toward tome 20.

Common Pitfalls & Community Advice

Some players try using too many weapons or tomes at once; diluting your upgrade focus ruins speed. Stick to essentials.

Running in Desert Hyper Challenge is sometimes recommended because of additional XP bonuses in harder modes.

It’s not enough just to kill lots of enemies — you need to manage tome XP flow. Sometimes if you upgrade your weapon too aggressively you lose momentum on tome leveling.

Why This Unlock is Tough But Worth It

Because the time cap is tight and the requirement is very specific, unlocking the Corrupted Sword is high risk. But once unlocked, it gives you access to a powerful weapon that scales well in many builds.