How To Unlock the Corrupted Sword in Megabonk | Fastest Method & Best Build

The Corrupted Sword in Megabonk is one of the game’s toughest unlocks — not because it’s hidden, but because it demands a clean, fast, and confident run. To earn it, you must level the Cursed Tome to Level 20 before 10:00. Do that, and you’ll see a pop-up notification and be able to buy the sword in your profile. This guide breaks the whole thing down step-by-step with a proven setup that keeps RNG under control and gets you over the line without stress.

1. What the Corrupted Sword Is in Megabonk

The Corrupted Sword isn’t just another unlock — it’s a weapon that tests your ability to balance aggression and survival. Understanding what makes it unique helps you know why it’s worth chasing despite the challenge.

The Corrupted Sword is a melee weapon that slashes both in front and behind you, offering excellent crowd coverage. Its signature perk grants bonus damage the lower your HP gets, rewarding risk-takers who thrive under pressure. It’s especially strong on characters like Sir Chadwell and Athena, who can sustain through aggressive play and dish out massive damage when near death.

Unlocking it also unlocks Sir Chadwell himself, who starts with this weapon equipped — turning the challenge into a two-for-one reward for players chasing mastery.

The Corrupted Sword in Megabonk.

2. How To Unlock the Corrupted Sword in Megabonk (Step-by-Step)

This is where the real work begins. The Corrupted Sword unlock is a timed feat tied directly to how efficiently you can level the Cursed Tome during a run. Here’s the exact sequence you need to follow to make it happen.

1. Own the Cursed Tome. Defeat Lil’ Bark within 5 minutes on Forest and buy it for 9 Silver.
2. Equip it for your run. Make sure the Cursed Tome is in your tome pool before you start.
3. Hit Level 20 under the timer. During a single run, reach Cursed Tome Level 20 before 10:00 on the in-game timer.

When you hit Level 20 on the Cursed Tome under 10 minutes, a pop-up notification confirms the unlock of the Corrupted Sword. You don’t need to finish the run — the unlock is immediate.

2.1 After Unlocking

1. Go to Main Menu → Unlocks → Weapons.
2. Purchase the Corrupted Sword for 37 Silver.
3. It’s now permanently available for all characters.

Summary: The Corrupted Sword unlocks automatically the moment your Cursed Tome hits Level 20 before 10:00. Then buy it for 37 Silver in the Unlocks menu.

Unlock triggers when Cursed Tome hits Level 20 before 10:00 — no need to finish the run.

3. How to Unlock the Cursed Tome (Prerequisite)

Before you can attempt the Corrupted Sword challenge, you first need access to the Cursed Tome. This early-game item is essential because the sword’s unlock condition revolves entirely around it.

The Cursed Tome is obtained by defeating the first boss (Lil’ Bark) within five minutes on the Forest map. After the run, purchase it from the Unlocks menu for 9 Silver.

• Locate the boss portal fast: Rush to find it using your minimap and plan a path that lets you collect some XP before triggering it.
• Use strong starter weapons: The Bananarang, Revolver, Bow, or Aura handle the early waves efficiently.
• Pick aggressive tomes: Damage, Cooldown, or Projectile Speed tomes help clear faster and finish Lil’ Bark before the timer.
• Stay at default difficulty: Higher levels aren’t required and will only waste precious time.

Prerequisite: defeat Lil’ Bark in under 5 minutes, then purchase the Cursed Tome (9 Silver).

4. The Main Challenge – How to Reach Cursed Tome Level 20 in Under 10 Minutes

Reaching Level 20 on the Cursed Tome before the 10-minute mark is the core of the Corrupted Sword unlock challenge. This test is all about speed, loadout control, and perfect time management. Every second counts — you’re not just fighting enemies, you’re fighting the clock.

4.1 Recommended Setup

4.2 Tips for Success

1. Focus All XP Into the Cursed Tome: Always prioritize Tome upgrades when leveling. Skipping early weapon rolls can make or break the attempt.
2. Farm in Open Areas: The Desert’s wide terrain lets you kite larger groups safely while maximizing XP pickup range.
3. Use Magnet Shrines Wisely: Save Magnets for when the map is filled with XP orbs — one activation can grant multiple level-ups at once.
4. Watch the Timer Constantly: Treat every minute as a checkpoint. Aim for Level 10 by the 5:00 mark to stay on pace for Level 20 by ten minutes.

Run Desert (Tier 1) in Hyper Mode for 2× XP — keep your pool tight for faster Tome levels.

5. Best Characters for the Corrupted Sword Unlock (Hyper Mode)

Choosing the right character can make or break your attempt. Some excel at speed and control, while others are too slow or fragile for Hyper Mode. These are the characters who give you the best odds of success.

6. Ideal Loadout for the Run

Not all weapons and tomes are created equal when racing against a timer. To ensure consistent progress, focus on a tight setup that prioritizes XP gain, control, and damage without overcomplicating your pool.

7. Early-Game Strategy – The First Two Minutes

The opening two minutes are the most critical phase of the run. Your early setup determines whether you’ll snowball toward Level 20 or stall out before the halfway mark. Success depends on fast XP farming, smart upgrade choices, and staying mobile while controlling the spawn flow.

7.1 Early Setup & Priorities

7.2 Tips for the First Two Minutes

1. Farm XP Fast: Stay close to dense enemy clusters — the more orbs you collect early, the faster each upgrade cycle becomes.
2. Balance Offense and Defense: Upgrade your main weapon enough to survive Hyper scaling while prioritizing Tome levels.
3. Track Level Benchmarks: You should hit around Level 5 by the 2:00 mark and Level 10 by 5:00 for a comfortable pace.
4. Don’t Panic-Upgrade: Avoid rushing high-rarity Tomes early; prioritize base XP flow over riskier Legendary rolls.

If Cursed Tome doesn’t appear by Level 3, restart immediately to maintain the timer pace.

8. Mid-Game Leveling – Managing the Power Curve

Once you’ve built early momentum, your next goal is to maintain consistent XP flow without overleveling too fast or starving your upgrades. This is where smart pacing and Tome management decide whether you’ll hit Level 20 in time.

8.1 Recommended Upgrade Pattern

8.2 Level 20 Pace Tips (Hyper Mode)

1. Upgrade in Pairs: Keep Cursed and XP Tomes within two levels of each other to avoid slowdowns.
2. Delay Epic Rarities: Wait until the final two minutes before chasing Legendary rolls — they raise difficulty too soon.
3. Maintain Positioning: Don’t stand still; the faster you kite, the better your XP funneling stays.
4. Use Shop Tools Efficiently: Plan your Refresh cycles — aim to trigger one just before the 8:00 mark to secure final Tome levels.

Loop the map in wide circles to spread spawns, stay safe, and scoop XP efficiently as you push for Level 20.

9. The Magnet Shrine Trick – Your Finishing Move

When you’re closing in on the end of the run, the Magnet Shrine becomes your secret weapon. Timing it correctly can turn a slow grind into an instant finish — here’s how to pull it off perfectly.

1. Identify a Magnet Shrine early and avoid triggering it.
2. Farm around it until the 8–9 minute mark.
3. When the screen fills with XP, activate it to absorb everything.
4. Use saved Refresh charges to force the Cursed Tome upgrade during the level flood.

Summary: The Magnet Shrine is your closer — time it right and you’ll clear 17→20 before panic sets in.

Save a Magnet Shrine for 8–9 minutes to absorb stored XP and push Cursed Tome 17→20.

10. Extra Tips to Improve Success Rate

Even small mistakes can ruin an otherwise good run. These extra tips fine-tune your setup and playstyle so you can push through Hyper Mode without losing valuable seconds or risking a reset.

• Keep loadout minimal: Two weapons and two tomes only — every extra item dilutes your upgrade rolls.
• Avoid greed mechanics: Skip Greed Shrines or Skuleg to avoid extra difficulty stacking.
• Stack survivability: Prioritize Lifesteal, Max Health, or Movement Speed upgrades.
• Restart confidently: Don’t waste time on poor RNG — early resets save hours long-term.

10.1 Recommended Run Settings Recap

11. “Easiest Method” Checklist – Corrupted Sword Unlock

If you want the absolute shortest route to the Corrupted Sword, this section is your cheat sheet. It condenses the community’s most reliable strategy into simple, repeatable steps.

1. Refund down to two weapons and two tomes in the Shop.
2. Disable everything except Bananarang, Aura, Cursed Tome, and XP Tome.
3. Run Desert (Tier 1) in Hyper Mode.
4. Grab the Cursed Tome as early as possible (restart if not by Level 3).
5. Pair it with the XP Tome and keep upgrading both equally.
6. Save a Magnet Shrine for the final minute to jump to Level 20.
7. Reach Level 20 under 10:00 to trigger the unlock notification.

12. After You Succeed – Buying and Using the Sword

Once the challenge is complete, you’ll have immediate access to the Corrupted Sword. Here’s how to purchase it, equip it, and understand what makes it such a strong addition to your builds.

13. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many players fail the challenge not because of difficulty, but because of preventable habits. Avoiding these mistakes will save you time, effort, and frustration on repeated attempts.

• Too many unlocks active: Keep your pool tight with the Toggler to raise Cursed Tome roll odds. The best strategy for Hyper Mode starts with pool control.
• Taking Epic Cursed too early: Raises difficulty too fast without faster leveling.
• Neglecting XP Tome: Without it, you’ll simply run out of time.
• Ignoring Magnet Shrines: The biggest missed opportunity in failed runs.
• Not refunding slots: More slots = more distractions. Two weapons and two tomes is optimal.

Avoid common pitfalls: bloated item pools, early Epic Cursed upgrades, and skipping Magnet Shrines.

14. Example Route Breakdown

Not sure which pacing style or character suits your run best? These two proven routes show how different playstyles can still reach Level 20 on the Cursed Tome under the timer. Whether you prefer a safer, methodical setup or an aggressive speed approach, both options are equally viable when executed cleanly.

14.1 Monke Route – Safe & Fast

The Monke route focuses on stability and consistent XP collection. It’s the most forgiving option if you want to minimize risk while maintaining solid speed.

1. Start on Desert (Tier 1) and enable Hyper Mode.
2. Grab the Cursed Tome by Level 2–3, then pick up the XP Tome as your secondary.
3. Focus early upgrades on Bananarang and Aura for safe crowd control.
4. Farm steadily until the 8:30 mark, then activate a saved Magnet Shrine.
5. With proper pacing, you’ll finish the run just before 10:00 and trigger the unlock.

Ideal for players who prefer steady control and reliable defense while keeping a manageable timer pace.

14.2 Calcium Route – Speed Ramp

The Calcium route is built around momentum. It demands precise movement and quick decision-making but rewards you with the fastest possible run when done correctly.

1. Loop the Desert map continuously to keep enemy spawns active.
2. Alternate upgrades between the XP Tome and Cursed Tome to maintain even growth.
3. Keep your distance using Aura and avoid taking Epic Cursed upgrades too early.
4. Finish strong with a final Magnet Shrine burst to jump multiple levels at once.

Best for players confident in high-speed movement who want to push the Cursed Tome to Level 20 as quickly as possible.

15. Fastest Route to Unlock the Corrupted Sword

If you just want the quickest, no-fail way to unlock the Corrupted Sword, this section breaks down the exact route step-by-step. Follow these actions in order for a consistent clear under ten minutes.

1. Prepare Your Loadout: Refund down to two weapon slots and two tome slots in the Shop. This minimizes RNG and keeps upgrade options clean.
2. Simplify Your Pool: Toggle off everything except Bananarang, Aura, Cursed Tome, and XP Tome.
3. Choose Your Map and Mode: Select Desert (Tier 1) and enable Hyper Mode for faster XP gain and gold rewards.
4. Start Strong: Restart until you get an early Cursed Tome drop by Level 3.
5. Balance Your Upgrades: Level both the XP Tome and Cursed Tome evenly throughout the run to maintain smooth scaling.
6. Use a Magnet Shrine Late: Save one Magnet Shrine for the final minute to instantly collect all XP and push your Tome levels to 20.
7. Complete the Unlock: Reach Cursed Tome Level 20 before 10:00 on the timer to trigger the unlock notification.
8. Purchase the Reward: After the run, buy the Corrupted Sword from the Unlocks menu for 37 Silver.

This route minimizes RNG, maximizes XP efficiency, and guarantees a consistent unlock in one clean run.

Follow this route: two weapons and two tomes, Desert Hyper Mode, early Cursed Tome, even upgrades, and finish with a saved Magnet Shrine.

By now, you understand not only the challenge but also the rhythm that makes it manageable. This closing section ties it all together — patience, preparation, and persistence are the keys to success.

The Corrupted Sword challenge might seem brutal, but once you trim your pool, master Hyper Mode pacing, and time the Magnet Shrine, it becomes a repeatable formula. This unlock rewards preparation, not luck. Nail your setup, stay calm under pressure, and you’ll walk away with one of Megabonk’s most powerful and stylish weapons — plus bragging rights for mastering one of its hardest runs.