The Blight
The Blight is a corruption spreading across Planet Proteus. In the current Early Access build, it manifests as Blighted Coral (a corrupted sub-biome) and Bloom Cankers (corrupt growths that infect Angel Combs). While the full scope of the Blight is not yet revealed in the partially implemented story, the available evidence suggests it will become a central narrative and gameplay element.
Blighted Coral
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Sub-biome within Coral Gardens |
| Location | West of the Shallows, ~186 m from Lifepod |
| Depth | ~59 m at the infected Angel Comb |
| Coordinates | -350414, 422196, -5184 |
A small corrupted region within the Coral Gardens. Find the plateau with a hole in the middle and swim down. The area contains an Angel Comb that is infected with Bloom Cankers, blocking access to its adaptation.
Resources Found: Metal Salvage, Lucifer Rotsac, Acidic Raion Pouch, Fibrous Pulp
Creatures: The Deepwing Brooder Leviathan can appear here (docile creature).
Bloom Cankers
Bloom Cankers are the visible manifestation of the Blight. They appear as corrupt growths on Angel Combs, preventing players from absorbing DNA adaptations.
How to deal with Bloom Cankers:
- Obtain a Sonic Resonator (craftable at the Fabricator)
- Find an infected Angel Comb
- Destroy the Bloom Cankers using the Sonic Resonator
- Once cleansed, touch the Angel Comb to absorb the adaptation
The upgraded Feedback Resonator (crafted with Strontium + Conduit Crystal + Enameled Glass) can also destroy Bloom Cankers.
Known Blight-Affected Areas
| Location | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Blighted Coral (Coral Gardens) | Sub-biome | Infected Angel Comb near Shallows |
| Root Canyon Contaminated Zone | Sub-zone | Active Blight outbreak; creatures more aggressive; Blight Nodes B & C marked |
| Various Angel Combs | Point locations | Individual Angel Combs infected with Bloom Cankers |
Gameplay Effects
In the current EA build, the Blight affects gameplay in these ways:
- Blocked Adaptations: Infected Angel Combs cannot be interacted with until Bloom Cankers are destroyed
- Aggressive Creatures: In the Root Canyon contaminated zone, creatures become more aggressive under the Blight's influence
- Environmental Hazard: Blighted areas are harder to survive in
The Blight does not currently function as a player status effect, disease, or spreading affliction in the shipped EA build. However, the partially implemented story and the presence of corruption-themed items (Necrolei Cyst, Strong Acid, Lucifer Rotsac) suggest the mechanic may expand significantly in future updates.
Lore and Story Implications
The Blight appears to be tied to the broader narrative of Planet Proteus:
- Root Network Decay: The World Tree's roots are described as "rotting and dying," suggesting systemic ecological collapse
- Axum Civilization: The ancient Axum civilization built infrastructure (power plants, metal farms, observatories) that may be connected to the Blight's origin
- Epicurean Parasites: The Tongue Thief parasite makes creatures insatiable, and the Epicurean becomes more dangerous under parasite influence — possibly linked to the Blight
- The Cicada: The colony ship's AI changed course to Proteus after intercepting a signal, suggesting the Blight may have been known before arrival
Related Items
| Item | Connection to Blight |
|---|---|
| Necrolei Cyst | Harvested from Necrolei in Blight-affected areas; used to craft Strong Acid |
| Strong Acid | Processed from Necrolei Cysts in the Processor Unit; corruption-related crafting material |
| Lucifer Rotsac | Found in Blighted Coral biome |
| Acidic Raion Pouch | Found in Blighted Coral biome |
Early Access Notice: The Blight's full scope is not yet revealed — the story is only partially implemented in the current EA build. This page will be updated as new story chapters and gameplay mechanics are added.
Sources: Game8 Blighted Coral Guide, Game8 All Adaptations, wiki.subnautica.com