# Blighted map **Blighted maps** are alternate versions of existing [[map]]s that contain a more challenging Blight encounter than is normally found on maps. These maps have all the native monsters removed and are dedicated to the Blight encounter. The map will always have an alternative map icon, as well as these implicit modifiers: - <span class="explicitMod">Area is infested with Fungal Growths</span> - <span class="explicitMod">Natural inhabitants of this area have been removed</span> Regular Blight encounters in [[map]]s have a chance to drop a Blighted version of a map. ## Mechanics Blighted maps only contain a small area with no enemies and a single Fungal Growth that spawns dozens of roots. Multiple waves of monsters will spawn from monster portals all across the map. Monsters move along a fixed route towards the Purification Pump. The player must defend the Purification Pump for 5 minutes, and then defeat all remaining monsters in order to complete the map and grant the [rewards](Blighted_map#Rewards). Compared to regular Blight encounters in maps, in Blighted maps players get extended preparation time and Pump durability (health) is increased to 20 (up from 10). **Similar to regular maps:** 1. Blighted maps are available in different tiers, with the highest being Tier 16. 2. Higher tier maps have tougher monsters and can drop rarer, more valuable rewards 3. The Atlas [Awakening Level](Atlas_of_Worlds) affects the difficulty of the monsters and bosses, with Awakening 8+ being the hardest. 4. Blighted maps can be increased in quality using [[Cartographer's Chisel]]s 5. Players can craft the map into <span class="magic">Magic</span> or <span class="rare">Rare</span> rarities, but it greatly increases the difficulty of combat. 6. Running a Blighted map in <span class="normal">Normal</span> rarity provides for the easiest combat. 7. Blighted map rarity affects the reward chests and the central drops. ### Unlike regular maps: 1. Blighted maps can also be [annointed](Oil), adding a variety of unique modifiers, including extra experience and significant boosts to rewards. 2. Players can annoint Blighted maps with [[Teal Oil]] or [[Crimson Oil]] which provides a "Lucky" modifier to a fixed number of Blight reward chests 3. Blighted maps cannot be used with [[map fragment]]s such as [[scarab]]s. The map fragments will not be consumed even if players place them into the [[Map Device]]. 4. [[Watchstone]] modifiers and [[sextant]]s have no effect on Blighted maps If you fail the blight encounter, it will not count as a map completion. ## Strategy Blighted maps have a large amount of enemies and a large amount of resources for tower building. The same strategies that work on smaller Blights in maps will be useful, but more tower building and killing will be involved. ## Recommendations The following is recommended: - A ranger or spellcaster build or any build that can do high amounts of area damage (melee builds using [[Cyclone]] without cast-on-crit will find it hard, because monsters attack the center from every direction) - To run <span class="normal">Normal</span> blighted maps: At least 2 million damage per second (calculated in Path of Building) - To run <span class="magic">Magic</span> blighted maps: At least 10 million damage per second - To run <span class="rare">Rare</span> blighted maps: At least 20 million damage per second - A method to increase damage against <span class="rare">Rare</span> and <span class="unique">Unique</span> mini bosses (such as [[Assassin's Mark]] for crit-builds, or [[Sigil of Power]] for lightning-builds) - Capped elemental resistances (fire, cold and lightning resistance at 75%) - At least 5,000 Effective hit points (Life pool) - At least 20% block or evade chance, or [[Mana before Life]] defenses - A strict loot filter that filters out most of the inexpensive loot ## Annointments [[Sister Cassia]] can annoint your blighted map to increase the ease of combat, and/or to increase rewards. It is easy to self-sustain oils for these annointments because blighted maps provide a large number of oils upon successful completion. Annointing tips are as follows: - **For T14 and lower maps:** - 3 [[Amber Oil]] is the easiest because it allows construction of the maximum possible towers (but no reward enhancement) - 1 [[Teal Oil]] and 2 [[Amber Oil]] is harder with better rewards - 2 [[Teal Oil]] and 1 [[Amber Oil]] is much harder with much better rewards - 3 [[Teal Oil]]s is the hardest with the best rewards - **For T15 or T16 maps:** - 3 [[Amber Oil]] is the easiest because it allows construction of the maximum possible towers (but no reward enhancement) - 1 [[Crimson Oil]] and 2 [[Amber Oil]] is harder with better rewards - 2 [[Crimson Oil]] and 1 [[Amber Oil]] is much harder with much better rewards - 3 [[Crimson Oil]]s is the hardest with the best rewards