Let me tell you something straight up – getting the Cursed Tome to level 20 in under 10 minutes in Megabonk is probably one of the most frustrating challenges I’ve ever attempted in this game. I spent hours banging my head against this wall, trying different strategies, and almost rage-quit multiple times. But you know what? I finally cracked it, and I’m going to share everything I learned so you don’t have to go through the same pain.
When I first saw this challenge, I thought it was impossible. Level up a tome that literally makes the game harder 20 times in just 10 minutes? Yeah, right. But after countless attempts and researching what the top players were doing, I discovered it’s not just about luck – there’s a specific method to the madness.
What You’re Actually Working Toward?
Before we dive into the strategy, let me explain why you’d even want to put yourself through this torture. The reward for getting the Cursed Tome to level 20 in under 10 minutes is the Corrupted Sword, which is honestly one of the best weapons in the game. I’ve been using it ever since I unlocked it, and let me tell you – it’s worth every frustrating attempt.
But here’s the thing: you can’t even attempt this challenge until you’ve unlocked the Cursed Tome itself. And that’s a whole different challenge!
Unlocking the Cursed Tome First
To get the Cursed Tome, you need to defeat a Stage Boss within 5 minutes. I learned this the hard way after wondering why the tome wasn’t showing up in my runs. When I finally managed to beat a boss in under 5 minutes (I think I clocked in at 4 minutes and 52 seconds), the Cursed Tome appeared in my unlocks screen.
My advice? Use your fastest, highest DPS character and weapons for this initial unlock. Don’t worry about survival – just go all-out damage and hope you spawn close to the boss. The Forest map at Tier 1 worked best for me, but some players prefer Desert for this too.
The Core Strategy That Actually Works
Okay, so you’ve got the Cursed Tome unlocked. Now for the main event. After dozens of failed attempts and studying what the pros were doing, I discovered there’s a specific setup that gives you the best chance at success.
Character Selection: Tony McZoom is Your Best Friend
I tried this with multiple characters, but Tony McZoom consistently gave me the best results. Here’s why:
- His passive pick-up range means you grab XP orbs without having to risk dangerous movement
- He’s naturally fast, which is crucial for covering the map quickly
- His lightning attack provides solid early-game damage
- He scales incredibly well with the right upgrades
Some players swear by Megachad, and I can see why – his Aura weapon levels up faster thanks to its passive. But for my money, Tony’s mobility and pick-up range make him the superior choice for this specific challenge.
The Perfect Loadout
After countless experiments, here’s the loadout that finally worked for me:
| Slot Type | What I Use | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Weapons | Aura + Aegis | Aura levels up fast, Aegis fills the slot safely |
| Tomes | Cursed + XP | The holy combination for this challenge |
| Challenge | Turbo Mode | 96% cheaper chests, 5x enemy difficulty |
| Map | Forest Tier 1 | Consistent layout, manageable enemy density |
The Slot Management Secret
This is probably the most crucial tip I can give you: reduce your weapon and tome slots. I know it sounds counterintuitive – why would you want fewer options? But hear me out.
I refunded my extra weapon and tome slots back down to just 2 each. Here’s why this is game-changing:
- With only 2 weapon slots, once you fill them, you only get weapon upgrades
- With limited tome slots, you dramatically increase the chances of getting Cursed Tome upgrades
- It forces the upgrade system to give you what you actually need
I can’t stress this enough – this single change took me from consistently getting stuck at level 14-15 to finally hitting level 20 with time to spare.
Step-by-Step Run Strategy
Now let me walk you through exactly how I execute a successful run. This isn’t just theory – this is the exact process that worked for me after weeks of trial and error.
First 2 Minutes: The Critical Opening
The first two minutes are make-or-break. Here’s what I focus on:
- Spawn and immediately start moving – Don’t stand still for even a second
- Prioritize shrines – XP shrines are gold, but damage and speed shrines are also valuable
- Grab every XP orb – This is why Tony’s pick-up range is so crucial
- Get Cursed Tome ASAP – If you don’t get it by level 3-4, restart the run
I can’t tell you how many times I failed because I didn’t get the Cursed Tome early enough. If you’re not seeing it in your first few level-ups, don’t waste your time – just restart and try again.
Minutes 2-5: Building Momentum
Once you have the Cursed Tome, things start getting interesting (and chaotic):
- Upgrade priority: Cursed Tome > Aura > XP Tome (in that order)
- Keep moving: Circle the map, hitting shrines and grabbing XP
- Don’t get greedy: If a high-rarity Cursed Tome upgrade appears, consider skipping it – the difficulty spike can be deadly
- Use your rerolls: Don’t be afraid to spend early silver on rerolls if it means getting the upgrades you need
This is where most of my runs used to fall apart. The enemies start getting really tough around level 10-12 of the Cursed Tome, and if you haven’t built up enough damage and survivability, you’ll get overwhelmed.
Minutes 5-10: The Final Push
This is the home stretch, and it’s where the real test begins:
- Focus exclusively on leveling: Don’t worry about bosses or secondary objectives
- Prioritize survival: If you’re taking too much damage, consider taking defensive upgrades over Cursed Tome levels
- Watch the clock: You need to hit level 20 before the 10-minute mark
- Stay mobile: The screen will be packed with enemies – movement is your best defense
I remember my first successful run vividly. I hit level 20 with about 45 seconds to spare, and I was literally shaking from the intensity. The enemies were absolutely overwhelming, but I had just enough damage and mobility to survive.
Essential Items and Upgrades
Through my research and personal experience, I’ve identified certain items that make this challenge significantly easier. Here are the ones I prioritize:
Must-Have Items
| Item Name | Why It’s Essential | My Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Sucky Magnet | Pulls in XP orbs automatically | Game-changer for Tony McZoom builds |
| Shattered Knowledge | Makes XP shards damage enemies | Turns your farming into offense |
| Turbo Socks | Increases movement speed | Crucial for map coverage and dodging |
| Beefy Ring | Extra HP and damage | The survivability you desperately need |
| Time Bracelet | +8% XP gain | Every bit helps when racing against time |
Upgrade Priority System
When you’re presented with upgrade choices, here’s how I prioritize them:
- Cursed Tome upgrades (unless they’re super high rarity)
- Aura upgrades (your main damage source)
- XP Tome upgrades (for faster leveling)
- Defensive items (when you’re struggling to survive)
- Movement speed (always valuable)
Common Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
Let me save you some frustration by sharing the biggest mistakes I made during my learning process:
Mistake #1: Too Many Slots
I used to run with all 4 weapon and tome slots unlocked, thinking more options were better. Wrong! This just diluted my upgrade pool and made it harder to get the Cursed Tome upgrades I needed.
Mistake #2: Wrong Map Choice
I kept trying different maps, thinking some secret map would make this easier. Stick with Forest Tier 1 or Desert – the consistency is more important than any supposed “easy mode” map.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Shrines
Early on, I’d focus purely on killing enemies and ignore shrines. Big mistake! XP shrines in particular can make or break your run. I now prioritize them almost as much as XP orbs.
Mistake #4: Being Too Greedy
I used to take every high-rarity Cursed Tome upgrade I could get, thinking more power was always better. Sometimes you need to skip that epic Cursed Tome upgrade to avoid making the enemies too difficult too quickly.
Advanced Tips for Consistent Success
Once you’ve got the basics down, these advanced tips will help you succeed more consistently:
The Reroll Strategy
Don’t be afraid to use your early silver on rerolls. If you’re not seeing the upgrades you need in the first few levels, spending some silver on rerolls can completely change your run’s trajectory.
Shrine Prioritization
Not all shrines are created equal for this challenge. Here’s how I prioritize them:
- XP Shrines – Non-negotiable, always take these
- Damage Shrines – Essential for keeping up with enemy scaling
- Speed Shrines – Great for map coverage and dodging
- Luck Shrines – Controversial, but I believe they help with better drops
Movement Patterns
I’ve found that specific movement patterns work better than others:
- Circular patterns around the map edge help you cover more ground
- Figure-8 patterns around shrine clusters maximize XP collection
- Always be moving toward the next objective – never stand still
What to Expect When You Finally Succeed?
When you finally get that Cursed Tome to level 20 under 10 minutes, it’s an incredible feeling. The Corrupted Sword unlocks, and let me tell you – it’s everything they say it is and more.
The Corrupted Sword has unique properties that make it worth all the effort:
- Excellent damage scaling that grows with your character
- Special abilities that synergize perfectly with cursed builds
- That satisfying feeling of having conquered one of Megabonk’s toughest challenges
I’ve been using the Corrupted Sword in my regular runs since unlocking it, and it’s completely changed how I approach the game. It’s not just about the power – it’s about knowing you earned it through pure skill and persistence.
FAQ: Everything Else You Need to Know
How many attempts did it take you?
Honestly? Probably 30-40 attempts before I finally got it right. Don’t get discouraged – this is genuinely one of the harder challenges in the game.
Can you do this on higher tier maps?
Technically yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The increased difficulty makes it much harder to survive long enough to hit level 20. Stick with Tier 1 for your first successful run.
What if I keep dying around level 15?
This is common! The difficulty spike around levels 12-15 is brutal. Try focusing more on defensive upgrades and survivability items in the mid-game.
Is this challenge worth it for casual players?
If you’re just playing casually, maybe not. But if you want the Corrupted Sword and enjoy a good challenge, absolutely! The sense of accomplishment is incredible.
Can you do this with other characters?
Yes, but Tony McZoom and Megachad are by far the most consistent. I’ve seen it done with Calcium too, but the success rate seems lower.
Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Look, I’m not going to lie – this challenge is tough. Really tough. There were times when I was ready to throw my controller across the room and give up entirely. But the feeling when you finally succeed? Pure gaming bliss.
The key is to stay patient, learn from each failed attempt, and don’t be afraid to restart when things aren’t going well. Sometimes you just get bad RNG with upgrade choices, and that’s okay. Recognize when a run isn’t working and cut your losses early.
Remember, every failed attempt is teaching you something new about the game mechanics, about what works and what doesn’t. I learned more about Megabonk’s systems trying to complete this challenge than I had in dozens of hours of regular play.
So keep at it, stay persistent, and trust me when I say that the Corrupted Sword is worth every frustrating minute. When you finally get that Cursed Tome to level 20 with time to spare, you’ll understand why this is considered one of Megabonk’s ultimate achievements.
Good luck, and happy hunting! I’ll see you in the leaderboards.
Want more Megabonk guides and tips? Check out our other articles on character builds, weapon combinations, and advanced strategies. Bookmark this page for future updates as new strategies emerge in the ever-evolving Megabonk meta!