99 Nights Corrupted Tools & Codes (March 2026) Full Guide

Updated by Sunny Kaushik
February 2, 2026
Gaming

The latest update for 99 Nights in The Forest has completely changed the meta. If you’ve been logging in and noticed your trusty iron axe just isn’t cutting it (pun intended) against the new elite mobs, you aren’t alone. The Corrupted Tools Update is here, and it brings a risky, high-reward gameplay loop that can make you a god of the forest or drain your life force in seconds.

I’ve spent the last few days testing every new mechanic, grinding for the new gear, and compiling every working code. In this guide, I’m going to walk you through exactly how the Corruption mechanic works, which tools are actually worth the risk, and give you the latest redeemable codes to boost your progress in March 2026.

Quick Overview: Corrupted Tools Update

Before we dive deep into the mechanics, here is a quick summary of what this update changes and what you need to know immediately.

Feature	Description	Impact
Corrupted Tools	New tier of weapons/tools with high stats but drain player HP/Sanity.	High Risk / High Reward
Purification System	New crafting bench to cleanse tools or enhance them.	Essential for long-term survival
New Codes	Fresh redeemables for coins and purification shards.	Instant economy boost
The Blighted Warden	New world boss weak to Corruption damage.	Requires Corrupted Gear to defeat efficiently

Active 99 Nights in The Forest Codes (March 2026)

Let’s start with the free stuff. The developers released a batch of codes specifically for the Corrupted Tools launch. These codes can give you a significant head start, providing the currency needed to craft the new gear and the items required to keep your sanity in check.

I’ve verified these codes as of March 2026. Use them quickly, as game codes usually expire within a week or two of an update launch.

Active Codes

Code	Rewards	Status
`CORRUPT99`	500 Gold, 2x Purification Stones	✅ Active
`NEWTOOLS`	1x Blighted Crate (Random Tool)	✅ Active
`FORESTSPIRIT`	1000 Coins, 50x Corruption Ointment	✅ Active
`UPDATE2026`	Exclusive “Corrupted” Title	✅ Active
`NIGHTFALL`	3x XP Boosts (30 mins each)	✅ Active

(Note: Codes are case-sensitive. Enter them exactly as shown above.)

How to Redeem Codes?

If you are new to the game or haven’t redeemed codes in a while, the process is straightforward but varies slightly depending on your platform. Here is the universal method:

Launch the Game: Open 99 Nights in The Forest on your device.
Open Settings: Look for the gear icon usually located in the top-right corner of the main screen.
Select “Redeem Code”: Tap on the option that says “Codes”, “Promo”, or “Gift Code”.
Enter the Code: Type or paste one of the active codes from the table above.
Confirm: Hit “Confirm” or “Submit”. Your rewards will be sent directly to your in-game mailbox.
Claim: Don’t forget to open your mailbox and click “Claim” to actually get the items!

Pro Tip: If a code says “Invalid”, double-check your spelling. If it says “Expired”, unfortunately, it has been removed from the rotation by the developers.

Expired Codes

To save you time, here are the codes that are no longer working. Do not attempt to use these.

SUMMERFUN
SAVAGE2024
IRONAGE
RELEASEPARTY

Understanding the Corrupted Tools Mechanic

The heart of this update is the Corruption Meter. In previous updates, you only had to worry about Health and Hunger. Now, every time you equip a Corrupted Tool, a purple bar appears under your health.

What is Corruption?

Corruption is a status effect that ramps up the longer you have a Corrupted Tool equipped.

Stage 1 (0-30%): No negative effects. You gain the damage boost of the tool.
Stage 2 (31-60%): Your character starts to cough slightly. Health regeneration is disabled.
Stage 3 (61-90%): Screen edges darken (tunnel vision). You take 1% damage per second.
Stage 4 (100%): Heartbeat Event. You take massive damage and are stunned for 5 seconds. This is usually a death sentence in combat.

Strategy: The best players I’ve seen treat Corruption like a resource. You equip the tool, kill the enemy, and immediately un-equip it to let the meter drain. Do not keep it equipped while walking around base!

Tier List: Best Corrupted Tools in the Update

Not all Corrupted Tools are created equal. I’ve tested the damage output, durability, and “corruption generation rate” for all the new additions. Here is my tier list for the 2026 Corrupted Tools Update.

S-Tier: The Meta Definers

Blighted Greatsword (The Reaper):
- Stats: 150 Base Damage, Swing Speed: Slow.
- Corruption Rate: Moderate.
- Verdict: This weapon is an absolute beast. It one-shots most basic mobs and clears hordes effortlessly. The slow swing speed is the only downside, but if you time your blocks, you are invincible.
Void Pickaxe:
- Stats: +300% Mining Speed, Durability: Infinite.
- Corruption Rate: Low.
- Verdict: Essential for gathering resources. It mines through hard rock and corrupted nodes instantly. Because the corruption rate is low, you can actually keep using this for extended periods compared to weapons.

A-Tier: Strong Specialized Tools

Cursed Wood Axe:
- Stats: +250% Woodcutting, Deals Fire Damage.
- Corruption Rate: Moderate.
- Verdict: Great for base building and dealing with plant-type enemies. The fire damage is a nice bonus, but the lack of shield utility makes it risky for tanky enemies.
Siphon Dagger:
- Stats: Low Damage, High Attack Speed.
- Special Effect: Steals 5 HP per hit.
- Verdict: Surprisingly good for bossing if you can dodge well. The lifesteal helps offset the corruption damage, making it a “self-sustaining” weapon for skilled players.

B-Tier: Niche Uses

Corrupted Hammer:
- Verdict: High building speed but massive corruption generation. I only recommend using this when you are safe at your base and have plenty of purification ointment on hand.

Comprehensive Guide to Managing and Crafting

Getting the tools is one thing; keeping them usable is another. Here is your step-by-step guide to navigating the new update systems.

How to Craft Corrupted Tools?

You cannot craft these at your standard Workbench. You must unlock the Altar of Decay.

Reach Level 20: The blueprint drops after defeating the Forest Warden for the first time.
Gather Materials: You will need:
- 50x Ancient Bones (Found in caves).
- 10x Corrupted Shards (Dropped by purple glowing enemies).
- 1x Shadow Essence (Purchased from the traveling merchant).
Build the Altar: Place it in a secluded spot (it lowers the defense of nearby walls).
Craft: Select the tool you want and sacrifice your health to start the forging process.

Purification and Maintenance

Using the tools wears down your “Soul Stability”. If it hits zero, your character dies permanently (in Hardcore mode) or loses all items (in Normal mode).

To fix this, you need Purification Stones.

Recipe: 5x Normal Stone + 2x Moonflower.
Usage: Go to the Altar of Decay and select “Purify”. This resets your tool’s corruption generation rate back to base levels and repairs it for free.

My Recommendation: Always keep 10 Purification Stones in your hotbar. If you get stuck in a mining tunnel with a Void Pickaxe and your meter hits 60%, you need to cleanse it immediately or dig your way out with a regular pickaxe.

Advanced Combat Strategies for the Corrupted Update

The combat in 99 Nights has shifted. You can no longer just tank hits with a heavy armor set. You need to play smart.

The “Switch-Hit” Technique

This is the most important skill to learn in this patch. The goal is to utilize the high damage of the Corrupted Tool without letting the meter build up.

Engage with Normal Gear: Approach the enemy using your standard armor and non-corrupted weapon.
The Stun: Block an attack to stun the enemy.
The Swap: Quick-switch to your Corrupted Tool (e.g., Blighted Greatsword).
The Burst: Land 2-3 heavy attacks.
Disengage: Switch back immediately and kite (run away) while the corruption meter drains.

Countering the New “Corrupted Beasts”

The update introduced enemies like the Rotting Stag and Blighted Wolf. They are highly resistant to physical damage but weak to Corruption Damage.

Don’t: Use your regular iron sword. It will take forever.
Do: Use the Siphon Dagger. Its innate corruption damage will melt these enemies, and the lifesteal counters their damage-over-time poison.

Boss Fight: The Corrupted Warden

This is the flagship boss of the update. It has a shield that is impervious to normal damage. You must have a Corruption Tier 1 weapon to break it.

Phase 1: Break the shield. Focus all damage on the shield until it shatters.
Phase 2: The Warden summons minions. Use the Void Pickaxe’s wide swing to kill them quickly (yes, it works as a weapon in a pinch).
Phase 3: The Warden goes berserk. Do not use heavy attacks here. Use the Cursed Wood Axe for fast chops to interrupt his channeling.

Troubleshooting Common Update Issues

With big updates come bugs. Here are solutions to the most common issues reported by the community and myself since the patch dropped.

Issue: “Game Crashes when opening Altar of Decay”

Fix: This is a memory leak issue. Lower your graphics settings to “Low” when interacting with the Altar, then raise them back up. The developers have acknowledged this and a hotfix is coming in early March.

Issue: “Corruption Meter not draining”

Fix: Ensure you are not standing in a “Corruption Zone” (indicated by purple floor). You cannot drain the meter while standing in these zones. Move to high ground.

Issue: “Lost my item after crafting”

Fix: Check your Mailbox. Sometimes the game bugs out and sends the crafted item there instead of your inventory.

Community Insights and Meta Predictions

I spoke with some top players in the official Discord and Reddit community, and the consensus is that while this update is difficult, it’s a step in the right direction. The game was becoming too easy for end-game players.

Prediction: I expect the developers to introduce “Corrupted Armor” next month. If that happens, the need for purification items will skyrocket, so I suggest hoarding Moonflowers and Purification Stones now while they are cheap.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get Corrupted Shards fast?

The fastest way is to farm the caves during the in-game “Night of the Blood Moon.” During this event, every enemy has a 25% chance to drop a Corrupted Shard.

Can I remove the Corruption effect permanently?

Currently, no. The tools are permanently cursed. However, upgrading the tool at the Altar to Level 5 reduces the Corruption Rate by 50%.

Do Corrupted Tools work in PvP?

Yes, but be careful. The high damage makes them deadly, but if your opponent sees your Corruption Meter rising, they will just run away and wait for you to take damage from the tool itself.

What happens if I die with a Corrupted Tool equipped?

In Normal mode, it stays in your inventory. In Hardcore mode, it drops on the ground for other players to loot.

Is the Void Pickaxe better than the Diamond Pickaxe?

Yes. While the Diamond Pickaxe has durability, the Void Pickaxe is infinite and mines significantly faster. The only trade-off is the health drain if you use it for too long.

Conclusion

The Corrupted Tools Update for 99 Nights in The Forest is a massive shake-up that rewards aggressive, skilled play. The new tools look fantastic, hit like trucks, and add a layer of strategy that was missing before. However, the Corruption mechanic requires respect and preparation.

Make sure to use the codes CORRUPT99 and NEWTOOLS to get your stash started, and don’t forget to unequip that Blighted Greatsword when you’re just chopping wood! Bookmark this page and check back often, as I will be updating the codes list and tier list as the meta evolves in 2026.

Happy surviving, and may your corruption stay low.