Summary
Facepunch Studios' survival FPS,Rust, is a cutthroat experience. With little to no handholding, players are dropped into a random area of the map with nothingbut a rock in their hands and a dream. It’s no surprise that, given the game’s relatively high skill ceiling and overall lack of tutorials, some newcomers can find themselves quitting before they even get to experienceRust.
Newcomers need to know what they’re getting into and just what to be cautious of. The most important thing to remember is thatRustcan essentially be viewed as Soulslike, where failure is a part of the process. It’s easy to be put off after countless deaths, from starvation or just other people, but the slow progress is what makes this game so addictive for players on the higher end of the skill gap.
8Keep To Oneself
As Tempting As That Cheap Shot Is
It’s important to remember that all newcomers are in the same boat. Everyone’s naturally slow to trust each other and have most likely been killed countless times by players with more gear than them. It’s not exactly a “trust no one” situation, but definitely be cautious.
The game’s focus on PvP naturally makes all players relatively bloodthirsty.The best thing to do is to avoid drawing attention to oneself early on.Until players are geared and can get involved inRust’s fun and chaotic side, focus on crafting and building away from any potential aggravation, and as tempting as it can be to sneak into an enemy’s base while they’re sleeping - the results can vary.
7Adjust Game Settings
The Life-Saving Compass
With such a vast and sprawling map, it’s tough to knowprecisely where one is and where one’s going.Through the settings menu, under ‘options,‘players can toggle the Compass feature. Not dissimilar to Skyrim’s compass, this places it at the top of the screen for players to see what direction they’re facing, and it also means they can see the location of any markers they’ve placed on the map.
Aside from just how useful the compassis,Rustcan be a demanding game.Making smaller tweaks to shadow density and grass displacing can help boost performanceand have some small added bonuses, such as making some in-game loot easier to find when on the ground.
6Sleeping Bags
Essential Respawn Points
It’s a simple tip but a useful one.Sleeping Bags inRustact as respawn points for players once slept in.Players just spawning in should find the area they’re most comfortable with and put one of these down so that no matter what comes their way, they know where they’re respawning.
Whether it’s a whole house or just a shack in a safe area, it’s good to find somewhere with a decent amount of nearby materials and landmarks. The best way to do it is to start small in an area that isn’t full of players and slowly work one’s way out before finding somewhere they want to settle down and build that colossal base.
5Building A Good Starting Base
It Won’t Start As A Penthouse
A small, well-hidden base that will primarily be used just for storage and sleeping bags. They can be expanded later but have a base of operations to keep any loot and gear while doing the more ‘risky’ runs.
The smaller the base, the less attention it draws and the less likely it is to be raided by enemy players. Being near primary resources such as wood and rock is ideal. The goal is always to be able to quickly get back on one’s feet after suffering any deaths or raids.The smaller the base, the fewer resources are required to fortify it, which is ideal for those early hours of playtime.As soon as possible getting Metal Doorsfor a base makes it even harder for enemies to raid it, so it should be prioritized as soon as possible.
4Scrap Management
Don’t Spend It All At Once
Scrap is a precious resource used in researching, crafting, and repairing- it also acts as currency. Whether it’s tools or armor, scrap can be used to purchase incredibly useful loot from Outpost and Bandit camps.
Scrap can be looted from barrels and monuments while exploring, but salvaging certain items such as Propane Tanks, Springs, and Fuses will yield varying amounts of scrap.Dedicating some runs solely to scrap early oncan help newcomers get ahead, whether to research or purchase.
3Monument Exploration Preparation
Get Ready & Cross Those Fingers
Monuments essentially act asRust’s “Dungeon” or “Raid” maps;they’re massive, indestructible landmarks that all house various loots to reward their exploration. However, players will need to ensure they’re prepared before they wander in.
Certain monuments are radioactive and will slowly kill the player, depending on how long they are exposed. The radiation varies in severity but canmostly be treated by wearing radiation-resistant clothing, taking anti-radiation pills, using medical syringes, and drinking water.
2Player’s First Raids
Adorable, Explosive & Very Important
One way or another, the road always leads back to raiding. After one has their own fortified base,going slightly further out and finding smaller bases to pillage can be a helpful boost for newcomers. Researching explosives will make the process much easier- and ensuring players pick the right time is vital.
Choosing a base the player isn’t currently inside is a good start. Then, getting in and out as quickly as possible with as much gatherable loot as one can. Though evading other players is ideal, the results of a raid are, of course, entirely unpredictable. Players should make sure their inventories are empty, and they’re only taking the raid essentials beforeembarking on their perilous journey.
1Play With A Group
Everything’s Better With Friends
Rustis tough, and there’s no denying it -but at least when sharing the experience with others, it’s not always gloomy. The social aspect of the game is key, and whether playing through it with a group of friends or some people one has met along the way - the possibilities inRustare endless.
In addition to being naturally more fun and friendly, it also makes things like building and resource gathering far more efficient, especially when a group is managed well.Being able to hand out tasks to different membersmakes everything far more efficient—and massively increases chances of survival in the long term.
