Rust is a hardcore online survival game. You spawn naked on a wild island and must gather resources, build a base, defend yourself from other players, and fight for control.
There’s no tutorial, no pause button, and no mercy. This guide will walk you through all the key early steps — with clear explanations of every important term.
1. How to Choose a Server (and What’s a Wipe?)
When you enter Rust, the first thing you do is choose a server — this is your own game world. For beginners, we recommend Solo Only or Duo servers.
Avoid Max Pop servers (100+ players) — they’re brutal, and you’ll likely die in the first 5 minutes.
👉 What’s a wipe?
It’s a scheduled reset of the map and bases (usually weekly).
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Full Wipe = everything resets, including blueprints.
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Map Wipe = only the map resets, you keep your blueprints.
2. First Minutes: What to Loot and Why
You spawn with a rock and a torch. Your first goal is to gather wood, stone, and cloth — the basics for tools and early weapons.
Loot is everything you can find: crates, barrels, and raw resources.
Barrels and crates along roads are your first source of components (springs, pipes, gears, etc.). You can recycle these into scrap — the main currency of Rust — using the Recycler, a special machine found at monuments (big named locations).
3. How to Build Your First Base (and What’s a TC?)
Once you have enough resources, build a basic base — typically a 2x1 (two foundations long, one wide).
Inside, place a Tool Cupboard (TC) — a cabinet that protects your territory from others. Without it, your base can easily be taken.
Also place a Code Lock on your door — it’s much safer than a key lock.
👉 Upgrade your base over time: Wood → Stone → Metal.
4. How to Stop Dying Every 5 Minutes
Rust is a game of losses. You will die. A lot — especially early on.
Here’s how to avoid losing everything:
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Don’t carry all your loot with you — stash it in boxes or buried stashes.
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Place sleeping bags near your base to respawn safely.
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If you see another player and you're not confident — run. Most have better gear than you at the start.
5. Where to Farm and What to Recycle
Farming means collecting resources. The easiest method is to roam along roads, break barrels, and grab loot.
Take that loot to a Recycler (found at monuments like Outpost, Supermarket, Trainyard) to turn it into scrap.
Scrap is the in-game currency — use it to research blueprints and craft advanced gear.
💡 By the way, if you’re looking to spice up your Rust experience — check out Cobalt Lab.
It’s a Rust-style platform where you can open cases, join battles, and unlock truly rare skins.
P.S. And yes — you can actually earn from your progress too.
6. First Weapons and Where to Practice (What’s UKN?)
Start with a spear and a bow, then work your way up to the Nailgun or Revolver. After that, craft semi-auto rifles.
To improve your aim, join practice servers like UKN — they’re PvP-only, no survival, just shooting. Ideal for learning recoil and target tracking.
7. How to Play in a Team and Use Rust+ App
Rust is better with a squad. Even if you play solo, find allies via Discord or in the in-game chat. Split roles: builder, farmer, raider.
👉 Rust+ App is the official mobile companion. It lets you:
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Monitor your base
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Get raid alerts
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Remotely control doors and turrets from your phone
Rust is both painful and beautiful. You’ll die — often. But each death makes you stronger.
Don’t give up. Every veteran started with just a rock.
🎯 And remember — while you’re out farming barrels, someone’s already pulling rare skins at Cobalt Lab. Just saying.
💡 Also worth checking out:
- Surviving Rust Monuments Like a Pro: Advanced Strategies
- Top Rust Servers 2025: How to Choose the Right One for You
- Best Weapon Loadouts in Rust: AK47, MP5 and More
