Welcome to the ultimate “Rust: Getting Started Guide”! If you’re eager to dive into the harsh yet thrilling world of Rust, then you’re in the right place. This guide is here to transform you from a clueless newcomer into a savvy survivor ready to take on the challenges ahead. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from understanding the basics and creating your first character, to mastering the controls and interface. You’ll also learn how to efficiently gather initial resources and craft a robust first shelter to protect yourself from the elements—and other players. Let’s jump in and start your Rust adventure!

Getting Started - The Basics#

Alright, so you want to dive into the chaotic world of Rust? Buckle up, because it’s time to learn how to survive, thrive, and maybe even dominate in this brutal, multiplayer survival game. Here’s your crash course to get started.

1. What is Rust?#

Rust is a hardcore, brutal survival game by Facepunch Studios. It’s known for making players scream in frustration and victory. You start with nothing but a rock and a torch on a mysterious island, and your goal is to survive against both the elements and other players. If you ever wanted to know what it’s like to start from scratch in a world where anything goes, Rust is your playground.

2. Starting Equipment#

When you first spawn in Rust, your inventory will have:

• A Rock: Your main tool for gathering resources like wood and stone.
• A Torch: Great for lighting your way in the dark. Try not to burn yourself!

3. Gathering Resources#

To build, craft, and survive, you’ll need to gather materials. Here’s a quick rundown of the essentials:

• Wood: Chop down trees with your rock.
• Stone and Metal: Smash those shiny rocks with your rock. Look for nodes scattered around.
• Food: Hunt animals, gather mushrooms, and, yes, you can even pick up potatoes.

Start gathering by hitting “E” to pick things up and clicking the left mouse button to swing your rock.

4. Crafting the Basics#

Once you have some materials, it’s time to start crafting. Open your crafting menu by pressing “Tab”.

• Stone Hatchet: A better tool for gathering wood.
• Stone Pickaxe: This makes gathering stone and metal easier.
• Basic Tools: These are your first steps towards not dying.

5. Building Your First Shelter#

The nights are dark and full of terrors. Build a shelter to survive.

• Build a Foundation: Start with wood. Place it on flat ground using your Building Plan.
• Add Walls, Doorway, and Ceiling: Complete your tiny fortress.
• Craft a Door and Lock: Prevent other players from barging in. Remember, metal locks are stronger than wooden ones.

6. Cooking and Staying Warm#

You’ll need food and warmth:

• Campfire: Craft and place one. Use it to cook meat and warm up.
• Clothing: Craft some basic clothing to keep warm and protect yourself a bit more.

7. Interacting with Other Players#

Rust’s community can be both your greatest threat and your biggest asset.

• Use Your Voice: Press “V” to speak in-game. Watch out—voice chat is open proximity.
• Emotes and Gestures: Show you’re friendly (or not) using in-game gestures.
• Form Alliances: Team up with other players, but choose wisely. Trust is rare!

8. Upgrading Your Base#

As you gather more resources:

• Upgrade to Stone or Metal: Strengthen your base to deter raiders.
• Craft Better Tools and Weapons: Survive longer and fight better.

9. Stay Safe and Keep Learning#

Rust is a game of constant challenges. Learn from each death and each encounter. There’s always a new strategy or trick to master.

And remember, everyone starts with nothing. The difference between the naked newbie and the heavily armed veteran is how well they’ve learned and adapted. Go out there, gather, craft, build, survive, and don’t forget to have fun!

TL;DR#

In Rust, gather resources with your rock, craft basic tools, build a shelter, and interact both cunningly and wisely with other players. Survive the elements and other players. Adapt, learn, and repeat the process until you carve out your spot on the island. Good luck out there!

Creating Your First Character#

Alright, so you’re diving into the wild, ruthless world of Rust, huh? Awesome choice! Before you can start building your empire – or just surviving the night – you’re gonna need a character. Let’s break down how to get started.

Step 1: Launch the Game#

First things first, boot up Rust. Whether you’re on Steam or another platform, get that game loading. Once you’re on the main menu, take a moment to soak in the rugged vibes. This is where your survival journey begins.

Step 2: The Character Selection – Or Lack Thereof#

Here’s the deal: Rust does things a bit differently from other games. You don’t get to custom-create your character like in other RPGs. No sliders for jawline, no picking out cool hairstyles. Instead, Rust randomly generates your character’s appearance. Yep, you read that right. Your gender, skin tone, and facial features are all assigned based on your Steam ID.

This might sound odd, but it adds a unique twist to the game. It pushes you to focus more on survival and gameplay rather than aesthetics. Plus, it levels the playing field – everyone’s here for the same gritty challenge.

Step 3: Embracing the Randomness#

At first, you might be bummed you can’t customize your character. But trust us, you’ll get into it. This randomness adds a layer of surprise and forces you to think about the game’s community and mechanics more deeply. Your survivor persona becomes less about appearance and more about how you engage with the environment and other players.

Step 4: Naming Your Character#

While you can’t change how your character looks, your Steam name will be what other players see in-game. So, if you want to strike fear into the hearts of your enemies or just get a laugh, picking a strong moniker is key. Head to your Steam profile to update your display name if you’re not vibing with the current one.

Step 5: Entering the World#

Once your character’s appearance is set and you’re content with your name, it’s time to jump into the world of Rust. Click on the “Play Game” button and you’ll be thrown into a server selection screen. Choose wisely – some servers might be more beginner-friendly than others. You can filter servers by difficulty, population, and even map type.

Pro Tip: Finding Friends#

Rust is brutal, especially for newbies. If you’re flying solo, look for servers with community tags or beginner-friendly vibes. If you’re playing with friends, coordinating on the same server makes surviving way more manageable. Plus, shared experiences with buddies are what gaming memories are made of.

Step 6: Your First Spawn#

Once you’ve selected a server, you’ll spawn at a random location on the map. Here’s where the real fun begins. You’ll start with a rock and a torch – not much, but enough to get you started. From here, it’s all about gathering resources, crafting tools, building shelter, and avoiding (or engaging in) combat.

Congratulations, you’re officially a Rust player! Remember, the game is tough, but that’s what makes your progress so rewarding. Embrace the challenge, learn from every death, and keep that respawn button handy. Good luck out there, survivor!

Basic Controls and Interface#

Welcome to the harsh world of Rust! Whether you’re being chased by a bandit or building your dream base, getting the hang of the controls and interface is essential to your survival. Let’s break it down!

Moving Around#

First things first, let’s talk about movement. It’s super straightforward:

• WASD: The classic combo. Press W to go forward, A to step left, S to step backward, and D to step right.
• Shift: Hold this key while moving to sprint. Be mindful of your stamina - you can’t run forever!
• Spacebar: Jump. Handy for hopping up rocks or onto ledges.
• Ctrl: Crouch. Sneak around to avoid detection or fit through low spaces.

Interacting with the World#

Rust is all about interacting with your environment and other players. Here’s how:

• E: Your multipurpose interaction key. Press E to pick up items, open doors, and access chests.
• F: Use this to turn on and off your flashlight. A must-have during those pitch-black nights.

Combat and Tools#

Whether you’re defending your base or hunting for food, knowing how to use your weapons and tools can be the difference between life and death.

• Left Mouse Button: Your primary attack. Use it to swing a hatchet, fire your gun, or throw a spear.
• Right Mouse Button: Aim down sights (ADS) with guns, or use the secondary function of other tools.
• R: Reload your gun. Pro tip: always keep it loaded, you never know when trouble’s coming.
• G: Bring up your map. It’s essential for navigating and marking points of interest.

Inventory and Crafting#

Your inventory is where you manage everything you pick up. Here’s the lowdown:

• Tab: Open your inventory. Here you’ll find all your collected items. Drag and drop to equip or move things around.
• Crafting: Also done through your inventory menu. Select the item you want to craft and click ‘Craft’. Easy as pie!
• Hotbar: The quick-access bar at the bottom of your screen lets you equip up to six items with the press of a number key (1-6).

Health, Hunger, and Hydration#

Surviving in Rust is more than just avoiding other players - you need to manage your basic needs too!

• Health: Indicated by the red bar. To restore health, eat food or use bandages and medical supplies.
• Hunger: Shown by the yellow bar. Keep yourself fed by hunting animals, finding edible plants, or cooking food.
• Hydration: The blue bar. Drink from rivers, lakes, or use water bottles to stay hydrated.

Building and Base Management#

Your base is your safe haven. Protect it well!

• Building Plan: Equip this to start placing building structures. Left-click to place, right-click to rotate or access the building menu.
• Hammer: Use this to upgrade structures from wood to stone or metal. Aim at the structure and click to upgrade.

UI Elements#

Understanding the interface helps you keep track of your stats and surroundings:

• Top-right corner: Shows your current health, hunger, hydration, and comfort level.
• Bottom-left corner: Shows your hotbar.
• Middle-top: The number of players on the server and the server name.
• Middle-bottom: The chat window. Use Enter to open and type messages.

Extra Tips#

• Don’t ignore the tutorial missions when you first start. They’ll guide you through the basics and get you set up quickly.
• Keep an eye on your surroundings. The noise you make can attract unwanted attention.
• Find a good spot to build your base. Ideally, somewhere discreet but close to resources.

Now that you’ve got a grasp on the basic controls and interface, you’re one step closer to mastering Rust. Keep practicing, stay cautious, and remember - trust no one. Happy surviving!

Gathering Initial Resources#

When you first spawn in the unforgiving world of Rust, you’re stark naked and defenseless, staring at a beautiful, yet brutal landscape. Your first step to survival is gathering essential resources. This guide will help you get on your feet quickly so you won’t end up as target practice for other players.

Start With the Basics: Wood and Stone#

Wood and stone are the bread and butter of your early survival needs.

1. Chopping Trees: Equip your trusty rock (it’s in your inventory by default) and approach a tree. Bash at it with a few good swings. You’ll know you’re succeeding when you see wood numbers popping up.
2. Finding Stone Nodes: Look for grayish boulders with small, glowing specks. Hit them with your rock to obtain stones. There’s also a neat trick: if you hit the shiny spots, you’ll gather resources faster!

Tools of the Trade#

Once you’ve got some wood and stone, it’s time to upgrade your gear.

• Craft a Stone Hatchet: This tool makes gathering wood a breeze. Open your crafting menu (Tab key), search for Stone Hatchet, and create it (20 wood and 100 stones required). This small investment drastically speeds up wood collection.
• Craft a Stone Pickaxe: Great for mining stone nodes and other ores. It’s crafted similarly to the hatchet but requires more stone.

Food: Let’s Not Starve#

Staying well-fed is crucial. Here’s how you do it:

• Foraging: Look for bushes with blue or red berries. These can temporarily stave off hunger.
• Hunting: Once you create a spear (300 wood), look for animals like deer or boars. Your first kill can provide meat, which you can cook on a campfire.
• Fishing: Crafted fishing rods can be used at a body of water to catch fish. It’s a bit advanced but super helpful.

Build a Shelter: Your Safe Haven#

With tools and some food gathering experience, your next priority is safety.

• Craft a Building Plan: This requires 20 wood. Equip it to start laying down foundations, walls, and a roof.
• Construct a Basic Shelter: Place a 2x2 wooden foundation and build walls around it. Leave an opening for your door.
• Craft a Wooden Door and Lock: Protect your temporary home with a wooden door (300 wood) and a lock (100 wood). This keeps unwelcome guests out.

Essential Upgrades#

Your starter shelter won’t be enough forever. Here are a few quick upgrades:

• Storage Box: Store extra resources. Crafted with 100 wood.
• Sleeping Bag: This acts as your respawn point. Place it inside your shelter (requires 30 cloth).
• Campfire: Make one with 100 wood. It’s essential for cooking meat and keeping warm.

Don’t Forget to Explore#

The world of Rust has tons of biomes and landmarks that house valuable resources. Venture out cautiously, as long trips can be dangerous.

• Abandoned Shacks and Ruins: These often contain crates with useful loot.
• Roads: Following roads may lead you to barrels filled with items.

Avoiding Hazards#

Stay away from radiation zones if you’re an early player, as these can quickly drain your health. Also, steer clear of other players when you’re just starting out. They might not be friendly.

Tips From the Pros#

• Stay Low, Stay Safe: Crouch (Ctrl key) when approaching other player structures to remain less noticeable.
• Think Before You Swing: Only attack animals you’re confident you can take down.
• Team Up: If you’re struggling alone, try to team up with other newcomers. There’s strength in numbers.

Gathering your initial resources is the first hurdle in Rust. Follow these tips, and you’ll find your footing in no time. Now, get out there and start building your empire - or at least, your first humble shack.

Building Your First Shelter#

Alright, so you’ve just spawned in Rust, and your first task is to build a shelter. If you’re tired of getting mauled by bears or ganked by other players, getting a roof over your head should be your first priority. Let’s walk you through the process, step by step.

Gathering Resources#

First thing’s first, you need materials. Start by using your rock or whatever primitive tool you’ve got to gather these essentials:

• Wood: Smack those trees! Aim for around 2,000 wood.
• Stone: Find resource nodes, the shiny rocks, and hit them to gather stones. You’ll need at least 1,000.
• Cloth: Harvest hemp plants. You can often find these in grassy areas.

Crafting Tools#

Before you start building, you should craft some basic tools to make gathering resources easier:

• Stone Hatchet: It speeds up wood gathering.
• Stone Pickaxe: This helps you grab stones faster than punching rocks like a caveman.

To craft these, hit Tab to open your inventory, and navigate to your crafting menu. Select the tools and click “Craft”.

Planning Your Build#

Once you’ve got a nice pile of resources, it’s time to think about where to build. Location is key. Look for a place that’s slightly hidden but still has access to vital resources like water and food.

Building a Basic Shelter#

Here’s your shopping list for a small 2x2 shelter:

• 600 Wood for a Building Plan
• 100 Wood for a Tool Cupboard
• 500 Wood and 100 Metal Fragments for a Wooden Door and Key Lock (or go for a code lock if you’ve got the resources)

Step-by-Step Construction#

1. Craft a Building Plan: With your wood in hand, press Tab and craft a Building Plan.
2. Lay a Foundation: Equip your Building Plan, right-click, and select ‘Foundation’. Place them in a 2x2 grid.
3. Add Walls: Select ‘Wall’ from your Building Plan menu and place them around your foundations.
4. Build a Doorway: Replace one wall spot with a ‘Doorway’ (you’ll need it to get in and out, obviously).
5. Add a Roof: Select ‘Roof’ from your Building Plan and cap off your structure.
6. Place a Tool Cupboard: This is crucial. Craft and place the Tool Cupboard inside, then access it to authorize yourself. This prevents other players from building too close to your shelter.
7. Add a Door and Lock: Finish up by crafting a wooden door and a lock. Place the door in the doorway spot and secure it with your lock.

Upgrading Your Shelter#

Your shelter will start off as a twig structure, which is super flimsy. To upgrade:

1. Equip your Hammer (crafted with 100 wood).
2. Look at a piece of building (foundation, wall, etc.) and hold Right-Click to bring up the upgrade menu.
3. Upgrade to wood first, and then to stone once you’ve gathered enough resources.

Final Touches#

Now, accessorize! You’ll need a Sleeping Bag inside your shelter to set a respawn point. Collect 30 cloth and craft it. Also, craft a Campfire to keep warm and cook food.

Safety Tips#

• Stay Hidden: Don’t build in obvious or highly trafficked areas.
• Stash Supplies: Have backup loot stashes hidden around in case your base gets raided.
• Upgrade ASAP: The faster you upgrade to stone, the safer your stuff will be.

And there you have it! Your first shelter in Rust. Not too shabby, and definitely better than becoming yet another Rust ghost story. Happy building!