Rust is a fantastic online survival game that takes players from humble beginnings of not even having a shirt on their back to building mighty fortresses, forming gangs, and waging war on other players. The world of Rust is a harsh reality, full of dangerous animals and deadly traps. It takes a lot to survive this game, but it is incredibly satisfying to do so.
Rust can be a foreboding challenge for players as they are overwhelmed with threats to their survival. It is tough enough to play with a group of friends, never mind attempting to play solo. But it is not impossible to venture out alone. It just requires a lot of planning and vigilance.
Updated October 15, 2021, By Jessica Filby: Rust is all about tactics and surviving. It’s often a pretty sizeable challenge that can be the difference between loving or hating the game. This is eased a little when playing with your friends, but playing rust solo is a completely different situation. It’s easy to feel like you’re playing a losing game when you’re on your own. Although you can play Rust solo, it’s hard to build a huge formidable base because you’ll get picked on by larger groups so you can’t really progress. Luckily, with these tips, those worries will be eased and your game will get so much better.
15 Wait Until Building
As soon as you get into the game it can be almost human nature to start building a sturdy base to protect yourself from enemies and other dangers. However, doing this while playing as a single-player is a huge waste of precious time and resources.
It’s worth trying to get hold of and gather as much gear as you can when first getting into the game. One of the best ways to find a base after this is to look for bases that have already been raided or abandoned. This will allow you to fix them up and place a bedroll to spawn to without requiring many resources at all. Then you can build up from there.
14 Don’t Be Extravagant
Once you’ve got your initial base you want to make it as impenetrable as possible as well as making it look awesome. This may seem like a good idea but when you’re only just starting out and only have a limited supply of gear, having a huge base will make protecting yourself almost impossible.
You want to keep the look of your base rather subtle and unsuspecting until you have enough to protect yourself, this will allow you to hide away and get resources to build bigger when you need to. Just don’t rush into building your favorite base with six bedrooms and a storage room because you might as well have a target on your back.
13 Night Time Is Your Best Friend
For most games, nighttime is the part where the world is filled with danger. This is actually rarely the case for Rust. Most players are used to the night being a dangerous and risky place so will typically keep out of sight and repair or improve their base and other items. This leaves you to run around the world with little to no contact with any threats in the form of players.
It goes without saying to take care of your own surroundings and what you bring or use on this adventure. Using a torch consistently will attract nearby hostiles and could prove fatal. However, if you sneak and are tactical about it then you can grab some really interesting and useful loot.
12 Don’t Leave Anything Outside Your Base
If you run inside your base at night just barely escaping the enemy that threatened to steal all your stuff only to realize you left something behind, don’t go out to find it. The items you have on you when you die or when you accidentally drop something will have most likely been instantly picked up by the enemy player.
This requires solo players to be a lot more tactical with their loot and where and when they take it out with them. Keep a spare of everything in your base to make deaths a little easier for you.
11 Make Friends With Your Neighbors
It may seem a little ironic considering Rust is all about treating everyone as an enemy, but sometimes it’s easier to be kind than try to attack everything that moves. After all, too many enemies will make your game almost unbearable.
A good neighbor will consist of those who set up a shop near your home base or just someone you want to try to be friends with. If they’re hostile to then you know where they stand, but it’s well worth trying. Even so, it’s a terrible idea to just attack the closest people to your base. Not only do they know where you live, but they will make your life hell. If you want to attack then go somewhere further away.
10 Join The Right Server At The Right Time
There are many different types of servers to try, and it can be worth testing a few out. For a solo player, there are servers specifically made with them in mind. These servers are less likely to have big gangs of players roaming the area and taking control. In general, a server with a smaller player count will make solo play easier.
Rust servers regularly reset, allowing everyone to have a fresh start. It is crucial for a solo player to join a server at the beginning of this cycle (usually the first Thursday of every month). Otherwise, rivals will have already taken the majority of valuable resources and prime locations. So get to them first!
9 Avoid Other Players
Rust in an online game, where people will do anything to survive. Players will raid houses, steal resources and even kill for fun. This is especially true early on. When other players are battling at the coast, focus on scouting out the island rather than wasting time in a naked rock fight.
Sometimes making alliances with other players can be helpful, such as for trade, but it is vital to remain vigilant with them at all times. Players should not let another person into their base at any point. They need to avoid being too trusting and look out for sudden backstabs from their suspicious new friends.
8 Make Sure You Know The Basics
To survive Rust solo, it is vital to know the basics. This is especially true for new players, as small mistakes will reset all their progress. Simple beginner tips include making multiple sleeping bags to get additional spawn points. It is crucial to keep an eye on the hunger bar to avoid starvation. It is also vital to set up a base as soon as possible to keep supplies secure.
There are specific servers for more advanced training, such as using the higher-tier weaponry. These can be found by searching for Aim on the server lists or checking out battlefield servers. These servers help players practice with these weapons without wasting precious ammunition and resources in the survival mode.
7 Pick The Perfect Spot For Your Base
The most important thing to remember when choosing where to set up a home is that it should be out of sight of other players. Avoid building on the coast where all new players arrive and stay away from main roads. The Arctic is ideal for setting up camp as a solo player. The cold ensures most players will keep out of the way, and it is usually quite rich in resources to scavenge.
The player’s base should also avoid being trapped in a corner. Make sure there are multiple escape routes. Being away from trees will also stop enemies from ambushing. One last option to consider is having multiple smaller bases dotted around. It will provide extra respawn points after landing in trouble and ensure that supplies are not kept in one place.
6 Make Sure You Are Near Two Monuments
Monuments are crucial to progressing to the later game stages of Rust. It is a good idea to figure out where the various monuments are. Try to be near a green and blue keycard monument. These places will be full of valuable loot, which will allow for the upgrading of tools and equipment.
It is important to note that some monuments are far busier than others. It is best to focus on monuments frequented a little less to avoid running into other players. Examples include the satellite dish array and the water treatment plant. Look out for military crates to get access to valuable weapons here.
5 Always Have A Clear Goal In Mind
Every time a player steps out of their house, they are at risk of being attacked and robbed of all their valuable stuff. With this in mind, it is essential to always have a clear goal before stepping foot out of the base. Is it time to get more wood? Hunt for food? Mine for resources?
Whatever the goal is, the player should only bring out exactly what they need for this particular quest. If they land in trouble, they won’t lose a wide range of items. This method also keeps the player focused and allows them to avoid bumbling around out in the open.
4 Observe Fights From Afar
It is very easy to get outnumbered in Rust, especially as a solo player. In general, it is best to avoid groups altogether. Even the most skilled fighter will struggle with multiple opponents, which is usually not worth the risk.
Instead of diving headfirst into a battle, it is far more strategic to observe other people fighting. A stealthy player can swoop in after a fight to grab the loot, leaving others to handle the deadly work first. It is better to save ammunition and walk in to take the final shot. Before this, scout the area and make sure others are not nearby with the same plan.
3 Stay Alert At All Times
There isn’t anyone to rely on during a solo run, so it is essential to be constantly alert. It is best not to be singing a little tune down the microphone while exploring. Instead, players should remain stealthy at all times. Avoid making noise, such as from hurried footsteps, and make sure to listen out for gunshots. It is best to retreat to the base before investigating strange sounds or mysterious locations during an exhibition. Solo Rust requires a lot of patience and taking things slowly. Players should be cautious with every action they take.
Solo players can still attempt raids and skirmishes if they feel ready. But, it is best to avoid doing so in the same area as the base. It is essential not to lead others straight to the front door. It’s supposed to be a secret lair, after all.
2 Use The Campfire Trick To Avoid Door Campers
One of the main threats that players will face is raid attempts on their homes. It is all well and good fortifying the base with stronger walls, locks, and security measures, but not much can be done when an enemy is just waiting outside the front door. As soon as it opens, shots will be fired.
A simple trick to know if someone is waiting outside the door is to have a campfire set up right beside the entrance. Usually, while playing solo, the comfort bar will never go over 50 percent. The bar only goes higher if there is more than one person nearby. Although not as decorative as other items, the campfire now works as a handy silent alarm system and is worth checking before venturing out into the dangerous depths of Rust.
1 Don’t Take Anything Personally
Rust can be a frustrating game at times. No matter how well someone does at surviving, there are so many factors that can destroy all of their progress. It is essential to take these moments of defeat with a pinch of salt. Remain calm and do not rush back into a dangerous situation. This risks losing even more equipment. Instead, assess the situation and get to work regaining the resources needed to make progress once more.
All of these hardships are just a part of the Rust experience. Players can learn from these moments and use this knowledge to attempt a better run next time. If anything, these frustrating moments will make finally reaching the end stages solo all the more fulfilling.
NEXT: The Major Differences Between Rust And The Legacy Version
