Meta Madness: How Rust's New Update Shakes Up the Game.

Every game has a meta and Rust is no different. As much as we’d all like every game we play to be perfectly balanced, it’s almost impossible to pull off in a game as complex as Rust. But what’s worse than an overpowered meta? A stale one.

Luckily, Facepunch is keeping a close eye on the meta of their game and just released a major update ensuring things stay fresh. We’ll be focusing on how this update changes the meta, so skim the full patch notes if you haven’t already. Ready? Let’s dig in! 

Combat Meta

Aimcone Reduction

Slow campy strats have finally kicked the bucket thanks to the aimcone reduction. That’s a bit of an over-exaggeration, but more aggressive playstyles are certainly more viable now. Similar to a tactical shooter like CS2, Rust used to inflict a massive penalty to accuracy while moving. That penalty still applies to full-auto weapons but burst shots/tap firing now has a scaling penalty that maxes out after four shots. So you won’t be put at a disadvantage for peeking or slight dodging.

LR300 and Weapon Mod Buffs

The LR300 got a bunch of buffs this patch aimed at making it the “best in class AR” according to game designer Helk. Though you’ll probably see some more weapon variety thanks to the weapon mod upgrades. Burst mod, holosight, muzzle brake & boost all got fairly sizable changes, which should allow players to use their preferred weapon instead of whatever has been deemed “best.”

External Structure Nerfs

Imagine you’re out and about and see another group walking in the open. You have some good cover and should have the advantage in a gunfight, so you take a shot. Then BAM, 5 massive stone walls pop up.

That won’t happen anymore since large external structures now require you to stand still for 1.5s before placing. Making anyone who tries in combat a sitting duck. The deployable wooden barricade has been doubled in size to compensate for the loss of dynamic cover. However, its 120 hit points pale in comparison to the Stone Wall’s 500. The devs are aware this is a big change to PvP and will be monitoring it closely.

Before you set out to give the PvP tweaks a spin, there are some notable changes to monuments and events you should know about.

Monument and Event Changes

Launch Site Loot Overhaul and Bradley Buffs

One of the most significant updates is the buff to launch site loot. Previously, the loot inside the main building was not guaranteed, as it shared the same respawn group as the rest of the monument. Now, the main building has its own dedicated loot table, ensuring that players who successfully navigate the puzzle will be rewarded with a whopping 23 loot crates.

However, the developers have also buffed the Bradley APC to keep things challenging. The Bradley will now spawn scientists in stages based on its health, with heavy scientists joining the fight as the vehicle takes damage, along with some improvements to the scientist AI.

Patrol Helicopter: A More Formidable Foe

The patrol helicopter has also received some adjustments in this update. The helicopter will now always attempt to crash at a nearby monument when destroyed, so you’ll have to be ready to fight for the loot. Additionally, the developers have made some tweaks to the helicopter’s behavior, making it more aggressive and harder to take down.

Cargo Ship: More Opportunities for Offshore Action

The cargo ship event has also received some love in this update. The ship will now dock at both harbors (if they exist) on the map before leaving, giving players more opportunities to board and secure the loot. The developers have also made some adjustments to the container spawning system, ensuring that all containers are accessible and providing players with more time to hide before the ship arrives at the dock.

Monuments and PvP may be fun, but Facepunch has also made several other adjustments to Rust’s crafting mechanics and progression.

Crafting Tweaks

Major Crafting Cost Reduction

The latest update slashed the crafting costs of several explosive items like incendiary rockets, torpedoes, and the HMLMG, making them more accessible. HV ammo has also received a cost reduction and increased crafting yield, becoming a more practical choice, even in extended firefights. Hopefully, this will shake up the late-game meta by making many weapons more viable.

Tech Tree Nerf: A Controversial Change

The tech tree system has been a staple of Rust’s progression since its introduction, allowing players to steadily unlock new items and blueprints. However, the latest update has introduced a significant nerf to the tech tree, with a 10% and 20% “tax” on items unlocked through the Tier 2 and Tier 3 workbenches, respectively.

While the developers intended to diversify the progression meta and reduce reliance on the tech tree, the community has responded quite negatively to this nerf. Many players feel the increased costs will make progression more grindy and time-consuming, particularly for solo players or small groups.

Recycler Rebalance: Risk vs. Reward

Safezone recyclers now have increased cycle times and reduced yields, while monument recyclers offer a 20% bonus for recycled materials. This shift aims to encourage players to venture out into the world and take on more risks for better rewards. Open-world combat is one of the most engaging parts of games like Rust and hopefully, this change will lead to even more memorable experiences.

Key Takeaways

These changes should freshen up Rust’s gameplay, with changes to weapon handling, monument adjustments, and progression rebalance. Meta Madness encourages aggressive playstyles, adds depth to events, and rewards exploration. It’s hard to say exactly what the meta will settle into but it’ll probably be a while before it gets stale again.

Whether you like the changes or not, the easiest way to customize your Rust experience is to get a dedicated server. We have a guide that will walk you through the process of setting up your own Rust server. But if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of self-hosting, you can check out our Rust server plans.

Stay safe out there!