You won’t need much to see that you will need lots of scrap in order to make progress. You need to be able to find the best ways to obtain it, whether it’s for research, crafting a workbench or purchasing items from vending machines.
It’s not common for everyone to have a friend who spends hours each day harvesting scrap for their group. I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out the best ways to get the most scrap for your group. Here is my quick guide to farming scrap in the most efficient way possible.
3. Trade and barter
Is this not the exact opposite of Rust? This is a risky proposition. You may meet a neighbor who is willing to trade scrap for some food every once in awhile. These neighbors made Rust much more fun for me.
Look at your minimap and you will see shop icons everywhere. Rust will tell you if the shops are empty, which saves you time and helps you avoid walking around. Vending machines that let you trade for items are often placed by high-ranking players. You can often find some really great items, whether you are looking for scrap for an AK-47 gun or for sulfur for scrap.
You’re talking about scrap so search around until one you like offers you enough scrap to make some money. You should carefully evaluate any deal, because it is not worth spending thousands on gunpowder for a small amount of scrap.
You might be able to trade with Rust players by building a shopfront in their base. This has the downside that you are out in the open while they are secure in their base. Don’t do this at your own risk and don’t take any of your most valuable gear. It’s possible that they may have a sniper buddy at the edge who can take their gear back.
Trading can be very profitable, but it is also the most risky. Although vending machines are generally safe, deals with other players could lead to serious consequences.
2. Steal and pillage
Rust, the old Rust, where you can get it all by taking it from others. You’d be amazed at how much scrap random players have.
I once headshotted a naked man with a bow and discovered that he had almost 800 scrap! It was certainly not a good day for him, though I don’t know what he was thinking.
You are likely not the most powerful player on the server so spend some time looking for weaker players. It sounds harsh, I know, but that is Rust’s way. If given the chance, any player could backstab you so it’s better for you to be the first one to shoot.
While you will most likely lose some money, you’ll still be able to make it back alive with some scrap. This method will make you more enemies than any other, so you need to be careful who you target. It’s possible to be the best player on the server farming with no gear.
This is because players are running wild all over the map, and server population is a big factor. You shouldn’t do it near large clan bases as you don’t want the hassle of having to deal with a lot of players who are online 24/7.
You can gather raiding materials such as explosive ammo or satchel charges by assembling them. Then you should consider taking on small- to medium-sized bases around your local area. If you aren’t sure if the base is well-constructed, don’t bother with the large ones.
It’s amazing how much loot can be found in these tiny shelters. One time, my friends and I raided a small base. We found that the owner was asleep on the roof using a rocket launcher. We bombed our way into the shack and looted so much that five players couldn’t transport it all in one go.
1. Recycle and loot
Collecting items and recycling them is the fastest way to get scrap Rust. However, you’ll soon notice that it’s starting to add up.
There are recyclers at most locations. You won’t find one in the Dome, so don’t waste your time searching for one. Avoiding recyclers with radiation is also a good idea. My favorite recycling locations are gas stations and supermarkets.
There are many ways to get things recycled, but the best way is monuments. These are the most dangerous places you can go so it is important to learn how to prepare for them.
Barrels and crates
As you have probably seen, barrels can be found along the road. You can break them with a rock, or a tool to drop many items that you can recycle. They also drop several scraps per barrel. This will increase over time.
Broken-down trucks can also spawn, which usually have more loot than average barrels. Always take the time to inspect the items when you spot one. It is possible that you do not like the items that it offers you. In that case, you can recycle them.
Only bring the essentials to this scrap run – food, bow, melee weapon and clothes. To hold all the junk that you will be collecting, you need as much inventory as you can.
It is a good idea to locate the nearest recycler to your base, and then to loot the barrels there. You may find a few good items crates depending on where the recycler is located.
You can throw anything you find in the recycler, but you can keep any valuable items.
It’s important to remember that you shouldn’t keep too much scrap at once. You should return to your base when you have a few hundred. You could end up like the poor man I spoke of earlier if you ignore that warning.
Monuments
It’s time for you to start scrap-collecting. These can be very difficult and range from parkour puzzles to looking for sunken boats. If you don’t understand what a monument means, it’s any structure on the map that was not built by players.
Some are better than others to farm, while some are too dangerous. These places are always at risk, so be careful.
I used to love the Military Tunnel, but that was before they added the laser-accurate scientist. They are very annoying and I don’t recommend you going there without good gear and an accurate aim. Although the radiation is annoying, it is easily overcome.
While The Dome is fun, you should be careful about radiation. Although you may have to do some dangerous parkour moves, the loot is often worth it. My favorite part is always getting off the Dome. This is crucial for keeping your loot.
The Bradley APC, an extremely dangerous NPC tank, is located at the Rocket Launch Site. His armor and weaponry will make it difficult for armoured players. You can defeat him with the best gear, but it is not possible. There are not many items I can find here so it is best to choose other monuments.
It’s a good idea to place sleeping bags in front of each monument you intend to farm. If you need your stuff back, it’s a good idea to label them.
The best way to find sunken boats is by using a diving tank. This is one of the most popular ways I have seen. You can also find loot in the water around the boats so make sure to collect it all before you dive to the ocean floor.
You will need to visit all of the monuments to find which one is most appealing. Your proximity to the monument and your level of fitness will determine their profitability. Therefore, it is important to evaluate whether a particular monument is worth visiting. Don’t forget to recycle your items!
Bonus – Scrap Gambling
Gambling is a great option for those who like to take a chance. You can find strategies online that promise you will get scrap. However, I don’t know if these strategies actually work.
Gambling is possible in a bandit town with a casino. While you will always lose scrap in the end, it is possible to make some new ones if your current situation allows.
Conclusion
You need to learn how to get more scrap, as it is Rust’s currency. These 3 steps will guarantee scrap at the end. Don’t let your guard down and you won’t lose as much as others.
