Rust’s Patrol Helicopter Receives Minor Rework

In Rust’s July “Friends With Benefits” update, the Patrol Helicopter received several changes affecting the encounter in various ways. These new mechanics aim to change the attack helicopter’s fleeing system, making it more enjoyable for players taking the Patrol Helicopter.

These additions are part of Rust's "Friends With Benefits" Update

Rust July Update Overview

Rust Patrol Helicopter Bubble Zones

To understand the changes made to Rust’s Patrol Helicopter, you must first understand how it’s bubble zones work. Invisible bubble zones are created in the player’s area when they damage the attack helicopter. This bubble grows more and more as you and your clanmates continue to damage the Patrol Helicopter, serving as a sort of threat indicator. Previously, when a bubble zone grew too big (A.K.A., too much damage too fast), the attack helicopter would begin to flee across the map just to be taken by an enemy clan. With the new changes, the Patrol Helicopter will be much easier to track and re-engage with once it has fled.

Rust Patrol Helicopter Changes

The biggest change to the Patrol Helicopter was capping its flee distance at one grid. This means once the attack helicopter is damaged enough and begins to fly away, it will no longer be able to travel across the map just to be taken by another clan. Furthermore, when fleeing, the Patrol Helicopters will always fly towards a monument, encouraging PVP amongst nearby players. Also, the path the attack helicopter takes to flee will be visible on the map, granting an advantage to the original players who damaged the helicopter. Last but not least, if taken near or inside of a monument, Rust’s Patrol Helicopter will no longer flee at all, giving the players a larger opportunity to take it down.

Our main drive with the Patrol Helicopter changes is to encourage PVP across the map, whilst simultaneously stopping the same clans from getting Patrol Helicopter every time it comes out. These changes are meant to preserve and improve the best parts of the previous changes (increased serverwide engagement and more PVP) whilst also trying to fix the issues players had with the multi stage fights. 

Facepunch

Rust Update Patch Notes

That’s all of the changes you need to know about Rust’s Helicopter changes. If you enjoyed this article, check out our other article covering the Targeting Attachment from last month’s update, or feel free to leave a comment letting us know what we should cover next. See you next time!

Twitter Giveaways

Daily skin giveaways on our Twitter

Join