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The Primitive Rust Update is Finally Here

The Primitive Rust update is here marking the largest update Rust has gotten thus so far into 2025. The update adds a ton of new content, including a new mini crossbow, shields, new ways to raid with siege weapons, an entirely new game mode, a new DLC, and the miscellaneous bug fixes and changes you would expect. Welcome to our preview of the primitive era of Rust.

Mini Crossbow

The Mini Crossbow is a new tier 1 weapon being introduced by the primitive Rust update. It is not automatically researched, meaning you will have to go through the tech tree or find it in-game. The weapon uses a rotating barrel when fired allowing you to quickly shoot deadly accurate arrows down range. It can hold up to 4 bolts and two attachments at once and offers quadruple the fire rate of the normal crossbow while over-halving the range. It requires 200 wood, 150 metal fragments, one rope, and one gear to craft.

Shields

The new shields being added by this Rust update welcome an entirely new aspect to PvP. Fitting into the backpack slot in your inventory, shields offer a whole new way to protect yourself, seamlessly transitioning from your back to your hand when holding a compatible tool or weapon. When using a shield you will have limited stamina, being able to hold it up for a maximum of 4 seconds and a minimum of 0.5 seconds. It will also require an equal amount of time to regenerate the shield’s stamina, meaning you will have to time your blocks. The defensive addition will come in three tiers including the Wooden Shield, Reinforced Wooden Shield, and Metal Shield.

Wooden Shield and Reinforced Wooden Shield

Wooden Shield

The wooden shield is the first of the three you will likely come across this Rust update. It is extremely easy and quick to craft only requiring 250 wood, 20 cloth, and no workbench, however, this comes with the caveat of it being extremely weak and not offering much protection only blocking 65% of damage it absorbs.

Reinforced Wooden Shield

The reinforced wooden shield is a step up from the previous, keeping the same design except with Roadsign reinforcements. The cost is quite similar, requiring one road sign, 10 cloth, 200 wood, and a level 1 workbench. It is slightly stronger than the wooden shield, offering 75% protection.

Metal Shield

The metal shield is the strongest of the three shields added by the Rust update absorbing 95% of damage taken. The large shield has the highest durability and protection being able to even stop some bullets. It is the most expensive, however, requiring 300 metal fragments, 10 leather, 50 cloth, and a level 2 workbench.

Siege Weapons

Prepare to find all new ways to raid with the introduction of Siege Weapons. Easily jump into Rust bases this update with the horse-drawn siege tower, leave absolute devastation in your path with the catapult, snipe enemy defenses with the ballista, and smash through stone bases with the battering ram. This package of four new raiding and defensive tools adds an entirely new way to play Rust this update, whether you are a solo or a member of a large group.

Siege Tower

The siege tower added with the Rust update offers an all-new way to drop into bases with its tall stature and ability to be mounted to horses. You can install any type of door on the front adding an extra form of protection to the tower. The tower can also be connected to horses giving you a simple way to transport it by mounting the horse and pulling it. The tower is four levels tall with three of the levels containing a draw bridge allowing you to hop into any base. The massive amount of built-in angles and peeks means the tower can also be used as a defensive mechanism to hold down any area. The siege weapon is the simplest of the four to craft only requiring 500 wood, 100 metal fragments, two gears, and a level 1 workbench.

Catapult

The catapult is capable of flinging objects with questionable accuracy. It uses three types of AoE ammunition, meaning even if your aim is a bit off, you can still hit the target due to the ammo’s wide spread. Just like the other weapons, the catapult can be towed by horses, giving you an easy way to transport it. The catapult requires 500 wood, 20 high quality metal, two rope, and two gears.

Scatter Shot

Scatter shot is the most basic of the three ammo types, crashing rocks over any player who stands in its way. Scatter shot ammunition requires 200 stone each to craft.

Firebomb

The firebomb is the perfect ammunition to torch large bases making sure not to miss an inch. They require 150 gunpowder, 50 low grade fuel, and two rope. The firebomb can be placed in the catapult or used as a deployable to be blown up from a distance.

Propane Explosive Bomb

The strongest raiding tool out of any of the siege weapons blasts through enemy bases from a range, making their guns, window peeks, and any other defenses useless. It is the most expensive of the three ammos added this Rust update, requiring one empty propane tank, 150 gun powder, and six explosives. Similar to the firebomb, it can also be placed on the ground, acting as a deployable.

Launch Yourself

Another silly feature of the catapult is the ability to load yourself in and launch yourself across the map, while it may not be practical, it does give players a new type of movement to perfect.

Ballista

The ballista comes in two forms: a stationary ballista and a mounted ballista. The stationary ballista is able to be placed on roofs and foundations giving you a way to use the siege weapons to defend your own base. The mounted ballista is similar, just that it is attached to wheels and is horse-drawn, giving you a way to transport it and use it offensively. The mounted ballista requires 250 metal fragments, two gears, three sheet metal, and a level 2 workbench to craft; the recipe is similar for the stationary ballista, just only using one gear instead of two. The ballista can fire four ammo types, each helping out in its own way.

Pitchfork Bolt

A large projectile perfect for taking out enemy targets in combat both on the ground and on top of bases. The pitchfork bolts require 200 wood and 50 metal fragments each.

Piercer Bolt

A projectile capable of penetrating through cars and other vehicles, allowing you to take out enemies hiding behind locked doors. The piercer bolts require five high quality metal and 75 metal fragments each.

Hammerhead Bolt

The Ballista’s raiding tool able to do 20 damage to a door per shot. To craft a hammerhead bolt you will need five high quality metal and 75 metal fragments.

Incendiary Bolt

A flaming bolt, as the name implies, is perfect for blocking off small areas or taking out any user’s turrets. They are the most expensive of the four bolts, needing 50 metal fragments, 10 cloth, and 20 low grade fuel.

Battering Ram

The battering ram is the final siege weapon being added with this Rust update. The mobile raiding tool is powered by low-grade fuel and is able to kick through bases using its powerful ram made out of a modified crane. To craft, it will require 500 wood, four sheet metal, one tarp, and an entire stack of 100 high quality metal. Be sure to move out of the battering ram’s way, as it is sure to leave more than just a scratch.

Primitive Game Mode

A new game mode is being introduced to the community with this Rust update. Available on specifically marked servers, this all-new version of Rust will restrict certain items, leaving players with only the most basic of weapons and tools. Jackhammers and chainsaws will be loot only, and all guns and other high-tier cargo will be restricted, with the exception of the eoka pistol and spear gun, offering a sense of underwater protection. Return to times of the past with this brand-new Rust game mode.

Horse Changes

Horses have been entirely reworked this Rust update giving players a smoother and overall better experience when riding the mammals. Along with improvements to their impact on server performance, you can now much more easily travel through any type of terrain or monument. With new movement mechanics the horses can now skid while galloping with the use of the CTRL key by default. Horses can also now go swimming, automatically dodge trees, and be pulled when led.

Ragdolls

For the first time, you can ragdoll inside of Rust! New ragdolls have been added for both bikes and horses this Rust update. When failing at riding or driving and making the mistake of impacting a rock or wall too hard, it appears you will now be flung off your mount, ragdoll across the sky, and slam into the ground. If you are able to survive you will get up, however, that’s not very likely.

With the new social integration feature this Rust update, you are now able to chat, talk, and invite friends all from within the boundaries of Rust. The feature will be shipped with this update and offers support for both Steam and Discord. The icon will be visible on the bottom right of the main menu screen, inviting you to check it out and talk to some old friends.

Quality of Life Changes

The new Rust patch also brings with it several quality-of-life improvements to a bunch of features, including loot, deployables, and other stuff.

Pickup Sleeping Bags

Sleeping bags can be picked up if you can access them within Tool Cupboard range.

Phone Names

Names in phones can now be up to thirty characters long.

Pumpkin Rolling

Pumpkins now stop when dropped instead of rolling away.

Backpacks on Racks

Both backpacks and shields can now be placed onto weapon racks.

IO Reskinning

IO deployables can now be reskinned with the spray can without disconnecting them.

Twitch Drops

The Rust Home Brewed 2 event is now happening on Twitch, bringing with it 12 new Twitch drops, which are covered in this article:

Medieval DLC

The Medieval DLC is a brand new DLC coming with the Rust update that adds 8 brand new medieval-themed items, including an entire knight armor set, assault rifle skin, large wood box skin, the first ever wooden barricade skin, and a skin for both the sheet metal door and a double door. You can find more information on the DLC by viewing our article covering it.

That’s all for Rust’s brand new ‘Primitive’ update. Be sure to follow our page to keep up with all changes, updates, and additions made to Rust. Feel free to comment on what we should cover next.

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The Primitive Rust Update is Finally Here

Mini Crossbow

Shields