PvP is at the forefront of Rust, letting various duke it out as much as they want using multiple strategies and tactics. However, PvP in most Rust servers had low stakes until Hardcore Mode came to be. In this mode, play with high stakes and formidable challenges. Here, you typically get one shot in life, as dying means losing everything. So, keep reading to learn more about this game mode and feel the ultimate thrill in Rust.

What is the Rust Hardcore Game Mode?

Introduced on August 26, 2022, Rust Hardcore is a brutal and ruthless PvP mode aimed at veteran players and those who wish to play in high-stakes combat environments. As with other games with similar Hardcore modes, dying in this game mode means you'll likely not recover anything. Also, you must wait 15 minutes to respawn at your sleeping bag or 10 minutes if you have a bed. In Rust Hardcore, local chat is limited to a 100-meter radius. Additionally, each player has a limit of five sleeping bags and beds. Various elements are also removed from the Vanilla Rust experience to make this mode embody its “risk vs. reward” concept. These removed features are the following:

• Contact system
• Crawling when wounded
• Global chat
• Rust+
• Team system
• Map
• MLRS
• Safe zones

The “Harder Core” update sees the return of some items once removed for this mode. In particular, the Compass became an equippable item, allowing players to see their location on the map. However, the Compass UI still doesn’t exist in this mode. Enabling Hardcore mode in a Rust server is relatively straightforward. Simply add “-gamemode hardcore” (without quotes) to the server startup config. You can also check out the official Rust Hardcore Mode trailer below to glimpse at the all-or-nothing gameplay:

Rust Hardcore Mode Tips & Tricks

Surviving Rust Hardcore generally requires players to shift their mindset significantly, especially when they've mostly played Vanilla servers. So, here are five strategies to help improve your longevity in Hardcore.

Master the Art of Stealth

Your senses as a Rust player can be your greatest asset. Avoid running around the map, hoping to find resources to build your character and base, as someone would most likely notice, aim, and fire. Instead, crouch-walk during the majority of your movement around the map to minimize the noise radius. Also, consider wearing a headset with spatial audio, which allows you to estimate the direction and distance of audio cues, such as gunfire and tool usage. Remember, always assume you're being watched or followed. This paranoid awareness should help you stay alive longer, even if you equip the most powerful weapon on the server.

Meticulous Resource Prioritization

Resources are scarcer in Rust Hardcore than in Vanilla servers. So, your limited life demands extreme efficiency. Since losing everything upon death is possible, consider focusing only on the bare essentials: food, water, and good gear. It’s also ideal not to hoard. Instead, concentrate on acquiring gear to help you get to your next objective. For example, build a relatively small base to avoid the prying eyes of potential opponents. Your headquarters should also have essential stations, such as a Tier 1 Workbench. Remember, only farm what you need to achieve immediate goals. Always keep in mind that death is lurking around the corner.

Build for Deception

As mentioned earlier, building a large fortress or mansion in Rust Hardcore is not ideal. A small 1x2 or 2x2 shack should suffice, as long as it's airtight with defenses. Additionally, name your sleeping bags and beds. That way, you can easily identify them while moving around the map. Also, it'll help you get your bearings when navigating without a handheld map or Compass. It's also ideal to prioritize base location over farming. So, focus on building your headquarters when you spawn into the map. Then, farm for resources as soon as you’ve settled into the site. Finally, avoid building near monuments, as other players will likely be camping near these resource farming spots.

Get the Jackhammer ASAP

At its core, the Jackhammer is a mining tool in Rust, allowing you to harvest ore from nodes. However, it’s also a melee weapon with 15 damage per hit. For a relatively measly price of 150x Scrap at the Outpost, the Jackhammer offers unmatched farming efficiency while reducing risks. Note that its power lies in its sheer farming speed, as this tool harvests resources from nodes significantly faster than most tools in the game. Aside from feasting on farming, the Jackhammer is an excellent tool for “eco-raiding,” which means raiding without using expensive investments like explosives. In particular, it's a great tool when destroying stone walls and other structures owned by other players. With it, you’re not using a standard tool, but a strategy encased in an item.

Team Communication Beyond the Chat

The 100-meter limitation in the in-game chat is hellish for team coordination. So, it's ideal for parties to think of other ways to improve communication. After all, no one should get left behind, and more hands in combat have a better chance of victory than running into an enemy's base alone. Start by color-coordinating your team’s clothes and armor. Chat with your team to decide the type and clothing skins each member wears. That way, you can easily identify each other and avoid friendly fire. Additionally, consider using third-party programs for direct communication. That way, you can deal with the in-game chat distance limitation and still communicate well with your teammates. Team members without voice chat or access to third-party communication software can still converse with others through certain actions, such as jumping or ducking.