Survivors, prepare yourselves for another Rust server wipe! While the worlds reset, this reboot, and the Upgrade Hard, Raid Harder Update, brings new content, features, changes, and improvements to the game. So, keep reading to learn what to expect in the Rust May 2026 Server Wipe!

Rust May 2026 Wipe Date

The Rust May 2026 release date lands on May 7th, 2026, keeping in line with the game's force wipe on the first Thursday of every month. Those who wish to experience the Upgrade Hard, Raid Harder Update included in this wipe can already do so by accessing the Rust Staging Branch today. Check out what to expect when returning to Rust after the May server wipe as we dive into the new features and changes we expect in our unofficial patch notes below!

What’s New in the Rust May 2026 Wipe? (Upgrade Hard, Raid Harder Update)

May 7 marks the release of the next Rust server wipe for 2026, which is slightly over a month from the previous reset. Servers should reset at 6 PM UTC. It’ll also bring various new features included in the Upgrade Hard, Raid Harder Update, including the following (based on the test branch).

Mortar, Mortar Shells, & Fragmented Mortar Shells

The Mortar is coming to the Rust main branch with the May 2026 wipe, and it’s a deployable, indirect-fire weapon unlocked at Workbench Level 2. Survivors can craft it using High-Quality Metal and Pipes, and it fires Mortar Shells and Fragmented Mortar Shells to any poor soul that dares invade your base. The Mortar Shell offers precise, high-damage hits, while the Fragmented Mortar Shells and their larger blast radius devastate infantry and vehicles. Use the Mortar and the required ammunition to take down tall walls, making it a pivotal evolution to Rust’s growing siege warfare.

Workbench Upgrades

With the May 7th wipe, Rust’s workbenches evolve from simple crafting stations into fully configurable utility hubs. For starters, a new storage add-on allows players to slot upgrade modules directly into the workstation. This new feature also unlocks ten new upgrades for the Workbench. These upgrades reshape the wipe tempo by adding new effects, such as doubling the crafting radius or increasing the Workbench’s health to enhance its survivability during enemy attacks.

Vending Machine UI overhaul

Rust also includes a comprehensive overhaul of the Vending Machine UI, a much-requested improvement from the community. This refreshed interface delivers new features, including sleek new status indicators for drone accessibility, stock, and broadcasting. The new UI also supports drag-and-drop order management and other visual enhancements to streamline shop administration. This Vending Machine upgrade is no mere design refresh, as it makes each transaction feel faster, smarter, and more polished than before.

Updated Binoculars

Rust veterans know that rushing into a location without a plan and guns blazing is a recipe for death and disaster. Intel helps you survive, and the May 7 Rust server wipe redefines the art of the scout with a massive update to the Binoculars. This seemingly humble tool undergoes a complete metamorphosis. For starters, the update changes its appearance to now have a sleek, high-fidelity model. It also has a new animation that feels weighty and deliberate as you survey the world. The main HUD also fades away as you peer into its lenses, leaving an unobstructed, cinematic view of the new rangefinder.

Other New Features and Changes

Apart from the new features and improvements already mentioned, players can expect the following additions to be included after the next Rust server wipe:

• New Steam Achievements
• Tin Can Alarms drop throwable items
• Deep Sea loot nerf
• The ability to reskin Barrels and Electric Furnaces
• Graphics updates to various monument light fixtures
• Salvaged Cleaver animation and model refresh
• Computer Station now needs power
• AI and engine stability improvements
• AI navigation overhaul focuses on new navmesh system and stability fixes
• Rendering optimizations to improve performance in dense environments
• General fixes that enhance physics, networking, and automated testing
• Ongoing apartment complex upgrades
• New Bowless Crossbow model and setup updates
• Spectator mode enhancements
• Server browser update with geolocation
• New placement system ignores entities, fixing reskin issues
• Spraycan improvements to reduce unwanted reskin interactions
• Correct Battering Ram health indicator
• Player animation polish for various actions
• Improved weapon effects, handling, and magazine behavior
• Rendering enhancements for lighting, materials, and emission
• Unity 6 upgrade and fixes ongoing
• Enhanced automated testing and CI for reliability
• Backend optimizations, serialization fixes, stability improvements