Rust Blueprint Rework: How progression changes after a wipe

Here’s how the new Rust Blueprint system works

Previously, you spent Scrap to work your way through the tech trees on your workbenches. That’s no longer the case. Instead, depending on the workbench, you’ll need a different type of blueprint:

• Blueprint Fragments for Workbench Level 1
• Blueprint Pages for Workbench Level 2
• Blueprint Books for Workbench Level 3

You no longer need Scrap to unlock items in the tech tree.

But your Scrap won’t be completely useless. For example, if you find a weapon, tool, or other item whose blueprint you haven’t learned yet, you can still research that exact item at the Research Table using Scrap. This allows you to specifically unlock the corresponding blueprint.

Where can you get Blueprint Fragments, Pages, and Books?

You can already find Blueprint Fragments in regular barrels and chests. This makes it easier to get your first unlocks after a wipe, even if your group doesn’t immediately control the best monuments.

Even more importantly: Lower-level blueprints can be upgraded to higher levels. So you’re not completely reliant on finding Blueprint Pages or Books right away.

If you want to progress as quickly as possible, however, riskier loot is still worth it. According to Facepunch, Puzzle Rooms and more challenging areas remain the fastest way to climb the tech tree.

In short: Scouring barrels and crates will get you ahead. Fighting half the server for better loot usually just gets you ahead faster. So, basically, everything’s the same as always in Rust.

Things have changed with the workbenches, too

You don’t need the new blueprints to craft a workbench yourself. They’re used exclusively for progress in the respective tech tree. Two workbench upgrades have also been revised:

• Salvage Workbench Upgrade: There’s now a 20% chance that no blueprint will be consumed when unlocking it
• Prototype Workbench Upgrade: There’s a 25% chance that the unlock will succeed. In return, the cost is no longer doubled, as it was before

This lets you either save blueprints when unlocking or deliberately take a bit more risk.

What does the Blueprint Rework mean for your Rust server?

After a wipe, progression now works differently: Instead of collecting as much scrap as possible and then purchasing one unlock after another in the tech tree, you must also find or upgrade the appropriate fragments, pages, and books.

This makes loot more important again and also brings trading with other players more to the forefront. According to Facepunch, this was precisely one of the goals of the rework. Especially on community servers, this can noticeably change the pace of the game after a wipe. How significant this change is, of course, still depends on how your server is set up and how quickly you and other players can acquire good loot.

Facepunch itself says that the new system is still being monitored and will be adjusted if necessary. So the current balancing isn’t necessarily set in stone yet.

Does the Blueprint Rework also apply to Rust Console?

Currently no—or at least, it hasn’t been confirmed yet.

The Rust Blueprint Rework from the Printed and Polished Update is exclusive to the PC version of Rust. However, Rust Console is also set to receive its own changes related to servers and blueprint wipes. Double Eleven has announced a dev blog for later in November that will go into more detail about the upcoming server changes.

Server performance has also been improved

By the way, the Rust Printed and Polished November Update isn’t just about blueprints.

The developers have also made significant performance tweaks. According to internal tests by Facepunch, large servers with 500 players generate up to 25% less network traffic. Additionally, loading large bases, memory usage, and calculations related to Building Privilege have been optimized, among other things.

Especially on busy Rust servers, this should be a rather welcome “side effect” of the Rust update.

The Next Wipe will be different

The new Rust Blueprint Rework primarily changes the first few hours after a wipe. Instead of just farming scrap, you’ll now need Blueprint Fragments, Pages, and Books for the tech trees and will have to rely more heavily on loot, upgrades, and targeted research again.

During the next wipe, you’ll be able to put the new Blueprint system to the test right on your Rust server from GPORTAL. Then you’ll just have to figure out who’s really just out farming Fragments and who, after hours, claims they just had to do a quick fix at the base.