Surface RUST: Everything We Know So Far for August 2025’s Update
The majority of changes coming in the August 2025 patch relate to the Hardcore Gamemode we’ve previously covered. This might not be a complete encapsulation of changes made days or hours before wipe on August 7th, as tweaks are often made right up until wipe day.
Hardmode Exclusive Changes
Fog of War
In place of pressing the G key and no map becoming visible while in Hardcore mode, Fog of War is being incorporated into the game. Interestingly enough, for as much as the map shows, what it doesn’t show is even more critical. Players will lose the ability to focus on their current position, as would be the default in Vanilla, and placing map markers goes away entirely. There is no underground rail network map.
Navigation
To further aid in finding your way around the brutal RUST Hardcore landscape, players will be able to make informed geographical decisions with the help of the Compass. This item allows players to tell where they are headed directionally, and shows their current location on the map when this item is on their hotbar. It will not show your position if simply in your Backpack or inventory. Even with the Compass, the map overlay will not show the direction a player is pointing.
Outpost Mission Removal
Players will be unable to use the newly added Outpost Respawn mission option in Hardcore mode.
Player Spawning
There is now a 15-minute Sleeping Bag respawn timer and a 10-minute Bed respawn timer by default. Camper vans are treated as Beds. Additionally, players who haven’t otherwise restricted other players from assigning them beds or bags will have their final 15th bag slot reserved to prevent abuse.
Hardcore Crafting Changes
- Except for the Eoka Pistol, all firearm crafting has been disabled, and components exclusive to these weapons (Rifle Body, SMG Body, Semi Automatic Body) can no longer be looted in Hardcore mode.
- Players in Hardcore mode may repair weapons without knowing the blueprint.
- All gun powder-based ammunition types have had their crafting cost increased by 5x Vanilla rates, by default. Hardcore exclusive.
- Scrap cost increase for Hardcore tech trees removed, along with all learnable guns from the tree itself.
Hardcore Building Changes
Upkeep costs doubled for all building brackets. Rates changed to the following;
- bracket_0_costfraction is now 0.2 (0.1 vanilla)
- bracket_1_costfraction is now 0.3 (0.15 vanilla)
- bracket_2_costfraction is now 0.4 (0.2 vanilla)
- bracket_3_costfraction is now 0.66 (0.33 vanilla)
Base Game Changes
Game Menu UI Revamp
August 2025 brings a new dynamic menu in place of the existing game user interface menu. Every aspect has been reworked, with stunning new visuals, arguably simpler function and ease of use, and more seamless transitions between screens, with special emphasis being put on the Inventory function that, before, could temporarily lag even the best of machines. Visuals speak to this change far better than text, which can be found below.
Monuments and Map
Ambient Fog & Mist
Spatial biome fog may now appear throughout the world, with emphasis on its appearing during different weather types. It is similar to the fog we’ve had for years, except more localized, not impacting the entire world, and ranging in degrees of severity.
New Gear, Weapons & Loadout Updates
Compass
“A handy tool which indicates which direction you’re facing. Will reveal your location on the map in Hardcore mode if equipped on your belt.” Presumably, the Compass will be a default blueprint.
Pilot Hazmat Suit
“A hazmat suit made from a fighter pilot flight suit.” Aside from its appearance, there is no statistical difference from a traditional Hazmat Suit. Presumably, the Pilot Hazmat Suit is a feature of the coming Pilot Pack DLC.
M15 Semi-Automatic Pistol
“A special issue Air Force semi-automatic pistol, fires rapidly and with good accuracy.” Reskinned version of the Semi-Automatic Pistol, upgraded higher definition appearance, but same baseline statistics and combat features. Presumably, the M15 Semi-Automatic Pistol is a feature of the coming Pilot Pack DLC.
Salvaged Ejector Seat
“A chair made from an ejector seat. A decorative item which provides comfort while seated. Stays put.” A reskinned version of the Chair. Presumably, the Salvaged Ejector Seat is a feature of the coming Pilot Pack DLC.
Flight Control Codelock
“An electronic lock made of airplane parts. Locked and unlocked with four-digit code.” A reskinned version of the Code Lock. Presumably, the Flight Control Codelock is a feature of the coming Pilot Pack DLC.
Black Box
“Keep your things in this Black Box. Stores up to 18 items.” A reskinned version of the Wood Storage Box. Presumably, the Black Box is a feature of the coming Pilot Pack DLC.
Item Changes
- Dropped or inventoried weapons that are unfound during the course of normal play will now be buried as is, maintaining stats, attachments, and ammunition, instead of despawning. These items may be found via the Metal Detector in the spot where they were lost, and will display the original finder/crafter information as it was before being buried. This change is for all game modes.
- Sandbag Barricade deployment has been simplified and is much easier to place.
- Bear Pie timing synced with Teas it affects
Building
- Minor IO Snapping changes made.
- No Build Zone visibility, especially on the Vertical Height plane, has improved.
Fixes & Performance
- Mission Creation streamlining is happening behind the scenes to facilitate an increase in in-game missions in the future.
- Patrol Helicopter change made to prevent it from ‘Yo-Yoing’.
- Patrol Helicopter monument crash settings altered to ensure it lands towards the boundaries of a monument, not necessarily always in the center.
- Asset Warmups are trimmed to improve server load times, especially after having already been loaded into a server for the first time.
- Minigun Turrets now require a spinup time before they may fire, just as using one as a player does.
- Ongoing extensive changes to AI, emphasis on heavy scientists – highly WIP.
- Terrain lighting and cloud changes implemented, improving visual quality and appeal.
Quality of Life & User Interface
- Autosave Painting Option added
- Revamped Menu changes cited and displayed above.
- Movement speed information is added to armor that changes how fast a player may travel.
- Longtime Nametag clipping through a floor above you when on a half-wall fixed.
- Attack Helicopter lights no longer turn themselves off randomly while being piloted by players.
Admin Changes
- Mute Command now accepts timestamping, similar to the current Ban command.
- The stability bug not transferring when pasting a building is fixed.
- God Mode indicator added to admin GUI in-game.
Beginning August 7th, 2025, RUST server owners will no longer be allowed to dispense otherwise financially gated Intellectual Properties to their server tenants, including but not limited to DLC items, item-store official skins, and the like. You can read the updated legal information here.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead beyond August, Facepunch has several interesting things coming down the pipe.
Check out next month’s issue of Surface Rust for information on the much-anticipated Naval Update, which promises floating cities, boat building, ghost ships, and so much more.
As with all articles we cover, these subjects are highly subject to change at the whim of the game developer, and we will endeavor to keep the information as current as possible.
