Surface RUST: What’s Coming in RUST’s August 2026 Update
The RUST August 2026 update, due to release August 6th, is shaping up to be one of the most systems-heavy and mechanically ambitious patches of the year. Between the introduction of Player-Maintained Monuments, the arrival of monument-wide power phases, and a long list of changes affecting upkeep, deployables, clothing, vendors, and base utility, Facepunch appears to be experimenting with new ways for players to influence the map beyond the walls of their own compounds.
At the center of it all is the new Power Plant-driven monument network, which allows players to restore electricity and unlock benefits across the map by supplying Heavy Fuses. Depending on the active phase, servers may gain powered roadside transformers, bonus monument loot, increased water access, Crude Oil production, improved recycling, additional supply drops, and even a player-triggered satellite crash event. Add in High External Wall upkeep costs, Sleeping Bag favoriting, new bar games, clothing buffs, vendor adjustments, and several quality-of-life changes, and RUST’s August update gives us plenty to unpack. So, let’s get into it.
Player-Maintained Monuments
Player-Maintained Monuments are a broad, detail-heavy system arriving in August. At its core, RUST maps containing the Power Plant monument will gain an electrical grid. So long as players activate the required systems at the Power Plant, electricity will flow through the roadside power lines that have been in place for years.
The amount of electricity available at any given time depends on player participation and the time elapsed. Because the feature remains highly subject to change, this preview covers the core premise while our dedicated guide will receive more frequent updates.
Monuments Impacted
The Power Plant acts as the central hub for the entire Player-Maintained Monument system. Just inside the green keycard doors, players can access two separate fuse boxes that accept the new Heavy Fuse item.
When empty, the first-floor box appears as a 15-slot storage bank that accepts only Heavy Fuses; standard Electric Fuses do not work in this specific panel.
The panel physically represents every Heavy Fuse inserted. Red indicator lights turn bright green, and visible fuses appear on the panel. These lights correspond to the system’s phase level: red represents Phase 0, one green light represents Phase 1, and so on.
At the time of writing, each Heavy Fuse lasts 9,600 seconds in these special fuse boxes, and only one fuse is consumed at a time. Once inserted, Heavy Fuses cannot be removed by players and must decay naturally through use.
Power Grid Phase Table
| Heavy Fuses Active | Phase | Assets Activated | Transformer Output per Port |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | None | None |
| 1–3 | 1 | Airfield expedited supply dispatcher; Oxum’s garage and vehicle lift; Power Plant blue-room bonus loot; Supermarket freezer; Water Treatment pressure valve | 12 power |
| 4–9 | 2 | No additional monument perk | 18 power |
| 10–17 | 3 | Oil Rig switches and Dome Crude Oil pumps | 24 power |
| 18+ | 4 | Power Plant high-efficiency recycler; Airfield Chinook resupply call; Launch Site satellite event | 30 power |
Phase Level 0
At wipe, the game begins in Phase 0. No additional assets are active, and none of the new monument functions are enabled.
One exception applies to Water Treatment: if the pressure valve was activated during a higher phase, any remaining water in the new roadside stations stays available even if the map collectively returns to Phase 0.
Phase Level 1
Phase 1 is active when the two Power Plant panels contain a combined total of one to three Heavy Fuses. The following world perks become available:
Airfield Expedited Supply Dispatcher
Inside the tower connected to the main terminal, players will find two new computers and fuse boxes on the first floor reached by ladder. During Phase 1, the upper fuse box and left computer become active.
- Insert a standard Electric Fuse or Heavy Fuse into the upper fuse box.
- Allow the terminal to charge to 240/240. More than one standard Electric Fuse may be required; final values remain pending.
- Press the red button between the two handles once charging is complete.
- For one hour, naturally occurring open-world Supply Drops are dispatched at twice the normal rate.
The effect does not apply to player-thrown Supply Signals. Once the effect expires, players may recharge and activate the system again.
Oxum’s Gas Station Garage
Oxum’s Gas Station garage doors are now automated and controlled by an exterior switch. During Phase 1, the switch opens the garage and activates the interior vehicle lift.
Players can also operate the door and lift outside Phase 1 by adding Low Grade Fuel to the nearby Small Generator.
Power Plant Blue-Room Bonus Loot
The Blue Keycard room has received a minor layout update. The Research Table has moved down one level, while a new caged area now occupies the original main loot shelf. During Phase 1, a wall switch opens the gate and grants access to the additional loot.
Abandoned Supermarket Freezer
Every Abandoned Supermarket now contains a freezer section in the main shopping area. During Phase 1, the freezer lights up and becomes lootable automatically. Outside Phase 1, it remains dark and inaccessible.
Water Treatment Pressure Valve
Water Treatment Plant now includes a map-wide clean-water feature. To activate it, approach the new valve, insert a Gear, and turn the wheel until it stops. Activation is currently indicated by electrical sparking, similar to that of a fuse box.
Once sufficient pressure is generated, temporary water stations around the map begin functioning. Each station contains 15,000 units of clean water and behaves similarly to a Large Water Catcher. An additional station is located inside the Water Treatment Plant.
Roadside Power Transformers
Some roadside electrical poles now feature climbable ladders leading to transformers with six output ports. Players can connect to these ports with a standard Wire Tool and route electricity back to their bases, subject to normal Building Privilege rules.
Transformer output scales by phase, as shown in the Power Grid Phase Table above.
Phase Level 2
Phase 2 is active with four to nine Heavy Fuses. It currently adds no unique monument perk, but increases roadside transformer output from 12 to 18 power per port.
Phase Level 3
Phase 3 is active with 10 to 17 Heavy Fuses and enables the Oil Rig switches and Dome Crude Oil pumps.
Oil Rig Switches and Dome Crude Oil Pumps
Small and Large Oil Rig monuments each received a switch in their keycard rooms: a Blue Keycard on the Small Oil Rig and a Red Keycard on the Large Oil Rig. While Phase 3 is active, flipping either switch activates three Crude Oil pumps at the Dome monument.
At the time of writing, the Small Oil Rig switch produces 1,500 Crude Oil split evenly among the three pumps. The Large Oil Rig appears to produce approximately 3,000 Crude Oil, split evenly among the three pumps.
- Activate the switch at Small or Large Oil Rig.
- Wait while Crude Oil is deposited incrementally into the three pumps at Dome.
- Connect a tanker-style player vehicle to a pump using a Hose Tool.
- Fill the tanker and return it to a Modular Car Lift.
- Use the new vehicle-lift option to transfer the Crude Oil directly into the player inventory.
WARNING: Attempting to remove the Crude Oil with Water Jugs, Buckets, or other liquid-transfer methods currently destroys the entire quantity.
Phase Level 4
Phase 4 is active with 18 or more Heavy Fuses and unlocks the system’s highest-tier perks.
Power Plant High-Efficiency Recycler
A second, improved Recycler has been added to the central Green Keycard area across from the existing Recycler. When active, it provides 15% greater recycling yield and reduces processing time from 4.5 seconds to 4 seconds per item.
The Recycler remains physically present during earlier phases, but displays an offline message and refuses to start.
Airfield Chinook Resupply Call
During Phase 4, the second Airfield computer and lower fuse panel activate. Once charged with standard Electric Fuses or Heavy Fuses, the terminal can call a one-time Chinook Locked Crate directly to Airfield.
The Chinook does not perform its usual circling pattern. The event behaves more like calling the Oil Rig reinforcement sequence, but without scientists. The current reset window is three hours and remains highly subject to change. Players must still hack and defend the crate.
Launch Site Satellite Event
The Satellite Event is one of the most anticipated additions in this update. In simple terms, players can call down a crash site after an approximately 10-minute delay by spending 9 Tech Trash and 1 MLRS Aiming Module, subject to change.
Expected rewards include High Quality Metal, CCTV Cameras, Targeting Computers, MLRS Aiming Modules, and Tech Trash. The crash site remains on fire for an extended period, emits very high radiation, and can eventually be harvested with a pickaxe.
- Maintain Phase 4 with at least 18 Heavy Fuses active.
- Bring 9 Tech Trash and 1 MLRS Aiming Module to the designated Launch Site control building.
- Enter the first interior area and proceed toward the red Control Room sign.
- Hold the E key on the main machine, select Open Inventory, and insert the Tech Trash and MLRS Aiming Module.
- Exit the inventory and mount the chair in front of the newly activated display.
The satellite-selection screen provides limited instructions. Weight, fuel, and size appear to correspond to the expected impact scale. The number of burns may indicate how many fireballs appear around the crash site. Select an option to continue.
The Satellite Control screen displays the projected trajectory on a large red map. The thruster buttons move the target in different directions, allowing players to adjust the impact point through trial and error.
The targeting system currently appears to avoid player bases, even when one is selected. If no final adjustment is made before the countdown ends, the satellite launches toward the last displayed target. The crash occurs roughly 10 minutes later.
Travel to the designated area and prepare to defend the crash-site crates. Once the site cools, its remains can be harvested; however, the area remains extremely radioactive.
Everything Else in the Update
In addition to the Player-Maintained Monument system, August brings a near-record number of changes to existing systems. Due to the volume, this is not an exhaustive list, and all values are subject to change at the developers’ discretion.
Wolf Headdresses and Skinnable Variants
Items that use a Wolf Skull to craft—including the Lunar New Year helmet variants—now require a Work Bench Level 1. They also appear under Wolf Headdress in the crafting menu as skin variants.
- Wolf Headdress
- Nest Hat
- Dragon Mask
- Horse Mask
- Snake Mask
- Rat Mask
- Ox Mask
- Rabbit Mask
- Tiger Mask
Electric Fuse Icon
The standard Electric Fuse icon has been updated and is noticeably brighter than before.
Auto Turret Cost Increase
The raw High Quality Metal cost of an Auto Turret is increasing from 10 to 25. Other component costs remain unchanged.
Water Well Vendor Nerf
Medical Supplies and ammunition remain unchanged, but most other Water Well vendor items now begin with two units in stock instead of 10. Their restock interval increases from two minutes to 10 minutes.
Sleeping Bag Favoriting and Compass Marking
Players can now mark one Sleeping Bag or Bed on the compass by looking at it, holding E, and selecting Show on Compass. On the death screen, clicking the small heart icon favorites a spawn point and keeps it positioned at the left side of the list.
New Radio Stations
Three new stations are being added to the default radio list.
Alternate Clothing Changes
Several clothing items are receiving protection buffs.
| Item | Stat | Previous | New |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snow Jacket | Bite protection | 5% | 20% |
| Snow Jacket | Cold protection | 17% | 30% |
| Black Shirt | Projectile protection | — | +2% |
| Black Shirt | Radiation protection | — | +3% |
| Bucket Helmet | Projectile protection | — | +5% |
| Bucket Helmet | Bite protection | — | +5% |
Fishing Village Blueprint Swap
Fishing Village vendors will sell Paddle and Kayak items directly rather than their blueprints.
Apartment Upkeep Cap
Apartment Complex rent boxes will accept no more than 72 hours of Scrap upkeep, down from the previous limit of 1,000 Scrap.
Safe-Zone Node Spawns
Resource nodes will no longer spawn inside safe zones, eliminating situations where players must attempt to mine valuable nodes with a rock.
New Base Games
Dart Boards and Pool Tables are expected to arrive alongside what is currently assumed to be the Bar Games DLC. Because both systems warrant more detail, we will cover setup and gameplay in dedicated guides.
Recycle Bin Workbench Upgrade
The Recycle Bin Workbench upgrade will now deposit refunded crafting materials into the upgrade itself, provided the player remains within crafting range. It functions as an 18-slot container for refunds of up to 10%.
The storage cannot be used for ordinary items.
High External Wall and Gate Upkeep
The days of building enormous external compounds without considering anything beyond ordinary Tool Cupboard upkeep may be over. Our testing used a baseline 2×2 base and added one wall or gate at a time.
If this system scales like standard upkeep, costs may increase after certain thresholds. At the time of writing, each High External Wall or Gate adds the following base upkeep:
| Structure | Added Upkeep | Material |
|---|---|---|
| High External Wooden Wall | 134 | Wood |
| High External Wooden Gate | 300 | Wood |
| High External Stone Wall | 134 | Stone |
| High External Stone Gate | 300 | Stone |
These values are highly subject to change. Server administrators can currently adjust the system with: decay.high_wall_upkeep 0.2
Gear, Weapons, and Loadout Updates
No new weapons or conventional gear appear to be arriving in August. Most new items are associated with the expected Bar Games DLC or the Player-Maintained Monument system.
New Items
| Item Name | In-Game Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bar Games Mini Fridge | “A small fridge you can store food into and keep your drink cool!” | A reskinned version of the existing Mini Fridge; assumed to be part of the Bar Games DLC. |
| Bar Games Shotgun Trap | “A shotgun trap triggered by movement. Place near doorways and load with handmade shells.” | A reskinned version of the existing Shotgun Trap; assumed to be part of the Bar Games DLC. |
| Dart Board | “Throw some darts! Compete with others in a leaderboard. Hold the interact key to choose between a single- or two-player game.” | A new in-base game system; assumed to be part of the Bar Games DLC. |
| Heavy Electric Fuse | “Lasts longer than a regular fuse and is compatible with and able to restore a Power Plant. Will have to be replaced after a period of time.” | The core item powering the Player-Maintained Monument system. It can also serve as a substitute for a standard Electric Fuse in several situations. |
| Jukebox | “A Jukebox that brings the tunes! Play recorded cassette tapes or stream audio from the internet. Fitted with a matrix display that shows the tuned station. Open the settings to change audio options.” | A larger, reskinned version of the Boom Box; assumed to be part of the Bar Games DLC. |
| Metal Bar Stool | “Pull up a stool and have a drink. A decorative item which provides comfort while seated.” | A slimmer metal reskin of the Chair; assumed to be part of the Bar Games DLC. |
| Pool Table | “A classic game of pool to challenge your friends, or foes. Hold the interact key to choose between a single- or two-player game.” | A new in-base game system; assumed to be part of the Bar Games DLC. |
| Stone Sculpture | “A block of stone you can sculpt.” | A three-dimensional, deployable sculpture similar in spirit to the painting system. No tools appear to be required. It may be sold as a standalone General Store DLC. |
| Wooden Bar Stool | “Pull up a stool and have a drink.” | A slimmer wooden reskin of the Chair; assumed to be part of the Bar Games DLC. |
What’s Next?
We are ending this preview with one of the most significant changes affecting RUST in July and August: the departure of longtime Facepunch COO and RUST Director, Alistair McFarlane.
McFarlane announced his departure on July 30. After more than a decade spent creating, improving, and helping pioneer the game we all love, his absence will be deeply felt. There are not adequate words to describe our gratitude for what he has done—not only for RUST, but for the wider gaming industry.
Thank you, Ali.
We shall never see his like again…and now his watch is ended.
