A compendium of the world of RUST
If ever there were an imaginary landscape where seemingly everything is designed to kill you, RUST must have a horse in the race. From edibles that will poison you, weather that will freeze you, and players that take sadistic pleasure in wasting your time, there is no shortage of health hazards.
But what about the co-occupant dwellers of the land, equally dangerous and bloodthirsty? We’re talking, of course, about the AI and NPCs found throughout the game world. Regardless of their shape, many of the entries found below are stone-cold killers.
Even the Chicken, recently updated to being a passive creature, has a storied history in life-taking. Each NPC in this RUST Bestiary has been categorized and broken down by type, location, and weapons used, with a few extra tidbits of information.
Table of Contents
Holiday Events
Mission Providers
Scientist Types
- Bandit Camp Guard
- Heavy Scientist
- NVGM Scientist
- Peacekeeper Scientist
- Scientist (Airfield)
- Scientist (Arctic)
- Scientist (Cargo Ship)
- Scientist (Excavator)
- Scientist (Launch Site)
- Scientist (Military Tunnel)
- Scientist (Roadside Junkpile)
- Scientist (Small & Large Oil Rig)
- Scientist (Trainyard)
- Tunnel Dweller
- Underwater Dweller
Vendors
World Events
Animals
Bear (Brown)
| Health | 325 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Melee (Claws) |
| Location | All Biomes |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn bear |
While certainly a predator to look out for, sometimes taking down a bear is a monumental first step in a player’s wipe. The resources potentially gathered can clothe, feed and provide valuable fuel to get you started in the right direction.
Boar
| Health | 150 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Melee (Tusks) |
| Location | All Biomes |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn boar |
Who doesn’t love bacon? Nakeds on the beach, that’s who. While boars are not the most aggressive animal in RUST, they are hostile and can quickly kill the unprepared as they are not easily outrun. Players can audibly identify boars due to their snorting and stamping of hooves. They serve as a wonderful source of Animal Fat.
Chicken
| Health | 25 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative |
| Location | Temperate Biome |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn chicken |
Chickens are passive and non-threatening animals found roaming the Temperate biome. They are delicious when cooked, providing a great source of food.
Polar Bear
| Health | 420 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Melee (Claws) |
| Location | Arctic Biome |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn polarbear |
Everything said about the Brown Bear remains true here but at a higher difficulty rate. Even geared players tend to avoid confrontation with these brutes, as their health pool and damage done is considerably higher than every other animal type in RUST. If you do kill one, don’t forget to skin it.
Shark
| Health | 150 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Melee (Teeth) |
| Location | Open Ocean and Shipwrecks |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn simpleshark |
Jaws, but more stealthy. Honestly, the first time a player encounters a shark in RUST is more than likely by accident. They are quick to strike and back off, circling to hit you again… and it is bloody (literally) terrifying when it happens. Get to the surface, quick.
Stag
| Health | 150 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Melee (Horns) |
| Location | All Biomes |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn stag |
The Stag is passive-aggressive and will occasionally attack players for seemingly no reason. Pay attention to the movements of the deer in the distance. When startled, they move considerably faster than they do when walking. Take notes of their movements to track the pathing of other nearby players or predators.
Wolf
| Health | 150 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Melee (Teeth) |
| Location | All Biomes |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn wolf |
Where there is one, there are usually many. Wolves spawn in packs of 3, and they path together, though they can attack independently. When they are startled, they may break off into separate paths.
Holiday Events
Gingerbread Man
| Health | 350 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • Candy Cane Club • MP5A4 |
| Location | Christmas Event Portals |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn gingerbread_dungeon |
Nothing says Seasons Beatings quite like a beating from a Gingerbread Man or Woman. No metaphor implied; they will actually beat you with candy canes and anything else they have on hand. Unlike the Halloween event, these NPCs are only found inside the gingerbread house dungeons. Some pack more heat than others, so be prepared to shoot back. They have the most health of any humanoid NPC in the game.
Santa Claus
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative |
| Location | Flies Across the Sky |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn santasleigh.drop |
When the Xmas event is enabled, the Santa Sleigh will automatically trigger at random intervals. Santa will first appear at the map’s edge and work his way through the skies across the map, eventually dropping a giant golden present that slowly falls to the ground, filled with high-end loot.
Scarecrow
| Health | 200 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • Beancan Grenade • Butcher Knife • Chainsaw • Pitchfork • Sickle |
| Location | Spawns randomly across the map based on population variable settings. |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn scarecrow |
When Halloween comes knocking, it doesn’t just come bringing candy. Both of these varieties will roam the land, throwing beancan grenades at players for fun and all around wreaking havoc on anyone that crosses their path. They’re also patrolling the pathways inside the blue spawning portals that accompany the season.
Zombie (Retired)
| Health | 1 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Melee (Hands) |
| Location | — |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn zombie |
A remnant of times past, this zombie type is mostly retired and only appears when manually spawned by RUST administrators.
Mission Providers
CZ-721
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative (Safezone) |
| Location | Outpost |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn missionprovider_outpost_b |
This mission provider appears in-game but has not been activated by Facepunch yet and does not provide players with any missions.
Dive Master
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative (Safezone) |
| Location | Large Fishing Village |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn missionprovider_fishing_b |
The Dive Master is a mission provider who can be found wielding a Speargun and wearing partial scuba gear. From this NPC, you can request the following missions:
- Shark Hunt
- Underwater Bounty
Lumberjack
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative (Safezone) |
| Location | Bandit Camp |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn missionprovider_bandit_a |
The Lumberjack is a mission provider who can be found wielding a Salvaged Axe next to the Stuff Vendor. From this NPC, you can request the following missions:
- Lost Bottles
- Collect Vood
- Wildlife Cull
Fisherman
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative (Safezone) |
| Location | Large Fishing Village |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn missionprovider_fishing_a |
The Fisherman is a mission provider who can be found with a Handmade Fishing Rod in their hands or on their back. From this NPC, you can request the following missions:
- Tackle the Day
- Go Fish
- Oiled Up
Miner
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative (Safezone) |
| Location | Bandit Camp |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn missionprovider_bandit_b |
This mission provider appears in-game but has not been activated by Facepunch yet and does not provide players with any missions.
Stablehand
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative (Safezone) |
| Location | Large Barn and Ranch |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn missionprovider_stables_a |
This mission provider appears in-game but has not been activated by Facepunch yet and does not provide players with any missions.
Vagabond
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative (Safezone) |
| Location | Outpost |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn missionprovider_outpost_b |
This mission provider appears in-game but has not been activated by Facepunch yet and does not provide players with any missions.
Bandit Camp Guard
| Health | 250 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • Semi-Automatic Rifle • Assault Rifle |
| Location | Bandit Camp |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn npc_bandit_guard |
If I had to describe these gems with a phrase, it would be slow and steady wins the… gambling hall. Like all other sentry-type scientists, they don’t care who you are or why you are there so long as you don’t start trouble. Unlike most other sentries, they could use some aim training.
Heavy Scientist
| Health | 300 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • M249 • Spas-12 Shotgun |
| Location | • Large Oil Rig • Small Oil Rig |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn scientistnpc_heavy |
Heavy Scientists appear after activating the timed crate atop the Large and Small Oil Rig monuments. A Chinook drops them on the landing platform, and they will become aggressive toward any nearby players.
The game has few AI forms capable of ‘whipping’ on and killing a player faster than an M249-wielding Heavy Scientist. Little else needs to be said about that. When fighting these scientists, use all the angles, tricks, and exploits you can when taking them on. Whatever you do, don’t try to match them bullet for bullet at close range—it never ends well. One useful note, Heavy Scientists do not heal themselves over time, so you can take your team in fighting them.
NVGM Scientist
| Health | 300 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • LR-300 • MP5A4 • Spas-12 Shotgun |
| Location | Nuclear Missile Silo |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn scientistnpc_roam_nvg_variant |
Protectors of the nuclear warheads, these appropriately named, night vision-donning scientists have the same stats as an oil rig Heavy Scientist, minus the big gun. Even without an M249, they are adept at hunting down and killing anyone who ventures underground at the Nuclear Missile Silo monument.
The NVGM Scientist will retreat to cover when they need to reload and are quite susceptible to Flashbangs. They also do not heal themselves so that you can take your time with engagements.
Peacekeeper Scientist
| Health | 150 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • LR-300 • MP5A4 |
| Location | Outpost |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn scientistnpc_peacekeeper |
The Peacekeepers function as the security detail for the Outpost. Seemingly disinterested in the average player’s comings and goings, avoiding going near Outpost when you are considered hostile (red cross in the top right of your screen) is best advised. These scientists are deadly accurate and not interested in negotiation.
Scientist (Airfield)
| Health | 150 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • LR-300 • MP5A4 |
| Location | Airfield (Behind Key Puzzle) |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn scientistnpc_patrol |
The scientists in the Airfield monument are identical to their Trainyard cousins. All scientists at this monument are subterranean and locked behind keycard doors. This makes them both harder to reach and deal with, as the close-quarters combat is harder with weapons like a bow.
These scientists are interlinked, so aggroing one will aggro many, besides having a large aggro radius in general.
Scientist (Arctic)
| Health | 150 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • LR-300 • MP5A4 |
| Location | Arctic Research Base |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn scientistnpc_roam |
Added with and exclusive to the Arctic Research Base, these snow-camouflaged winter guardians are the sole entrant on this list that cannot be spawned wearing their white hazmat, instead taking on the blue hazmat when you try.
While not the strongest scientist variation, they can quickly overwhelm the underprepared player, as they swarm and path from over half the monument away when a threat is detected. They have a 50% chance of healing when damaged, so you will need to ensure your kill shots. Lastly, these scientists will typically drop above-average counts of medicine and ammo.
Scientist (Cargo Ship)
| Health | 150 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • LR-300 • MP5A4 |
| Location | Cargo Ship |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn scientistnpc_cargospawn scientistnpc_cargo_turret_anyspawn scientistnpc_cargo_turret_lr300 |
As seen via the spawn command list, the Cargo Ship event has a variety of similar functioning and appearing scientists with minor deviations. Most importantly, some scientists, such as those higher up on the ship, are stationary (or turret-type) and do not move at all from their positions. Others roam the ship but maintain fairly small waypoint pathing.
Of all the scientists found on the ship, they operate independently, so you don’t have to worry about group pulling, and they do not heal themselves, so you can take your time in combat.
Scientist (Excavator)
| Health | 150 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • LR-300 • MP5A4 |
| Location | Giant Excavator |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn scientistnpc_excavator |
Of all of the ‘swarm type’ scientists you will encounter in RUST, none come to the aid of their fellow scientists quite like the Excavator AI do. It is recommended that players use sniping combat tactics when approaching this monument, as it is very easy to be overwhelmed and die quite quickly, as these scientists have a very large aggro radius.
Scientist (Launch Site)
| Health | 150 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • LR-300 • MP5A4 |
| Location | Launch Site (Behind Key Puzzle) |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn scientistnpc_patrol |
Launch Site scientists are, in themselves, not very intimidating or overly threatening. When you couple them with a dimly lit environment with the highest radiation in the game, they become considerably more deadly. Those venturing to the Red Keycard room should bring extra meds, ammo, and a full water jug. These scientists are interlinked and have a large aggro radius, so be prepared.
Scientist (Military Tunnel)
| Health | 175 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • LR-300 • MP5A4 • Spas-12 Shotgun |
| Location | Military Tunnel |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn scientistnpc_full_anyspawn scientistnpc_full_lr300spawn scientistnpc_full_mp5spawn scientistnpc_full_pistolspawn scientistnpc_full_shotgun |
The Military Tunnel, for years, was the gold standard of endgame content, and for quite good reason. With its relatively high radiation requirement, dark corridors, and plentiful guardians, the less experienced could quickly become overwhelmed. To make matters worse, the scientists at one point enjoyed throwing grenades.
Fortunately, this functionality was removed, so now you must dodge bullets. Beware the scientists behind keycard doors; their shotguns in tight spaces are quite lethal. They remain incredibly hostile and will retreat when they are injured.
Scientist (Roadside Junkpile)
| Health | 115 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | M92 Pistol |
| Location | Roadside Junkpiles and Bushes |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn scientist_junkpile_pistol |
Responsible for more jumpscares than any other AI on this list, except for potentially polar bears, the standard Roadside Blue Bushwookie is a menace to all, even if not overly dangerous. There is no escape from this public nuisance, with it existing worldwide, everywhere that roads are planted.
Scientist (Small & Large Oil Rig)
| Health | 150 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • LR-300 • MP5A4 |
| Location | • Large Oil Rig • Small Oil Rig |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn scientistnpc_oilrig |
Like Nuclear Missile Silo scientists, these blue devils are the easier cousins of what comes afterward, should you venture to the top of either Oil Rig monument and hack the locked crate. If doing the monument by boat, it is relatively safe to pick them off one by one before pushing.
They are interlinked, so be careful when engaging. Their long radius of player aggro can also be an issue.
Scientist (Trainyard)
| Health | 150 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • LR-300 • MP5A4 |
| Location | Trainyard |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn scientistnpc_patrol |
Possibly the first monument-based scientists that most players will encounter, the trainyard variety are relatively easily dispatched with nothing more than a bow and a bit of radiation protection. Fortunately, they are in short numbers and don’t path very far from their building locations. Unfortunately, they tend to give your position away to other players. Use caution.
Tunnel Dweller
| Health | 125 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • M39 Rifle • M92 Pistol |
| Location | Underground Rail Network |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn npc_tunneldwellerspawn npc_tunneldwellerspawned |
Tunnel Dwellers are reclusive and territorial. Those players traveling underground at any point will run into these gas-masked pests. Though not overly accurate or difficult to kill, they do tend to respawn at the most inopportune times and seem to give chase when you don’t want them to. They do retreat when hurt but do not heal themselves. If all else fails, hit them with a train.
The Tunnel Dwellers are excellent sources for Sewing Kits.
Underwater Dweller
| Health | 125 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • M92 Pistol • MP5A4 |
| Location | Underwater Labs |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn npc_underwaterdweller |
Like Nuclear Missile Silo scientists, these blue devils are the easier cousins of what comes afterward, should you venture to the top of either Oil Rig monument and hack the locked crate. If doing the monument by boat, it is relatively safe to pick them off one by one before pushing.
They are interlinked, so be careful when engaging. Their long radius of player aggro can also be an issue.
Vendors
Air Wolf Vendor
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative |
| Location | Bandit Camp |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn bandit_conversationalist |
The Air Wolf Vendor sells the following:
- Minicopters
- Transport Helicopters
Boat Vendor
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative |
| Location | • Large Fishing Village • Small Fishing Village |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn shopkeeper_vm_invis |
The Boat Vendor sells the following:
Farming Shopkeeper
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative |
| Location | Bandit Camp |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn shopkeeper_vm_invis |
The Farming Shopkeeper sells the following:
Fishing Equipment Vendor
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative |
| Location | • Large Fishing Village • Small Fishing Village |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn shopkeeper_vm_invis |
The Fishing Equipment Vendor sells the following:
Food Shopkeeper
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative |
| Location | Bandit Camp |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn shopkeeper_vm_invis |
The Food Shopkeeper sells the following:
Produce Exchange
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative |
| Location | Bandit Camp |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn shopkeeper_vm_invis |
The Produce Exchange offers the following:
- 10 Scrap for 15 Corn
- 10 Scrap for 80 Cloth
- 5 Scrap for 1 Small Trout
- 3 Scrap for 2 Fertilizer
Stuff Vendor
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative |
| Location | Bandit Camp |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn shopkeeper_vm_invis |
The Stuff Vendor offers the following:
Scrap Exchange
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative |
| Location | Bandit Camp |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn shopkeeper_vm_invis |
The Scrap Exchange offers the following:
- 1 Scrap for 6 Crude Oil
- 1 Scrap for 20 Metal Fragments
- 2 Scrap for 1 High Quality Metal
- 1 Scrap for Anti-Radiation Pills
- 15 Scrap for Green Keycard
- 40 Scrap for Blue Keycard
- 80 Scrap for Red Keycard
Weapons Vendor
| Health | — |
| Weapon & Damage Type | Non-Combative |
| Location | Bandit Camp |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn shopkeeper_vm_invis |
The Weapons Vendor offers the following:
World Events
Bradley APC
| Health | 1000 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • Cannon • Machine Gun |
| Location | Launch Site |
| Admin Spawn Command | spawn bradleyapc |
Armored, angry, and out for blood, the Bradley APC patrols the Launch Site monument and indiscriminately attacks all targets within its sights. The Bradley and the Patrol Helicopter are the closest to a ‘Boss Fight’ in RUST.
Check out our Bradley APC guide for more details and tips on taking out this.
Patrol Helicopter
| Health | 9895.6 |
| Weapon & Damage Type | • Machine Gun • Missiles |
| Location | Patrols Entire Map |
| Admin Spawn Command | Heli.callglobal.drop |
Although the noise has changed over the years, the Patrol Helicopter circling your base is enough to intimidate most new players into questioning their game purchase history choices.
The Patrol Helicopter will attack any player with 2 pieces of armor equipped at once or anyone with a ranged weapon on their hotbar that isn’t a standard Hunting Bow.
It has a particular weakness in its rotors, but for more details on this helicopter event, check out our guide on How to Kill the Patrol Helicopter.
Summary
If there is a specific topic or subtopic in the RUST Bestiary that you would like more elaboration on, don’t hesitate to contact us via our Discord; we would be honored to expand on it. Be good to each other, always.
