Metal Fragments
Metal Fragments are a crucial building and crafting item in Rust, acquired through many in-game means. They are considered a core resource due to player reliance on using them for endgame progression and base security.
The primary purpose of metal fragments is their utility for providing the second-highest protection structures available to be built in the game. It takes roughly twice the amount of explosives to blow through a metal wall as a stone wall. It is also a primary component in the early game best doors, the Sheet Metal Double Door, Single Door, and Garage Doors.
Alternatively, metal fragments are absolutely essential for anyone wanting to craft weapons instead of scavenging or PVPing for them. Everything from the popular low-tier Revolver to the must-have middle-tier Semi-Automatic Rifle requires substantial amounts of metal fragments to craft.
Couple this weapon dependency with metal frags being a primary component in the creation of Medical Syringes, too, and it’s no wonder they’re a mainstay in bases of all stages of progression.
One of the more overlooked aspects of metal fragments is how much is required to make ammunition. Pistol and 5.56 rounds of all types rely heavily on metal fragments to craft.
How do teams supplement all of these needs when there is such high demand? In addition to farming and smelting it from Metal Ore gathered through mining metal nodes in the wild, it can also be acquired by mining the defeated remains of the Patrol Helicopter and Bradley APC or Scrap Transport Helicopters.
The most lucrative way to acquire metal fragments is through recycling components farmed through barrels and crates. If you find yourself with a surplus, it is worth mentioning that Bandit Camp will buy it at a rate of 1 Scrap per 20 metal. Outpost also sells them for 250 metal fragments per 25 scrap.