Rust Primitive Update

On February 6, 2025, Facepunch Studios released the highly anticipated "Primitive" update for Rust, introducing a fresh and immersive gameplay experience that emphasizes early-stage survival and combat. This update brings a host of new features, including siege weapons, medieval-themed armaments, and a dedicated game mode that reshapes the traditional Rust dynamics.

New Siege Weapons

The Primitive update introduces four innovative siege weapons, each designed to enhance early-game raiding strategies:

• Ballista: A powerful combination of a catapult and a large crossbow, the Ballista boasts high accuracy and multiple ammunition types, capable of inflicting significant damage to players, doors, and vehicles.

• Battering Ram: This drivable siege vehicle features a triggerable ram, effective against building structures, providing players with a formidable tool for breaching enemy fortifications.

• Catapult: Allowing players to launch projectiles over walls and obstacles, the Catapult adds a strategic layer to base assaults, enabling indirect attacks on fortified positions.

• Siege Tower: Facilitating the scaling of high walls, the Siege Tower grants players elevated access to enemy bases, opening new avenues for infiltration and attack.

These siege weapons are all craftable and deployable in the wild, making them valuable additions to any raider's arsenal.

Primitive Game Mode

The new Primitive game mode transports players to a future where advanced technological knowledge has been lost, limiting crafting capabilities to basic items. This mode features a unique tech tree that restricts access to most Tier 2 and Tier 3 items and weapons, including those utilizing rifle ammunition and the double-barrel shotgun. Additionally, NPC scientists, the Bradley APC, and cargo ships are absent, and there are fewer monuments, emphasizing a raw and survival-focused gameplay experience.

Additional Features

Beyond siege weaponry and the new game mode, the Primitive update enriches the Rust experience with:

• Mini Crossbow: A fresh take on the traditional crossbow, this weapon features a four-shot rotating barrel, offering rapid succession firing at the expense of some damage and range.

• Shields: A variety of shields have been introduced, providing players with defensive options to block incoming attacks during combat.

• Horse Improvements: Horses have undergone significant enhancements, including improved traversal across various terrains and monuments, the ability to swim, auto-avoidance of obstacles like trees, and the capability to tow siege weapons such as the catapult, siege tower, and ballista.

• Medieval Pack DLC: A themed collection featuring eight new items and skins, including the Medieval Barricade, Knights Armour clothing skins, and a Medieval Large Wood Box skin, allowing players to further customize their primitive gameplay experience.

These additions aim to deepen the immersion and strategic possibilities within Rust, catering to players seeking a more primitive and challenging survival experience.

For those eager to explore these new features, the Primitive mode is currently available for public testing on the Aux2 branch. As the official release has now occurred, players can fully immerse themselves in this revamped survival adventure.

The Primitive update marks a significant evolution in Rust's gameplay, offering a nostalgic yet refreshing return to the basics of survival, strategy, and combat. Whether you're a seasoned survivor or new to the harsh world of Rust, this update provides compelling reasons to dive back into the game and experience the challenges of primitive living.