Picture this: the massive Rust Cargo Ship drifts into view, packed with elite crates, fusion reactors, and enough loot to fund your base for weeks. But one wrong moveโa hidden trap, a rocket from a scientist, or a rival player's C4โand boom, you're swimming with the fishes. Mastering cargo shipments in Rust means turning this high-risk monument into your personal ATM. This guide delivers battle-tested strategies to raid without getting blown up, keeping you geared and alive. Let's dive in! ๐ฅ
๐ก๏ธ Prep Like a Pro: Essential Loadout for Cargo Ship Raids
Success starts before you boat up. The Cargo Ship is a trap-filled deathtrap guarded by heavy scientists. Gear for stealth, combat, and quick escapes.
| Slot |
Recommended Gear |
Why It Saves You |
| Primary |
Custom SMG or MP5 (silenced) / AK for teams |
Quiet takedowns on deck scientists; high DPS for chinooks. |
| Secondary |
M92 or Double Barrel |
Backup for close-quarters below deck. |
| Armor |
Heavy Plate Kit (3rd tier hazmat underneath) |
Tank recycler shots and explosives. |
| Medicals |
2x Syringes, 2x Meds, Bandages |
Survive chip damage from traps. |
| Utility |
4x Satchel Charges, 2x Rockets, Metal Door |
Blow open locked rooms safely. |
| Boat |
RHB Boat with ladders |
Fast approach, multiple exit points. |
Pro Tip: Always fuse your fuse if soloโheadshots only on scientists to avoid alerting the ship. 1๏ธโฃ Scout from afar with a boat scope. 2๏ธโฃ Time your raid during low-server pop for minimal PVP.
โ Approaching the Beast: Stealthy Entry Tactics
The Cargo Ship spawns randomly on the open sea, announced by global chat. Don't rush inโposition your RHB 100m out.
- Clockwise vs Counter-Clockwise: Enter from the stern (rear) clockwise. Fewer initial guards.
- Avoid the bowโrocket turret city.
- โญ Use smoke grenades to cover your boat tie-up.
Board via the rear ladder. Hug walls, peek corners. First target: Deck patrol scientists. Two-tap heads silently.
๐ฃ Trap Awareness: Dodge Explosives Like a Ghost
The real killer? Traps. Cargo shipments hide deadliest surprises below deck.
- Recycler Traps: Blue recyclers on walls shoot shotgun pellets. Shoot them from range or satchel from cover.
- Landmine Halls: Floor plates trigger mines. Jump-boost over suspicious floors or shoot from doorway.
- Auto-Turrets: In fusion roomsโflank left, hug the generator for cover.
- Ceiling Shotgun Traps: Audible click? Backpedal and shoot the trap.
Face moping? ๐ข Remember: Traps respawn slowly. Clear once, loot fast.
๐๏ธ Room-by-Room Looting Blueprint
Prioritize high-value cargo shipments. Here's your hit list:
Deck Level
- Blue Crates behind heli: 1-2 elites.
- Chinook crates: Wait for drop, ambush.
Below Deck (Main Cargo)
- Fusion Reactor Room: Blue Keycard door. Inside: 2-4 elite crates, reactor. Clear turret first.
- Engine Room: Red Keycard. Pump shotgun loot, components.
- Crate Hall: Satchel locked MLRS crates for rockets.
Bridge (Top)
Heavy scientists here. Loot captain's quarters for tech trash, components. Extract codes on computers for future runs.
Loadout Hack: Table above scales for duos/triosโadd a healer with extra meds.
๐ Combat Mastery: Handling Guards & Players
Scientists: 500HP heavies with AKs, shotguns, rockets.
- Flank in pairs.
- Focus fire heads.
- Bay doors spawn reinforcementsโclose them!
PVP? Cargo Ship zergs incoming.
- Anchor your boat away, swim back.
- Hold bridge for high ground.
- Extract via heli if chinook spawns. ๐
๐ดโโ ๏ธ Extraction Plays: Leave Loaded, Not Exploded
Options:
- Boat backโsafest solo.
- Swim to shore if contested.
- Heli pad jump if lucky.
Overloaded? Drop low-tier loot. Prioritize: Elites > Reactor > Rockets > Components.
โญ Advanced Strategies for Cargo Ship Domination
Level up:
- Chinook Farm: Time raids post-event for guaranteed elites.
- Team Comms: One clears traps, one loots.
- Boat Clans: Rotate scouts for spawn intel.
- Modded Reloads: Faster mag swaps win gunfights.
Practice on low-pop servers. Soon, you'll master cargo shipments effortlessly.
Final Words: Sail to Victory! โ
Raiding the Rust Cargo Ship without getting blown up is pure adrenaline. Follow this blueprint: Prep smart, trap-savvy, loot efficient, extract clean. Your first 10k sulfur haul awaits. Drop a comment: Best cargo ship loot ever? Share your wipes! Keep wiping, keep winning. ๐