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Oil Rig & Cargo Ship Guide
Master the most lucrative monuments in Rust. Oil Rigs and Cargo Ship offer the best loot in the game, but require proper gear, team coordination, and combat skills. This comprehensive guide covers everything from approach strategies to counter-raiding defense.
📖 45 min🎯 Advanced🔄 Updated June 2025
Global Server Announcements
Oil Rig crate hacking and Cargo Ship spawns trigger server-wide announcements. Expect counter-raiders and prepare for PvP engagements.
Quick Navigation
Small Oil Rig
Requirements
- Boat or Minicopter
- Blue Keycard
- Combat weapons (SAR+)
- Meds (15+ bandages)
Recommended
- Team of 2-3 players
- 200+ ammo per person
- Extra medical supplies
- Hazmat or armor set
Small Oil Overview
Small Oil Rig is the more accessible of the two oil rigs, making it perfect for duos and small groups. While the loot isn't as good as Large Oil, it's significantly easier to clear and defend.
10-15
Scientists
2-3
Elite Crates
15 min
Locked Crate Timer
- 1
Approach from downwind
Approach from the side opposite to where the rig faces. Scientists on upper decks can spot boats early.Note: Minicopters can land on the helipad for faster insertion. - 2
Clear deck 1 (bottom)
Take the ladder up from your boat. 2-3 scientists patrol here. Use corners for cover. - 3
Clear deck 2 (recycler)
Move up via stairs. Another 2-3 scientists. The recycler is here if needed. - 4
Clear deck 3 (middle)
3-4 scientists patrol this level. Military crates spawn here. - 5
Clear deck 4 (blue room)
Use blue card at the door. 1-2 scientists inside. Elite crate behind the door.Warning: Scientists respawn if you take too long. Keep moving. - 6
Hack the locked crate
15-minute timer starts. Heavy scientists spawn when the crate is hacked.Tip: Heavy scientists can help defend against counters - use them strategically.
Note: Small Oil respawns scientists every 24 minutes if the crate isn't hacked. You can farm it repeatedly on low-pop servers.
Large Oil Rig
Heavy Scientist Warning
Large Oil has 6 Heavy Scientists with 500 HP each, M249 machine guns, and heavy armor. They are extremely dangerous and require coordinated team tactics to defeat.
Essential Gear
- Red Keycard
- Minicopter (recommended)
- Tier 3 weapons (AK/LR)
- Syringes (20+)
Team Requirements
- Minimum 3-4 players
- 300+ ammo per person
- Heavy armor if available
- Grenades for heavies
Large Oil Overview
Large Oil Rig offers the best non-event loot in Rust. However, it requires significant firepower and coordination. The heavy scientists alone can wipe unprepared teams.
20-25
Scientists (6 Heavy)
6+
Elite Crates
15 min
Locked Crate Timer
- 1
Land on helipad
Minicopter is best. Land on the helipad at the top. Be ready for immediate combat.Warning: One player should stay with the heli to prevent it being destroyed. - 2
Clear top deck
4-5 regular scientists patrol here. L96 sometimes spawns on the helipad crate. - 3
Push the heavies
6 heavy scientists guard the locked crate area. They have 500 HP and M249s.Warning: Heavies have excellent aim. Use cover, grenades, and focus fire. - 4
Clear middle decks
Work your way down. 10-15 more regular scientists. Elite crates on various levels. - 5
Red card room
Use red keycard on the marked door. Multiple elite crates inside. - 6
Hack locked crate
15-minute timer. More heavies spawn during the hack. Defend from counters.Note: Spawned heavies patrol - they can help defend against counter-raiders. - 7
Clear remaining areas
Loot all military and elite crates while waiting for the hack.
Warning: Large Oil is the #1 target for counters. Always have an exit strategy and never leave your helicopter unguarded.
Cargo Ship
Cargo Ship Overview
Cargo Ship is a mobile monument that circles the map. It spawns every 2-4 hours and stays active for about 50 minutes. No keycard required, but competition is fierce.
8-10
Scientists
3
Elite Crates
50 min
Event Duration
2-4 hrs
Spawn Interval
- 1
Intercept the ship
Use boat or minicopter. Cargo spawns and circles the map edges.Note: Check the in-game map for cargo ship location. Plan your intercept. - 2
Board from the side
Ladders on both sides of the ship. Approach from the side with fewer scientists visible. - 3
Clear scientists first
8-10 scientists on board. They patrol containers and the bridge area. - 4
Secure the bridge
The locked crate is at the bridge. Clear all scientists before hacking. - 5
Hack locked crate
15-minute timer. No additional scientists spawn on cargo.Warning: Other players will try to board. Watch the ladders and helicopter approaches. - 6
Loot containers
Crates in containers respawn. Keep looting while waiting for hack. - 7
Escape with RHIB
RHIBs spawn at the back. Use them to escape with your loot.
Note: RHIB boats spawn at the back of Cargo. They're faster than regular boats and perfect for escaping with loot.
Fighting Scientists
Scientist Types
- Regular Scientists: 150 HP, MP5/Thompson, light armor
- Blue Scientists: 150 HP, better weapons, patrol major monuments
- Heavy Scientists: 500 HP, M249, heavy armor, grenades
- Scientist loot: Weapons, meds, scrap, tea
Combat Tactics
- Peek corners and shoot immediately
- Focus fire on one target at a time
- Use cover between shots
- Med up during reload windows
- Flank when they reload
Heavy Scientist Tactics
- Use grenades to flush them out
- Focus fire as a team
- Aim for headshots (2x damage)
- Bait them around corners
- Keep distance from their M249 spray
Heavy scientists can 3-shot you with the M249 even in metal armor. Never peek them for extended periods - hit and move.
Team Coordination
Role Assignments
Point Man
- • Leads the push
- • Calls out enemy positions
- • Takes initial aggro
- • Best armor and meds
Support
- • Covers point man
- • Provides crossfire
- • Carries extra meds
- • Watches flanks
Lookout
- • Watches for counters
- • Guards vehicles
- • Calls incoming threats
- • Protects escape route
Looter
- • Focuses on looting
- • Organizes inventory
- • Drops items at vehicle
- • Light combat role
Communication Callouts
"Contact"
Enemy spotted
"Clear"
Area is safe
"Reloading"
Cover me
"Med'ing"
Healing up
"Counter"
Enemy players incoming
"Extract"
Time to leave
Counter-Raiding Defense
Defense Positions
- Position one player at the docking area
- Watch for incoming boats and helicopters
- Use high ground advantage on rigs
- Call out enemy positions to team
- Have an escape route planned
Escape Tactics
- Park backup boat hidden on far side
- If countered hard, grab locked crate and run
- Use smoke grenades for extraction
- Dive underwater if boat is camped
Warning: The heavy scientists that spawn during the crate hack can actually help defend against counters. Let them fight your enemies while you hold position.
Loot Optimization
Loot Priority
- Locked Crate: Best weapons, explosives, armor
- Elite Crates: High-tier items, guns, explosives
- Military Crates: Good components, mid-tier guns
- Scientist Loot: Meds, scrap, low-tier weapons
What to Keep vs. Recycle
Keep (High Value)
- • All explosives (C4, rockets)
- • High-tier weapons (AK, LR, M249)
- • Advanced armor (metal, heavy)
- • Medical syringes
- • Targeting computer
- • Tech trash
Recycle (For Scrap)
- • Low-tier weapons you have BPs for
- • Extra clothing
- • Duplicate components
- • Electric parts (if not needed)
- • Extra tool cupboards
- • Excess attachments
Quick Reference: Monument Comparison
| Monument | Difficulty | Scientists | Elite Crates | Card Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Oil | Medium | 10-15 | 2-3 | Blue |
| Large Oil | Hard | 20-25 (6 Heavy) | 6+ | Red |
| Cargo Ship | Medium | 8-10 | 3 | None |
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