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Oil Rig & Cargo Ship: Ocean Domination
The ocean monuments offer Rust's best loot but demand skill, preparation, and teamwork. This comprehensive guide covers every aspect of conquering Oil Rigs and Cargo Ship, from solo strategies to full clan operations.
⚓ 45 min read💎 Elite tier loot⚠️ High risk, high reward
Table of Contents
Monument Overview
Why Ocean Monuments?
- •Elite Crates: Highest tier loot in the game
- •Locked Crates: Guaranteed high-value items
- •Component Heaven: Tech trash, rifle bodies, SMG bodies
- •PvP Hotspots: Best gear from other players
Small Oil Rig
- Difficulty: Medium
- Scientists: ~12
- Blue Card: Required
- Time: 15-20 mins
- Solo: Possible
Large Oil Rig
- Difficulty: Hard
- Scientists: ~25
- Red Card: Required
- Time: 30-40 mins
- Solo: Very difficult
Cargo Ship
- Difficulty: Medium
- Scientists: ~8-10
- Cards: None
- Time: 50 mins total
- Solo: Possible
Scientist Overview
Blue Scientists
- • 150 HP (standard)
- • MP5/LR-300 weapons
- • Basic hazmat protection
- • Medium accuracy
- • Found on both rigs
Heavy Scientists
- • 300 HP (double health)
- • M249/L96 weapons
- • Heavy armor protection
- • High accuracy
- • Large Oil Rig only
Preparation & Loadouts
Essential Preparation
Keycards
- • Small Oil: Blue card + fuse
- • Large Oil: Red card + blue card
- • Backup cards recommended
- • Green for card puzzles
Transportation
- • Boat (safest approach)
- • Minicopter (faster)
- • Scrap heli (team transport)
- • Hot air balloon (stealth)
Recommended Loadouts
Solo/Duo Loadout
Weapons
- • LR-300/AK
- • MP5 backup
- • M92 pistol
Armor
- • Metal facemask
- • Metal chest
- • Road legs
Meds
- • 15+ syringes
- • 20+ bandages
- • 5 med kits
Utility
- • 300+ ammo
- • Building plan
- • 500 wood
Team Loadout (3-5 players)
Entry Fragger
AK/LR, full metal, max meds
Support
MP5/SAR, extra meds, utility
Sniper
Bolty/L96, overwatch position
Pre-Run Checklist
- ✓ Spawn point set on mainland
- ✓ Keycards in hotbar
- ✓ Full health and food
- ✓ Weapon attachments equipped
- ✓ Team roles assigned
- ✓ Counter-raid plan ready
Small Oil Rig Guide
Layout & Key Areas
Level 0 (Dock)
- • Boat docking area
- • 2-3 scientists patrol
- • Basic crates
- • Recycler location
Level 1 (Main Deck)
- • Most scientists here
- • Blue card room
- • Multiple loot crates
- • Crane access
Level 2 (Upper)
- • Helipad
- • Elite crates
- • Locked crate spawn
- • Best loot location
Level 3 (Crane)
- • Sniper position
- • Overview of rig
- • Counter spot
- • Emergency escape
Small Oil Rig Route
- 1.Dock Approach: Clear lower level scientists
Use boat for cover, peek carefully
- 2.Main Deck Clear: Work around perimeter first
Use containers for cover, watch flanks
- 3.Blue Card Room: Insert fuse, swipe card
Timer starts, 10 minutes to loot
- 4.Upper Level: Clear remaining scientists
Check all crate spawns
- 5.Locked Crate: Start timer, defend position
15 minutes hack time
Small Oil Tips
- • Scientists don't respawn - clear systematically
- • Use crane for overwatch during locked crate
- • Build small base on rig for respawns
- • Radio beacon placement is key
- • Average loot: 200-400 scrap + components
Large Oil Rig Guide
Complex Layout Overview
Level 0-1 (Lower)
- • Dock and entry points
- • Initial scientist waves
- • Basic loot crates
- • Multiple staircases
Level 2 (Main)
- • Puzzle room entrance
- • Heavy scientist spawns
- • Medical bay
- • Cafeteria area
Level 3-4 (Upper)
- • Red card room
- • Laboratory section
- • Elite crate spawns
- • Offices with loot
Level 5-6 (Top)
- • Helipad (2 locations)
- • Locked crate area
- • Best loot concentration
- • Sniper positions
Heavy Scientist Strategy
Wave System
Heavy scientists spawn in waves after activating the puzzle:
- • Wave 1: 3 heavies (immediate)
- • Wave 2: 3 heavies (2 mins)
- • Wave 3: 4 heavies (4 mins)
- • Total: ~10 heavy scientists
Combat Tips
- • Headshots deal 2x damage (even with heavy helmet)
- • Use corners and doorways
- • They heal if given time
- • M249 heavies are priority targets
- • Incendiary ammo very effective
Large Oil Rig Route
- 1.Dock Clear: Eliminate lower level scientists
Work methodically, save meds for heavies
- 2.Level 2 Push: Clear to puzzle room
Establish safe zones, place bags
- 3.Blue Card Swipe: Start heavy scientist event
Take defensive positions immediately
- 4.Wave Defense: Survive all heavy waves
Use cafeteria or offices for cover
- 5.Red Card Room: Access top tier loot
4 elite crates + locked crate
- 6.Full Clear: Loot remaining areas
Check all offices and side rooms
Large Oil Warnings
- • Heavy scientists are extremely dangerous
- • Minimum 2-3 players recommended
- • Bring 400+ ammo per person
- • RF pager spawns here (call in more heavies)
- • Average loot: 500-1000 scrap + high tier weapons
Cargo Ship Guide
Cargo Ship Basics
Ship Schedule
- • Spawns every 2-4 hours
- • Circles map for 50 mins
- • Enters from random side
- • Horn signals arrival
- • Leaves map after circuit
Loot Distribution
- • 3 locked crates
- • 6-8 elite crates
- • 10+ military crates
- • Scientist loot
- • No keycard required
Boarding Strategies
Early Board (Recommended)
- • Board as ship enters map
- • Less competition
- • Full loot potential
- • Time to establish control
- • Use boat or hot air balloon
Mid-Route Board
- • Minicopter from shore
- • Higher counter risk
- • Some loot may be taken
- • Good for PvP
Ship Layout & Route
- 1.Bridge Clear: Start at ship bridge
2-3 scientists, steering wheel loot
- 2.Upper Deck: Work front to back
Scientists patrol randomly
- 3.Container Maze: Check all containers
Elite crates hidden inside
- 4.Lower Holds: Engine room areas
Locked crates spawn here
- 5.Locked Crate Camp: Defend hack
Watch ladder/door entrances
Cargo Ship Tips
- • RHIB spawns on ship - free boat
- • Scientists have better loot than oil rig
- • Ship timer visible on map
- • Jump off before it leaves map boundary
- • Average loot: 300-600 scrap + components
Combat Strategies
Scientist Combat
AI Behavior
- • Aimbot accuracy at range
- • Flanking movements
- • Take cover and heal
- • Call for backup
- • Throw grenades (rare)
Exploit Weaknesses
- • Peek advantage on right
- • Confused by elevation
- • Door camping works
- • Compound bow silent kills
- • Ladder peek abuse
PvP on Monuments
- •Control the helipads: Prevent reinforcements
- •Ladder camping: Easy kills on climbers
- •Sound masking: Use scientist gunfire
- •Crane control: Best overwatch position
- •Water escapes: Dive to avoid fire
Positioning Tactics
Defensive Spots
- • Red card room
- • Cafeteria corners
- • Office hallways
- • Helipad buildings
Aggressive Angles
- • Stairwell control
- • Dock overlook
- • Container tops
- • Bridge windows
Escape Routes
- • Multiple ladders
- • Water jumps
- • Vent systems
- • Emergency boats
Loot Optimization
Loot Priority System
High Priority
- • Locked crates
- • Elite crates
- • Red card rooms
- • Scientist bodies
Medium Priority
- • Military crates
- • Tool boxes
- • Food crates
- • Medical supplies
Low Priority
- • Basic crates
- • Barrels
- • Ration boxes
- • Junk piles
Expected Loot Tables
Locked Crate Drops
15% chance
AK-47
15% chance
Bolt Action
10% chance
L96
5% chance
M249
Elite Crate Drops
Common
Tech Trash
Common
Rifle Body
Uncommon
SMG Body
Rare
Metal Armor
Inventory Management
- • Drop low-value items for high-tier loot
- • Prioritize components over raw materials
- • Stack similar items efficiently
- • Use lockers on rig for storage
- • Make multiple trips if needed
Countering & Defense
Counter Strategies
Offensive Counters
- • Wait for locked crate timer
- • Listen for gunfire to stop
- • Approach during looting
- • Control exit points
- • Bring dive gear
Defensive Counters
- • Early warning scouts
- • Control all ladders
- • Destroy approaching boats
- • Sniper on crane/bridge
- • Communicate constantly
Base Building on Rigs
- •TC Placement: Hidden spots prevent griefing
- •Respawn bunker: 1x2 with beds and gear
- •Loot security: Drop boxes in ocean
- •Auto turrets: Key choke points
Counter Warnings
- • Underwater stashes common
- • Check all boats for kits
- • Players hide in vents
- • Fake leaving then return
- • Multiple teams often present
Team Coordination
Role Assignments
3-Man Team
- Point: Clears scientists
- Support: Covers and heals
- Overwatch: Counters/snipes
5+ Man Team
- 2 Entry: Push and clear
- 1 Medic: Dedicated healer
- 1 Sniper: Long range cover
- 1 Flex: Counters/loot
Communication Protocol
- •Callouts: Use monument landmarks (crane, red door, etc)
- •Contact calls: "Scientists down" vs "Players spotted"
- •Loot calls: Share high-value finds immediately
- •Status updates: Health, ammo, position regularly
Team Success Tips
- • Practice runs on low pop servers
- • Designated shot caller for chaos
- • Share loot fairly to maintain morale
- • Debrief after each run
- • Have backup gear ready
Advanced Tactics
RF Pager Strategies
- •Chinook call: Summons heavy CH47 with 4 heavies
- •Extra loot: More scientists = more drops
- •Timing: Call after initial clear for safety
- •Trap usage: Bait counters into heavy fight
Speed Run Techniques
Small Oil Speed
- • Skip lower level entirely
- • Ladder jump to level 2
- • Rush card room
- • 8-10 minute clear
Large Oil Speed
- • Heli to level 4
- • Clear down method
- • Skip side rooms
- • 20-25 minute clear
Ocean Base Strategy
- •Water base: Build between rigs for quick access
- •Submarine garage: Hidden approach vehicle
- •Loot consolidation: Central storage location
- •Respawn advantage: Quick return to monuments
Conquer the Ocean, Control the Server
Oil Rigs and Cargo Ship offer Rust's greatest rewards for those brave enough to claim them. Master these monuments and you'll have the gear, resources, and reputation to dominate any server. Remember: preparation, teamwork, and practice turn the ocean into your domain.
May your locked crates be full of AKs and your counters always fail!