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Economy & Trading: Build Your Empire
Master the art of Rust economics to build wealth without firing a shot. From vending machine empires to scrap farming optimization, this guide reveals how to become the server's merchant king and leverage economic power for domination.
💰 40 min read📈 Profit focused🏪 Shop empire guide
Table of Contents
Economic Fundamentals
Understanding Rust Economy
- •Scrap Currency: The universal medium of exchange
- •Supply & Demand: Server population affects prices
- •Wipe Cycles: Economic patterns reset weekly/monthly
- •Regional Markets: Different areas have different needs
Economic Phases
- Day 1-2: Tools & basic weapons
- Day 3-4: Components & armor
- Day 5-7: Explosives & high-tier
- Late wipe: Convenience items
Value Hierarchy
- Essential: Food, meds, tools
- Progression: Components, BPs
- Combat: Weapons, ammo, armor
- Luxury: Skins, horses, vehicles
Economic Power Benefits
- •Non-violent progression: Advance without PvP risk
- •Network building: Create valuable alliances
- •Information gathering: Customers reveal server intel
- •Resource multiplication: Turn cheap items into profit
Scrap Farming Optimization
Efficient Scrap Routes
Ocean Route
- • Boat required (300 scrap)
- • 500-1000 scrap/hour
- • Low risk, consistent
- • Sunken crates + barrels
- • Diving gear helpful
Best for: Safe, steady income
Road Route
- • Vehicle optional
- • 300-600 scrap/hour
- • Medium risk
- • Roadside monuments
- • Component recycling
Best for: Component gathering
Monument Farming Tiers
Tier 1 - Safe Monuments
Lighthouse
50-100 scrap
Gas Station
75-150 scrap
Supermarket
100-200 scrap
Mining Outpost
75-125 scrap
Tier 2 - Card Monuments
Harbor
200-400 scrap
Satellite
150-300 scrap
Sewer Branch
200-350 scrap
Tier 3 - High Risk/Reward
Launch Site
300-600 scrap + elite crates
Military Tunnels
400-800 scrap + weapons
Scrap Optimization Tips
- • Recycle components at 1:1 ratio (not at Bandit/Outpost)
- • Focus on green/blue card runs mid-wipe
- • Ocean farming during off-peak hours
- • Always carry diving gear for underwater crates
- • Sell duplicate BPs at research table for scrap
Vending Machine Empire
Setting Up Shop
Machine Placement
- • High traffic areas
- • Protected by TC
- • Visible from roads
- • Near safe zones
- • Multiple exit routes
Security Setup
- • Armored window front
- • Shotgun trap coverage
- • Honeycomb protection
- • Hidden storage
- • CCTV monitoring
Best Selling Items by Wipe Phase
Early Wipe (Day 1-2)
Tools
Pick: 50 scrap
Hatchet: 40 scrap
Weapons
DB: 100 scrap
Revolver: 150 scrap
Meds
Syringe: 15 scrap
Bandage: 5 scrap
Food
Pumpkin: 5 scrap
Corn: 5 scrap
Mid Wipe (Day 3-5)
Components
Spring: 30 scrap
Gears: 25 scrap
Ammo
5.56: 2 scrap
Pistol: 1 scrap
Armor
Road Kit: 300 scrap
Coffee Can: 75 scrap
Resources
LGF: 5/scrap
Cloth: 20/scrap
Late Wipe (Day 6+)
Raid Gear
C4: 500 scrap
Rockets: 50 scrap
High Tier
AK: 400 scrap
Metal Kit: 500 scrap
Convenience
Minicopter: 750 scrap
Scuba: 50 scrap
Bulk Resources
HQM: 1/5 scrap
Sulfur: 100/50 scrap
Vending Machine Tips
- • Name your shop clearly (e.g., "CHEAP MEDS HERE")
- • Update inventory based on demand
- • Use drone marketplace for visibility
- • Protect against shop campers
- • Stock during peak hours
Trading Strategies
Direct Trading Tactics
- •Bundle Deals: Package complementary items for better value
- •Bulk Discounts: Encourage larger purchases with scaling prices
- •Limited Time Offers: Create urgency with temporary deals
- •Custom Orders: Take requests for specific items
Trading Post Operations
Safe Zone Trading
- • Bandit Camp gambling
- • Outpost recycling
- • Face-to-face deals
- • Reputation building
- • Zero risk trades
Drop Trading
- • Hidden stash locations
- • Timed exchanges
- • Anonymous trades
- • Large volume deals
- • Trust required
Arbitrage Opportunities
Monument Shop Arbitrage
Buy low at Outpost, sell high to players:
- • Jackhammer: 150 → 300 scrap
- • Chainsaw: 125 → 250 scrap
- • 16x Scope: 300 → 500 scrap
Cross-Map Arbitrage
Different areas have different supply/demand:
- • Snow gear cheaper in arctic
- • Desert clothing in desert
- • Farm goods near Bandit
Market Analysis
Understanding Your Market
Server Analysis
- • Population size and times
- • Average skill level
- • Clan vs solo ratio
- • Wipe schedule impact
- • Regional preferences
Competition Study
- • Other shop locations
- • Competitor pricing
- • Market gaps
- • Service quality
- • Response times
Price Discovery Methods
- •Chat monitoring: Watch trade requests in global
- •Shop scouting: Check all vending machines regularly
- •Test pricing: Start high and adjust based on sales
- •Customer feedback: Ask buyers about fair prices
Market Indicators
- • Raid activity increases explosive demand
- • Online raids spike medical supply needs
- • Weekend population boosts all sales
- • Wipe day creates tool/weapon rush
- • Late wipe shifts to convenience items
Shop Setups & Locations
Optimal Shop Locations
Safe Zone Adjacent
- • Just outside Outpost/Bandit
- • High foot traffic
- • Customer safety
- • Protection from camping
- • Premium real estate
Road Intersections
- • Natural travel routes
- • Multiple approach angles
- • Vehicle accessibility
- • Central map position
- • Easy to find
Monument Exits
- • Catch monument runners
- • Sell missing cards
- • Medical supplies
- • Recycled materials
- • Convenience factor
Beach Spawns
- • New player market
- • Basic tools/weapons
- • Starter kits
- • Low competition
- • Volume sales
Shop Base Designs
The Kiosk (1x2)
- • Minimal upkeep (1-2k stone/day)
- • 2-4 vending machines
- • Armored front, honeycomb back
- • Hidden TC and storage
The Mall (3x3)
- • 8-12 vending machines
- • Central protected courtyard
- • Multiple shop "stalls"
- • Customer parking area
The Fortress (5x5)
- • Combined shop and main base
- • Shooting floor protection
- • Auto turret coverage
- • Drone delivery pad
Shop Security Features
- •Shotgun traps: Behind vending machines
- •Window bars: Prevent deep camping
- •CCTV cameras: Monitor remotely
- •SAM site: Prevent heli camping
Pricing Strategies
Dynamic Pricing Model
Cost-Plus Pricing
- • Calculate base cost
- • Add 20-50% markup
- • Factor in risk
- • Include time value
Market-Based
- • Match competition
- • Undercut by 10%
- • Premium for convenience
- • Location factor
Psychological
- • 99 scrap vs 100
- • Bundle pricing
- • Anchor high prices
- • Loss leaders
Pricing Examples
| Item | Cost | Fair Price | Premium Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Pickaxe | 30 scrap | 45 scrap | 60 scrap | High demand early |
| Medical Syringe | 8 scrap | 12 scrap | 20 scrap | Premium during raids |
| 5.56 Ammo (stack) | 40 scrap | 60 scrap | 100 scrap | Bulk discount available |
| Large Furnace | 150 scrap | 250 scrap | 400 scrap | Convenience item |
Pricing Best Practices
- • Update prices based on wipe progression
- • Offer bulk discounts for large orders
- • Premium pricing for delivered goods
- • Loss leaders to attract customers
- • Regular customers get better rates
Monument Trading
Outpost Trading
Profitable Trades
- • Stone → Wood (1:2 ratio)
- • Wood → Stone (2:1 ratio)
- • Scrap → Resources
- • Pickles profit loop
- • Fish trading
Vendor Inventory
- • Jackhammer (150 scrap)
- • Chainsaw (125 scrap)
- • LR-300 (500 scrap)
- • 16x Scope (300 scrap)
- • Blue keycard (100 scrap)
Bandit Camp Trading
Gambling Strategy
- • Wheel: 48% win rate
- • Pattern betting myths
- • Scrap multiplication
- • Know when to stop
Shop Inventory
- • Revolvers (200 scrap)
- • Double barrel (250 scrap)
- • 40mm HE (150 scrap)
- • Smoke grenades (10 scrap)
Advanced Economics
Supply Chain Management
- •Farm teams: Dedicated resource gatherers
- •Production bases: Specialized crafting locations
- •Distribution network: Multiple shop locations
- •Just-in-time stocking: Minimize storage needs
Market Manipulation
Cornering Markets
- • Buy all competition stock
- • Control key resources
- • Create artificial scarcity
- • Price fixing alliances
Demand Creation
- • Sponsor events/raids
- • Create meta shifts
- • Influence streamers
- • Start trends
Economic Warfare
- •Price wars: Undercut competition until they quit
- •Supply disruption: Block competitor resource access
- •Reputation attacks: Spread distrust about competitors
- •Strategic alliances: Form trading cartels
Building Trade Empire
Empire Expansion Phases
- 1.Foundation (Day 1-2): Single shop, basic items
Focus on high-demand essentials, build reputation
- 2.Expansion (Day 3-4): Multiple locations, wider inventory
Target different markets, increase production capacity
- 3.Domination (Day 5+): Market control, premium services
Exclusive items, delivery service, custom orders
- 4.Legacy: Server-wide recognition, economic influence
Shape server meta, influence politics, control prices
Services Expansion
Delivery Services
- • Drone delivery network
- • Minicopter express
- • Armored car service
- • Drop box system
- • 50% delivery fee
Custom Services
- • Base building contracts
- • Raid assistance
- • Farm-for-hire
- • Protection services
- • Information broker
Empire Management
- •Franchise model: Let others run shops under your brand
- •Employee system: Hire farmers and crafters
- •Quality control: Maintain service standards
- •Brand building: Consistent naming and design
Success Metrics
- • 10k+ scrap daily revenue
- • 5+ active shop locations
- • Server-wide brand recognition
- • Regular customer base (20+)
- • Economic influence on server meta
Master the Market, Rule the Server
Economic power in Rust offers a unique path to dominance. While others fight with bullets, you'll conquer with business. Build relationships, create value, and watch your empire grow from a simple shop to server-wide influence.
Remember: The best weapon in Rust might just be a well-placed vending machine!