Efficient gathering is the foundation of Rust. Better tools mean faster resource acquisition.
Essential Tools:
- Rock: Your starting tool. Slow, but gets the job done.
- Stone Pickaxe/Hatchet: Early game upgrades. Significantly faster than the rock.
- Metal Pickaxe/Hatchet: Mid-game upgrades. Even faster, especially for metal and sulfur.
- Salvaged Pickaxe/Hatchet: Slightly better than metal, but harder to craft.
- Jackhammer: Best for stone and metal nodes. Requires Low Grade Fuel.
- Chainsaw: Best for wood. Requires Low Grade Fuel.
- Building Plan: Used to place building blocks.
- Hammer: Used to upgrade, repair, and rotate building blocks.
- Torch: Provides light, can be used as a weak weapon.
- Fishing Rod: For catching fish.
Prioritize upgrading your gathering tools as soon as possible. The time saved translates directly into faster progression.