A new paradigm for the Rust landscape goes live later this week. This article provides you with all the key elements to know about the new Work Cart and tunnel system coming with the monthly update on Thursday.

Work Cart overview

Referred to as the “Work Cart” branch during development, this body of work is indeed much greater than the simple addition of a new mode of transportation. Of course, going live this week is a rail based vehicle, but also included is an entire new ecosystem under the surface of the Rust landscape.

An entire procedurally generated tunnel system has been added to the game. Accessed through a number of entrances labeled on the map, these tunnels lay deep underground, criss-crossing and connecting all major points of interest. Transportation isn’t the only incentive to delve down either, as a new type of NPC has been added which guards these tunnels' loot.

Tunnel entrances

Access points to this new underground world, various entrance stations have been added to the map. Each one has the same structure: A main entrance which leads to stairs along with a side door which provides vent access to the level below. Through the main entrance, walk down a couple flights of stairs to reach the top elevator door.

To access the tunnels below, simply call the elevator and take it down or trek all the way down via the stairs -- watch out, it’s about 25 levels down, so not a particularly short trip on foot.

In total there are around 20 stations which spawn on a default size map. They are placed near roads and most every monument, so finding one close to you shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. You can locate them on the map easily, just look for the little train icon. They are radiation free and don’t provide any loot on the many flights of stairs down.

Tunnel system

Ok, you’ve made it down the initial elevator shaft, but you’re not quite at the main tunnels yet. To get there, you’ll have to traverse a small series of corridors until you come to another elevator and grouping of stairs. Watch out, there’s several of the new Tunnel Dweller NPC’s to deal with (see more on them below). Upon reaching the next set of stairs, simply follow the signs - or take the elevator - down to the platform (there are actually 2 smaller shafts, both lead to the main tunnels).

Now you’ve made it to the main tunnels! These tunnels link up to the majority of the map and feature various loot, Tunnel Dweller NPC’s, and the famed Work Carts. Load up your in-game map and you’ll be treated with an entirely new display, showing the whole tunnel system in classic subway-map-style.

Tunnel Dwellers

First thing you’ll need to keep an eye out for while exploring this new underground system is the Tunnel Dwellers. This is a new type of NPC adorned in the latest Rust fashion: the Jumpsuit and Gasmask. You’ll find Dwellers all throughout the tunnel system, primarily in the corridors leading to the platforms, around the platforms, and in various alcoves around the tunnels.

They have 125hp and are armed with either a M92 pistol or M39 rifle. Like other NPC’s, they don’t drop the actual gear they are holding. Instead you’ll find a mix of lower tier loot such as components, electrical parts, ammo, and even the occasional bear rug.

Tunnel loot

There’s also a selection of traditional loot boxes to be found when exploring this new tunnel system. Spawning mostly around the platforms near Tunnel Dwellers, three types of loot boxes are to be found: Common wood crates, tool boxes, and the occasional military crate.

There are also loot and NPC spawns which appear in the various alcolves between platforms (these show up as unlabeled, wider sections of the tunnel on the underground map). We have yet to find any loot at the tunnel entrances or on the path down to the main platforms.

Acquiring a Work Cart

Now onto the main event: Work Carts! These spawn right near the tunnel platforms on the tracks (duh). To get one moving you simply need to add some fuel in the storage behind the drivers cabin then mount yourself in the driver seat.

On a default size map (4500) there are 40 work carts which spawn at any given time. With 1000hp to start, they are pretty durable. They do not appear to decay at any point; however, they will take damage if you run into things or get shot up (more on that below).

As you might imagine, you can’t craft Work Carts, only find them in the tunnels. They cannot be locked, have no onboard storage, and can fit around 15 players on the rather large standing deck.

Driving a Work Cart

Once fueled up and mounted, the Work Cart is very straightforward when it comes to operation. There is a throttle with 3 speeds in both forward and reverse (low, medium, and high). Simply tap ‘w’ to throttle up and ‘s’ to throttle down / go in reverse.

When it comes to steering, you actually don’t have to worry about that most of the time given the whole ‘on train tracks’ thing. That said, when you do come to a fork in the tracks, you can just hold ‘a’ for left or ‘d’ for right as you travel over the junction. In the interest of seeing better in front of you, use ‘f’ to toggle some pretty beefy headlights.

Fuel consumption varies based on throttle speed. At top speed, you’ll burn about 1 fuel every 6 seconds. Medium is 1 fuel for every 10 seconds. Low ~1:14. Idling does also burn a bit of fuel.

Everything can all be tracked on a handy digital dashboard directly in front of your view. Best of all, you can set the throttle, dismount from the driver seat, and the Work Cart will continue driving forward without any intervention. You also don’t have to worry about falling off, because if you do, the Work Cart will cease operation immediately. That said, you do want to keep an eye out for obstacles…

Work Cart damage

As expected, the Work Cart takes damage and can be destroyed. With 1000hp to start, you’ll get a couple freebie hits, but you’ll eventually want to grab a hammer and some metal frags to repair if that health is getting too low (3 frags to repair around 60hp per hit).

Biggest hazards to Work Cart health appear to be either other Work Carts on the tracks (which you can ram and even push) along with barricades at certain platforms (which can be destroyed by ramming them). Beyond that, the Work Cart does take damage from bullets and explosions, but not from melee attacks. 1 C4 or 2 rockets is enough to destroy a full health Cart.

Subject to change

As with any new functionality, all of this is subject to change. I’ll do my best to keep this article up to date with new changes as they go live.

Other stuff

You cannot build in the tunnels or near the tunnel entrances