In Rust, explosives are one of the most important items for high-level raiding and PvP dominance. Used to craft powerful weapons like C4 (Timed Explosive Charges) and rocket ammunition, explosives are vital if you’re looking to break into enemy bases or defend your own turf.
This guide will walk you through how to craft explosives, what you’ll need, and some useful tips to make your explosive production efficient and strategic.
What Are Explosives in Rust?
Rust “explosives” is a mid-to-late game crafting component used to make various raiding items, including:
(High Velocity & Regular Rockets)
You cannot throw explosives directly—they’re not grenades. Instead, you use them as ingredients in crafting more destructive items.
How to Unlock the Explosives Recipe in Rust
Before you can craft explosives, you need to:
1. Obtain the Blueprint
Either research an explosive using a Research Table (costs 75 scrap) or unlock it through the Tier 3 Workbench tech tree (costs 500 scrap to unlock the final node).
2. Craft a Tier 3 Workbench
This is required to craft explosives. It costs:
Crafting Recipe for Rust Explosives
To craft 1 Explosives item in Rust, you’ll need:
Crafting time: 10 seconds (per explosive) at a Tier 3 Workbench.
Farming and Producing Resources
Here’s how to gather the ingredients efficiently:
Sulfur
Mined from Sulfur Nodes (yellow ore rocks). It must be smelted in a Furnace to get Sulfur. Use Large Furnaces or multiple Small Furnaces to speed up production.
Charcoal
It is produced automatically when wood is burned in a furnace. You’ll generate charcoal while smelting ore—so never throw it away.
Low Grade Fuel
It is crafted using: 3 Animal Fat + 1 Cloth = 1 Low Grade Fuel. Gather Animal Fat from animals and Cloth from hemp or animals.
Metal Fragments
Smelt Metal Ore in a furnace. Use multiple furnaces or a large furnace to mass produce all of these materials at once.
What You Can Craft With Explosives in Rust
Once you have enough explosives in Rust, you can make all kind of useful items based on them:
1. Timed Explosive Charges (C4)
2. Satchel Charges
(which also requires explosives)
3. Rockets
Tips for Maximum Efficiency
Here are some principles to follow when using explosives in Rust:
Bulk Craft at Night or While Idle
Explosives crafting takes time and attention. Do it while offline or farming other materials.
Optimize Furnace Layout
Have a dedicated smelting area with furnaces burning charcoal, sulfur, and metal ore simultaneously.
Raid Strategically
Don’t waste explosives on high-cost walls. Scout bases for weak points like soft side walls, wooden doors, or windows.
Store Safely
Keep explosives in hidden or armored boxes. Raids often target loot rooms first.
Recycle for Tech Trash
Hit monuments like Launch Site or Military Tunnels and recycle laptops/cameras to get tech trash, needed for C4.
Final Note: Don’t Rush
Crafting explosives is resource-intensive, especially in solo or small group play. Make sure you:
And most importantly—use your explosives wisely. Wasting a C4 charge on the wrong door could cost hours of progress.
Summary
Explosives in Rust are a vital part of late-game gameplay, enabling you to raid, defend, and assert dominance on the server. With the right resources, blueprints, and workbench level, you can start crafting these powerful components and turn your base into a fortress.
FAQs
What materials do I need to craft explosives in Rust?
You need sulfur, charcoal, metal fragments, gunpowder, and other components depending on the explosive type. Most require sulfur and gunpowder as key ingredients.
Where can I find sulfur in Rust?
Sulfur nodes are usually found in rocky areas, mountains, and near sulfur deposits. Use a pickaxe or mining tool to gather it efficiently.
Can I throw explosives directly?
No. Explosives are crafting ingredients, not throwable grenades. You craft items like C4 or satchel charges to use explosives effectively.
How much gunpowder is required for explosives?
Typically, explosives require between 100 to 150 gunpowder per craft. Gunpowder is made from sulfur and charcoal.
What is the crafting time for explosives?
Crafting explosives usually takes between 20 to 60 seconds, depending on your workbench level and the explosive type.
Do I need a workbench to craft explosives?
Yes. Most explosive items require a level 2 or 3 workbench to craft.
Are explosives stackable in inventory?
Yes. Explosives stack up to 10 per slot, but larger items like rockets and C4 are limited by their individual item sizes.
