Oil Rig Monuments: New Submarine Entrance Incoming

As the digital world of RUST continues its relentless evolution, players are constantly on the lookout for the next big update that will shake up established gameplay loops and introduce fresh challenges. With the March wipe drawing to a close, the community's gaze is firmly fixed on what April's patch has in store. Whispers and commit logs suggest a significant overhaul is on the horizon, touching upon key monuments and core mechanics. Among the most anticipated changes is a substantial upgrade to the iconic Oil Rig monuments, promising a novel way for players to access these high-risk, high-reward locations.

Harbours and Cargo Ships: A Dockside Overhaul

Before we dive into the deep blue surrounding the Oil Rigs, let's cast our net over the changes coming to the Harbours and their associated Cargo Ship event. The development team is implementing a comprehensive rework of the mainland harbour monuments. Players can expect to see new visual assets, updated buildings, and entirely new areas to explore, breathing fresh life into these familiar landmarks.

Key new features are set to swing into action, including functional harbour cranes. While their precise functionality is still under wraps, the potential for player interaction is immense. Will these cranes be controllable, allowing players to load or even hinder the cargo ship's operations? The addition of a new swing bridge, currently in its 'gray box' phase, further fuels speculation. It's highly probable that this bridge will need to be lifted to permit the cargo ship's passage, though whether this will be an automated event or a player-triggered mechanism remains to be seen. It's also possible, in true RUST fashion, that the bridge might simply be a decorative element that has become permanently jammed!

The Cargo Ship event itself is still in the early stages of setup. The general concept will likely see the ship circumnavigating the island as before, but now docking at the harbour. Containers, presumably brimming with valuable loot, will be loaded onto the vessel. The interplay between players, the cranes, and the ship is a significant unknown, adding an element of suspense to this upcoming event.

Oil Rigs: A Submersible Entry Point

Now, for the main event: the Oil Rig monuments are slated to receive a significant upgrade, most notably an entirely new method of entry. This exciting addition comes in the form of a moonpool entrance. This feature, typically used by saturation divers for underwater maintenance, will allow players to access the rig via submarine.

Upon entering the moonpool, players will embark on a journey through a lengthy saturation tube, ascending into the rig's interior. While not yet fully implemented, there's a strong possibility that players might require a keycard to gain access to the main deck from this new underwater entry point. This adds another layer of strategic planning and potential gatekeeping to the Oil Rig experience.

CCTV and Ventilation: Eyes and Escape Routes

Further enhancing the security and tactical options surrounding the Oil Rigs, the development commits also point towards the inclusion of a dedicated CCTV room. This will allow players to monitor the surrounding waters, keeping a watchful eye out for any sneaky divers attempting an ascent into the rig. Additionally, a mention of a vent system suggests that there may be multiple pathways to and from the moonpool entrance, offering alternative routes for infiltration or exfiltration.

Electrical System Enhancements: Tidy Wiring and Power Savings

For the industrious electricians among the RUST community, April's update promises a boon in the form of energy savings and improved component snapping. A highly requested quality-of-life improvement will see players able to hold down the 'Left Shift' key when placing electrical components. This will enable them to snap precisely to other already-placed components, facilitating a more organised and aesthetically pleasing electrical layout. While this enhancement currently doesn't extend to wire management, it's a welcome step in the right direction.

Furthermore, a substantial list of electrical components will no longer consume power when they are not actively being used or connected to a draining component. This is a significant change that will allow for more efficient power management and potentially larger, more complex electrical systems without the constant drain of idle components. The components benefiting from this change include:

The update also aims to rectify power drains caused by components that are powered on but not correctly connected to a draining element, further refining the electrical system's efficiency.

Miscellaneous Updates and Teasers

Beyond the major overhauls, several other intriguing changes are on the horizon:

• New SAR Skin: A 'SKS' skin for the SAR (Semi-Automatic Rifle) may be released as part of an upcoming DLC.
• Compound/Outpost Redesign: Work continues on the ongoing redesign of the Compound and Outpost monuments, promising fresh visual and functional updates.
• Bradley Scientist Component: The formidable Bradley APC is set to receive a scientist component, potentially altering its engagement mechanics.
• Inflatable Chicken Suit: A rather amusing Inflatable Chicken suit is reportedly on its way. This raises the age-old question: which came first, the chicken suit or the Egg Suit?
• Motorbikes with Sidecars: The 'Bikes' branch is actively being worked on, with commits highlighting the potential addition of motorbikes, complete with the possibility of sidecar attachments. This could revolutionize solo and duo travel across the island.
• Blunderbuster Development: A new branch for the 'Blunderbuster' weapon is in development, hinting at another potential DLC item for players to acquire.

Stay Connected

For the latest insights and detailed breakdowns of these upcoming RUST changes, be sure to follow the work of content creator Shadowfrax. His channel is an invaluable resource for staying up-to-date with all the developments. You can connect with him via his:

• YouTube Channel: Browse his past RUST videos and subscribe for alerts on his latest work.
• Patreon
• Twitter
• Twitch Streaming: Catch his live gameplay sessions three days a week.
• Discord Server
• Steam Group
• Facebook Page

As development progresses, more details regarding these exciting changes will undoubtedly emerge. The prospect of a submarine entrance to the Oil Rigs alone is enough to generate significant buzz, and combined with the other quality-of-life improvements and new features, April is shaping up to be a monumental month for RUST players. Keep your eyes peeled and your submarines fuelled!