Facepunch Studios dropped the Pivot or Die update on November 6, 2025, addressing the Blueprint Fragment chaos that plagued last month’s wipe. If you’ve been getting steamrolled by zergs camping monuments 24/7, this update finally levels the playing field. Here’s everything solo and small-group players need to know about progression fixes, monument overhauls, and surprise horse buffs.
Table of Contents
Rust Pivot or Die: Massive Research Cost Reductions
Blueprint Fragment introduction made progression brutally expensive. Facepunch slashed research costs across all tiers—some by over 75%:
| Rarity | Old Cost | New Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | 20 Scrap | 15 Scrap | 25% |
| Uncommon | 75 Scrap | 30 Scrap | 60% |
| Rare | 125 Scrap | 60 Scrap | 52% |
| Very Rare | 500 Scrap | 120 Scrap | 76% |
Plus, workbenches no longer consume scrap during crafting. This means faster mid-game unlocks and less time grinding components before you can actually compete.
Monument Meta Revolution
The old system let clans lock down puzzles indefinitely, refreshing every 30 minutes whether looted or not. The new anti-camping mechanics change everything:
Smart Refresh System: Monuments only reset after someone loots puzzle rooms—no more wasted resets when nobody’s there. Timers tick down even with players nearby, preventing endless camping.
Radiation Deterrent: Ten minutes before refresh, severe radiation blankets loot rooms and puzzle elements. You literally cannot survive it, forcing even the sweatiest groups to rotate away. Once triggered, puzzles need five minutes clear of players to complete the reset.
This aggressive anti-camp design means solos actually get monument opportunities instead of watching zergs hold Launch Site for six hours straight.
Horse Healing Mechanics Arrive
You can now syringe horses while mounted or dismounted. Beyond healing, each injection grants:
- +12.6 km/h speed boost for 4 seconds
- Stamina restoration for extended galloping
For players avoiding scrap-heavy vehicles, this transforms horses from fragile transport into viable endgame mobility. No more watching your horse die mid-escape because you couldn’t heal it.
CCTV Expansion
New cameras give eyes on previously blind monuments:
Cargo Ship: CARGODECK, CARGOBRIDGE, CARGOSTERN, CARGOHOLD1, CARGOHOLD2
Ferry Terminal: FERRYDOCK, FERRYPARKING, FERRYUTILITIES, FERRYLOGISTICS
Intel is power in Rust—use these codes to scout high-value areas before committing.
Why This Matters
Pivot or Die directly addresses the Blueprint Fragment catastrophe. Lower research costs mean faster progression without Fragment grinding. Monument radiation forces movement instead of permanent camping. Horse syringes give legitimate alternatives to helicopter dominance.
For the first time since Fragments launched, small groups have breathing room to actually play the game instead of getting farmed by monument-camping mega-clans.
Check the official Rust patch notes for complete technical details.
Want more survival game strategies? Explore our ultimate Rust base building guide for fortress designs that actually work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the radiation damage affect players looting other parts of monuments?
No, radiation has a small radius focused only on puzzle rooms and key elements like fuse boxes. You can still roam and loot other monument areas during the 10-minute warning period before full reset.
Q: Can I still farm Blueprint Fragments at monuments after this update?
Yes, Blueprint Fragments remain in puzzle room loot tables. However, the anti-camping radiation prevents groups from monopolizing spawns, giving everyone better chances to acquire them throughout the wipe cycle.
