MLRS Guide

The Multiple Launch Rocket System is a stationary vehicle located at the Arctic Research Base monument. It consists of a truck-mounted rocket launcher that can fire guided rockets at any targetable location on the map.

Location: The MLRS spawns at a fixed position within the Arctic Research Base compound, usually near the vehicle bay area. Arctic Research Base is a Tier 2-3 monument located in the snow biome. It has moderate radiation and is guarded by scientists.

Accessing the MLRS: 1. Travel to Arctic Research Base. Bring cold protection (Hazmat Suit provides both radiation and cold resistance, or use a snow jacket + pants). 2. Clear the scientists guarding the compound (6-8 total, mix of regular and heavy). 3. Approach the MLRS truck. Interact with it to open the targeting interface. 4. You need MLRS Rockets loaded into the vehicle to fire. These are NOT craftable and must be found as loot.

MLRS Rocket acquisition: MLRS Rockets are rare loot items found exclusively in: - Locked Crates (Oil Rig, Cargo Ship): ~15% drop chance, 1-3 rockets per crate - Elite Crates (Launch Site, Military Tunnels): ~5% drop chance, 1 rocket per crate - Attack Helicopter and Bradley APC drops: ~10% drop chance, 1-2 rockets per drop - Patrol Helicopter crates: ~8% drop chance, 1 rocket per crate

Rockets are stackable (up to 3 per inventory slot) and cannot be researched or crafted. Their rarity makes MLRS usage a strategic decision rather than a spammable tactic. Most groups accumulate 6-12 MLRS rockets per wipe through regular monument farming.

The MLRS targeting system uses a map-based interface that lets you select an impact zone anywhere within range.

Targeting process: 1. Load MLRS Rockets into the MLRS (maximum 12 rockets per volley). 2. Open the targeting interface by interacting with the MLRS control panel. 3. A map view appears showing the entire island. Click on the desired impact location. 4. A targeting reticle appears showing the approximate blast radius. Each rocket covers a roughly 8-meter radius explosion zone. 5. Confirm the target and the MLRS fires all loaded rockets in rapid succession.

Firing mechanics: - Rockets launch with a 10-second delay after confirmation, giving you time to move away from the MLRS. - Flight time varies by distance but is approximately 15-30 seconds from launch to impact. - Rockets arrive in a spread pattern around the targeted point. They do not all land on the exact same spot -- there is a natural scatter of approximately 5-10 meters from the target center. - Each MLRS Rocket deals explosive damage equivalent to approximately 1.5 standard rockets. They have significant splash damage that affects structures, vehicles, and players within the blast radius.

Targeting limitations: - The MLRS cannot target locations within a protective radius of major monuments (Outpost, Bandit Camp, safe zones). This prevents griefing at trade hubs. - The MLRS cannot target locations too close to the Arctic Research Base itself. - There is a cooldown period of approximately 10 minutes between volleys, preventing rapid re-firing. - You must remain at the MLRS to operate it. You cannot fire remotely.

Accuracy tips: Target the center of the base you want to hit. The scatter pattern means edge targeting may result in rockets missing entirely. For large bases, multiple volleys from different angles can cover more surface area. Mark the exact grid coordinates of your target base before traveling to the MLRS so you do not waste time searching the map.

The MLRS provides a unique raiding capability: the ability to damage a base from anywhere on the map without physically being present at the target. This creates opportunities for softening defenses before a conventional raid.

Raiding applications: 1. Roof destruction: MLRS rockets rain down from above, hitting roofs first. Most players armor their walls but leave roofs as stone or sheet metal. A volley of 6-8 MLRS rockets can destroy stone roofs over a large area, exposing the base interior. 2. Turret elimination: Auto turrets on roofs and compounds are destroyed by direct MLRS hits. Clearing turrets from range removes the most dangerous defense layer before your ground team arrives. 3. Compound wall destruction: High external stone walls have relatively low HP compared to building walls. MLRS rockets can breach compound perimeters, creating entry points for ground forces. 4. Psychological pressure: The sound and visual spectacle of MLRS rockets hitting a base is terrifying. Defenders may panic, log off, or make mistakes during the subsequent ground assault.

Combination raid strategy: Phase 1: Fire 6-12 MLRS rockets at the target base, aiming for the roof and turret positions. Phase 2: While the enemy is assessing damage and repairing, your ground team approaches with conventional explosives. Phase 3: Breach through the MLRS-damaged roof sections (which are now cheaper to finish off) instead of blowing through intact walls.

Sulfur efficiency: Each MLRS Rocket is free in terms of sulfur (found as loot), so any damage they deal effectively reduces the sulfur cost of your raid. Six MLRS rockets that destroy a stone roof save you 8 regular rockets worth of sulfur (11,200 sulfur savings). This makes MLRS the most sulfur-efficient raiding tool in the game.

Limitations for raiding: The scatter pattern means you cannot precisely target specific rooms or walls. MLRS is best for area denial and general destruction rather than surgical strikes. Underground bunker rooms are immune to MLRS damage since rockets only hit surface-level structures.

Defending against MLRS attacks requires understanding the system's limitations and building your base to minimize vulnerability.

Armored roofs: The single most effective MLRS defense is an armored roof. Armored building pieces require 8 rockets to destroy, and MLRS rockets are slightly weaker than standard rockets. An armored roof can absorb a full 12-rocket MLRS volley without breaking. The HQM cost for an armored roof is significant (25 HQM per roof piece) but worthwhile for high-value bases.

Multi-layer roofing: Build a sacrificial stone roof layer above your main roof. The MLRS rockets destroy the outer layer while the inner layer remains intact. This double-roof technique costs extra stone but provides budget MLRS protection without HQM investment.

Roof honeycomb: Add extra roof pieces at different angles above your main structure. These absorb MLRS rockets that would otherwise hit your actual roof. The chaotic roof geometry also disrupts the scatter pattern, causing some rockets to hit useless sections.

SAM Sites: Surface-to-Air Missile sites can potentially intercept incoming MLRS rockets, though the interception rate is not 100 percent due to the rockets' speed and trajectory. Place SAM sites on elevated positions around your base for the best interception angles. Each SAM site requires 10 rW of power and SAM ammo.

Base location strategy: Build near monuments that have MLRS protection zones. While your base itself is not in the safe zone, building on the edge of a protection zone limits the angles from which the MLRS can effectively target you.

Repair response: Keep building materials and a Hammer ready at all times. After an MLRS strike, immediately repair damaged structures before the ground assault arrives. A coordinated team can repair stone roof pieces in 30-60 seconds, which is faster than the enemy's travel time from Arctic Research Base to your location.

Intelligence gathering: If you see or hear MLRS rockets firing (they produce a distinctive launch sound audible across several grid squares), you have 15-30 seconds of warning before impact. Use this time to move valuables from top-floor rooms to ground-floor rooms, take cover, and prepare for a potential follow-up ground raid.

Successfully using the MLRS requires careful logistical planning beyond simply finding rockets and pressing fire.

Travel logistics: Arctic Research Base is in the snow biome, often far from your main base. Bring adequate cold protection, fuel for vehicles, and combat gear for the scientists guarding the monument. A minicopter is the fastest transport option (750 scrap at Bandit Camp) and lets you reach the MLRS in 2-3 minutes from most map locations.

Rocket stockpiling: Since MLRS Rockets cannot be crafted, accumulate them over time through regular monument farming. Store them securely in your base (not in external TC shacks or raid-accessible rooms). A typical competitive group aims for 12+ rockets before planning an MLRS raid.

Coordinated MLRS timing: The most effective MLRS raids coordinate the rocket strike with a simultaneous ground assault. This requires communication between the MLRS operator at Arctic Research Base and the ground team near the target. Use Rust+ team chat or Discord for real-time coordination. The ground team should be in position before the rockets launch, ready to breach immediately after impact.

Multiple volleys: If you have 20+ MLRS rockets, consider firing two volleys with a 10-minute cooldown between them. The first volley destroys the outer defenses. The defenders repair during the cooldown. The second volley destroys the repairs and any additional structures they built. The ground team assaults during the chaos of the second volley.

MLRS against Bradley and Helicopter: MLRS rockets can also be used to destroy the Bradley APC at Launch Site from a safe distance. Fire a volley at the Bradley patrol path. If rockets hit, they deal significant damage. This is the safest possible Bradley kill method since you are never in danger at Arctic Research Base. The same concept works less reliably against the Patrol Helicopter since it moves unpredictably.

Economic consideration: MLRS rockets have high trade value (typically 100-200 scrap each in player-to-player trades) because they cannot be crafted. Before using them for raiding, consider whether trading them for sulfur or weapons would provide more value than the MLRS strike itself. Six MLRS rockets traded for 600-1200 scrap can buy a significant amount of sulfur from Outpost recycling.