Raiding Costs Overview
Understanding explosive costs is fundamental to efficient raiding. Here are the key numbers for the most common structures:
Stone Wall: 2 C4, or 4 Rockets, or 10 Satchel Charges Sheet Metal Wall: 2 C4, or 4 Rockets, or 4 Satchel Charges (but usually better to go through stone) Armored Wall: 3 C4, or 8 Rockets, or 46 Satchel Charges Sheet Metal Door: 1 C4, or 2 Rockets, or 4 Satchel Charges Garage Door: 1 C4 + ~40 Explosive Ammo, or 3 Rockets, or 9 Satchel Charges Armored Door: 2 C4, or 4 Rockets, or 12 Satchel Charges
The cheapest raiding method per sulfur spent is usually a combination of Explosive Ammo (for doors) and Rockets (for walls). C4 is efficient but expensive to craft.
Raiding Economy: Sulfur Math
All raiding ultimately comes down to sulfur. Here is the sulfur cost per explosive:
- Satchel Charge: 480 sulfur (4 small stashes, 1 rope) -- cheapest per unit, unreliable (can dud)
- Rocket: 1,400 sulfur -- best for splash damage through multiple walls
- Timed Explosive (C4): 2,200 sulfur -- efficient per wall but no splash damage
- Explosive Ammo (5.56): 25 sulfur per round, roughly 200 rounds per sheet metal door = 5,000 sulfur
For a typical stone 2x2 raid, you need approximately 8 rockets (11,200 sulfur) to blow through two walls, or 4 C4 (8,800 sulfur) plus explosive ammo for doors. Always craft extra -- satchels can dud, and you may need to blow unexpected walls.
Online vs Offline Raiding
Offline raiding (raiding when the owners are logged off) is easier because there is no one shooting back or repairing walls. However, online raiding is more respected in the community and can be more profitable since players often have gear on them.
Online raiding tips: 1. Build a raid base nearby before starting -- you need a respawn point 2. Bring extra kits and leave them in the raid base 3. Seal rooms as you go through them to prevent the defenders from flanking 4. Have someone watch the roof for defenders trying to escape with loot 5. Expect counter-raids from neighbors attracted by the explosions
Offline raiding tips: 1. Scout the base first to find the weakest entry point 2. Go through doors when possible (cheaper than walls) 3. Check for external TCs that might block you from building 4. Be fast -- the owners might log on or neighbors might counter
Building a Raid Base
A raid base is a temporary structure near your target that serves as a respawn point, supply cache, and fallback position. Build it within 30-60 seconds running distance from the target.
Minimum raid base: 1x1 with a sleeping bag, storage box, and an airlock with metal doors. Stock it with spare weapons, ammo, meds, and building materials. If you die during the raid, you can quickly regear and return.
Advanced raid base: A 2x1 with a shooting floor that overlooks the target. Place auto turrets facing the target base. Stock multiple kits and extra explosives. This is essential for online raids where you expect heavy resistance.
Counter-Raiding
Counter-raiding means attacking raiders while they are busy raiding someone else. This is one of the most profitable activities in Rust because raiders carry enormous amounts of explosives and sulfur.
Listen for explosions -- they are audible from several grid squares away. Approach from behind the raiders, not from the base they are raiding. Wait until they are committed (actively blowing walls) before engaging, since they will be focused on the raid and low on meds.
Bring your best PvP gear and plenty of medical supplies. If you successfully counter, you can loot both the raiders' kits and whatever they already looted from the target base. Counter-raiding from a roof or elevated position is ideal.
Raiding Strategies by Base Type
2x1 / 2x2 bases: These are cheap to raid. Blow through one wall or two doors to reach the center. Check for bunkers -- many small bases use stability bunkers that add an extra layer.
Compound bases: Look for weak points. Compounds often have external TCs in cupboard shacks that you can raid first to gain building privilege. Then build up and over walls instead of blowing through them.
Cave bases: These are notoriously hard to raid. Only one entrance means attackers are funneled. If you must raid a cave, bring excessive explosives and expect heavy resistance at chokepoints.
Cliff bases: Check if you can build raid towers on cliffs above the base. Often you can bypass multiple layers by coming from an unexpected angle. Bring ladders as a backup entry method.