The RUST research table was originally introduced into RUST in Devblog 158. Shortly after, it was subsequently removed and then re-introduced again in Devblog 180 along with an improved Blueprint 3.0, scrap, and three-tiered workbench system. In the simplest terms, it allows players to create item blueprints from the items they have. Once an item blueprint is created, it can then be memorized by the player, if they choose to, which will allow them to permanently craft that memorized item.
However, apart from its primary use, there are other interesting usages and things to note about research tables, such as crafting a research table on an official server is also one of the many RUST achievements to accomplish.
What is a RUST Research Table?
The RUST research table is a core piece of the game’s crafting and blueprint systems. It enables players to research items they acquire across the game world and create tradeable blueprints of these items.
Once a blueprint is created, it can then be traded, stored, or memorized. When memorized, these blueprints permanently allow a player to craft the newly learned item using the appropriate crafting tables and necessary ingredients. All memorized items are permanently bound to the player for the server in which they were memorized. This fact is why many players prefer to stay with a RUST server during wipe cycles, as many players do not like losing their blueprints.
Secondary uses for the Research Table
Players can choose to craft tables and place them both in or outside of their base designs, as they can also be placed outside on the ground. Notably, research tables can also be picked up and stored away in a player’s inventory or other containers, without the table taking damage. This flexibility allows tables to be utilized when necessary and stowed away when they’re not in use.
Many base designers enjoy taking advantage of this detail in their base designs since it adds a great utility for jump-ups and can be removed when it is not needed in order to save space. For base designs that feature the research table as more of a permanent feature, the entity itself has space below it for the placement of a small box, which helps to increase the storage capacity of the space.
The RUST research table has a few secondary uses, such as:
Identifying the workbench level needed to craft a given item
Use it to view a given item’s required research cost
An additional place to store a stack of scrap
Use as a removable staircase alternative to access upper floors
Memorizing rare items on-the-go to reduce risk of loss
How to create a Research Table
On vanilla servers, research tables are a default item available in player crafting menus when spawning into the game world. In order to craft a research table, players must be standing near a work bench level 1, or greater. Crafting a single table with a work bench level 1 takes approximately 60 seconds to complete and requires the following ingredients in a players inventory:
200 Metal Fragments
20 Scrap
How to use a RUST Research Table
Using a research table is quite simple, but you will need to ensure you have the materials necessary to complete the research, which includes the item to blueprint and the required scrap for research. Use the RUST Research Costs table lower in this post to identify the exact amounts needed.
Follow these steps to use the RUST research table:
Move near the table and press the E button
The table’s & inventory screen will open
Move the item to research into the top slot
Add the required amount of scrap to the bottom slot
Press the Begin Research button
Creating a Blueprint – Screen States
After the Begin Research button is clicked, a 10-second timer will begin to count down inside of the screen and an audible sound can be heard by all players in the vicinity. Players can walk away from the table if they choose and the research will continue, but be warned, other players can walk up and loot the resulting blueprint or resources, so take care. If you add more scrap than necessary, be sure to remove it when done, otherwise, other players can take it.
When the blueprint research is complete, the blueprint will appear in the top slot as an item blueprint icon. Players can choose to move this new blueprint into their inventory, put it in a storage container, trade it to another player, sell it in a vending machine, or they can use the Right Click mouse button on the blueprint icon to permanently memorize it to their crafting list.
Once a blueprint is memorized, with the required resources, the items can now be crafted on the same game server that the blueprint was memorized on.
Where to find RUST Research Tables
There are many RUST research tables spread across the game world inside of various monuments. Players will also find them while roaming the map inside decaying bases, or while actively raiding, and while looting containers on roadsides or in monuments. Sometimes, players will run into a miscellaneous table out in the wilderness. This is often attributed to players who ventured into monuments and brought a table with them. Thanks to this tactic, these players are able to quickly memorize the rare items that they’ve collected and reduce the risk of losing their precious items if met with opposition when returning to their bases.
That said, finding a research table can be tricky, as it is difficult to identify which monuments have research tables as they’re not specified on the map. Also, consider that RUST is still under development, and monuments, along with the rest of the game, are subject to change. We’ve put together a list of all of RUST’s research table locations, with an overhead view and description of how to access them.
