RUST’s Primitive Game Mode is an officially supported and optional server setting. Like hard and softcore modes, it strips away most modern and end-game content, leaving players in a near-permanent “primitive” state.
It removes or restricts advanced weapons, monuments, NPCs, and building tiers, forcing gameplay to revolve around simpler technology and siege-style raids. RUST server owners can further adjust how primitive (or advanced) the game experience is by selecting different “Eras,” each unlocking slightly more gear and crafting options to the player base.
This game mode was officially added to the live game in the February 2025’s Primitive Update.
How to Enable RUST’s Primitive Game Mode
The RUST Primitive Game Mode is enabled by server admins with access to the start-up configuration and is done by setting and ensuring the following console variable runs at server initialization:
server.gamemode primitive
This particular game mode also comes with various Eras, each with differing levels of development, that will help shape and enhance this desired experience. Due to the drastic changes to every aspect of the game, we cover each category impacted and touch on everything, from restricted weapons to monument removal.
Command
Value
Description
server.gamemode
primitive
Enables/disables the primitive gamemode
server.era
primitive
Allows for era selection to alter how the game mode works. It may be toggled through all eras by administrative command while the game is live. See above for the full list.
npc_spawn_on_junkpile
true
Enables scientist NPCs to spawn on roadside junkpiles, overwritten by scientist_spawners_enabled
scientist_spawners_enabled
false
Allows for spawn locations across the entire map to spawn their respective NPC scientists
enforce_era_restrictions
Deletes all restricted items that somehow circumvent existing restrictions
This particular game convar system is still very much experimental. Everything is subject to change.
Eras in Primitive Game Mode
The Primitive Game Mode is simply a list of rules and restrictions implied upon a server, as formerly done by modded servers to achieve a particular style of play. Chief amongst these rules are alterations to what weapons, building materials, and ammunition players may utilize.
As game time progresses through this game mode, server owners have the option to introduce a new age of development or Era. Each Era is another tier of this game mode, with its unique lists of what is restricted (or opened up) as it is converted from the former Era. The methodology of eras shifting, beyond manual admin commands, is currently unknown.
There are technically five different Eras that are available as changeable convars, listed as follows:
Era
Convar
Returns
None
server.era none
“Unknown”
Primitive
server.era primitive
“Primitive”
Medieval
server.era medieval
“Medieval”
Frontier
server.era frontier
“Frontier”
Rust
server.era rust
“Modern”
None
The None Era setting is presumably a placeholder, as invoking the command in the console will result in the output of “Unknown,” and all restrictions are lifted, returning the game to default vanilla play mode.
Primitive
Setting the Era Primitive is the most restrictive of all era functions, limiting items, monuments, and NPC spawns around the map. These changes are listed below in greater detail.
Medieval
Medieval is equally as taxing as primitive, with two notable exceptions. The Revolver, Blunderbuss, and Double Barrel Shotguns are enabled, allowing for the crafting and acquiring of them from crates.
Frontier
At the time, Frontier and Medieval were not differentiable, with both having the same restrictions and allowances.
Rust
The Rust Era setting defaults everything back to the base game, with no restrictions and no discernable differentiation from the most vanilla form of the game.
Items Disabled
To solidify this mode’s concept, and by extension, each Era, quite a few items have been restricted from the loot table entirely. These restricted items should not be accessible in any form, and while they might appear on NPC Vending Machines, they should not be accessible when attempting to make an in-person purchase or through the Drone system.
Every item restricted from Primitive mode is listed, with specific notations made on those re-enabled on Medieval or Frontier.
Weapons
8x Zoom Scope
Abyss Assault Rifle
Assault Rifle
Assault Rifle – ICE
Blunderbuss (Allowed on Medieval & Frontier)
Bolt Action Rifle
Custom SMG
Double Barrel Shotgun (Allowed on Medieval & Frontier Modes)
Dragon Rocket Launcher
Extended Magazine
F1 Grenade
Flame Thrower
Flashbang
Gas Compression Overdrive
Handmade SMG
High Caliber Revolver
HMLMG
Holosight
Homing Missile Launcher
L96 Rifle
LR-300 Assault Rifle
M249
M39 Rifle
M4 Shotgun
M92 Pistol
Medieval AR
Military Flame Thrower
Minigun
MP5A4
Multiple Grenade Launcher
Muzzle Boost
Muzzle Brake
Nailgun
Prototype 17
Pump Shotgun
Python Revolver
Revolver (Allowed on Medieval & Frontier Modes)
Rocket Launcher
Semi-Automatic Pistol
Semi-Automatic Rifle
Silencer
Simple Handmade Sight
SKS
Spas-12 Shotgun
Thompson
Variable Zoom Scope
Weapon Lasersight
Construction
Armored Door
Armored Double Door
Items
Workbench Level 3
Attire
Hockey Mask
Ice Metal Chest Plate
Ice Metal Facemask
Metal Chest Plate
Metal Facemask
Tools
Chainsaw (This may be obtained through default lootable boxes, but not via vendors.)
Jackhammer (This may be obtained through default lootable boxes, but not via vendors.)
Timed Explosive Charge
Satchel Charge (This may be found and learned to craft, but not directly researchable from the Tech Tree.)
Ammunition
12 Gauge Buckshot
12 Gauge Incendiary Shell
12 Gauge Slug
40mm HE Grenade
40mm Shotgun Round
40mm Smoke Grenade
5.56 Rifle Ammo
Explosive 5.56 Rifle Ammo
High Velocity Rocket
Homing Missile
HV 5.56 Rifle Ammo
HV Pistol Ammo
Incendiary 5.56 Rifle Ammo
Incendiary Pistol Bullet
Incendiary Rocket
MLRS Rocket
Nailgun Nails
Pistol Ammo (This can be found in the world and used in revolvers in Medieval or later, and even learned, but cannot be crafted by players.)
Rocket
Traps
SAM Site
Components
Metal Spring
MLRS Aiming Module
Rifle Body
Semi Automatic Body
SMG Body
Monuments Disabled
In addition to the loot table being considerably restrictive, so are end-game monuments. Early indicators point to the Nuclear Missile Silo, both types of Oil Rig, Giant Excavator, and Underwater Labs being left off of the procedurally generated checklist if Primitive mode is initiated correctly.
Servers that enable the mode after a map is generated will still see the monuments spawn. However, their scientists and loot crates will be automatically adjusted to restrict all the items listed above while maintaining the same difficulty level.
Since all scientists have been removed (see below), this also means that areas such as the Underground Rail Network will be blocked off using various methods.
Non-Player Characters Disabled
Imagine a chirp-free world; what is RUST without those blue bush wookies jumping out of nowhere along the road and stealing both our health and capacity for rational thought? Well, that is exactly what is going to happen, with all versions of gun-wielding hostility being removed from the wild and monuments.
But that’s not all! In addition to your friendly neighborhood scientists disappearing, so will their big, mechanical brothers. No Cargo Ship, Patrol Helicopter, or Bradley APC events will spawn while Primitive mode is enabled.
Building Restrictions
Since all end-game raiding implements have been stripped away via item limitations, it makes sense that those taking part in this game mode are equally restricted in how defensive their bases can be built. This being said, the most significant building changes are as follows:
Upgrading to Metal is prohibited.
Upgrading to High Quality Metal is prohibited.
The Single and Double Armored Doors are disabled and are not obtainable.
Players may use turrets, but guns are restricted to almost nothing, and ammunition will be considerably more challenging to obtain.
Transportation Restrictions & Revisions
The Primitive Game Mode significantly impacts the available modes of transportation found in the vanilla game. While the Horse Population has doubled, players can not purchase the following vehicles at the Air Wolf Shop:
Minicopters
Scrap Transport Helicopters
Attack Helicopters
Workbench Revisions
With everything else taking a few steps back, things are not getting any cheaper. While many items are being removed from workbenches altogether, learning the rest will surely cost more. Tentative taxation rates for workbenches are as follows:
Workbench Level 1 – Increased to 10% when using the tech tree
Workbench Level 2 – Increased to 20% when using the tech tree
Players may still learn items found in the wild or through trading through a research table. Caution is advised, as learning things like Pistol Ammo is still active, yet crafting it isn’t.
Other items that aren’t restricted, such as the Pressure Pad, will have this component removed from the crafting requirement while in Primitive Mode, as it typically has a restricted component requirement.
Depending on the Era set, specific workbenches are either disabled or have aspects they usually have integrated into other lower or higher-tier workbenches.
Holiday Changes
As with all other loot tables, holiday events such as Easter, Halloween, and Christmas that provide loot receptacles not commonly available throughout the year will retroactively have their loot tables restricted or restructured to compensate for those items that should not be available. This will impact loot dropped via the holidays’ unique NPC drops, airdrops, or dungeon drops.
Missions
Restricted weapons or items that were previous mission rewards are modified while Primitive mode is active. These items have either been replaced with a lower-tier equivalent or changed to something new.
Auto Turrets
Believe it or not, despite exhaustive changes to the weapon system with restrictions out of the proverbial wazoo, auto-turrets remain! Not only are players still able to wire them up, but they can insert any bow type their heart desires, and there are currently no restrictions on arrows usable, either.
Resource Reduction
In addition to other forms of progression-gating, one of the chief changes players may or may not notice is a sulfur node nerf. Right off the top, 50% fewer sulfur nodes will spawn worldwide, making an acquisition considerably more tedious, particularly before people farm up Diesel Fuel to run in quarries.
One significant trade-off, however, is that the new siege vehicle raiding ammunitions often substitute the traditional requirement of sulfur and gunpowder for alternate materials, like high-quality metal and metal fragments.
Server Tag
Like all other game modes, the Primitive mode comes complete with its searchable server tag. While this is hit or miss with community or modded servers, all Official RUST servers should be listed with Primitive as a server tag where applicable. You can add this tag to your server by doing the following:
Add this convar to your server startup configuration file, and set your server tags to the following:
server.gamemode primitive
server.tags vanilla,primitive
Raiding
One primary new feature brought in simultaneously with the Primitive Gamemode that slightly offsets some of the item restrictions is Siege Weapons.
Included in this category are the:
Ballista
Mounted Ballista
Battering Ram
Catapult
Siege Tower
On the defensive side, a base feature called the Ballista (not to be confused with the wheeled Mounted version) was added to help combat would-be marauders. While there won’t be room enough in this guide to go into detail, be sure to check out our Siege Weapon Raiding guide.
Final thoughts on the Primitive Game Mode
We’re very excited to see the Primitive Game Mode introduced to RUST, as it will offer yet another valuable option for official, community, and modded servers to provide an alternative experience to what will still very much be the RUST experience. For many, some of the best portions of wipe take place when things are very primitive, and this game mode will do a great job of extending that.
