Comprehensive Rust Keycards Guide: Types, Locations, and Puzzles

In this article, we will discuss Rust’s keycards — their features, acquisition methods, and all possible locations. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned player, this guide will provide you with essential information on these valuable items. We will explore the different types of keycards, where to find them, and the corresponding puzzles associated with each.

Rust brings in a fresh and unique idea. It uses differently coloured keycards along with puzzles placed all over the map. This gives players another way to get rare items, without having to defeat AI opponents for loot. 

Types of Keycards in Rust

Rust features three main types of keycards: Green, blue, and red. Each type has unique features:

• Green Keycard: The basic entry-level keycard is found through looting or trades.
• Blue Keycard: A more advanced keycard that can be found within fish after gutting them.
• Red Keycard: The highest-tier keycard, it has limited swipes and is harder to obtain.

Keycards Acquisition and Trading in Rust

• The blue keycard can be obtained by purchasing it from the outpost for 100 scrap. This eliminates the need to loot a green keycard monument.
• Keycards can also be traded for scrap at the bandit camp. However, it’s recommended only for green keycards due to the higher value they hold in monument puzzles.
• Avoid trading higher-tier keycards like blue and red, as their potential loot value outweighs the scrap gained from trading.

Keycards Locations and Usage in Rust

• Green Keycard: Commonly found on scientists’ bodies and inside fish after gutting.
• Blue Keycard: Obtainable from fish after gutting, including catfish, orange roughy, salmon, a
• nd small sharks.
• Red Keycard: Acquireable from various in-game sources; Harder to obtain and more valuable.

Keycards Durability and Usage Limits in Rust

• Each keycard has limited durability, allowing a specific number of puzzle interactions.
• The green keycard can be swiped 4 times, the blue keycard 4 times, and the red keycard only 2 times.
• Unfortunately, keycards cannot be repaired at repair benches, making their use finite.

Also Read: Rust 2023 Gunplay Update: Exploring New Recoil Patterns and Mechanics

All Possible Monument-Specific Keycard Locations in Rust

1) Junkyard

The initial destination to consider is the junkyard. Upon reviewing the surroundings, it becomes evident that the green keycard can be found within the office situated above the bridge. Upon ascending, you can locate the keycard on the desk. Players often occupy the highest point of recycling or the magnet crane below. 

2) Lighthouse

At the lighthouse, you’ll come across a green keycard located within the office room to the right of its base. Exercise caution, as players above might spot you and camp after hearing your entry. It is better to take the card swiftly and exit as soon as possible.

3) Supermarket

Moving on to the next location for keycard exploration, we have the supermarket. Within this establishment, you’ll discover the green keycard positioned on the desk in the backroom to the left. This building offers the safest method for acquiring the keycard due to its easy and efficient approach.

4) Underwater Labs

Deep within the underwater labs, green keycards are scattered on the floor or workbenches in randomly generated modules. While we can’t pinpoint their exact locations due to their randomised nature, one of the most obvious spots is a keycard placement near the lockers surrounding a central computer room. It’s placed before the computer room, on the floor.

5) Puzzle Room

Another keycard site presents a puzzle room containing green and blue keycards. Swipe your green keycard, insert an electric fuse, toggle timers, and open the puzzle room using the blue keycard. Inside, you’ll find the green keycard resting on a workbench.

6) Small Oil Rig

The small oil rig serves as yet another keycard location, housing a green keycard concealed behind a blue puzzle door. To access it, ascend to the rig’s highest level, eliminate any scientists guarding the door, and employ your blue keycard to unlock it.

Also Read: The Ultimate Rust Farming and Genetics Guide

7) Large Oil Rig

On the large oil rig, you can acquire a green keycard behind a green puzzle door. With the door powered, swipe your existing green keycard to open it. Inside, find the keycard resting on the right-side desk for swift collection.

8) Small Harbour 

The small harbour houses a blue keycard in a locked room within the two-story container building. Once you’ve powered up the building, utilise your green keycard to access the upstairs door. Retrieve the blue card from the table on the left, next to the loot boxes.

9) Large Harbour

In the large harbour central puzzle, place a fuse, activate the switch, and unlock the green keycard door. Inside, secure the blue card on the table. This location may vary based on the harbour layout.

10) Sewer Branch

Inside the sewer branch’s underground tunnel system lies a blue keycard. Start by locating the main power building and activating the puzzle room below with a fuse and a switch. Access the sewer system with your green keycard, and find the blue keycard on a table at its centre.

11) Water Treatment Plant

At the water treatment plant, solving the puzzle entails activating switches, managing timers, and utilising your blue keycard. Following these steps, you can access the final loot room where the red keycard is found on a desk. This intricate process offers valuable rewards.

12) Airfield

The airfield houses a red keycard in its underground puzzle room. Be cautious of AI enemies while you search for fuses, set timers in motion, and traverse through doors requiring green and blue keycards. Upon entering the ultimate loot chamber, ensure the red keycard’s safety by placing it on a desk amidst the assorted rewards.

13) Power Plant

Lastly, within the power plant, you’ll come across a red keycard situated within its blue puzzle room. Successfully navigating this area involves a meticulous process of managing switches, fuses, and keycards to unlock doors. Upon reaching the loot room, you’ll find the red keycard positioned on a desk.

Final Thoughts

From the initial green keycard to the sought-after red keycard, you’re equipped with the understanding to navigate puzzles and unveil valuable rewards. With this guide, you’re well-prepared to thrive in Rust’s challenging environment and locate keycards for high-tier treasures. Enjoy your exploration and have fun! Hopefully, this article has effectively detailed each keycard and its corresponding spawn locations.

Also Read: 12 Essential Tips for Rust Beginners: A Guide to Getting Started

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Is the Significance of Rust’s Keycards and Puzzle System?

Rust’s keycards and puzzle system revolutionises resource acquisition by removing the requirement to defeat NPCs for loot. This system encourages exploration, critical thinking, and cooperation among players to solve puzzles and reap the rewards.

Where Can I Find a Blue Keycard?

Blue Keycard can be acquired in Rust from various places. One common method is to use a green keycard to enter a roofed building, where you’ll discover a blue keycard on a desk. Another option is to gather a green keycard and a fuse and locate a blue keycard at Small Harbour.

Can I Reuse Keycards After Using Them Once?

No, In Rust, keycards are generally consumed upon use. Once you’ve used a keycard to unlock a door or access an area, it’s typically not reusable.