Improve your Server/Client Performance - Rust
As a Rust server owner, you want to provide the best possible gameplay experience for your players while also ensuring that your server runs smoothly. In this article, we'll explore some tips and tricks to help improve your Rust server/client performance. Be mindful that some of these tips do impact the gameplay experience which generally are against the rules for Official and even Community servers. However all of these tips are 100% okay within the Modded section of Rust. We'll indicate each tip accordingly so it's clear if it's allowed within each section, however we are not liable for any rules broken from yourself if you use any tips here that are against any guidelines within Rust, or potentially ones later on. To stay up to date, here's the current server owner guidelines created by Facepunch themselves.
Before diving into the tips below, it's important to note that there are many variables that can impact your Rust server's performance, and these tips are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Generally, the largest factors that can cause performance issues are the overall player count and the number of entities on the map. Additionally, having too many plugins can also impact performance, so it's important to keep your mods/plugins to a minimum and optimize them as much as possible. Hardware limitations can also be a factor and can contribute to over-usage of mods/plugins and entities/players. To get a more in-depth understanding of server performance, we recommend checking out Corrosionhour's article on the subject, which covers each topic in great detail.
Link: https://www.corrosionhour.com/rust-server-performance/
Not allowed on Official/Community servers, only Modded
The Circular Network Distance plugin modifies Rust's network system to use a circular version, which reduces networking costs at the same view distance. This optimization is free and has allowed huge server networks to push an extra 100 server pop on wipe with minimal lag. Using this on maximum settings with lower network distance offers an extreme performance boost over vanilla settings. It's easy to install, and you can customize the far and near view distances to suit your needs.
Link: https://codefling.com/plugins/circular-network-distance
Not allowed on Official/Community servers, only Modded
The No Building Debris plugin removes the gibs entirely from destroyed assets within the game, vastly reducing performance drops, especially client-side. This plugin is great for large servers with many bases and can improve the visual experience for players.
Link: https://lone.design/product/no-building-debris/
Not allowed on Official servers, only Modded and Community
After a tool cupboard (TC) is destroyed, bases can become inactive, taking up server resources. The decay.upkeep_grief_protection command can prevent this by setting a limit on how long the upkeep cost lasts after the TC is destroyed. This can help keep your server running smoothly and reduce lag if this value is reduced.
Admin Command: decay.upkeep_grief_protection
Default: 1440 (24 hours)
Allowed on all types of servers
Having a high FPS limit can cause more deviation, which can be felt as lag spikes. Most large server owners typically cap their FPS between 30-60 to reduce these vast fluctuations and meaningless hardware usage. You can use the fps.limit command to set your FPS limit and reduce lag.
Admin Command: fps.limit
Default: 256
Recommended value: 30-60
Allowed on all types of servers
Chickens are small and don't provide many resources when killed, making them less necessary in Rust. You can disable chickens entirely using the chicken.population command, which reduces the general AI usage and assists with server performance.
Admin Command: chicken.population
Default: 1
Not allowed on Official/Community servers, only Modded
The Bodies to Bags plugin turns player corpses into backpacks instantly, which reduces server lag caused by player corpses. This plugin allows you to raise the corpse duration for animals, while having player corpses turn into backpacks instantly.
Link: https://umod.org/plugins/bodies-to-bags
In conclusion, these tips and tricks can potentially help improve your Rust server/client performance and provide a smoother gameplay experience for your players. By optimizing your server's performance, you can attract more players and build a better community. Try these tips out and see the difference for yourself!
Before diving into the tips below, it's important to note that there are many variables that can impact your Rust server's performance, and these tips are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Generally, the largest factors that can cause performance issues are the overall player count and the number of entities on the map. Additionally, having too many plugins can also impact performance, so it's important to keep your mods/plugins to a minimum and optimize them as much as possible. Hardware limitations can also be a factor and can contribute to over-usage of mods/plugins and entities/players. To get a more in-depth understanding of server performance, we recommend checking out Corrosionhour's article on the subject, which covers each topic in great detail.
Link: https://www.corrosionhour.com/rust-server-performance/
Circular Network Distance Plugin
Not allowed on Official/Community servers, only Modded
The Circular Network Distance plugin modifies Rust's network system to use a circular version, which reduces networking costs at the same view distance. This optimization is free and has allowed huge server networks to push an extra 100 server pop on wipe with minimal lag. Using this on maximum settings with lower network distance offers an extreme performance boost over vanilla settings. It's easy to install, and you can customize the far and near view distances to suit your needs.
Link: https://codefling.com/plugins/circular-network-distance
No Building Debris Plugin
Not allowed on Official/Community servers, only Modded
The No Building Debris plugin removes the gibs entirely from destroyed assets within the game, vastly reducing performance drops, especially client-side. This plugin is great for large servers with many bases and can improve the visual experience for players.
Link: https://lone.design/product/no-building-debris/
Decay Upkeep Grief Protection Command
Not allowed on Official servers, only Modded and Community
After a tool cupboard (TC) is destroyed, bases can become inactive, taking up server resources. The decay.upkeep_grief_protection command can prevent this by setting a limit on how long the upkeep cost lasts after the TC is destroyed. This can help keep your server running smoothly and reduce lag if this value is reduced.
Admin Command: decay.upkeep_grief_protection
Default: 1440 (24 hours)
FPS Limit Command
Allowed on all types of servers
Having a high FPS limit can cause more deviation, which can be felt as lag spikes. Most large server owners typically cap their FPS between 30-60 to reduce these vast fluctuations and meaningless hardware usage. You can use the fps.limit command to set your FPS limit and reduce lag.
Admin Command: fps.limit
Default: 256
Recommended value: 30-60
Chicken Population Command
Allowed on all types of servers
Chickens are small and don't provide many resources when killed, making them less necessary in Rust. You can disable chickens entirely using the chicken.population command, which reduces the general AI usage and assists with server performance.
Admin Command: chicken.population
Default: 1
Bodies to Bags Plugin
Not allowed on Official/Community servers, only Modded
The Bodies to Bags plugin turns player corpses into backpacks instantly, which reduces server lag caused by player corpses. This plugin allows you to raise the corpse duration for animals, while having player corpses turn into backpacks instantly.
Link: https://umod.org/plugins/bodies-to-bags
In conclusion, these tips and tricks can potentially help improve your Rust server/client performance and provide a smoother gameplay experience for your players. By optimizing your server's performance, you can attract more players and build a better community. Try these tips out and see the difference for yourself!
Updated on: 10/04/2023
Thank you!