Facepunch posted a development update on November 5, 2026, detailing the Rust blueprint rework update. The announcement covers new blueprint tiers, the Uzi 9mm, gamepad support, livestock changes, shears, the lighthouse deep sea unlock, crocodile pie, and a wool armour insert.
What changed
Workbenches no longer require blueprint fragments to craft, and scrap isn’t used on the tech trees. Three blueprint tiers replace the old system: blueprint fragments, blueprint pages, and blueprint books. Each tier is spent on its corresponding tech tree level. Items can still be researched with scrap at the research table.
The lowest tier blueprint can be found in common loot sources like barrels and boxes, and it can be upgraded into the next tier. Puzzle rooms and harder content remain the fastest way to progress.
The old blueprint fragment system caused friction in early game progression, especially for players with less time. Basic fragment spawn locations made transitioning to a Workbench level 2 difficult. Players who couldn’t compete weren’t just slowed down, they were locked out.
Workbench upgrades that previously reduced scrap used on the tech tree have been reworked. The salvage workbench upgrade now has a 20% chance to not consume a blueprint. The prototype workbench upgrade now has a flat 25% success rate, and the cost doubling is removed.
The Uzi 9mm Submachine Gun is added. It has two firing modes depending on stock configuration. When folded, the weapon is automatic and compatible with shields. When unfolded, it becomes semi-automatic and gains increased accuracy. Holding the fire mode button switches between modes.
Gamepad support arrives via Steam Input. Controller functionality is available across core gameplay. The inventory and crafting UI uses a stick cursor by default, with a D-pad toggle in the new gamepad options screen. Not every feature has dedicated gamepad support yet, but the developers will continue to add more over time.
Livestock changes make animals more intuitive and less punishing. Buying a cow or having it eat at your trough makes you its owner, with no need to stay near it. Cows no longer die of old age, and instead of dying from starvation they lie down at 1 hp. Trough UI now shows how long it can sustain a group of cows. Cows can eat any food a horse can. Overgrazing is gone; having enough grass makes cows eat at the trough half as often. UI shows owner, pregnancy status, father, cooldowns, dung, and milk/wool cooldowns. Cows store up to 3 milk. Recessive genes are hinted at in the UI and by the NPC buyer. Personal space need is simplified to measure pen area. Free range owned cows stop reproducing past 6, indoor cows stop when space is insufficient, and unowned cows don’t reproduce. Cow names are based on the owner’s locale, not server language ratios. Lead break distance is increased, and cows mirror player speed when led. Bugs causing cows to not eat, wrong UI, no collision, or heads clipping through walls are fixed. A new animal stat, Potential, measures happiness during childhood and is locked in at adulthood, multiplying rewards. Only captive-born animals can have potential. Players can now pet cows and sheep.
Shears are added as a new weapon for sheep farms. They produce more wool and cannot hurt the sheep if the player misses the wool. Shears are a default blueprint and require a Level 1 workbench to craft.
The regular deep sea cycle now starts once the lighthouse is repaired. It opens immediately after repair, and the cycle continues normally. Multiple lighthouses share the same resource and progress; repairing one repairs them all. Maps without a lighthouse start with the deep sea cycle active.
Crocodile Pie can be crafted on the cooking workbench using crocodile meat. It intimidates nearby animals, including wolves, bears, boars, sharks, and bees. Rams and bulls won’t flee but also won’t charge. A rich version with double the duration is also available.
A wool armour insert is included, but no further details were provided in the announcement.
Who it affects
The blueprint rework affects all players progressing through tech trees, especially those with limited playtime who were locked out of Workbench level 2 under the old system. Gamepad support benefits players using controllers. Livestock changes, shears, and the wool armour insert affect farmers and ranchers. The lighthouse change affects servers with lighthouses, and crocodile pie is useful for jungle players and livestock farmers.
If you couldn’t compete, you weren’t just slowed down, you were locked out.
For every announcement from Facepunch, keep an eye on the Rust update tracker.
