Rust Server Wipe Schedules: Monthly, Biweekly, and Custom
Rust's gameplay loop is built around the progression-reset cycle. Understanding wipes -- what gets reset, how often, and how to set them up -- is foundational for any Rust server owner.
What wiping is
A wipe resets some or all player progression on a Rust server. Without wipes, established players accumulate so many resources and blueprints that new players cannot compete, and population drops off. Wipes are a deliberate design feature of Rust, not a workaround. They are central to how the game works.
Server owners choose their wipe frequency based on community size, player preferences, and playstyle. The right schedule for a 10-player community server is different from the right schedule for a 100-slot competitive server.
Facepunch's forced wipe
Facepunch forces a wipe on the first Thursday of every month, timed with a major game update. This affects every Rust server in existence; server owners cannot opt out or delay it.
On forced wipe day, all map data is wiped across all servers. Blueprint wipes on forced wipe day are optional -- server owners choose whether to include blueprints. Most do a full wipe (map and blueprints) on the monthly forced wipe.
Plan for downtime around forced wipe day. Both the game client update and the server binary update need to download before the server can restart. Announce this to your community in advance.
What gets wiped
Map wipe
The terrain, all player-built structures, dropped loot, and gathered resources are reset. The world generates fresh from the server seed and world size. This is the most common type of wipe.
Blueprint wipe
All player research progress is reset. Players start with only default blueprints. More disruptive than a map wipe alone; many communities do this only on the monthly forced wipe, not between wipes.
Full wipe
Both map and blueprints are reset simultaneously. This is what Facepunch does on major forced wipes and what most servers do at minimum monthly.
Player data wipe
Some server configurations store additional player stats or progression via plugins. These may need wiping separately depending on your plugin setup.
Optional wipes between forced wipes
Server owners can run additional wipes between monthly forced wipes. These are fully optional.
| Frequency | Typical server type |
|---|---|
| Weekly | High-population servers, battle-royale style, competitive |
| Biweekly | Mid-size community servers, balance between freshness and progress |
| Monthly only | Solo/duo/trio servers, small communities, long-form play |
Blueprint wipes are controversial. Many established players prefer not to have blueprints reset. Do what fits your community rather than copying the most popular servers.
Configuring wipes in server.cfg
A map wipe is performed by changing the server.seed value in your server configuration. Changing the seed to a different number causes the server to generate a new map on the next restart. Changing server.worldsize also triggers a new map.
There is no single "wipe" command. A map wipe is: stop server, change the seed, delete the old save files, restart. Blueprint wipes require deleting the player.blueprints data files.
Our panel provides controls for seed changes and server restarts. The process is documented in the Rust server guide available in the panel.
Automating wipes
Scheduled restarts can be set up to coincide with your wipe schedule so the server automatically restarts with the new seed at a specified time. For biweekly wipes, a cron-style scheduled task can trigger the restart on the correct day.
Important note on automated seed cycling
Full automated seed cycling (automatically generating a new random seed each wipe) is a roadmap feature, not currently available in the panel. For now, manual seed changes are required before each wipe restart. Scheduled restarts handle the restart timing; the seed update is a manual step.
Discord bots like Rustcord can announce upcoming wipes automatically, count down in a channel, and alert players. Rustmaps.com lets you generate and share a preview of the next map seed before the wipe, which builds anticipation.
Communicating wipes to your players
- Post your wipe schedule clearly in your server description (visible in the in-game server browser) and in your Discord.
- Pin a #wipe-info channel with the schedule, the upcoming seed if pre-generated, and what type of wipe it is.
- GameTracker and similar server tracking sites display wipe day information if you have an active listing.
- Unexpected wipes outside your schedule should be announced with as much notice as possible. Players lose real time invested in bases.
- Share a map preview image from Rustmaps.com before the wipe to build interest in the new map.
Running a Rust server?
Our panel handles restarts and scheduling. See our Rust hosting plans and what is included.
Frequently asked questions
When does Rust force a wipe?
Facepunch forces a wipe on the first Thursday of every month, timed with the monthly game update. All Rust servers are required to wipe; server owners cannot opt out of the forced wipe.
What is the difference between a map wipe and a blueprint wipe in Rust?
A map wipe resets the terrain, all player buildings, resources, and loot. A blueprint wipe resets all player research progress, so everyone starts over with default recipes only. They can be done together or separately.
How do I set up a wipe schedule on my Rust server?
A map wipe is performed by changing the server.seed value in your server config, deleting the old save files, and restarting the server. Scheduled restarts can automate the restart itself; the seed change currently needs to be done manually before each wipe.
How often should I wipe my Rust server?
It depends on your server population and community. High-population servers often wipe weekly. Mid-size communities typically wipe biweekly. Small community servers commonly wipe monthly, aligning with Facepunch's forced wipe.
Can I avoid the Facepunch forced wipe?
No. The forced wipe on the first Thursday of each month is mandatory for all Rust servers. You cannot delay or skip it. You can choose whether to include a blueprint wipe alongside the forced map wipe.
How do I announce a wipe to my Rust community?
Post the schedule in your server description, Discord server, and any community forums. Discord bots like Rustcord can automate countdown announcements. Many servers also share a map preview image from Rustmaps.com before the wipe.