
August 8, 2025 · 1 day ago
Ever found yourself sprinting through the wild, unforgiving and brutal world of Rust, with your heart racing, dodging bullets and dreaming of that one crate that could change everything? Yeah, just like all of us who play Rust! As you know, you gotta outsmart everyone else in the server, so it’s more than just crafting and building your base.
This is where the keycards come in - these colored little cards are like your VIP pass to some of the best loot in Rust. Knowing how to use these cards can turn you from a scrappy underdog to a server-dominant legend. So if you’d like to learn how to use keycards in Rust, as well as everything else about them, keep on reading!
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What Are Keycards in Rust?
Keycards in Rust are your ticket to unlocking special rooms stuffed with crates full of weapons, resources, and sometimes even rarer keycards. Think of them as the game’s version of a backstage pass, but instead of meeting the band, you’re dodging scientists and solving puzzles. There are three types-green, blue, and red, with each matching a specific door color at monuments across the map. The higher you go up the color chain, the better the loot gets. Green’s your starting point, blue kicks it up a notch, and red? Oh, red’s the stuff dreams are made of. But it’s not all smooth sailing, as other players are always lurking, ready to swipe your loot.

Here’s the deal: keycards respawn about every 30 minutes, so if you miss one, you’ll get another shot. Green and blue cards last for four uses, but red ones only work twice before they break. You could trade them for scrap at the bandit camp, but honestly, why would you? The loot behind those doors is way more valuable.
Green Keycards: Your First Step to Greatness
Let’s start with the green keycards. These are the easiest to find and your entry point into Rust’s loot system. They open green doors at monuments, which usually have normal crates with solid early-game gear. Sometimes, you’ll even find a blue keycard inside, which is like finding a $20 bill in your pocket. The catch? These spots are well-known, so you’re not the only one hunting. Keep your eyes peeled and your weapon ready.

Where to Find Green Keycards
Here’s a quick rundown of where you can snag these green gems:
- Gas Station: Smash through the wooden boards to get to the office. The keycard’s just sitting on the desk, practically begging to be picked up.
- Junkyard: Climb up to the office on the bridge. Desk, keycard, done. Easy peasy.
- Lighthouse: Head to the base of the Lighthouse, find the office room, and, yup, there’s a keycard on the desk.
- Supermarket: Check the small building attached to the main store. Office desk, keycard. You’re getting the hang of this.
- Underwater Labs: These are trickier because the layout’s random. Look for desks or floors, but sometimes you’ll need a blue keycard to access them, so plan ahead.
- Small Oil Rig: On the top level, behind a locked blue door, the green keycard’s on the desk. Watch out for those patrolling scientists-they’re not friendly.
- Large Oil Rig: Unlock the green door, and you’ll find a keycard on the desk inside.
Pro Tip: Early in a wipe, green keycards are your best friend for gearing up fast. But don’t get cocky, those “chill” spots can turn into a warzone if another player shows up.
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Blue Keycards: Stepping Up the Game
Alright, ready to level up? Blue keycards are where things start getting exciting. You’ll usually find these behind green doors, which means you’re already in puzzle-solving mode. To open a green door, you’ll need an electric fuse to power the switch, so don’t leave your base without one. Blue keycards unlock blue doors, which have better crates and, most importantly, can lead you to red keycards. Fun fact: if you’re feeling lazy, you can buy blue keycards at the outpost for 100 scrap. Or, if you’re into fishing (no shame in that), there’s a 20% chance you’ll find one by gutting salmon, catfish, orange roughy, or small sharks. Who knew Rust had a fishing meta?

Blue Keycard Hotspots
Here’s where you can track down those blue keycards:
- Satellite: Look for the red shed near the big dish. Pop in a fuse, flip the switch out back, then use your green keycard on the locked door. The blue keycard’s waiting on the desk inside.
- Harbor: This one depends on the layout:
- Small Harbor: Head to the two-story container building. Insert a fuse on the first floor, go upstairs, use your green keycard, and grab the blue keycard from the desk on the left.
- Large Harbor: Find the small shed near the center, insert a fuse, flip the switch outside, then use your green keycard. The blue keycard’s on the desk.
- Sewer Branch: In the red aluminum power building, use a fuse, flip the switch, then head underground. Use your green keycard, go to the center, climb the stairs, and snag the blue keycard from the desk.
Blue doors mean better loot, but they also attract more attention. Other players know these spots are hot, so stay on your toes.
Red Keycards: The Ultimate Prize
Now we’re in the big leagues. Red keycards are the rarest and most rewarding, but they’re locked behind blue doors, so you’re in for a multi-step adventure. These bad boys open red doors, which guard normal crates, military crates, and the holy grail, elite crates. You’ll need fuses and all three keycards (green, blue, and red) to crack these puzzles, so come prepared. It’s like planning a heist, but with more scientists and fewer cool sunglasses.

Where to Use Red Keycards
Here’s where you can put those red keycards to work:
- Launch Site: Start with a green keycard in the building left of the grain silos, insert a fuse, and flip the switch. Then, at the office building with two blue cargo crate trucks, insert another fuse, head outside, and use your red keycard on the big building with the silo. Climb to the roof, careful on those rickety stairs, for the loot. To get out, hit the Auxiliary Power room on Floor 0, flip the switch, and use your red keycard again to escape.
- Military Tunnels: Insert a fuse in the Armory’s box, flip the switch to start a timer, then use a green keycard in the mines. Take out the scientist (they hit hard), flip another switch, and exit through a side tunnel crawling with more scientists. Use your blue keycard at the lab door, then your red keycard to access the crates.
- Small Oil Rig: On level four, under the helipad, use a blue keycard to enter the Admin building, then a red keycard for the back room’s loot.
- Large Oil Rig: On level six, unlock the small white building’s door with your red keycard.
- Underwater Labs: These are randomly generated, so stock up on fuses and all three keycards. Expect scientists and a complex puzzle that’ll test your patience.
Red keycards are the ultimate prize, but they come with serious risks. You’re not just solving puzzles, you’re surviving a gauntlet.
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Wrapping It Up
There you go, your complete guide to mastering keycards in Rust! From the humble green keycard to the elusive red one, each is a step toward dominating the server. But here’s the thing: it’s not just about finding the cards. It’s about staying sharp, planning your moves, and watching your back because every other player wants that loot too. With this guide, you’re ready to tackle those monuments and come out on top.
Hi, I’m Marko, a content writer with over six years of experience in the gaming industry. As a passionate gamer who’s completed hundreds of titles, I love sharing my knowledge and insights with others. My goal is simple: to help fellow gamers by offering expertise, tips, and useful content that adds value to their gaming journey.