Gun Game
The classic weapon-progression race, rebuilt for Rust.
- Weapon ladder
- Free-for-all
- Rust native
Gun Game is the weapon-progression classic you know from every arena shooter, faithfully rebuilt for Rust. Everyone starts on the same weapon, and every kill promotes you to the next gun on the ladder. The first player to score a kill with the final weapon wins the round.
It is a pure free-for-all: no teams, no loadout screens, no downtime. You spawn, you fight, and if you go down you are straight back in. Because every player is climbing the same ladder, a comeback is always one hot streak away.
The mode rewards flexibility over specialization. You will cycle through rifles, shotguns, pistols, and the awkward tiers that decide most games — the players who can adapt their aim to each weapon are the ones who finish first.
Format at a glance
- Players
- Free-for-all
- Objective
- Finish the weapon ladder
- Progression
- One kill per tier
- Respawns
- Instant
- Arena
- Custom, survival-free
How to play
- 01
Enter the portal
Step through the Gun Game portal at the hub.
- 02
Start at tier one
Everyone spawns with the same first weapon.
- 03
Climb the ladder
Each kill promotes you to the next weapon.
- 04
Finish first
Land a kill with the final weapon to win the round.
Pro tips
- Don't panic on the shotgun and pistol tiers — slow down, close the distance, and take the guaranteed kill.
- Play the edges of the fight when you're ahead so you're not the target everyone converges on.
- Learn each weapon's recoil quickly; the ladder punishes players who only know one gun.
Frequently asked questions
How do you win a round of Gun Game?
Every kill advances you one weapon up the ladder. The first player to get a kill with the final weapon on the ladder wins the round.
Is Gun Game team-based?
No. Gun Game is a free-for-all — every player is fighting for themselves and climbing the same weapon ladder.
Do I keep my progress if I die?
Yes. Dying does not reset your weapon tier in the standard ruleset — you respawn instantly and keep fighting from where you were.
How do I join?
Open Rust, press F1, and paste connect rust.packrat.cc. Walk into the Gun Game portal at the hub to drop into the next round.