Can you change character in Rust?

Many players may be wondering how to change character in Rust, especially if they are new to Facepunch Studios' survival title. The short answer to this question is, no, you cannot change character in Rust. Unfortunately, the game offers no such mechanic where you can customize your character model. Upon your first login, you will be permanently assigned a random character model for the rest of your playthrough.

Having said that, there are workarounds that you can try out to change your character's features in Rust. Read on to learn how to do so.

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How to change character skin in Rust

While you might not be able to change character in Rust, you do have the option of using various skins to customize the player model. These skins can either be directly purchased from the Steam Community store or earned for free through Twitch Drops.

Here's how to apply these skins to your character in-game:

1) Skins bought through Steam

The Community Market page (Image via Valve)

Rust offers players an extensive option to customize their preferred cosmetics. The game has a wide array of clothing on offer, and each item has community-designed skins that players can purchase from the Steam Community Marketplace.

Upon purchasing a skin from the market, follow these steps to equip them:

1. Log into the game.
2. Join the server of your choice.
3. Collect the material required to craft the item for which you've bought a skin, such as the T-shirt, Poncho, or Hide Pants.
4. Open the Crafting Window by pressing 'Q.'
5. Choose the skin of your choice, and press 'Craft.'

Upon doing so, you will be able to craft and equip the cosmetic of your choice on your character. However, this will not allow you to change character in Rust.

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2) Skins unlocked via Twitch Drops

While there's no way to change character in Rust, you can secure free skins by watching dedicated Rust Twitch Streams. This guarantees skin drops for all players; the only criterion to unlock them is surpassing the designated watch time.

That said, here's a detailed breakdown of equipping skins that you've unlocked through Twitch campaigns:

1. Open Twitch.TV and connect your Steam account with Twitch.
2. Authorize the connection for your Facepunch Account in a similar fashion.
3. Check for any ongoing campaigns. If there are any live events, proceed to a participating Rust channel.
4. Complete the watchtime requirement for unlocking a given skin.
5. Head to 'Drops and Rewards' on Twitch and claim the item.
6. Close Twitch and open Rust on your computer.
7. Head to a server of your choice and proceed to collect the build materials required to craft the item for which you received a skin.
8. Open the Crafting Window by pressing 'Q' and choose the skin that you just unlocked.
9. Press 'Craft' to finalize crafting, and proceed to equip it as it appears in your inventory.

You might be interested in: Rust will reportedly introduce a new 'Boomerang' weapon soon

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Again, while you can't change character in Rust, you can customize your player model by applying various skins.

For more related news and guides, check these links below:

• Road Renegades update bug fixes (July 4, 2024)
• Road Renegades update (July 4, 2024): Travelling Vendor, Motorbikes and Bicycles, and more
• Motorbikes and Bicycles: Where to find, how to use, and more