Best Rust Server Plugins - Essential uMod Plugins

Transform your Rust server with these essential plugins that enhance gameplay, improve administration, and create engaging player experiences. This curated list covers the most popular and reliable plugins used by successful Rust servers worldwide. All plugins require uMod framework installed on your Rust server. Each plugin includes installation instructions, configuration tips, and usage examples.

Admin & Moderation Tools

Admin Hammer

Essential building and admin tool
  • Purpose: Enhanced building tools for admins
  • Features: Instant building, no resource costs, advanced placement
  • Commands: /ah - Toggle admin hammer mode
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/admin-hammer
Quick Setup:
  1. Upload AdminHammer.cs to oxide/plugins/
  2. Grant permission: oxide.grant user STEAMID64 adminhammer.use
  3. Use /ah in-game to toggle

Vanish

Invisible admin mode for monitoring
  • Purpose: Make admins invisible to players
  • Features: Complete invisibility, no collision, silent movement
  • Commands: /vanish - Toggle invisibility
  • Permissions: vanish.use, vanish.damage
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/vanish
Configuration:
{
  "Enable damage to vanished players": false,
  "Enable vanish on admin connect": true,
  "Show vanish status in chat": false
}

Admin Radar

Real-time player monitoring system
  • Purpose: Track all players on server map
  • Features: Live player positions, ESP overlay, teleport to players
  • Commands: /radar - Open admin radar interface
  • Perfect for: Monitoring cheaters, helping lost players
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/admin-radar

Player Features & Quality of Life

Teleportation

Complete teleport and home system
  • Purpose: Player teleportation and home management
  • Features: Set homes, teleport to players, admin teleport
  • Commands: /home, /sethome, /tpr, /tpa
  • Cooldowns: Configurable delays prevent abuse
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/teleportation
Essential Settings:
{
  "Home - Max homes per player": 3,
  "TPR - Cooldown": 600,
  "Home - Cooldown": 300,
  "Block teleport in combat": true
}

Kits

Starter and VIP item packages
  • Purpose: Provide item kits to players
  • Features: Multiple kit types, cooldowns, permissions
  • Commands: /kit, /kit list, /kit starter
  • Use cases: Starter kits, VIP rewards, admin tools
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/kits
Popular Kit Examples:
  • Starter: Basic tools and food for new players
  • VIP: Enhanced items for supporters
  • PvP: Combat gear for arena events

Economics

Server economy and currency system
  • Purpose: Add money system to server
  • Features: Player balances, transactions, shop integration
  • Commands: /balance, /pay, /eco give
  • Integrates with: Shop plugins, reward systems
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/economics

PvP & Combat Enhancements

Remove Tool

Safe building removal system
  • Purpose: Allow players to remove their own structures
  • Features: Refund resources, time limits, authorization
  • Commands: /remove - Toggle remove mode
  • Settings: Configurable refund rates and time limits
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/remove-tool

Clans

Team management and alliance system
  • Purpose: Organize players into groups
  • Features: Clan chat, shared ownership, alliances
  • Commands: /clan create, /clan invite, /c <message>
  • Benefits: Enhanced teamwork, organized PvP
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/clans

Rust:IO Clans

Advanced clan system with web integration
  • Purpose: Professional clan management
  • Features: Web interface, detailed stats, leaderboards
  • Integration: Works with Rust:IO ecosystem
  • Perfect for: Large competitive servers
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/rust-io-clans

Economy & Trading

Shop

Player and admin shop system
  • Purpose: Buy/sell items with server economy
  • Features: Admin shops, player shops, price controls
  • Commands: /shop, /shop buy, /shop sell
  • Requires: Economics plugin for currency
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/shop

Trade

Secure player-to-player trading
  • Purpose: Safe item trading between players
  • Features: Trade windows, confirmation system, logging
  • Commands: /trade <player> - Initiate trade
  • Security: Prevents scamming and item duplication
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/trade

Rewards

Achievement and reward system
  • Purpose: Reward players for activities
  • Features: Kill rewards, gathering bonuses, playtime rewards
  • Integration: Works with Economics plugin
  • Customizable: Configure rewards for any activity
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/rewards

Server Management

Auto Door Close

Automatic door management
  • Purpose: Automatically close doors after delay
  • Features: Configurable timers, door type support
  • Benefits: Reduces door spam, improves performance
  • Settings: Separate timers for different door types
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/auto-door-close

Stack Size Controller

Modify item stack sizes
  • Purpose: Customize how many items stack together
  • Features: Individual item configuration, multipliers
  • Use cases: Increase convenience, balance gameplay
  • Popular: 2x-5x stack multipliers for quality of life
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/stack-size-controller

Gather Manager

Resource gathering multiplier
  • Purpose: Modify resource collection rates
  • Features: Per-resource multipliers, tool-specific rates
  • Commands: /gather - View current rates
  • Balance: 2x-3x rates popular for casual servers
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/gather-manager

Event & Mini-Game Plugins

Rust Kits Arena

PvP arena and tournament system
  • Purpose: Organized PvP events and arenas
  • Features: Multiple arena types, tournaments, spectating
  • Commands: /arena join, /arena leave
  • Perfect for: Competitive events, skill practice
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/rust-kits-arena

Helicopter

Enhanced helicopter events
  • Purpose: Improved patrol helicopter mechanics
  • Features: Configurable loot, spawn times, difficulty
  • Customization: Adjust health, damage, rewards
  • Popular: Increased frequency for more action
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/helicopter

Bradley APC

Armored Personnel Carrier events
  • Purpose: Enhanced Bradley APC encounters
  • Features: Custom loot tables, spawn control
  • Balance: Adjust difficulty and rewards
  • Integration: Works with other event plugins
  • Download: umod.org/plugins/bradley-apc

Installation Best Practices

Plugin Installation Order

  1. Install uMod framework first
  2. Add admin tools (Vanish, Admin Hammer)
  3. Install core features (Teleportation, Kits)
  4. Add economy system (Economics, Shop)
  5. Configure permissions for all plugins

Performance Considerations

  • Start with essentials - Add plugins gradually
  • Monitor server performance - Check CPU/RAM usage
  • Regular updates - Keep plugins current
  • Remove unused plugins - Clean up regularly

Configuration Tips

  • Test on development server first
  • Backup configs before major changes
  • Document custom settings for team reference
  • Review logs regularly for errors

Plugin Compatibility

Compatible Plugin Combinations

Basic Server Package:
  • Teleportation + Kits + Remove Tool + Auto Door Close
Economy Server Package:
  • Economics + Shop + Rewards + Clans
PvP Server Package:
  • Clans + Rust:IO + Arena + Enhanced Events
Casual Server Package:
  • Gather Manager + Stack Size Controller + Quality of Life plugins

Frequently Asked Questions

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