What Are Rusted Bolts and What Are They Used For?

Rusted Bolts are an Uncommon item that can be recycled into metal parts. You’ll primarily encounter them in industrial and mechanical zones. In practice, they are considered a “utility” material. They aren’t rare, but they are valuable because metal parts are used in crafting upgrades, building devices, and repairing equipment.

When you recycle one Rusted Bolt, you get 8 Metal Parts, while salvaging it gives you 4 Metal Parts. This means recycling is usually the preferred route if your goal is to maximize materials. However, salvaging can be useful if you need a smaller, quick boost of parts without committing to the recycling process.

Where Do You Find Rusted Bolts?

Rusted Bolts can appear in industrial and mechanical areas. Based on my experience:

Industrial zones tend to have more visible Rusted Bolts scattered around machinery, crates, and workshop environments. Players who explore every corner tend to accumulate them quickly.

Mechanical zones often hide Rusted Bolts within destructible objects, like broken robots, scrap piles, or small mechanical assemblies. It’s common for new players to overlook these spots because they blend into the environment.

Most players gather Rusted Bolts while performing regular scavenging runs, so it doesn’t usually require going out of your way unless you’re specifically farming them for metal parts.

How Should You Use Rusted Bolts?

The practical way to think about Rusted Bolts is: they are fuel for crafting and upgrades. A few common scenarios in which you’ll need them:

Crafting metal components: If you’re building turrets, traps, or repairing weapons, you’ll often need metal parts. Rusted Bolts are an easy source.

Trading or selling: Some players accumulate large numbers of Rusted Bolts and use them to trade for coins or other resources. If you plan to sell, it’s best to stockpile enough to sell arc raiders blueprints for the best pricesell arc raiders blueprints for the best price. Combining your Rusted Bolts with a well-timed blueprint sale ensures you maximize your returns.

Emergency resource: In a pinch, if you’re low on crafting materials during a mission, a few Rusted Bolts can be the difference between completing your gear upgrades or falling behind.

Should You Salvage or Recycle?

It depends on your goals:

Recycling: If your goal is to maximize output, always recycle Rusted Bolts. One Rusted Bolt gives 8 Metal Parts through recycling, which is double the output of salvaging. For players who are steadily upgrading their base or crafting multiple items, this is the more efficient choice.

Salvaging: If you just need a small number of parts for immediate use, salvaging works fine. Some players salvage when they’re carrying limited inventory and don’t want to commit the extra storage space for the full recycling process.

In my experience, most seasoned players keep a separate stash specifically for recycling. That way, you don’t accidentally use Rusted Bolts for minor crafting when they could be converted into a larger batch of metal parts.

Common Player Strategies

Based on my hours in the game, here’s how other players typically handle Rusted Bolts:

Batch Collection: Many players make it a habit to collect Rusted Bolts in bulk during missions. This means hitting industrial and mechanical zones thoroughly before leaving the area.

Inventory Management: Rusted Bolts take up weight, but only 0.8 per item. This is low, but if you’re farming hundreds, it adds up. Experienced players keep them in a separate slot to avoid clutter.

Prioritize Recycling Stations: If you’re near a recycling station, it’s almost always better to recycle immediately. Metal Parts are versatile and can be stored or used for crafting multiple items at once.

Trading Optimization: In player-driven marketplaces, Rusted Bolts indirectly increase your trading value. For example, if you have a surplus of Rusted Bolts and blueprints to sell, bundling them strategically can help you sell arc raiders blueprints for the best price.

How Many Rusted Bolts Should You Keep?

There’s no fixed number, but a practical approach is:

Casual Players: Keep 50–100 in reserve. This covers basic crafting and repairs without hogging inventory.

Intermediate Players: Keep 200–500. This allows you to craft larger batches of items, especially if you’re upgrading weapons or turrets frequently.

Hardcore Players or Traders: Keep 1,000+ if you’re focusing on recycling or combining with blueprint sales. With that volume, you can support large-scale crafting and optimize trade deals.

Tips for Efficient Use

Always check your crafting needs before recycling. Some missions might require a small number of Rusted Bolts immediately, so don’t recycle everything blindly.

Combine Rusted Bolts with other recyclable materials like Scrap Metal or Mechanical Parts when upgrading your gear. This helps reduce time wasted on repeated trips.

Use industrial and mechanical zones strategically. You don’t need to visit every zone every time—know the spawn points to farm efficiently.

Remember that Rusted Bolts are stackable up to 3 per slot. Plan your inventory space accordingly.

Conclusion

Rusted Bolts may look like a minor, easily overlooked resource in ARC Raiders, but in practice, they are crucial for crafting, upgrading, and trading. Whether you’re recycling them into metal parts, salvaging for immediate needs, or using them to maximize blueprint sales, understanding their mechanics allows you to manage resources efficiently.

By collecting them strategically, recycling at the right time, and knowing when to use them for crafting versus trade, Rusted Bolts become a valuable part of your gameplay rather than just another scavenged item. For any player aiming to optimize both crafting efficiency and economic gains, Rusted Bolts are worth keeping a close eye on.
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