What separates good Rust players?

They optimise the loop and learn the edge cases of their items.

How do I improve long term?

Write your own notes from the data. Teaching the next run cements the system.

On the repeatable loop, not one lucky fight. Consistency compounds.

Past the basics, Rust rewards optimisation. The items decisions and habits that compound over a long run matter most.

Optimise the loop, not the moment. Small shaves on every trip add up to a base that never runs dry.

Learn the edge cases of your items. The players who win are the ones who know the exception, not just the rule.

Hatchet (Weapons): This tool is a must-have for any rust player.
Pickaxe (Weapons): A Pickaxe, useful for gathering ore from rocks.
Rock (Weapons): A Rock.
Bolt Action Rifle (Weapons): A high powered, highly accurate rifle.
Revolver (Weapons): A shoddy eight-shooter.
Eoka Pistol (Weapons): A primitive pistol that fires one Shotgun round at a time.
Pump Shotgun (Weapons): A Shotgun.
Assault Rifle (Weapons): High damage machine rifle.
Bone Knife (Weapons): Melee weapon crafted from bone and wood.
Salvaged Axe (Weapons): A high-yield resource gathering axe.
Salvaged Hammer (Weapons): A Hammer made from a bunch of other crap.
F1 Grenade (Weapons): Reliable explosive device.
Rocket Launcher (Weapons): Shoots rockets slightly farther than North Korea
Rocket (Weapons): Ammunition for a type of ammo used in the Rocket Launcher.
Beancan Grenade (Weapons): Unreliable explosive device.
Custom SMG (Weapons): A rapid-firing Machine Gun.
High Velocity Rocket (Weapons): Fast moving rocket ammunition.
Crossbow (Weapons): A accurate ranged weapon.

Teach the next run. Writing your own notes from the data here is the fastest way to internalise the system.

Bandage (Items): Heal yourself or others with this bandage.
Anti-Radiation Pills (Items): Taking these pills will lower your radiation level.
Armor (Items): A Full list can be seen in Attire Armor is a system in Rust based on equipping particular items in the clothing slots ( by default, these are.
Animal Fat (Items): Fat from an animal.
Bear Trap (Items): see Snap Trap
12 Gauge Buckshot (Items): Ammunition for a Shotgun.
Assault Rifle (Items): High damage machine rifle.
5.56 Rifle Ammo (Items): Ammunition for a Rifle.
Apple (Items): An Apple.
Bear Meat (Items): Raw Bear Meat.
Battery - Small (Items): A Battery.