What are wide gaps in Rust bases?
Wide gaps are open floor overhangs that create a shooting angle at ground level. Here's how they work and when they're worth building.
A wide gap is an open space between a floor overhang and the wall below it. You fire down the side of your base — wider angle than any window, no frame blocking your view.
How wide gaps work
A standard shooting floor uses windows or embrasures cut into your outer walls. You fire through a restricted opening.
Wide gaps work differently. Your floor extends out past the outer wall on a build-out — a frame structure that holds the overhang. Below that overhang is open air. You crouch at the edge and look straight down.
Attackers can't push your wall without stepping into your sightline. There's no wall frame they can hide against.
What makes wide gaps different from windows?
With a window or embrasure, your angle is fixed and narrow. Raiders can push just outside your cone of view and work on your walls without you seeing them.
Wide gaps cut that blind spot. You can cover the full length of your outer wall from above.
Here's how the main peek types compare:
| Peak type | Angle | Cover for you | Build complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embrasure | Narrow | High | Low |
| Window | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Wide gap | Wide | Low | High |
The trade-off is real. Wide gaps expose you more. A raider can peek back through the same opening. You have the height advantage, but you're not hidden.
Are wide gaps worth the extra cost?
For trios and larger groups — usually yes.
Build-outs extend past your base footprint. That means extra wall frames, floors, and a separate TC to keep the overhang from decaying. The build cost adds up.
On a larger base, that cost pays off. You get full coverage of your compound during an online raid. Attackers who breach the outer wall land in your sightlines immediately.
For solos, the math is different. A shooting floor with embrasures gives solid defense at a lower cost. Save wide gaps for when you're well into the wipe and stocked up.
Do wide gaps require build-outs?
Usually yes — the overhang needs something to connect to for stability.
A build-out uses wall frames, not full walls, so the gap stays open. It needs resources in its own TC or it decays. If the frames rot, the shooting floor goes with them.
Some builders get around this. Designs like Dust's Micro Yeti use wide gap shooting floors without separate build-outs. That saves resources but requires more precise construction.
Wide gaps vs. offset peeks
Offset peeks are an alternative to wide gaps. They attach directly to the base structure — no separate build-out needed.
They're easier to build, cheaper to maintain, and still give good shooting angles. They work well on smaller bases like a 2x1 where a full wide gap build-out would be expensive for the base size.
Wide gaps give wider coverage. Offset peeks give simpler construction. Many designs on RustBases use both in different sections of the same base.
Frequently asked questions
What is a wide gap in a Rust base? A wide gap is an open space between a floor overhang and the wall below it. It lets you shoot at ground-level attackers with a wider angle than any window.
Are wide gaps better than embrasures? Wide gaps give wider shooting angles but less cover. Embrasures narrow your profile and are cheaper. Wide gaps are better for aggressive online defense.
Do wide gaps cost more to build? Yes. Wide gap build-outs extend past your base footprint and need a separate TC for stability. They cost more than a standard shooting floor.
Can attackers shoot back through wide gaps? Yes — the gap is open both ways. You have the height advantage, but skilled raiders can peek back through it.
What's the difference between wide gaps and offset peeks? Offset peeks attach directly to your base and are cheaper. Wide gaps extend outward on build-outs and give wider angles but cost more to maintain.
Find bases with wide gaps on RustBases
Use the Wide Gaps filter on RustBases.gg to browse designs that include them. Pair it with your group size to narrow the results.
Many top trio and quad designs combine wide gaps with a compound. Filter by both to find a layout that fits your wipe plan.
Happy building!