Rob Run Guide: Beginner Basics for Early Access
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ROB RUN is a free crime sandbox where you start as a broke Hobo, rob and sell loot, launder the cash at a base, and rebuild from scratch after each 7-day server wipe. Visit Lenny after the intro quests, then pick a path: heists, cargo, base production, police or territory.
As of November 13, 2026. ROB RUN entered Steam Early Access on November 4 and changes almost every week, so numbers and rules here can go stale.
What you are doing in ROB RUN
ROB RUN is a free-to-play crime sandbox by Kefir. You start as a "Hobo" just out of prison, with no cash and no home, sleeping at Lenny's motel. Every cop and criminal is another player, so the city never feels scripted.
Your progress is money-driven, and it is temporary. Servers are wiped every 7 days in a mechanic called the Federal Raid, and Kefir says the more wealth you hold when the wipe hits, the longer your prison sentence. See what you keep after a wipe for the details.
Your first steps
Lenny teaches the core mechanics. The official Help Center says to go back to him after the intro quests, and then you choose a direction: heists, cargo hauling, base production, police work, or fighting for territory.
You only become a Criminal when you put on a mask. Without one you can scout Looty Bay safely as a Civilian. Plan your first job before you mask up: find a fence van (marked with a dollar sign on the map) or a district Sales Center, pick a small target nearby, and learn one full route from target to sale.
The core loop
- Scout as a Civilian and pick a target.
- Mask up, rob it, and get away.
- Sell the loot to a fence van or Sales Center.
- Launder the cash at your base so it is protected from theft. See money laundering.
- Rent a plot and build up. See the base guide.
The power pyramid
Kefir describes five tiers of power. Here is the ladder as announced on October 28:
| Tier | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hobo | Where everyone starts |
| Settlement Resident | Rents a plot in an owned settlement |
| Settlement Owner | Collects a cut from tenants |
| District Owner | Needs a clan |
| Shadow Governor | Only one on the map: the leader of the clan holding the central Highlands district |
Parties, clans and solo play
The maximum party size is 3, and clans go up to 100 players. Kefir tested bigger parties and says they reduced random encounters, so it is not expanding party size for now. Solo players start with Notoriety level 4 and get selling and loot bonuses, according to Kefir's November 13 FAQ. Playing together on one server takes a few extra steps; see how to play with friends.
Not officially confirmed yet
Kefir has not published a step-by-step beginner guide beyond short Help Center answers, and there are no official early-game income benchmarks. Treat any exact "first hour" numbers you see elsewhere as community estimates.
Sources
- Kefir Steam news, October 2 FAQ (official)
- Kefir Steam news feed (official; posts from September 17, October 28, November 13)
- Kefir Help Center (official)
- Power Up Gaming beginner guide (fan media, November 5)
Related guides
FAQ
Is ROB RUN free to play?
Yes. It is free to play in Steam Early Access, and Kefir says only cosmetic items are sold.
How big can my party be?
Up to 3 players. Clans can hold up to 100 players.
How often do servers wipe?
Every 7 days per server, according to Kefir. The length may change later.