The ROB RUN Decoder is how you break into another player’s base. Use it on a rival’s Security System, and you get temporary access to the whole building. Getting one is the hard part. Decoders aren’t just sold on a shelf, and you have to earn them. The best way is a barter at Lenny’s Motel. Keep reading to learn how to use or defend against them.
The game has been in Early Access since Nov 4, so some information below may change.
What You’ll Read:
What Is the Decoder in ROB RUN
The Decoder is a disposable raid item. Each one lowers a structure’s defense by its breach amount, and it’s gone after one use. Every Fuse the owner installs raises the number of Decoders you need to finish the hack. So one Decoder may not be enough.
It takes up 2 × 1 inventory cells. Safes are a separate problem. A Decoder only works on structures, and you need a Master Key to open another player’s safe.
If you’re still figuring out how bases work, our ROB RUN guide covers the basics of base building and the game’s weekly wipe.
How to Use a Decoder to Raid a Base
Walk up to a rival’s Security System and apply the Decoder. Once you fully hack the panel, you get temporary access to the entire building. You don’t take ownership of anything.
The catch is the word “temporary.” The owner can repair the Security System and lock you right back out. But I wouldn’t count on a long window if I were you. So chop chop!
Quick Raid Tips and Tricks
Here are some of the tips and tricks to raid bases:
- Know your exit before you start the hack.
- Bring only guns and other gear you can afford to lose.
- Grab small, valuable items first, since the owner can repair at any moment.
- If defenders show up, leave. Walking away empty-handed is better than dying with your bag.
All Decoder Tiers and Stats
Here’s what community databases list from the Nov 6 game client. All three tiers take up 2 × 1 cells.
| Tier | Breach Value | Base Value | Resale | Max Stack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green (Uncommon) | 1 | $2,500 | $1,000 | 10 |
| Purple (Epic) | 3 | $12,500 | $5,000 | 10 |
| Gold (Legendary) | Not listed | $100,000 | $40,000 | 10 |
Base value isn’t a shop price. Still, three green Decoders for one purple lines up nicely with a breach of 1 versus 3. Kefir raised the max stack on Nov 4, and fan client files say it went from 5 to 10.
How to Get a Decoder
You cannot buy a Decoder. But there are some ways to get them:
Lenny’s Motel Barter
Find Lenny’s Motel on the global map, go inside, and look for the Suspicious Door on the right. The barter trader is behind it. If you’re far away, get a car first.
There are two ways to get a purple Decoder:
| You Give | You Get |
|---|---|
| 3 green Decoders + $10,000 | 1 purple Decoder |
| 1 full purple Action Camera | 1 purple Decoder |
I recommend checking every recipe and saving your ingredients instead of selling them. Selling a green Decoder for around $1,000 would sting once you find out you needed three.
Filling the Action Camera
The camera route takes real work. You need the Epic Action Camera, and you have to fill it before it counts.
You unlock it at the tier II Trade Laptop. That means $35,000 of GADGETS research at Larry’s Tree, then a $30,000 purchase. You also need to unlock an earlier camera first. An Electronics Dealer sells it too, but at three times the price and for Citizens only. Once you own it, reach Notoriety Level 3. The camera fills through criminal activity until it hits 70 points. Lockpicking, opening safes, and theft are the crimes that count.
The filled camera lists at $100,000 resale, while a purple Decoder resells for about $5,000. Trade it only if you want the access more than the cash.
Drops
Nobody has confirmed where green Decoders come from, and I couldn’t find them either. That’s a real problem, because the barter needs three green ones before you can get a purple.
Kefir only says breach tools are rare, which is why it recommends a low-profile base. My guess is they drop from loot, but that’s a guess, not a fact. Until someone proves otherwise, keep every Decoder you find and don’t sell them.
Eviction Right: The 50 Decoder Barter
The Eviction Right is the endgame use for Decoders. You trade 50 purple Decoders for one at Lenny’s barter trader.
You use it on the Plot Plan, but only after every Security System in that base is fully hacked. It removes the rival owner’s plot and its property. But you keep a portion of the assets. Fifty purple Decoders is a huge ask, and each purple needs three green ones.
How to Defend Your Base From Decoders
Start with Fuses in your Security System. They make a hack cost the attacker far more time and resources. Also, each one raises the defense and the number of Decoders needed to finish the job. The Tier I Fuse costs $20,000 after $10,000 of research. The Epic Fuse gives 3 defense points, but it costs $100,000 after $150,000 of research.
Next, add defense modules, which can alert your allies during a raid. Then be ready to repair. A repair locks raiders out, and your Fuses survive a hack, so you aren’t rebuying them. For offline safety, Kefir points to fortification and gives no offline protection timer. A clan can also help you coordinate base defense when other players attack.
That’s everything you need to know about ROB RUN Decoder. Do you have a tip I forgot to mention? Let us know in the comments below.
FAQ
How many Decoders does it take to hack a base?
There is not an exact number. It grows with each Fuse the owner installs, so carry more than you think you need.
Is my cash safe during a raid?
Money in your bank account is safe, so bank your cash when you can.
