Conan Exiles drops you naked and starving in a brutal desert with no tutorial — and the first hour kills a lot of new players. This beginner’s guide covers how to start in Conan Exiles.
Your first priorities
Fresh off the cross, you need three things fast: water, food, and basic tools. Drink from rivers, pick up stones and branches for a stone pick and axe, and harvest plant fibre, wood and stone to craft your first gear.
Survive the desert
- Heat and cold — the desert is scorching by day; the further you travel, the more temperature matters. Carry water and dress for the climate.
- Hunger & thirst — watch your meters; cook meat on a campfire (raw meat makes you sick) and keep a waterskin filled.
- The sandstorm — get indoors or wear a mask when it hits, or it’ll drain your health.
Level up and pick attributes
You earn experience by gathering, crafting and fighting. Spend attribute points wisely — focus one primary combat stat (Strength or Agility) toward its big perk before spreading into Vitality (health), Grit (stamina) and the rest. You can reset later with a Yellow Lotus Potion, so experiment. See our attributes & leveling guide.
Build a starter base
Place a bedroll early (your respawn point), then build a small Sandstone shelter to store loot and craft safely. Don’t over-invest in weak T1 walls — see our base building guide for the tiers.
Get a thrall
Your first big power spike is a thrall — knock out an NPC, drag them to a Wheel of Pain, and you get a fighter or crafter. See our thrall capturing guide.
Play your way on your own server
Conan is best with friends on a server you control. Our Conan Exiles server hosting lets you set rates, the Purge, building and combat to your group’s taste — Exiled Lands or Isle of Siptah, Enhanced (UE5) or Legacy (UE4).
Frequently asked questions
How do you start in Conan Exiles?
Get water, craft a stone pick and axe, cook meat, place a bedroll, build a small Sandstone shelter, and level up your attributes — then capture a thrall for a big power boost.
What attribute should I focus on first in Conan Exiles?
One primary combat stat — Strength (melee) or Agility — toward its capstone perk, then Vitality and Grit. Reset later with a Yellow Lotus Potion.
How do you not die in the desert in Conan Exiles?
Manage water, food and temperature, cook your meat, and shelter from sandstorms (or wear a mask).
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