Conan Exiles is an open-world survival game set in Robert E. Howard's Hyborian Age where you're an exile condemned to die in a harsh wasteland. The thrall system (capturing NPCs, breaking them on the Wheel of Pain, and deploying them as fighters, crafters, or dancers) is the defining mechanic. Named thralls with unique stats become powerful companions that rival player characters in combat strength. The Age of Sorcery update added a full magic system with corrupted attributes, summoning, and teleportation. Building ranges from sandstone shacks to massive T3 fortress compounds that must withstand Purge attacks.
This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blade of the Adventurer | Agility Fighter | A legendary one-handed sword with excellent damage and bonus Agility. |
| Predatory Blade | Agility Fighter | A legendary daggers pair that applies bleed and cripple on hit. |
| Dragonbone Weapons | Strength Melee | Crafted from Dragon Bone (farmed from undead dragons in the Unnamed City) and Star Metal. |
| Star Metal Weapons | Strength Melee | Crafted from Star Metal Ore (harvested from meteorites in the Frozen North). |
| Voidforged Weapons | All builds | Endgame weapons crafted at the Voidforge station using void materials. |
S-Tier: Blade of the Adventurer
A legendary one-handed sword with excellent damage and bonus Agility. Found in a legendary chest in the Unnamed City. It's one of the best one-handed weapons for Agility builds due to its fast attacks and stat bonus.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best For | Agility Fighter |
| Key Mechanic | thrall system |
| Recommended Build | Strength Melee |
See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Blade of the Adventurer: Pairs naturally with Strength Melee thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Predatory Blade
A legendary daggers pair that applies bleed and cripple on hit. The stacking bleeds deal massive damage over time. Found in the Unnamed City. Best-in-slot for dagger builds due to the bleed application on every attack.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best For | Agility Fighter |
| Key Mechanic | building tiers |
| Recommended Build | Agility Fighter |
Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Predatory Blade: Pairs naturally with Agility Fighter thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Dragonbone Weapons
Crafted from Dragon Bone (farmed from undead dragons in the Unnamed City) and Star Metal. Dragonbone weapons have the highest base damage of craftable weapons. Available in all weapon types. The crafting recipe unlocks from the Feats menu.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best For | Strength Melee |
| Key Mechanic | religion system |
| Recommended Build | Archer Build |
Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Dragonbone Weapons: Pairs naturally with Archer Build thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Star Metal Weapons
Crafted from Star Metal Ore (harvested from meteorites in the Frozen North). Star Metal is the second-tier crafting material with excellent damage and durability. Meteorites require explosive or demon-fire to crack open.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best For | Strength Melee |
| Key Mechanic | purge defense |
| Recommended Build | Thrall Commander |
Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Star Metal Weapons: Pairs naturally with Thrall Commander thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Voidforged Weapons
Endgame weapons crafted at the Voidforge station using void materials. Voidforged weapons have unique special effects and the highest tier stats. The Voidforge requires completing endgame content to access.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best For | All builds |
| Key Mechanic | attribute respec |
| Recommended Build | Sorcery Build |
Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Voidforged Weapons: Pairs naturally with Sorcery Build thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Desert
- Predatory Blade → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Dragonbone Weapons → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Blade of the Adventurer → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Dalinsia Snowhunter (Named Fighter from Mounds of the Dead) is widely considered the best combat thrall. She has the highest HP and damage of any follower. Farm her spawn location repeatedly.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
Similar Games
If you enjoy Conan Exiles, check out these related guides:
- Palworld Weapons Guide: survival game with similar mechanics
