How to Start a Conan Exiles Roleplay Server

This guide walks you through setting up a dedicated Conan Exiles roleplay server, from choosing hardware and installing the server software to configuring RP-friendly rules, whitelisting, and mods. You’ll end with a stable, private server where you and your community can build stories in the Exiled Lands or the Isle of Siptah.

What You’ll Need

• A PC or dedicated machine that can run the server 24/7 (see hardware notes below).
• A copy of Conan Exiles on Steam (the server files are free via SteamCMD, but you need the game to test).
• SteamCMD (free command-line tool) or a server hosting provider if you prefer not to run it yourself.
• Port forwarding access on your router (if hosting at home) or a firewall configuration for a rented VPS.
• A text editor like Notepad++ for editing config files.
• Optional but recommended: a Discord server for your community, and a basic understanding of mods (via Steam Workshop).

Step-by-Step

1. Choose your hosting method. You can host on your own PC (simplest for a small group), a dedicated server you own, or rent a VPS (e.g., from a game server provider). For a roleplay server, you’ll want decent CPU and RAM: at least 4 cores and 8 GB RAM for the server alone, plus more if you run mods. The game is not heavily multithreaded, so a fast single-core clock helps.
2. Install SteamCMD. Download SteamCMD from Valve’s official site. Extract it to a folder like C:\steamcmd. Open a command prompt in that folder and run steamcmd.exe.
3. Download the Conan Exiles dedicated server files. In SteamCMD, log in anonymously (type login anonymous), then set your install directory: force_install_dir C:\conan_server. Then download the server: app_update 443030 validate. This downloads the dedicated server files (the app ID for Conan Exiles is 443030). Wait for it to finish.
4. Run the server once to generate config files. Navigate to the server folder and run ConanSandboxServer.exe (Windows) or the equivalent script. It will generate default config files in ConanSandbox\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\ (or LinuxServer). Stop the server after it starts (Ctrl+C or close the window).
5. Edit the server configuration. Open ServerSettings.ini in a text editor. Set the server name, password (if any), and max players. For roleplay, you’ll want to set ServerType=1 (private), AdminPassword (change it!), and adjust NudityLevel and PvPEnabled to your preference. Also set CanBeAdvertised=False if you want a private server.
6. Configure roleplay-specific settings. In the same file, you can disable raiding (e.g., BuildingDamageEnabled=False), disable player looting, or adjust crafting rates. For a pure RP experience, you might set PlayerDamageMultiplier=0.5 to make combat less lethal, but that’s up to you. Also consider setting UnlockAllRecipes=True if you want to skip progression grind.
7. Set up admin and whitelist. In ServerSettings.ini, add your Steam ID to AdminIds (comma-separated). For a whitelist, you can use the in-game admin panel (after starting) to ban non-whitelisted players, or use a mod like “Whitelist” from the Steam Workshop. Alternatively, set a server password and share it only with your community.
8. Install mods (optional). For roleplay, mods like “Roleplay” (adds emotes, actions), “Pippi – User & Server Management” (for admin tools), or “RA: Fantasy” (adds races) are popular. Download mods from Steam Workshop, then copy the .pak files from your Steam Workshop folder (usually Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\440900) to the server’s ConanSandbox\Mods folder. Then edit ModList.txt in the server’s ConanSandbox\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\ to list the mod IDs in load order.
9. Port forwarding. If hosting at home, forward the following ports to your server’s local IP: 7777 (UDP, game), 7778 (UDP, game), 27015 (UDP, Steam query). If you’re on a VPS, open these in the firewall. Make sure your server machine has a static IP or use a dynamic DNS service.
10. Start the server. Run the server executable again. You should see it load the world and eventually print “Server started”. Test by launching Conan Exiles, selecting “Join Game”, and entering your server’s IP or using the LAN tab if on the same network.
11. Set up admin commands and RP tools. Once in-game, press Tab to open the admin console (if you have admin rights). Use commands like MakeMeAdmin and TeleportPlayer. For roleplay, you may want to set up a spawn area, create rules, and use mods like Pippi to manage player homes and roles.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to change the default admin password – this leaves your server open to hijacking.
• Not validating the server files after updates – this can cause crashes or missing content.
• Using the same port for multiple servers on the same machine – each server needs its own set of ports.
• Not setting a server password or whitelist, then wondering why strangers join and disrupt RP.
• Overloading the server with too many mods or too high a player count for your hardware.
• Ignoring the server logs – they often contain clear error messages that are easy to fix.

Tips

• Write a clear set of roleplay rules and share them on your Discord. Include consequences for breaking them.
• Use a mod like Pippi to create a welcome area, set up spawn points, and manage player claims.
• Schedule regular server restarts (e.g., daily) to keep performance stable and clear memory leaks.
• Back up your server folder regularly, especially before adding new mods.
• Encourage players to write backstories and use the in-game emotes (even without mods) to enhance immersion.
• Test your server with a friend before opening it to the public to catch issues early.

Troubleshooting

• Server doesn’t appear in the server list. Check that your ports are forwarded correctly and that the server is fully started. Try connecting directly via IP in the game’s “Join Game” menu.
• Players get “Connection timed out”. This usually means the server is not reachable. Verify port forwarding, firewall rules, and that the server is not behind a strict NAT. On a VPS, ensure the ports are open in the firewall.
• Server crashes on startup. Check the server log for missing mods or config errors. Remove any recently added mods and validate the server files again.
• Mods not loading. Ensure the mod .pak files are in the correct folder and that the ModList.txt contains the mod IDs in the right order. Also check that the mods are compatible with the server version.
• Admin commands not working. Make sure you’ve added your Steam ID to AdminIds in ServerSettings.ini and restarted the server after editing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I run a Conan Exiles RP server on a regular PC? Yes, for a small group (up to 5-10 players), a modern PC with 8 GB RAM and a decent CPU can work. For larger communities, consider a dedicated server or VPS.
2. Do I need to buy the game to host a server? No, the server files are free via SteamCMD. However, you need the game to test and connect to your server.
3. How do I make my server private? Set CanBeAdvertised=False and either set a password or use a whitelist mod. You can also set ServerType=1 to make it private.
4. What mods are essential for roleplay? Pippi for admin tools, “Roleplay” for emotes, and “RA: Fantasy” for races are popular. But you can run a successful RP server with no mods at all.
5. How do I update my server? Run SteamCMD again with app_update 443030 validate. After updating, check if any mods need updates too, and restart the server.
6. Can I run multiple servers on one machine? Yes, but each server needs its own ports (e.g., 7777, 7778, 27015 for the first; 7781, 7782, 27016 for the second). You also need enough RAM and CPU.

Related

• Tech Products You Can Lease: 4 Categories
• Web Hosting Providers to Compare Before Switching
• Disk Analyzer Pro: What It Does & How to Use It