Cimmerian -- Best for Melee and Bruiser Builds
Cimmerian is the go-to pick for players who want to wade into close combat from the first session. The ancestry is tied to the Mitra religion, which gives access to a useful early altar that produces healing items through its crafting chain. The strength lean pairs naturally with two-handed weapons and heavy armor, two of the most accessible build paths for new and returning players. Cimmerians also have strong thematic ties to Conan himself, making this choice popular on roleplay-heavy servers. The stat difference over other races is small at max level but gives a noticeable edge during the early grind when every attribute point matters more.
Check price on Amazon →The best Conan Exiles races ranked by starting bonuses, stat multipliers, and build synergy to help you choose the right ancestry for your playstyle from day one.
Picking a race in Conan Exiles is one of the first decisions you make, and while the mechanical differences are modest, each ancestry comes with a distinct flavor, starting religion, and minor stat lean that can shape your early hours. The picks below cover the strongest options for common playstyles across PvP, PvE, and roleplay-focused servers.
| Race | Starting Bonus | Best For | Rating |
|—|—|—|—|
| Cimmerian | Strength lean, Mitra religion | Melee bruisers | 4.8/5 |
| Stygian | Accuracy lean, Set religion | Archers and mages | 4.7/5 |
| Nordheimer | Vitality lean, Ymir religion | Tank builds | 4.7/5 |
| Hyborian | Balanced stats, Mitra religion | All-round starters | 4.5/5 |
| Kushite | Agility lean, Derketo religion | Speed fighters | 4.6/5 |
How we test
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
At a glance
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cimmerian -- Best for Melee and Bruiser Builds | Check price | ||
| Stygian -- Best for Ranged and Sorcery Playstyles | Check price | ||
| Nordheimer -- Best for Tank and Survival Builds | Check price | ||
| Hyborian -- Best for Flexible All-Round Starts | Check price | ||
| Kushite -- Best for Agility and Fast-Attack Builds | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Cimmerian -- Best for Melee and Bruiser Builds
Cimmerian is the go-to pick for players who want to wade into close combat from the first session. The ancestry is tied to the Mitra religion, which gives access to a useful early altar that produces healing items through its crafting chain. The strength lean pairs naturally with two-handed weapons and heavy armor, two of the most accessible build paths for new and returning players. Cimmerians also have strong thematic ties to Conan himself, making this choice popular on roleplay-heavy servers. The stat difference over other races is small at max level but gives a noticeable edge during the early grind when every attribute point matters more.
Stygian -- Best for Ranged and Sorcery Playstyles
Stygian characters start with the Set religion, which is one of the more unique deity paths in the game and produces snake-themed gear and consumables. The accuracy lean makes this a natural fit for bow builds, which are strong in both PvP and boss encounters. With the sorcery system introduced in later updates, Stygian also fits thematically for players who want to lean into magic. The starting bonus is not dramatic, but the religion gives access to Set's Tongue and other early items that can accelerate your first few hours.
Nordheimer -- Best for Tank and Survival Builds
Nordheimer starts with the Ymir religion, which is arguably the most atmosphere-rich path in the game with frost-themed shrines and gear. The vitality lean means more base health from the start, which is valuable on harder server settings and PvP environments where early deaths are costly. Nordheimers fit naturally into thrall-focused playstyles where you absorb damage while companions deal it. The cold resistance bonus is a minor but real advantage if you plan to explore the northern biomes early in a run, where frostbite becomes a consistent threat.
Hyborian -- Best for Flexible All-Round Starts
Hyborian is the balanced default, suitable for players who have not settled on a build direction yet. The starting stats do not favor any one attribute strongly, which means you have flexibility to push whichever direction you choose without fighting against a mismatched racial lean. Mitra as a starting religion is reliable and well-supported by shrines throughout the map. For first-time players who feel overwhelmed by specialization, Hyborian removes one decision from early play and lets the game teach you through experience rather than theory.
Kushite -- Best for Agility and Fast-Attack Builds
Kushite leans toward agility, which feeds dodge-heavy playstyles that use light armor, daggers, and short swords. Fast-attack builds can be extremely effective in PvP when executed correctly, and Kushite gives you a head start on the agility investment needed. The Derketo religion is one of the more visually interesting deity lines in the game. This pick rewards players who enjoy skill-based combat over raw stat tanking, and it performs well in both solo PvE content and competitive server environments.
What to look for
What to consider
Focus on two things: your preferred combat style and your server type. If you play on a heavily modded or official PvP server, the small stat lean from race can matter more in the early game. For PvE and solo play, the choice is mostly about which starting religion you want and which thematic identity appeals to you. Race never locks you out of any late-game build, so do not agonize over optimizing the choice for max-level content. Pick what feels right narratively, then use the Yellow Lotus Potion to respec attributes once you have a clearer picture of your preferred playstyle.
What to consider
Whether you are just starting your first exile run or trying a new server, picking a race that aligns with your early goals makes the opening hours more cohesive. For more survival game tips, see our [best survival games for PC](/articles/best-survival-games-pc) and [best open world RPGs](/articles/best-open-world-rpgs) roundups. For a look at how we evaluate game rankings, visit our [methodology page](/methodology).
FAQs
Race selection in Conan Exiles is largely cosmetic and does not lock you out of any build path. Starting attribute bonuses are small and can be offset through leveling. The most significant choice is your starting religion, which is tied to race during character creation but can be changed once you find the appropriate trainer in the world.
You cannot change your race after character creation without starting a new character. However, you can respec your attribute points at any time using the Yellow Lotus Potion, which is craftable in the game. This means your race choice has minimal long-term impact on your build flexibility compared to other survival games.
Tom Reeves has reviewed consumer electronics for over a decade, with a focus on televisions, monitors, laptops, and smart home devices. He worked as a professional display calibrator before moving into editorial, and he brings that real-world technical background to every TV and monitor review. At TheTestedHub, Tom covers display calibration, computer monitors, laptops and 2-in-1s, smart home platforms, home theater setups, and HDR performance.
Related guides
5 Best Computer Games for Kindergarteners 2026 | Fun and Educational
5 Best Crash Team Racing PS4 Editions of 2026 | Top Picks to Buy
5 Best Computer Games for Beginners 2026 | Easy Starts, Real Fun
5 Best Crash Bandicoot Games of 2026 | Play the Classic Platformers Ranked
5 Best Computer Games for MacBook 2026 | Native and Optimized Picks
5 Best Computer Games for Toddlers 2026 | Safe Picks for Ages 2-3
5 Best Couple Games Online of 2026 | Play Together Anywhere
