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 |
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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How to Choose a Conan Exiles Race
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.
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 and best open world RPGs roundups. For a look at how we evaluate game rankings, visit our methodology page.
Frequently asked questions
Does race choice permanently affect your character in Conan Exiles?+
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.
Can you change your race after character creation in Conan Exiles?+
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.