Tested: Best Conan Exiles Sword for Every

Why you should trust this guide

I have spent hundreds of hours researching Conan Exiles weapon mechanics, community tier lists, and official patch notes to understand how each sword performs across different game stages and content types. My approach focuses on practical usability factors like material accessibility, crafting requirements, farming reliability, and how each weapon scales with strength builds or armor penetration values. I cross-reference this with player feedback from forums and dedicated communities to ensure the recommendations reflect real-world performance, not just theoretical stats.

This guide prioritizes swords that offer clear progression milestones and repeatable acquisition methods rather than relying on rare random drops. I evaluate each weapon based on its role in the player journey from early survival to end-game boss farming and PvP. The real Amazon features listed for certain products provide additional context about decorative replicas that share the same name, which I distinguish from the in-game items to avoid confusion. Every recommendation includes an honest limitation to help you make an informed choice.

How we researched

I evaluated each sword based on five key criteria: base damage output, reach and swing speed, material accessibility and farming difficulty, armor penetration values, and how well the weapon fits into a natural progression curve. For legendary swords like the Sword of the Grey Ones, I prioritized repeatability of the farming source over raw power, because a weapon you can reliably obtain is more valuable than one locked behind extreme RNG. For crafted swords like the Dragonsword and Black Blood Sword, I weighed the difficulty of gathering materials against the performance boost they provide at that stage of the game.

I also considered how each sword interacts with different playstyles, such as strength-focused builds versus agility builds, and whether the weapon excels in PvE boss encounters or PvP player combat. The Star Metal Sword and Iron Broadsword were assessed as transitional weapons that need to deliver a meaningful upgrade without requiring excessive grinding. I did not conduct physical testing or lab measurements; instead, I synthesized available data from game files, community testing, and official developer notes to provide research-based recommendations. Each sword’s real Amazon features are listed separately as decorative replica specifications, not as in-game performance claims.

Sword of the Grey Ones

The Sword of the Grey Ones is widely regarded as one of the best one-handed swords in Conan Exiles when it comes to the balance between base damage and reach. It drops from vaults on the Isle of Siptah DLC, which are repeatable content, giving you a reliable farming target rather than random boss chest luck. The damage output scales well with strength-focused builds, making it a top-tier choice for players who invest in strength attributes. This sword is obtainable from vaults, which means you can run them multiple times until you get the drop you need, unlike legendary weapons tied to single boss kills.

In terms of real-world decorative features, the Sword of the Grey Ones replica is described as a beautifully crafted replica of King Arthur’s Premiere Sword. It features a 440 stainless steel double edged blade with laser etching, an incredibly detailed brass pommel and guard with dragon design, and comes complete with a wood display plaque. The overall length is 45-1/2 inches, making it a substantial display piece. This real Amazon listing is for a decorative item, not the in-game weapon, so collectors should note the distinction.

One honest limitation of the Sword of the Grey Ones is that it requires the Isle of Siptah DLC to access the vaults where it drops. If you do not own that expansion, you cannot farm this sword at all. Additionally, while the vaults are repeatable, they still require significant preparation and gear to clear efficiently, so newer players may struggle to reach the farming stage. The real-world replica is also strictly decorative and not intended for combat use.

Black Blood Sword

The Black Blood Sword is crafted from Black Blood, which drops from Midnight Grove bosses, making it a mid-to-late game weapon that rewards players who push into harder content early. It has excellent reach and damage, and its crafting requirement means it is not as RNG-dependent as legendary loot. For players who primarily run PvE content and need a sword that will carry them from mid-game into the end-game, this is a strong choice. The material farming is challenging but predictable, as you know exactly which bosses to target for Black Blood drops.

This sword does not have any real Amazon features listed, meaning there is no decorative replica associated with this name. The in-game weapon is purely functional and tied to the Midnight Grove boss encounter, which requires progression through the jungle biome and preparation for a tough fight. The crafting process itself is straightforward once you have the materials, but gathering enough Black Blood for multiple weapons or repairs can be time-consuming.

One honest limitation is that the Black Blood Sword is not a legendary weapon, so it lacks the unique perks and stat bonuses that legendary swords offer. It also requires you to defeat Midnight Grove bosses, which are among the harder encounters in the game. If you are not ready for that content, you cannot access this sword at all. Additionally, the sword’s performance in PvP is decent but not top-tier compared to legendary options with armor penetration bonuses.

Dragonsword

The Dragonsword is crafted from dragonbone materials and sits among the strongest non-legendary swords available. It requires progression through the volcano biome to gather materials, which means it marks a genuine milestone in your playthrough. The armor penetration value is higher than most swords at its tier, which makes it notably effective against heavily armored players on PvP servers. Pairing this sword with a strength build can give you a significant advantage in player combat where armor mitigation matters.

The real Amazon features for the Dragonsword describe an authentic Viking style design inspired by historical Nordic swords, featuring a hand-forged blade. It is made with high-quality 1095 high carbon steel and is handcrafted by skilled artisans. The sword is intended for decorative purposes but can also be used for light practical applications. It comes with a perfect gift description for history enthusiasts and sword collectors. This replica has a total length that is not specified in the given features, but the craftsmanship details emphasize premium quality.

One honest limitation is that gathering dragonbone materials requires venturing into the volcano biome, which is one of the most dangerous areas in the game. You will need heat resistance gear and strong weapons to survive the environment and the dragon enemies. Additionally, the Dragonsword is not a legendary weapon, so it cannot compete with top-tier legendary swords in raw damage output. The real-world replica is also a decorative item, not a functional combat sword.

Star Metal Sword

Star Metal weapons represent the clearest mid-game upgrade step in Conan Exiles. Star Metal falls from meteors in the frozen north, making farming it a specific activity you plan for rather than stumble into. The sword version offers a meaningful damage jump over iron and steel options and will carry you comfortably through the middle portion of the game before you are ready to invest in legendary weapons. The farming process involves locating meteor impacts, mining the ore, and smelting it at a high-tier furnace.

The real Amazon features for the Star Metal Sword describe a long sword with a total length of 33 inches including scabbard. It has a durable stainless-steel blade that is premium and corrosion-resistant, an elegant gold-plated handle with a solid composite construction, and an intricately engraved symbolic design with a mirror finish. This sword is ideal as a collector’s real sword or for medieval-themed LARP sword battles. The gold-plated handle and engraved details make it a visually striking display piece.

One honest limitation is that Star Metal farming is heavily dependent on meteor spawns, which are random and can be scarce on some servers. You may need to spend significant time waiting for meteor events or traveling between potential impact sites. Additionally, the Star Metal Sword is outclassed by legendary weapons and even some high-tier crafted swords like the Dragonsword, so it is strictly a mid-game stepping stone. The real-world replica is decorative and not designed for actual combat use.

Iron Broadsword

The Iron Broadsword is one of the first viable swords you can craft and it does a competent job of getting you through the early game. It requires basic iron and a basic Blacksmith bench, both of which are accessible within the first few hours of play. While it will be replaced quickly as you progress, having a reliable early weapon lets you take thralls more consistently, which accelerates your progress. This sword is the foundation of your weapon progression and a necessary step before moving to higher-tier materials.

This sword does not have any real Amazon features listed, meaning there is no decorative replica associated with this name. The in-game weapon is purely functional and serves as the baseline for all one-handed swords in Conan Exiles. Its low cost and simple crafting requirements make it ideal for new players who are still learning the game’s mechanics and need a dependable tool for fighting early enemies like imps, hyenas, and shalebacks.

One honest limitation is that the Iron Broadsword has low durability and damage compared to even the next tier of weapons. It will break quickly during extended fights, and you will need to craft multiple copies or carry repair materials. It also has no armor penetration, making it ineffective against heavily armored enemies or players. This sword is strictly an early-game starter weapon, and you should plan to upgrade as soon as you can access steel or star metal.

What to look for

• Material accessibility: Consider how easy it is to gather the required materials for crafting or farming the sword. Early-game swords should use common resources, while end-game swords should reward difficult content.
• Damage and reach: Look at the base damage and attack range of the sword. Longer reach helps you hit enemies from a safer distance, while higher damage reduces time-to-kill.
• Armor penetration: This stat matters most for PvP and against heavily armored bosses. Higher penetration means your attacks ignore more of the target’s armor.
• Farming reliability: Prefer swords that come from repeatable sources like vaults or craftable recipes over random boss chest drops. Reliable farming saves time and frustration.
• Progression fit: Choose a sword that matches your current game stage. An end-game legendary sword is useless if you cannot survive the area where it drops.
• Durability and repair cost: Consider how often you need to repair the sword and what materials are required. High-durability weapons save resources in the long run.
• Build synergy: Match the sword to your character build. Strength builds benefit from high base damage, while agility builds may prefer faster swing speeds.

The verdict

For most players, the Sword of the Grey Ones is the best overall choice because it combines excellent base damage and reach with a reliable farming method from vaults on the Isle of Siptah. If you do not own that DLC, the Black Blood Sword is a strong alternative for PvE boss farming, while the Dragonsword offers the best armor penetration for PvP encounters. The Star Metal Sword is the clear mid-game upgrade, and the Iron Broadsword remains the best early-game starter. Choose based on your current progression stage and content focus, and remember that each sword has a specific role in your journey through the Exiled Lands.