Conan Exiles

Conan Exiles is a survival MMO with official Windows support. This guide covers setting up both Windows (native) and Linux (Wine/Proton) dedicated servers.

Requirements

Step 1: Download Server on Windows

steamcmd +force_install_dir "C:\ConanExiles-Server" +login anonymous +app_update 443030 validate +quit

Step 2: Configure Engine.ini

Create C:\ConanExiles-Server\ConanSandbox\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\Engine.ini:

[/Script/Engine.Engine]
Net.ServerTravelPause=False

[/Script/Engine.World]
bWorldGravityDisabled=False

Step 3: Configure ServerSettings.ini

Create C:\ConanExiles-Server\ConanSandbox\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\ServerSettings.ini:

[/Script/ConanSandbox.ConanGameMode]
ServerName=My Conan Exiles Server
ServerPassword=your_server_password
MaxPlayers=40
ServerAdminPassword=your_admin_password
BattlepassEnabled=1

[/Script/ConanSandbox.ConanExilesGameMode]
ClanMaxMembers=15
ClanMaxTitles=25
PvPBlitzEnabled=0
KickUnresponsiveClients=1

[/Script/Engine.GameModeBase]
KillZ=-50000.0
MaxPlayers=40
NumSpectators=0

Step 4: Create Startup Batch

Create C:\ConanExiles-Server\start-server.bat:

@echo off
cd /d C:\ConanExiles-Server\ConanSandbox\Binaries\Win64
ConanSandboxServer-Win64-Shipping.exe -Port=7777 -QueryPort=27015
pause

Step 5: Run as Service (Optional)

nssm install ConanServer "C:\ConanExiles-Server\ConanSandbox\Binaries\Win64\ConanSandboxServer-Win64-Shipping.exe" "-Port=7777"
nssm start ConanServer

• RAM: 8 GB minimum (10+ GB recommended)
• CPU: 4 vCPU
• Storage: 50 GB SSD
• Bandwidth: 3–10 Mbps per player
• OS: Windows Server 2016+ or Windows 10/11

Requirements

Conan Exiles servers are resource-heavy. Wine adds additional overhead. Allocate at least 8 GB of RAM. Underprovisioned servers will crash under load.

Installation

1. Install Wine and dependencies

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y wine wine32 wine64 winetricks

For better performance and compatibility, consider using Proton (Steam's Wine fork):

sudo apt install -y proton

2. Install SteamCMD

Install the native Linux SteamCMD:

sudo apt install -y steamcmd

3. Create a dedicated user

sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash conan
sudo su - conan

4. Download the server

Download the Conan Exiles server (AppID 443030) using native SteamCMD:

steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 443030 validate +quit

The server will install to ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/ConanSandbox. Note this path.

The server will download to ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/ConanSandbox/ConanSandbox/Binaries/Win64/ConanSandboxServer-Win64-Shipping.exe.

5. Set up Wine prefix

Create a Wine prefix for the Conan Exiles server:

export WINEPREFIX=~/.wine-conan
winecfg

A Wine configuration window will appear. Accept defaults and close it. This initializes the prefix.

• RAM: 8 GB minimum (10+ GB recommended)
• CPU: 4 vCPU
• Storage: 50 GB SSD
• Bandwidth: 3–10 Mbps per player
• OS: Ubuntu 20.04+ or Debian 11+

Server configuration files are located in:

Engine.ini

Create or edit Engine.ini:

[/Script/Engine.Engine]
Net.ServerTravelPause=False

[/Script/Engine.World]
bWorldGravityDisabled=False

[Core.System]
Paths=../../../Engine/Content
Paths=../../../Engine/Plugins

ServerSettings.ini

This is the main configuration file. Edit or create ServerSettings.ini:

[/Script/ConanSandbox.ConanGameMode]
ServerName=My Conan Exiles Server
ServerPassword=your_server_password
MaxPlayers=40
ServerAdminPassword=your_admin_password
BattlepassEnabled=1
AutomaticPlayerLocationReportEnabled=1

[/Script/ConanSandbox.ConanExilesGameMode]
ClanMaxMembers=15
ClanMaxTitles=25
PvPBlitzEnabled=0
KickUnresponsiveClients=1

[/Script/Engine.GameModeBase]
KillZ=-50000.0
MaxPlayers=40
NumSpectators=0

Key settings:

• ServerName: Server name (appears in browser)
• ServerPassword: Join password (empty = public)
• MaxPlayers: Maximum concurrent players (40 typical)
• ServerAdminPassword: Admin command password
• BattlepassEnabled: Enable/disable battle pass

Ensure these ports are open:

Open firewall:

sudo ufw allow 7777/udp
sudo ufw allow 7778/udp
sudo ufw allow 27015/udp
sudo ufw enable

Manual startup with Wine

export WINEPREFIX=~/.wine-conan
cd ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/ConanSandbox/ConanSandbox/Binaries/Win64
wine ConanSandboxServer-Win64-Shipping.exe -Port=7777 -QueryPort=27015

The server takes 30–60 seconds to initialize. Wait for the log to stabilize before connecting.

Systemd service (recommended)

Create /etc/systemd/system/conan-exiles.service:

[Unit]
Description=Conan Exiles Dedicated Server
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=conan
WorkingDirectory=/home/conan/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/ConanSandbox/ConanSandbox/Binaries/Win64
Environment="WINEPREFIX=/home/conan/.wine-conan"
Environment="WINEARCH=win64"
ExecStart=/usr/bin/wine ConanSandboxServer-Win64-Shipping.exe -Port=7777 -QueryPort=27015
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=15
StandardOutput=journal
StandardError=journal

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Enable and start:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable conan-exiles
sudo systemctl start conan-exiles

Check status:

sudo systemctl status conan-exiles

View logs:

sudo journalctl -u conan-exiles -f

Conan Exiles supports mods. To install mods:

cp -r ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/workshop/content/440900/* \
  ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/ConanSandbox/ConanSandbox/Mods/

Mods are loaded automatically by the server.

• Subscribe to mods on Steam Workshop
• SteamCMD will automatically download them
• Copy mod files to the Mods folder:

Wine-based servers are less stable than native implementations. Regular backups are essential.

Save files are located in:

Backup regularly:

tar -czf conan-backup-$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S).tar.gz \
  ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/ConanSandbox/ConanSandbox/Saved/

Store backups externally.

To update the server:

steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 443030 validate +quit
sudo systemctl restart conan-exiles

Always back up your saves before updating.

Wine optimization flags

Add these environment variables to your systemd service:

Environment="DXVK_HUD=off"
Environment="VKD3D_CONFIG=dxr11"
Environment="STAGING_SHARED_MEMORY=1"

Monitor resource usage

# Check memory and CPU
top -p $(pgrep -f ConanSandboxServer)

# Check disk usage
du -sh ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/ConanSandbox/

Server crashes on startup:

Cannot connect to server:

High CPU usage:

Mods not loading:

• Check Wine logs: ~/.wine-conan/drive_c/users/[user]/Local Settings/Application Data/
• Ensure sufficient RAM: free -h
• Try reinstalling dependencies: sudo apt install --reinstall wine64
• Verify ports are open: sudo netstat -tuln | grep -E '7777|7778|27015'
• Check firewall: sudo ufw status
• Restart service: sudo systemctl restart conan-exiles
• Wine emulation is CPU-intensive; this is expected
• Reduce MaxPlayers if server is undersized
• Consider upgrading to more vCPUs
• Verify mod files are in the Mods folder
• Check server logs for mod errors
• Ensure mod compatibility with current server version

Engine.ini and Game.ini Tuning

Engine.ini parameters:

Game.ini performance settings:

[Conan.World]
LandclaimRadiusMultiplier=1.5
BuildingDamageMultiplier=1.0

Admin Panel Access

In-game admin panel (Ctrl+Shift+Alt+L):

Key Settings:

Thrall Settings and Rates

Adjust thrall difficulty and availability:

Mod Installation via Mod Manager

Windows workflow:

Linux workflow:

cp -r ~/downloaded-mods/* ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/ConanSandbox/ConanSandbox/Mods/
sudo systemctl restart conan-exiles

Popular mods:

• Server Settings: Max players, PvP rules, decay timers
• Thralls: Thrall spawn rates and damage multipliers
• Structures: Building health, decay rates
• Economy: Loot drops, resource multipliers
• Download mods from Nexus Mods
• Use Vortex Mod Manager
• Install to: C:\ConanExiles-Server\ConanSandbox\Mods\
• Verify mod load order
• Restart server
• Pippi: Admin tools and QoL improvements
• Devious Desires: Building and decoration
• Unlock Plus: Expanded building options
• Better Thralls: Enhanced AI and customization

• Configure admin panel settings for gameplay balance
• Set up mod ecosystem with popular community additions
• Plan thrall farming and loot economy
• Configure clan size and PvP timers for your audience
• Monitor server performance and adjust MaxPlayers accordingly