Conan Exiles
Conan Exiles

Companions & Followers (Beyond Thralls)

Find allies beyond thralls in Conan Exiles. Learn to acquire and utilize animal companions and other unique followers for combat and gathering.

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Companions & Followers (Beyond Thralls)

While thralls are the backbone of any Exiled Lands empire, the world of Conan Exiles offers a surprising array of other creatures and entities that can join your side, offering unique benefits in combat, resource gathering, or even just as loyal companions. This guide delves into acquiring and utilizing these often-overlooked allies.

Animal Companions

Animal companions are a fantastic way to add some muscle to your early-game adventures or specialized support later on. Unlike thralls, they don't require a Wheel of Pain but instead need to be raised from a youngling.

Acquiring Animal Younglings

Most animal companions begin as younglings found in specific biomes. You'll need to locate and pick them up. Be warned: some younglings are guarded by aggressive adults!

  • Wolf Cub: Found in the Highlands, especially around the Mounds of the Dead and north of the Black Galleon.
  • Bear Cub: Common in the Highlands and the Frozen North, particularly near the Den.
  • Greater Bear Cub: A rare spawn in the same areas as regular bear cubs. Offers superior stats.
  • Panther Cub: Found in the jungle biome, often near the riverbanks and around the Pagoda of Boundless Lusts.
  • Greater Panther Cub: Rare spawn in the jungle.
  • Hyena Pup: Abundant in the desert biome, especially around the Sentinels and the area surrounding Sepermeru.
  • Greater Hyena Pup: Rare spawn in the desert.
  • Rhino Calf: Found in the jungle, particularly near the savanna-like areas bordering the desert.
  • Greater Rhino Calf: Rare spawn in the jungle.
  • Shaleback Hatchling: Common in the desert, especially along the river and near the starting areas.
  • Greater Shaleback Hatchling: Rare spawn, often found near other shalebacks.
  • Spiderling: Found in various caves, such as the Den of the Wolfmen or the Executioner's Entrance.
  • Greater Spiderling: Rare spawn in spider-infested caves.
  • Crocodile Hatchling: Found along the river in the desert and jungle biomes.
  • Greater Crocodile Hatchling: Rare spawn near other crocodiles.
  • Elephant Calf: Found in the jungle, typically in herds.
  • Greater Elephant Calf: Rare spawn in elephant herds.
  • Gazelle Fawn: Found in the desert, often in open plains. Less useful for combat, more for aesthetics.
  • Camel Calf: Found in the desert, often near oases. Primarily a pack animal.

Raising Animal Companions

Once you have a youngling, you'll need a Animal Pen to raise it. Place the youngling inside and provide it with food.

  • Food Types: Different animals prefer different foods, which can influence their growth chance into a "Greater" variant.
  • Growth Time: Animals take varying amounts of time to grow into adults. This process can be sped up by placing more food in the pen.
  • Greater Variants: A "Greater" animal companion has significantly higher stats (health, damage, armor) than its regular counterpart. The chance of getting a Greater variant is influenced by the food type and a bit of RNG.

Animal Pen

The Animal Pen is a crafting station required to raise animal younglings. It can be learned from the "Animal Pen" feat at level 15.

  • Crafting Cost:
    • 100x Stone
    • 50x Wood
    • 20x Iron Reinforcement
  • Placement: Can be placed on any foundation or flat ground.
  • Capacity: Each Animal Pen can hold up to 5 younglings at a time.

Summoned Companions

These companions are temporary allies, often powerful but with limited lifespans or specific summoning requirements. They are typically acquired through sorcery.

Skeletons

Skeletons are basic but effective summoned warriors. They are excellent for distracting enemies or adding extra damage in a pinch. They have a limited duration and will eventually crumble.

  • Acquisition: Learned through the Sorcery system. You will need to unlock the "Summon Skeleton" spell. This requires a Sacrificial Altar and the appropriate Blood Crystal or Corrupted Stone.
  • Summoning Cost: Typically requires Corrupted Stone and a specific amount of Corruption on your character.
  • Duration: Skeletons last for a set period (e.g., 15 minutes) before despawning.
  • Strategy: Best used for quickly overwhelming small groups or providing a meat shield against powerful foes. They are not as durable as high-tier thralls or Greater animals.

Abyssal Remnant

A powerful, temporary summon that deals significant damage and can withstand a good amount of punishment. It's a high-cost, high-reward option.

  • Acquisition: Learned through advanced Sorcery. Requires the "Summon Abyssal Remnant" spell, which is found in specific lore scrolls or through higher-tier sorcery progression.
  • Summoning Cost: Very high, often requiring rare reagents like Demon Blood, Corrupted Stone, and a substantial amount of Corruption.
  • Duration: Shorter than skeletons, but its combat prowess makes up for it.
  • Strategy: Reserve for boss fights, difficult dungeon encounters, or defending your base against powerful raids.

Special Companions

These are unique followers that don't fit neatly into the animal or summoned categories. They often come with specific quests or acquisition methods.

The Watcher

A unique, non-combat pet that offers a small light source and a bit of ambiance. It's more of a cosmetic companion.

  • Acquisition: Found in the Wine Cellar Dungeon. You must defeat the boss, The Wine Cellar Boss, and then interact with a specific object in the boss arena to acquire the Watcher Egg.
  • Hatching: Place the Watcher Egg in an Animal Pen. It will hatch into The Watcher after a short time. No special food is required.
  • Functionality: Provides a small, static light source when deployed. Does not engage in combat.

Golem

Golems are construct companions that can be crafted through the Golem Mastery system. They offer unique abilities depending on their components and can be specialized for combat, resource gathering, or even defense.

  • Acquisition: Requires unlocking the Golem Mastery feat, typically found in the Isle of Siptah expansion or through specific lore in the Exiled Lands (requires Age of Sorcery).
  • Crafting: Golems are assembled at a Golem Workbench using various parts:
    • Head: Determines primary function (e.g., combat, harvesting).
    • Torso: Affects health and carrying capacity.
    • Arms: Influences attack speed and damage.
    • Legs: Impacts movement speed.
    • Core: Provides special abilities or buffs.
  • Materials: Requires a wide range of materials, including Iron Bars, Steel Bars, Alchemical Base, Crystal, and various Golem Parts found from specific enemies or crafting.
  • Specialization: Golems can be specialized for different roles:
    • Combat Golem: High damage and health, excellent for fighting alongside you.
    • Harvesting Golem: Automatically gathers specific resources (e.g., stone, wood, fiber) within a radius. Requires specific head and core components.
    • Guardian Golem: Stationary defender for your base, similar to a guard thrall but with unique abilities.
  • Maintenance: Golems require Golem Energy to function, which is typically provided by Essence of Jhebbal Sag or other magical reagents.

Managing Companions

All companions, whether thralls, animals, or golems, share some common management mechanics.

Command Wheel

Pressing and holding 'E' (default PC) on a companion brings up the command wheel. This allows you to:

  • Follow/Guard: Toggle between having them follow you or stay put and guard an area.
  • Attack Target: Command them to attack a specific enemy.
  • Move: Direct them to a specific location.
  • Behavior: Adjust their combat behavior (e.g., attack all enemies, guard me, guard area).
  • Inventory: Access their inventory to equip armor, weapons (thralls only), or store items.

Food and Healing

Unlike thralls who passively heal, most animal companions require food in their inventory to heal over time. Golems require Golem Energy.

  • Animal Healing: Place their preferred food (e.g., Raw Meat for carnivores, Plant Fiber for herbivores) in their inventory. They will consume it to regenerate health.
  • Golem Healing: Golems regenerate health when they have Golem Energy in their inventory.
  • Bandages/Potions: You can also use Bandages or Healing Potions on your companions by dragging them onto the companion's health bar or using the command wheel.

Armor and Weapons (Animals/Golems)

While thralls can wear full sets of armor and wield weapons, animals and golems have more limited options.

  • Animal Armor: Some animals (e.g., Rhinos, Elephants) can equip specific Animal Saddles or Animal Armor pieces, providing additional protection. These are crafted at a Tanner or Armorer's Bench.
  • Golem Components: Golems are "equipped" by their crafted components, which directly influence their stats and abilities.

By understanding and utilizing the diverse range of companions beyond just thralls, you can significantly enhance your survival, combat effectiveness, and overall experience in the Exiled Lands.