Playing Conan Exiles With Friends: Server and Co-op Options

Ways to Play Conan Exiles Together

Conan Exiles can easily turn into a long survival project, and most wasteland empires are more fun when friends are helping build, raid, craft, or accidentally angering something much larger than expected. The tricky part is choosing how everyone should connect.

There are three common ways to play Conan Exiles with friends: use a hosted dedicated server, run the official dedicated server software yourself, or enable co-op from inside a singleplayer world. Each option works, but they are not equal when it comes to control, reliability, setup time, and how much technical work is required.

Hosted Dedicated Server

A dedicated server is usually the cleanest option if you want the world to stay online, support mods, and give players a more traditional multiplayer experience. With HolyHosting, you can install Conan Exiles from the control panel and manage the server without manually handling every file and network setting.

This route gives you the most flexibility. You can adjust server settings, add compatible mods, restart when needed, and let friends join even when your own PC is turned off. Hosted servers also avoid the usual home-network problems, such as port forwarding, firewall rules, and connection issues.

To install Conan Exiles on a hosted server:

1. Open your HolyHosting server panel and find the Game File area.
2. Select the current game option, then search for Conan Exiles.

1. Choose Conan Exiles when it appears to begin the install.
2. Follow the prompts to change the version, create a new world, and restart the server.

1. Once the server finishes loading, join it in-game to confirm everything is working.

This is the best fit for groups that plan to play often, use mods, or keep a shared world available without depending on one player's computer.

Self-hosting With the Official Tool

Another option is running the official Conan Exiles Dedicated Server tool through Steam. This can work well for players who are comfortable managing files and network settings, but it takes more effort than using a hosted server.

Self-hosting usually involves downloading the tool, editing configuration files, choosing server settings, and making sure the required ports are open. Firewalls, routers, antivirus software, and home internet restrictions can all get in the way. The setup process is not impossible, but it can be fussy.

There are also practical limits. Your computer needs to stay online and keep the server application running whenever friends want to join. If your PC shuts down, updates, crashes, or loses connection, the server goes with it. You may also miss out on the security, uptime, and management tools that come with a hosted setup.

Self-hosting is best for players who want to experiment, avoid hosting costs, and do not mind troubleshooting when something refuses to cooperate.

In-game Co-op Mode

The fastest method is built directly into Conan Exiles. You can start a singleplayer world, enable co-op, and invite friends. This is simple, but it comes with the most restrictions.

Co-op mode is tied to the host player's active session. Friends can only join while the host is playing, and the world behaves more like a shared singleplayer save than a full server. You can tweak some settings and use compatible mods in certain cases, but you will not get the same control or persistence that a dedicated server provides.

To start co-op:

1. Launch Conan Exiles and select Singleplayer/Co-op from the main menu.

1. Press Activate Co-op to enable multiplayer for that world.

1. Load into the world and invite your friends.

Co-op is useful for a small, casual session. For long-term worlds, clans, mods, or regular play, it usually starts to feel cramped pretty quickly.

Comparing the Options

A hosted server gives the strongest mix of control, uptime, and convenience. It is the better choice when a group wants a stable world that stays available and can be managed through a panel.

Self-hosting costs less in direct hosting fees, but demands more setup and maintenance. It also depends on the host player's hardware and internet connection.

In-game co-op is the quickest way to start, but it has the fewest server features. It works for testing the game with a friend or running a casual session, not for building a long-term shared world.

Final Thoughts

Playing Conan Exiles with friends comes down to how much control and reliability you need. A hosted dedicated server is the most complete option, self-hosting is workable for technical players, and co-op is the quickest path for a short session.

If the goal is a persistent world with fewer setup headaches, a HolyHosting Conan Exiles server is the practical route. If the goal is simply to invite a friend for an evening of survival and questionable building decisions, co-op can do the job.