Conan Exiles: Imperial East Pack – Khitan DLC & Architecture

With the release of The Imperial East Pack on 22 June 2018, Conan Exiles opened the door to an entirely new cultural and aesthetic dimension. While previous content showcased the harsh, barbaric life of the Exiled Lands, this DLC introduced players to the world of the Khitan – a Far Eastern people renowned for their architecture, discipline and artistic craftsmanship. The Imperial East Pack was the first cosmetic expansion for Conan Exiles and laid the groundwork for the many culture-themed DLCs that would follow in subsequent years.

The goal of this pack was not to change the core gameplay, but to broaden the cultural diversity of Conan’s world. It brought a touch of elegance and civilisation to a land previously defined by blood, sand and stone. For many, it was the moment when Conan Exiles began to be more than a survival game – a living world uniting cultures, history and style.

Khitan culture in Conan Exiles: lore and aesthetics

The Khitan hail from the distant East and represent, in Conan’s world, a culture strongly reminiscent of historical China. They are known for discipline, spiritual depth and precise craftsmanship. While other peoples rule through brute force, the Khitan prize order and art.

The Imperial East Pack translates this philosophy into architecture and equipment. It is the aesthetic of a civilisation that seeks not conquest, but harmony and perfection – a fascinating counterpoint to the barbaric landscapes of the Exiled Lands.

Khitan structures appear smooth, orderly and elegant. Dark timber beams, sweeping roofs and gilded ornamentation create a completely different spatial feel to the rough stone fortresses of the base game. Build a Khitan stronghold and you create a monument to balance and peace – a visual counterweight to the chaotic realities of survival.

Khitan architecture in the Imperial East Pack: building pieces and style

At the heart of the DLC are new building pieces in the style of the Khitan Empire. They include over forty different parts – among them walls, roofs, doors, windows, foundations and decorations.

These structures are defined by clear, almost meditative lines. Instead of rough stone blocks, you’ll find polished wood, dark tiles and fine detailing. Particularly striking are the curved eaves that evoke temple architecture.

• Construct magnificent pagodas, tranquil courtyards or entire townscapes.
• Use colour contrasts in red, black and gold.
• Create bases that are less fortress and more retreat.

Especially on community servers, this architecture quickly became a status symbol. A Khitan fortress signalled prosperity, craftsmanship and cultural awareness – a prestige project amid the harsh day-to-day of the Exiled Lands.

Khitan weapons and armour in the Imperial East Pack

Alongside the architecture, the pack introduced a new collection of armour and weapons, inspired by the Khitan military.

The armour features clean lines – fine fabrics, metal plates and traditional pauldrons. There are light, medium and heavy variants, each convincing both aesthetically and functionally. The light attire recalls the freedom of movement of monks or scouts, while the heavy gear evokes ceremonial warriors embodying discipline and strength.

The weapons follow the same principle: sharp, elegant forms rather than brute force. The Khitan sword, halberd and bow are precise, light and deadly. Their design shows a culture that views war as an art, not chaos.

Even if their stats do not surpass existing gear, many players value them for their distinctive style. They convey a sense of honour and control – qualities rare in Conan’s world.

Khitan decorations and atmosphere: lanterns, statues, carpets

Another central element of the DLC is its numerous decorative items. The pack added statues, carpets, lanterns, pots and wall ornaments that bring buildings to life.

Many of these items draw on East Asian aesthetics. Lanterns cast a soft light that bathes surroundings in warm tones. Carpets display symmetrical patterns, and statues of tigers or dragons watch over courtyards and entrances.

These details gave Conan Exiles a new cultural depth that goes beyond mere survival. You can create places that tell stories – temples honouring ancestors, gardens for meditation, or training yards for disciplined warriors.

Civilisation and the feel of play in Conan Exiles

For a long time, Conan Exiles was a game of chaos: hunger, thirst, sandstorms and enemies defined daily life. The Imperial East Pack introduced the first real counterbalance – the feeling that civilisation is possible.

Those who build in the Khitan style sense that they can not only survive, but live. The player is no longer seen solely as a barbaric survivor, but as an architect, artist and ruler.

The Imperial East Pack’s influence on later Conan Exiles DLCs

The Imperial East Pack formed the foundation for many later expansions. Almost every subsequent cultural pack – whether Turanian, Argossean or Nemedian – followed its template: a suite of architecture, weapons, armour and decorations.

It showed that players in Conan Exiles seek not just power, but expression. Each culture brought its own philosophy and style. But it all began with the Khitan, whose artistic discipline set the tone – inspiring the creative community to further designs.

Aesthetics as gameplay: Khitan design in a survival game

We often underestimate how strongly visual design shapes the experience of play. This pack proved that aesthetics can be a form of gameplay. A fortress that is beautiful feels safer. A room built with care instils pride and motivation.

In a survival game so often defined by combat and death, beauty is a rare luxury. This DLC made it accessible – showing that even in a world of violence there is room for art.

Many players found Khitan architecture calming. It was not geared towards dominance, but harmony. Even solo players could create a small oasis – somewhere to forget, for a moment, that enemies lurk outside.

Conclusion on the Imperial East Pack: the art of balance

The Imperial East Pack was a milestone in the evolution of Conan Exiles. It brought culture, elegance and structure to a world previously defined solely by survival. With its Far Eastern aesthetics, fine details and serene architecture, it opened new ways to not just play the game, but actively shape it.

It’s no surprise that many players look back on this first expansion even years later: it marks the beginning of a new understanding – that power and beauty, strength and art, wilderness and order can coexist in Conan Exiles.

On a dedicated 4Netplayers server, the Imperial East Pack truly comes into its own. Here you can build temple complexes, design Khitan fortresses and establish your own culture amid the Exiled Lands. With stable performance, flexible management and room for creativity, the Realm of the East becomes not just a game world, but a home – shaped by discipline, harmony and the eternal pursuit of balance.

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