Conan Exiles: Isle of Siptah – Guide to Maelstrom, Vaults & Eldarium

With the release of Isle of Siptah on 27 May 2021, a new era began for Conan Exiles. This substantial add-on was not just another DLC, but a full expansion title – the first major expansion, introducing a completely new map, fresh mechanics, dungeons, monsters, and gameplay systems. Where earlier packs enhanced the game visually and thematically, Isle of Siptah reinvented the entire experience.

Funcom’s goal was to reinterpret the core of Conan Exiles – survival, building, and combat – on a mysterious, self-contained island. The developers described it as a world of secrets, storms, and ancient magic, where players battle for resources, knowledge, and dominance. The island is more dangerous, denser, and more enigmatic than the Exiled Lands.

With an all-new landscape, soundtrack, enemies, and a strong focus on discovery, Isle of Siptah feels like a game within the game. It’s Conan Exiles, but tougher, more unpredictable, and more arcane.

Isle of Siptah: a new Conan Exiles world full of secrets

The eponymous Isle of Siptah is a place of untamed beauty and deadly peril. Black beaches, storm-lashed cliffs, ancient ruins, and twisted creatures set the tone. Unlike the Exiled Lands, dominated by desert and desolation, Siptah is a rugged, maritime wilderness suffused with storms and magical forces.

At the island’s centre rises the dark Tower of Siptah, surrounded by a magical storm – the Maelstrom. This phenomenon is the heart of the expansion: a raging vortex of chaotic energy from which nightmarish creatures are born. Those who brave the storm can find rare resources – or lose everything.

The landscape itself tells stories. Wrecks lie strewn along the coast, remnants of old civilisations loom from the mist, and mysterious altars hint at lost cultures. Isle of Siptah is less a place for settling and more for exploration. Every step can lead to new danger or a hidden treasure trove.

Tower of Siptah and the Maelstrom: core mechanics of the expansion

The centrepiece of the expansion is the mighty Tower of Siptah. It is the visual and narrative centre of the map and harbours the source of the island’s magical energy. The Maelstrom, a colossal storm, springs from this power.

The Maelstrom is more than a weather effect – it’s a dynamic event that changes the world. When it rages, monsters from other dimensions appear, yielding valuable materials and essences. At the same time, they can tear down unprepared bases and threaten travellers. This makes the storm a mechanism that perfectly combines risk and reward.

Funcom struck a fine balance here: the Maelstrom adds endgame tension without disrupting the flow. It forces you to think strategically, forge alliances, and use resources wisely. In multiplayer, it became a focal point of clan competition.

Tip: Build your main base outside the Maelstrom’s reach and use forward outposts for farming runs during active storms.

Vaults and Eldarium dungeons: loot, puzzles, and peril

Isle of Siptah introduced not just a new world, but a series of unique dungeons – the Vaults. These ancient ruins are scattered across the map and serve as new PvE challenges.

Each Vault is dedicated to a specific ancient race: the Serpentmen, the Grey Ones, the Fiends, the Demons, and others. Inside these labyrinths you’ll face puzzles, traps, and powerful foes. At the end of a Vault awaits Eldarium – a mystical metal that serves as the expansion’s core resource.

Eldarium can be used to craft new weapons, armour, and artefacts. It’s a mark of progression on Siptah, but also a risk, as the dungeons are lethal. Every step into the dark could be your last. The Vaults are among the most atmospheric locations in the game – eerie, mythical, and rewarding.

Tip: Keep an eye out for Sigils from Vaults – their effects can make boss fights and farming routes significantly easier.

Surges of Power: summoning Thralls and securing resources

One of Isle of Siptah’s most important innovations is the Surges of Power – magical discharges that sweep across the island. They’re triggered when players activate special altars or ley-shrines and tap into the tower’s energy.

These Surges open portals through which human captives, demons, or other creatures are transported to the island. This is the new way to recruit Thralls. Instead of capturing them at camps, you must now summon them via Surges – a dangerous but rewarding process.

This system adds a new tactical edge to the game. You must decide when and where to trigger Surges to obtain the best allies or rarest resources. At the same time, an active Surge attracts enemies, turning it into a risky undertaking.

Note: Preparation is everything – traps, barricades, and ample truncheons greatly increase your chances of securing high-quality Thralls alive.

New creatures on Siptah: Grey Ones, demons, and beasts

The island teems with creatures not found in the Exiled Lands. From shadowy demons to monstrous beasts spawned by the Maelstrom – each new foe brings its own challenge.

Particularly striking are the Grey Ones, ancient warriors of a forgotten civilisation, who guard the island’s jungle temples. Their armour and weapons rank among the most powerful in the game, but victory against them must be hard-won.

The wildlife is more varied too. Giant spiders, lizards, and demonic hyenas prowl the ruins. Hunting these creatures becomes an important part of progression, as many yield rare materials.

Eldarium armour, weapons, and building: progression on Siptah

Like all major expansions, Isle of Siptah includes a wealth of new items, building materials, and cosmetics. The new building set is dark and maritime, with deep wood and stone elements reminiscent of shipwrecks and ancient temples.

The new weapon and armour sets reflect the island’s themes: arcane energy, lost civilisations, and dark rites. Many of these items use Eldarium as a base and carry a distinct visual signature – shimmering, unearthly, and dangerous.

Funcom tightly linked design and mechanics here. Players who master Eldarium gain access to powerful artefacts that can radically change their playstyle.

Tip: Prioritise workbenches and recipes that refine Eldarium efficiently. You’ll reach your next gear milestone much faster.

Atmosphere, graphics, and sound design of Isle of Siptah

Isle of Siptah impresses not only in gameplay, but also aesthetically. It’s one of the most beautiful yet threatening landscapes Funcom has ever created. The interplay of storm, light, and shadow creates an almost cinematic effect.

The soundtrack underscores the mood with brooding strings, distant drums, and ominous choirs. Especially during the Maelstrom, the music swells to a stirring crescendo that perfectly captures the drama of the moment. Even in quieter moments, the island feels alive – crashing waves, thunder in the distance, gulls crying: every sound adds to the immersion.

Multiplayer, PvP, and endgame strategies on Siptah

On multiplayer servers, Isle of Siptah shows its full potential. The new mechanics around Maelstrom, Surges, and Vaults lead to entirely new dynamics between clans. You must decide whether to cooperate or compete – resources are scarcer, dangers greater, and rewards more valuable.

PvE players also benefit from the new progression system, repeatable dungeons, and exploration. The island offers enough variety to deliver new discoveries for months. Combined with mods that tweak balance or atmosphere, Isle of Siptah becomes a long-lasting foundation for countless community servers.

Tip: Define clear raid windows (server rules) and assign roles within your clan – this maximises farming pace and defensive capability.

Conclusion: Isle of Siptah meaningfully expands Conan Exiles

Isle of Siptah isn’t a mere add-on – it’s a new chapter. It injects Conan Exiles with fresh energy, new mechanics, and a fascinating world full of danger and mystery.

The island is both beautiful and deadly, alien yet familiar. It challenges you to be bold, to experiment, and to test your limits. Every expedition into the storm, every battle against creatures of the dark becomes a story that can only be told on this island.

For veterans, Isle of Siptah is a rebirth; for newcomers, a strong entry into a vibrant, mystical world. And on your own Conan Exiles server from 4Netplayers, the expansion unfolds its full potential – with stable performance, full customisation, and room for entire expeditions seeking to uncover Siptah’s secrets.

Rent your own Conan Exiles server now