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

With the release of Isle of Siptah on May 27, 2021, a new era began for Conan Exiles. This substantial add-on wasn’t just another DLC, but a full expansion—the first major expansion introducing an entirely new map, fresh mechanics, dungeons, monsters, and systems. Where previous packs enhanced visuals and themes, Isle of Siptah reshaped the entire gameplay experience.

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

With a completely new landscape, soundtrack, enemies, and a focus on discovery, Isle of Siptah feels like a game within the game. It’s Conan Exiles, but harsher, 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 lethal danger. Black beaches, storm-battered cliffs, ancient ruins, and twisted creatures define the landscape. Unlike the Exiled Lands, dominated by deserts and wastelands, Siptah is a rugged, maritime wilderness suffused with storms and magical forces.

At the island’s center rises the dark Tower of Siptah, encircled by a magical storm—the Maelstrom. This phenomenon is the heart of the expansion: a raging vortex of chaotic energy spawning nightmarish creatures. Those who brave the storm can find rare resources—or lose everything.

The land itself tells stories. Wrecks litter the coast, remnants of ancient civilizations jut from the mist, and mysterious altars hint at lost cultures. Isle of Siptah is less a place to settle and more a place to discover. Every step can lead to new dangers or a hidden treasure trove.

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

The towering Tower of Siptah is the central feature of the expansion. It serves as the visual and narrative core of the map and harbors the source of the magical energy permeating the island. The Maelstrom, a massive storm, stems from that power.

The Maelstrom is more than weather—it’s a dynamic event that changes the world. When it rages, creatures from other dimensions appear, supplying players with valuable materials and essences. At the same time, they can destroy unprepared bases and threaten travelers. This makes the storm a mechanic that perfectly blends risk and reward.

Funcom struck a balance here: the Maelstrom injects excitement into the endgame without breaking the flow. It forces you to think strategically, forge alliances, and spend resources wisely. On multiplayer servers, it became a central element in clan competition.

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

Vaults and Eldarium dungeons: loot, puzzles, and peril

Isle of Siptah didn’t just add a new world—it also introduced a slate of unique dungeons known as Vaults. These ancient ruins are scattered across the map and serve as fresh PvE challenges.

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

Eldarium can be used to craft new weapons, armor, and artifacts. It marks progression on Siptah but comes with risk, as these dungeons are deadly. Every step into the dark could be your last. The Vaults are among the most atmospheric locations in the game—eerie, mythic, and rewarding.

Tip: Watch for Sigils from Vaults—their effects can significantly ease boss fights and farming routes.

Surges of Power: summon thralls and secure resources

One of the most important additions in Isle of Siptah 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 brought to the island. This is the new method for recruiting Thralls. Instead of capturing them in camps, you summon them via Surges—a dangerous but rewarding process.

This system adds new tactical depth. You must decide when and where to activate Surges to secure the best allies or rarest resources. At the same time, an active Surge attracts enemies, making it a risky endeavor.

Note: Preparation is everything—traps, barricades, and plenty of knockout weapons greatly improve your chances of securing high-quality thralls alive.

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

The island is home to creatures not found in the Exiled Lands. From shadowy demons to monstrous beasts spawned by the Maelstrom, each new foe brings a unique challenge.

Particularly striking are the Grey Ones, ancient warriors of a forgotten civilization guarding the island’s jungle temples. Their weapons and armor rank among the strongest in the game, but victory over them is hard-earned.

Wildlife is more varied as well. Giant spiders, lizards, and demonic hyenas prowl the ruins. Hunting these creatures becomes a key part of progression, as many provide rare materials.

Eldarium armor, weapons, and building: progression on Siptah

Like any major expansion, Isle of Siptah brings a wealth of new items, building pieces, and cosmetics. The new building set is dark and maritime, with shadowed wood and stone elements reminiscent of shipwrecks and ancient temples.

New weapon and armor sets reflect the island’s themes: arcane energy, lost civilizations, and dark rituals. Many of these items are built on Eldarium and carry a distinct visual signature—gleaming, otherworldly, and dangerous.

Funcom tied design and mechanics together. Players who master Eldarium gain access to powerful artifacts that can radically shift playstyles.

Tip: Prioritize benches 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 created. The interplay of storm, light, and shadow produces a distinctly cinematic feel.

The soundtrack reinforces the mood with brooding strings, distant drums, and haunting choirs. During the Maelstrom, the music swells to an intense crescendo that perfectly captures the moment’s drama. Even in calm stretches, the island feels alive—crashing waves, rumbling thunder, crying gulls: every sound deepens the immersion.

Multiplayer, PvP, and endgame strategies on Siptah

Isle of Siptah shines on multiplayer servers. The new mechanics around Maelstrom, Surges, and Vaults create entirely new dynamics between clans. You must decide whether to cooperate or compete—resources are scarcer, threats greater, and rewards more valuable.

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

Tip: Set clear raid windows (server rules) and use role specialization within your clan—this maximizes farming speed and defensive strength.

Conclusion: Isle of Siptah meaningfully expands Conan Exiles

Isle of Siptah isn’t just an expansion—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, experiment, and push your limits. Every expedition into the storm, every battle against creatures of the dark becomes a story only this island can tell.

For veterans, Isle of Siptah is a rebirth; for newcomers, it’s a strong entry into a vibrant, mystical world. And on your own Conan Exiles server from 4Netplayers, the expansion reaches its full potential—with stable performance, full configuration control, and room for full-scale expeditions to uncover Siptah’s secrets.

Rent your own Conan Exiles server now