Conan Exiles DLC: Riders of Hyboria – Riding & Cavalry

On December 5, 2019, Funcom released the Riders of Hyboria Pack, a DLC that fundamentally changed the world of Conan Exiles. It accompanied one of the game’s largest free updates — the introduction of the riding and cavalry system. With this pack, movement became a central element of the game. Where footslogging and arduous journeys once dominated, horses suddenly opened up new dimensions of mobility, combat, and exploration.

The Riders of Hyboria Pack is more than just a cosmetic add-on. It stands for freedom. It brought not only new mounts and armor, but also a sense of vastness, adventure, and control over your surroundings. For the first time, players could traverse the lands of Hyboria on horseback — a moment many consider a turning point in the history of Conan Exiles.

With this DLC, Funcom elegantly combined aesthetics, functionality, and speed. It crowned a year full of experimentation — and opened the door to a new era in the Exiled Lands.

Conan Exiles Riding: Introduction to the Riders of Hyboria DLC

Riders of Hyboria introduced riding as a core gameplay feature. Players could tame, raise, equip, and fight on horses. This fundamentally changed the game’s dynamics: travel became faster, combat more strategic, and exploration more exciting.

The DLC complemented this system with exclusive cosmetics that deepened the experience stylistically. New saddles, horse armor, clothing, and weapons gave riders a distinct visual identity. Whether desert warrior, nomad, or noble knight — everyone could style their rider to taste.

The introduction of horses also added a social dimension. On multiplayer servers, players met for races, organized cavalry units, or hosted tournaments. The riding system quickly became a staple of the game — and the Riders of Hyboria Pack provided the perfect foundation for it.

Conan Exiles Horse Armor & Saddles: Builds for Speed and Protection

A central highlight of the DLC is the new horse armor. It comes in several styles inspired by different Hyborian cultures.

The light rider armor is made of leather and cloth, emphasizing agility and style. It’s ideal for players who value speed and prefer scouting or hunting. The medium and heavy variants focus on protection and power. Particularly striking is the Turanian variant with metal plates and blue fabric accents, making horse and rider feel like a single unit.

The saddles also offer impressive variety. There are options for stamina, speed, and balance. Players can decide whether to outfit a nimble riding horse or a massive war mount. Each combination noticeably affects the riding feel, adding a clear tactical element.

This level of customization made horses in Conan Exiles more than mere transportation — they became companions and symbols of status and identity.

Rider Armor & Weapons in the Riders of Hyboria DLC

Beyond horse gear, the Riders of Hyboria Pack introduced a range of new armor and weapons for the player. These designs reflect the cultures of the mounted peoples of Hyboria, feared for their mobility and combat prowess.

Rider armors are functional yet stylish, combining leather, metal, and cloth into outfits that balance protection and elegance. Especially well-known is the Poitain armor — a blend of knightly aesthetics and barbaric pragmatism. It offers solid defense values and pairs perfectly with the pack’s heavily armored horses.

The DLC also added new weapon sets, including curved blades, lances, and shortswords suitable for mounted combat. Animations were crafted to transition smoothly with riding motions. This gave Conan Exiles a new combat dimension: quick strikes from the saddle, precise hit-and-run slashes, and tactical spacing maneuvers.

This combination of armor and weapons created an authentic cavalry feel that still captivates players today.

Decorations for Nomads: Tents, Banners, and Rider Camps in Conan Exiles

Riders of Hyboria also expanded the game with thematically fitting decorations. Tents, campfires, banners, and horse statues can be placed in settlements or rider camps. These objects capture the atmosphere of a nomadic lifestyle — always on the move, free, and unbound.

Many of these items tell stories of wanderers and warriors living in the borderlands. Combined with other DLCs like the Savage Frontier or Treasures of Turan Pack, they create striking visual contrasts between settled cultures and the peoples of the steppe.

The new banners and standards are particularly popular, perfect for clan symbols. They give riders a shared identity and deepen the game’s social aspect.

Cavalry Combat Mechanics in Conan Exiles: PvE and PvP Balancing

Introducing mounts brought major changes to the combat system. Alongside new gear came revised balancing. Horses now have their own hit zones, stamina, and attack values.

Fights became more dynamic: you can fire arrows while riding, use lances at a gallop, and unhorse foes with precise thrusts. Funcom emphasized realistic movement without overcomplicating controls. The result was an intuitive system that works for both PvE and PvP.

With the Riders of Hyboria Pack, players also received cosmetic variants of mounts, including different coat colors and patterns. This customization further cemented riding as a core aspect of the game.

Lore and Atmosphere: What Horses Mean in Hyboria

In Conan’s world, horses symbolize freedom and power. From the nomadic riders of the Hyborian plains to the noble warriors of the western kingdoms, they stand for mobility, prestige, and martial skill.

The Riders of Hyboria Pack brings this cultural backdrop into the game. The equipment and decorations reflect different riding traditions, while the music and the Exiled Lands’ scenery provide a fitting stage.

Players can forge their own riding nation — from desert tribes racing across dunes on swift horses to armored knights asserting their might with lance and sword. This diversity makes the DLC a bridge between the game’s varied cultural styles.

Technical Implementation of Mounts: Performance, Animations & Integration

Technically, the Riders of Hyboria Pack was one of Funcom’s biggest challenges to date. The riding system required new animations, collision models, and physics adjustments. Despite the complexity, integration was remarkably stable.

Horses move fluidly, respond precisely to commands, and behave credibly at different speeds and on varied terrain. The new equipment also displays without noticeable performance loss. Saddle and armor textures are among the most detailed in the game.

Even on consoles, riding remained smooth — earning the update and its companion DLC significant praise.

Conclusion on the Riders of Hyboria DLC: Freedom on Four Hooves

The Riders of Hyboria Pack is a turning point in the history of Conan Exiles. It didn’t just add new content — it introduced a new way to experience the world. With it, Hyboria became bigger, faster, and more alive.

Players who once trudged through the wasteland could now ride, fight, and travel as told in Conan’s legends. The DLC enhances that feeling with style, variety, and atmosphere — from simple nomads to armored knights.

If you want to experience the boundless freedom of the steppe, Riders of Hyboria is a must-have. And with your own Conan Exiles server from 4Netplayers, you can enjoy the experience in full. Host tournaments, form cavalry units, or ride across the wilds together — free, proud, and unconquerable, as it should be in Hyboria.

Rent your own Conan Exiles server now