Conan Exiles: Blood and Sand – Arena, Armor & PvP

On September 3, 2019, the Blood and Sand Pack launched, a DLC that expanded Conan Exiles with a new dimension of conflict and spectacle. While earlier expansions focused on cultural variety, architecture, or atmosphere, this pack brings the heart of the game to the forefront: combat, honor, and bloodshed. The name says it all – Blood and Sand stands for gladiators, arena battles, and the unshakeable will to survive in the harsh world of Hyboria.

With new armor, weapons, walls, and arena pieces, Funcom created a toolkit for anyone who wants to elevate war to an art form. Whether it’s a PvP arena, a ceremonial battleground, or an underground colosseum complex – this DLC turns simple strongholds into stages for glory and death. Blood and Sand is a statement: Conan Exiles is not just a game about survival, but also about triumph.

This DLC didn’t arrive by chance. By 2019, Conan Exiles had firmly established itself as a leading survival title, and the community was asking for more PvP content and ways to showcase strength. The Blood and Sand Pack was Funcom’s answer – a cry for freedom and combat, forged in stone and steel.

Arena building set in Conan Exiles: Arenas, fortresses & gates

At the core of the DLC is the arena building set. It expands the existing system with massive walls, archways, stands, grates, and decorative elements to construct striking arenas. The style is raw, martial, and yet majestic – dominated by dark stone, iron reinforcements, and open structures.

These pieces are versatile. They’re not only suitable for arenas, but also for fortresses, prisons, and temple complexes. The new gates and portcullises in particular give buildings a realistic, functional look. Players can build battlegrounds where clans face off or host beast fights.

The material design follows a clear goal: hardness and awe. While earlier DLCs favored shine or ornamentation, the arena set feels raw and purposeful. Every piece tells a story of violence and survival – of a world where strength is the only law.

Gladiator armor in the Blood and Sand DLC

With Blood and Sand, Funcom introduced some of the most visually striking armor in the game. Inspired by ancient gladiators, desert warriors, and tribal fighters, they blend symbolism with function.

The armors come in light, medium, and heavy variants, letting you tailor them to your preferred combat style. Especially eye-catching is the Gladiator set, with chains, leather straps, and distinctive helmets that instantly stand out. This gear looks as if it’s been proven in countless arena battles.

Another highlight is the Sand Reaper armor. It combines dark fabrics, metallic plating, and insectoid shapes – perfect for players who favor a menacing aesthetic. The mix of style and effectiveness makes it one of the most-used armor sets on PvP servers.

Each of these armors embodies the DLC’s motto: strength through blood, glory through survival.

Arena weapons in Conan Exiles: Swords, spears & axes

No fight without the right weapons. The Blood and Sand Pack adds a variety of new weapon sets that are both functional and visually aligned with the theme.

These weapons are rugged, unpolished, and built for effectiveness. Swords, spears, daggers, and axes sport jagged edges, dark metal, and blood-caked surfaces. They feel like tools from a time when survival mattered more than elegance.

The Arena Sword is a showcase of this philosophy – a weapon designed with brutal directness. Equally impressive is the Sandstorm maul, a two-hander with a distinctive silhouette that became especially popular among heavy fighters.

These weapons aren’t the strongest in the game, but they have character. They express an attitude – uncompromising, determined, deadly.

Decor for arenas: Banners, cages & atmosphere

Beyond weapons and armor, the DLC introduced a range of decorative elements that bring arenas and battlegrounds to life. Torch holders, banners, cages, chains, and statues create an atmosphere of danger and ritual.

Players can adorn spectator stands with banners, build trapdoors for beast fights, or construct vast combat rings where clans settle their disputes. A fan favorite is the Blood Banner set, whose red cloth and symbols of glory and death add a bold visual accent.

Practical tips:

• Place torches and braziers along sightlines for dramatic lighting.
• Use portcullises and gates to define combat zones and manage access.
• Separate player areas and spectator stands to keep events well organized.

PvP focus: Community events, tournaments, and clan battles

Blood and Sand was Funcom’s clear commitment to PvP. The DLC arrived at a time when many players wanted more incentives for clan battles and competition. The new building and armor elements made it possible to construct entire arenas or theaters of war – without mods or workarounds.

Many community servers went on to host tournaments, gladiator games, and clan competitions. The ability to build spectator areas, delineate combat zones, and set up decorative trophy rooms gave these events a new level of professionalism.

Blood and Sand was less a traditional expansion and more a community catalyst. It showed how willing Funcom was to respond to player wishes and proved that PvP is not just mechanics, but also staging.

Technical implementation: Performance, textures, and sound design

Technically, the Blood and Sand Pack integrates seamlessly with the base game. The arena building set uses the same modular principles as previous styles but is built for maximum stability. The textures are dark and detailed, with metallic surfaces reflecting torchlight realistically.

Performance remains stable despite the large, open structures. Funcom ensured the arena elements render efficiently, even with multiple players present.

The soundscape enhances the experience: muffled steps on sand, metallic strikes, and the creak of heavy gates create the illusion of a living arena. This immersion is the DLC’s greatest draw.

Conclusion on the Blood and Sand DLC: Glory, blood, and honor

The Blood and Sand Pack is a love letter to the fighting spirit of Conan Exiles. It doesn’t add new regions or systems, but it deepens the heart of the game – conflict. It gives players the tools to stage their strength, celebrate their glory, and survive their defeats.

For PvP enthusiasts, it’s one of the most important DLCs in the series. It gives servers character, offers clans new ways to express themselves, and creates unforgettable moments in the dust of the arena.

On your own Conan Exiles server from 4Netplayers, the Blood and Sand Pack unfolds its full impact. With stable performance, flexible settings, and room for large events, you can build arenas, host tournaments, and forge epic stories – true to the spirit of Hyboria, where glory and blood are inseparable.

Rent your own Conan Exiles server now