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 was not just another DLC, but a full expansion title — the first major expansion introducing an entirely new map, fresh mechanics, dungeons, monsters, and systems. Where earlier packs enriched the game visually and thematically, Isle of Siptah reshaped 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 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 created a game within the game. It’s Conan Exiles, but harsher, more unpredictable, and more magical.

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 define its look. Unlike the Exiled Lands, dominated by desert and wasteland, Siptah presents a rugged, maritime wilderness shot through with storms and magical forces.

At the center of the island 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 along the coast, remnants of ancient civilizations jut out of 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 chamber.

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

The central element of the expansion is the massive Tower of Siptah. It is the visual and narrative focal point of the map and contains the source of the magical energy suffusing the island. The Maelstrom, a colossal storm, springs from this power.

The Maelstrom is more than a weather effect — it is a dynamic event that changes the world. When it rages, monsters from other dimensions appear, providing players with valuable materials and essences. At the same time, they can demolish unprepared bases and threaten travelers. This makes the storm a mechanism that perfectly unites risk and reward.

Funcom struck a balance here: the Maelstrom injects excitement into the endgame without disrupting the flow. It forces you to think strategically, form alliances, and use resources wisely. In multiplayer scenarios, it became a central part of the competition between clans.

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

Vaults and Eldarium dungeons: loot, puzzles, and peril

Isle of Siptah introduced not only a new world but also a set 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 Serpent Men, the Grey Ones, Fiends, Demons, and others. These labyrinths pit you against puzzles, traps, and powerful enemies. At the end of a Vault awaits Eldarium — a mystical metal that serves as the expansion’s key resource.

Eldarium can be used to craft new weapons, armor, and artifacts. It marks progress on Siptah, but it also comes with risk, as the dungeons are deadly. 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: 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 Isle of Siptah’s most important innovations is the Surges of Power — magical discharges that sweep across the island. They are triggered when players activate special altars, the Ley Shrines, tapping 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 method of recruiting Thralls. Instead of capturing them in camps, you now have to summon them through surges — a dangerous but rewarding process.

This system adds a new tactical dimension 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 endeavor.

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

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

The island is inhabited by creatures not found in the Exiled Lands. From shadowy demons to monstrous beasts emerging from the Maelstrom — every new entity brings its own challenge.

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

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

Eldarium armor, 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 shadowy wood and stone elements reminiscent of shipwrecks and ancient temples.

The new weapon and armor sets reflect the island’s themes: arcane energy, lost civilizations, and dark rituals. Many of these items use Eldarium as their foundation and carry a distinctive visual signature — shimmering, otherworldly, and dangerous.

Here, Funcom linked design and mechanics. Players who master Eldarium gain access to powerful artifacts that can radically change their playstyle.

Tip: Prioritize workbenches and recipes that refine Eldarium efficiently. That way you’ll reach your next gear milestone faster.

Atmosphere, visuals, and sound design of Isle of Siptah

Isle of Siptah impresses not only through gameplay but also aesthetically. The island is 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 eerie choirs. Especially during the Maelstrom, the music swells to a stirring crescendo that perfectly captures the drama of the moment. Even in quiet moments, the island feels alive — crashing waves, thunder in the distance, gull cries: every sound contributes to the immersion.

Multiplayer, PvP, and endgame strategies on Siptah

On multiplayer servers, Isle of Siptah unfolds its full potential. 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, dangers greater, rewards more valuable.

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

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

Conclusion: Isle of Siptah meaningfully expands Conan Exiles

Isle of Siptah is not just an add-on — it is a new chapter. It injects Conan Exiles with fresh energy, new mechanics, and a fascinating world full of danger and secrets.

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

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

Rent your own Conan Exiles server now