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 biggest free updates — the introduction of the riding and cavalry system. With this pack, movement became a core element of the game. Where long treks and arduous journeys once dominated, horses suddenly opened up new dimensions of mobility, combat, and exploration.

That’s why 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 was the culmination of a year full of experimentation — and the gateway 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 central gameplay element. Players could tame, raise, equip, and use horses in combat. This fundamentally changed the game’s dynamics: travel became faster, fights more strategic, and exploration more exciting.

The DLC itself complemented this system with exclusive cosmetic content that enriched 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 tailor their mounted character to their taste.

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

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

A key highlight of the DLC is the array of new horse armor. These come in multiple styles inspired by various cultures of Hyboria.

The light rider armor is made of leather and cloth, emphasizing agility and style. It suits players who value speed and prefer scouting or hunting. The medium and heavy variants focus on protection and presence. Particularly striking is the Turanian variant, with metal plates and blue cloth accents that make horse and rider appear as one.

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

This customization made horses in Conan Exiles more than just a means of transport — 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 players themselves. These designs reflect the cultures of the mounted peoples of Hyboria, feared for their mobility and combat prowess.

The rider armors are functional yet stylish. They combine leather, metal, and cloth into outfits that balance protection and elegance. Especially notable is the Poitain armor — a blend of knightly aesthetics and barbaric pragmatism. It offers solid defense and pairs perfectly with the heavy barding included in the pack.

The DLC also added new weapon sets, including curved blades, lances, and shortswords designed for mounted combat. Animations were crafted to flow smoothly with riding motions. This gave Conan Exiles a new dimension of fighting: swift strikes from the saddle, precise hits on the pass, and tactical engagement at range.

This combination of armor and weapons created an authentic cavalry feel that still thrills 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 — on the move, free, and untethered.

Many of these items tell stories of wanderers and warriors living on the frontier. Combined with other DLCs, such as the Savage Frontier or Treasures of Turan Pack, you get striking visual contrasts between settled cultures and the peoples of the steppe.

Particularly popular are the new banners and standards, perfect for clan emblems. They give riders a shared identity and strengthen the social side of the game.

Cavalry Combat Mechanics in Conan Exiles: PvE and PvP Balancing

The introduction of mounts brought major changes to the combat system. Alongside new gear, the DLC delivered revamped balancing. Horses now have their own hit zones, stamina, and attack values.

Fights became more dynamic: players can fire arrows while riding, wield lances at a gallop, and trample foes with precise charges. Funcom focused on realistic motion without overcomplicating controls. The result is an intuitive system that works in 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 helped the riding system quickly become a core part of the game.

Lore and Atmosphere: What Horses Mean in Hyboria

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

The Riders of Hyboria Pack brings this cultural background to life. The gear and decorations reflect different riding traditions, while the music and the landscapes of the Exiled Lands provide a fitting backdrop.

Players can forge their own mounted identity — from desert tribes racing across dunes on swift horses to armored knights asserting their might with lance and sword. This variety makes the DLC a bridge between different cultural styles within the game.

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 proved remarkably stable.

Horses move fluidly, respond precisely to commands, and behave believably at different speeds and on various surfaces. The new gear is rendered without noticeable performance loss. The saddle and armor textures are among the most detailed in the game.

Even on consoles, riding remained smooth, earning the update and its accompanying DLC high 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 delivered not just new content, but a new way to experience the world. With it, Hyboria became larger, faster, and more alive.

Players who previously trudged through the wasteland could now ride, fight, and travel as told in the legends of Conan himself. The DLC enhances that feeling with style, variety, and atmosphere — from humble 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 it to the fullest. There, players can host tournaments, form cavalry units, or ride through the wilds together — free, proud, and unconquerable, as it should be in Hyboria.

Rent your own Conan Exiles server now