In Conan Exiles, one of the most intriguing gameplay mechanics is the ability to spawn NPCs such as the barkeep. The barkeep serves as an essential element of player-run settlements, providing interaction, trade, and role-playing opportunities that enhance the immersive experience. Spawning a barkeep in your base can transform a simple building into a lively tavern where players and thralls alike can gather, trade, and socialize. This mechanic is particularly appealing for players who enjoy the creative and social aspects of the game, as it adds depth to settlements and offers practical in-game benefits, from access to food and drink to fostering interactions with other NPCs and players.
Understanding the Barkeep NPC
The barkeep in Conan Exiles is a specialized thrall who serves drinks, offers food, and can interact with players through dialogue. Unlike combat-focused thralls, barkeeps are non-combative and focus on providing a more civilian-oriented function within a settlement. By assigning a barkeep to a designated area, such as a tavern or inn, players can simulate a functioning social hub, which can increase immersion and make the game world feel more alive. Barkeep thralls can also serve as a convenient way to stock consumables for players without requiring constant trips to crafting stations.
Types of Barkeep Thralls
In Conan Exiles, barkeep thralls come in different tiers, reflecting their effectiveness and special attributes. Higher-tier barkeeps offer better services, increased inventory for drinks and food, and sometimes unique dialogue options that add character to the settlement. Players often seek elite or named thralls through capture and thrall-breaking mechanisms to ensure that their tavern operates at peak efficiency. Understanding the tier system is essential for optimizing your settlement and ensuring that your barkeep can meet all in-game needs effectively.
Spawning a Barkeep
Spawning a barkeep in Conan Exiles can be accomplished through either gameplay mechanics or console commands, depending on whether the player is on a single-player server, private server, or using administrative privileges. Players can capture wandering NPCs, use thrall-breaking benches, and assign them to their tavern area. Alternatively, for testing or creative purposes, barkeeps can be spawned instantly using the in-game admin panel or commands. This flexibility allows players to tailor their settlement experience and ensures that the tavern functions as intended.
Steps for Capturing a Barkeep
- Locate a wandering barkeep NPC in the game world. These NPCs are often found near villages, outposts, or key locations.
- Engage and knock out the NPC using non-lethal weapons or methods to avoid permanent death.
- Transport the unconscious NPC to a thrall-breaking bench or designated area for recruitment.
- Feed and break the thrall until it becomes loyal and can be assigned as a barkeep in your settlement.
Using Console Commands
For players with admin access or in single-player mode, spawning a barkeep is simplified through console commands. By opening the console and inputting the appropriate spawn command, the desired barkeep can appear instantly in the player’s location. This method is particularly useful for creative building, testing mechanics, or setting up custom role-playing scenarios without the need for capture and training. It’s important to note that while console commands provide convenience, they may bypass progression and resource management, altering the standard gameplay experience.
Placement and Interaction
Once spawned, proper placement of the barkeep is crucial for functionality. Barkeep thralls must be assigned to a specific area, typically a bar or tavern counter, to interact with players correctly. Ensuring that the environment is appropriately constructed, with clear walkways and access to seating, allows NPCs to navigate efficiently and provide services without obstruction. Interaction with the barkeep includes purchasing drinks, trading for consumables, and initiating scripted dialogue, which can enhance immersion and make the settlement feel more dynamic.
Benefits of Having a Barkeep
- Access to ready-made food and drink, reducing the need for constant crafting.
- Enhanced role-playing opportunities for players and settlements.
- Increased immersion by simulating a functioning social hub.
- Potential for unique dialogue or quests if the thrall is of a higher tier or named variety.
Optimizing Tavern Efficiency
To make the most of a barkeep in Conan Exiles, players can implement several strategies. Providing the thrall with an appropriate workstation, keeping the tavern well-stocked with food and drink, and maintaining access paths for both NPCs and players ensures smooth operation. Additionally, assigning multiple barkeeps can reduce wait times during busy in-game periods, creating a seamless and engaging experience for all visitors. Attention to detail in construction and placement can dramatically improve the functionality and realism of the tavern environment.
Advanced Tips
- Use multiple floors or segmented areas to prevent overcrowding and allow easy NPC navigation.
- Stock the tavern with a variety of consumables to cater to different player preferences.
- Monitor NPC behavior periodically to ensure they remain active and accessible.
- Combine barkeep thralls with entertainers or dancers for an even more immersive social environment.
Community and Role-Playing Aspects
Having a barkeep thrall contributes significantly to community and role-playing experiences in Conan Exiles. Taverns can become meeting points for multiple players, creating opportunities for trade, interaction, and collaborative storytelling. Barkeep thralls act as focal points, making settlements feel populated and lively. In multiplayer servers, well-designed taverns with functioning barkeeps can become central hubs for player interaction, hosting events, trading, and even conflict resolution scenarios.
Social Dynamics
The presence of a barkeep adds depth to social dynamics within the game. Players may gather to plan raids, share resources, or simply enjoy in-game leisure time around the tavern. Barkeep thralls contribute to these social dynamics by providing a reason for players to congregate and engage with the environment in meaningful ways. Proper use of NPCs like barkeeps can transform settlements from mere housing spaces into vibrant communities, enhancing the overall multiplayer experience.
Spawning a barkeep in Conan Exiles provides players with a unique opportunity to enhance their settlements, improve gameplay efficiency, and deepen role-playing experiences. Whether captured and trained through standard game mechanics or spawned via console commands, barkeep thralls offer practical benefits such as access to food and drink, as well as social and immersive value. Proper placement, care, and optimization of the tavern environment ensure that the barkeep functions effectively, contributing to a lively and engaging in-game community. By understanding the mechanics, benefits, and strategic uses of barkeep thralls, players can elevate their Conan Exiles experience, creating settlements that are not only functional but also vibrant and memorable.