This depends on the level of RP. If its light RP, then not much different than a PVE or PVP server. Its effectively playing the game with a theme for yourself. This is actually how most people play. Though on a RP server sometimes people take it a step further and chat as if they are their character to some degree.

Going a little further, which is what most RP servers are, and what RavenS117 hosted is there’s a bit more nuance. Each server is a little different in this, but some of the rules might include things like no KoS (Kill on Sight) meaning to PVP you need a In-Character reason, something like maybe the opponent wronged or slighted your character in some way, you wish to take them as a slave, or some other thing (it is the Hyborian Age after all). Some servers even have consequences for losing in PVP where you have to return where you were ‘killed’ and find out your character’s fate in a role-played event of some sort. Perma death (effectively rerolling a character) is sometimes an option, with various restrictions on that depending on server.

Stricter roleplaying servers have rules against God Modding (when roleplaying you indicate what another player character’s action or reaction rather than letting the player decide), Meta gaming (using knowledge of events you as a player know that your character doesn’t, such as knowing who stole what through discord chatter even though your character wasn’t present), and Power Gaming (when using roleplay to resolve actions, your character avoids everything thrown at them, though usually PVP is used to prevent this, or if mods are used, dicerolls based on elaborate character sheets, kind turning the whole process into table top RP). Most of these rules have some form of presence in most RP servers, but to what degree they are enforced is determined by how strict the server wishes to be.

Long story short, how much of a table top experience players want using Conan Exiles as the table.

My favorite part about Roleplay in Conan Exiles is the consequences of PVP that some servers have. In default PVP, consequence is usually just dropping gear, and respawning at a bedroll. But on RP servers you can get captured, ransomed, enslaved, mutilated, killed, or worse. It adds just a tad more edge to the combat and sometimes combat is avoided because its not merely game mechanics that can happen.

Threats, bluffs, coercion, cooperation, intrigue, misinformation, charity, all carry just a bit more weight. But that’s just going to personal opinion and experiences.

Its also a bit of fun to play a D&D like game in the Hyborian Age and get to see your character’s interact in a 3d Environment.

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