Sticks are a fundamental wood-tier resource in Conan Exiles, used to craft early-game tools, torches, campfires, and basic structures. This guide explains how sticks are obtained, their core uses across survival systems, and how they compare to other wood-tier materials. Designed for new and returning players, it focuses on evergreen mechanics that remain relevant through endgame preparation. You will learn where to gather sticks efficiently, which recipes require them, and how to integrate them into a sustainable early-wood economy.
How to Obtain Sticks in Conan Exiles
You acquire sticks primarily by harvesting small branches and twigs from trees and shrubs using a simple tool or by breaking basic foliage. Gathering efficiency depends on your tool, the environment, and how you manage resource nodes. The following table summarizes key source types, approximate yields, and context for practical planning.
| Source Type | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Small Branches (from trees) | Common wood-tier drop; yields 1–3 sticks per harvest | Tool tier affects rate |
| Twigs and Shrubs | Foliage breaks to produce sticks reliably in forested areas | Renewable over time |
| Chests and Containers | Occasionally contain sticks as loot in dungeon and settlement chests | Unpredictable supply |
| Traders and Vendors | May sell sticks in exchange for copper or other valuables | Useful when local sources are sparse |
Tool Impact on Stick Gathering
Using a higher-tier tool such as a stone or metal sickle increases stick yield frequency and reduces gathering time. Early players can sustain production by focusing on resource nodes near spawn or base, then gradually expanding toward richer biomes. Efficient routes and hotbar setups reduce downtime and support consistent stick accumulation for crafting and building.
Core Uses for Sticks in Survival Systems
Sticks serve as an early-game crafting medium and structural component, enabling players to progress from nothing to functional tools and shelters. They are integral to crafting stations, lighting, and simple constructions, while also acting as a stepping stone toward more advanced wood-tier materials. Below is a quick reference to primary stick driven recipes and their role in early survival.
- Torches: Provide light and ward off spawn penalties in dark areas.
- Campfires: Offer food preparation, warmth, and light sources.
- Simple Workbench: Unlocks basic crafting and item repair functions.
- Wooden Structures: Foundation pieces, walls, and storage for early bases.
- Primitive Weapons and Tools: Components for basic combat and gathering tools.
Sticks in Building and Base Development
In base building, sticks are the earliest structural material available, allowing you to erect walls, doors, and storage without investing in rare resources. They are foundational for creating secure storage and crafting hubs before transitioning to stronger materials. Players can reinforce stick structures with thatch or hide to improve durability against environmental damage and enemy attacks.
Crafting Mechanics and Recipes Using Sticks
Crafting with sticks typically requires combining them with fibers, hides, or stone to produce more complex items. The recipes are tiered, so sticks appear in both beginner and mid-tier crafting patterns. Understanding these patterns helps you plan resource allocation and avoid bottlenecks in production.
Crafting Table: Key Stick Based Recipes
| Item | Stick Uses | Additional Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Torch | 1 | 2 Fiber |
| Campfire | 10 | 5 Stone, 1 Fiber |
| Simple Workbench | 15 | 20 Fiber |
| Wooden Door | 20 | 20 Fiber, Hide or Thatch |
| Stone Spear | 5 | 2 Stone, 1 Fiber |
Efficient Crafting Strategies
To maximize stick utility, group crafting actions and prioritize torches and campfires early to improve survivability. Use workbenches near resource zones to minimize travel, and batch craft components like wooden doors when base expansion is planned. Tracking stick consumption in a simple in-game or external inventory log can highlight shortages before they disrupt production.
Comparing Sticks to Other Wood Tier Materials
Sticks sit at the bottom of the wood tier progression, offering the lowest structural strength but the highest availability. Thatch and hide provide better insulation and protection, while stone and metal shift durability and defense upward. Understanding these tradeoffs helps you time transitions out of stick dependent designs and into more resilient materials.
- Sticks: Quick to gather, lowest durability, ideal for early game.
- Thatch: Better defense and insulation; longer farming or hunting time to obtain.
- Wood Planks: Higher durability and building options; require a more advanced workbench.
- Stone and Metal: High durability and resistance, but resource and recipe intensive.
Where and When to Gather Sticks Sustainably
Focus on biomes with dense foliage and easy access, such as grasslands and forest edges, to maintain a steady stick supply without overharvesting. Rotate gathering areas to allow foliage regeneration, and use tools with higher yield to reduce the number of harvest passes. Avoid concentrating all collection in a single zone, which can lead to resource exhaustion and increased travel time.
Sustainable Gathering Tips
- Use high-tier harvesting tools to increase yield per node.
- Plan routes that pass multiple resource clusters to minimize backtracking.
- Leave some foliage in contested areas to support regrowth and other players’ needs.
- Track usage rates against spawn patterns to anticipate shortages.
Integrating Sticks Into a Long-Term Survival Plan
Treat sticks as a bridge material, enabling progression until more resilient options unlock. Early investment in stick based infrastructure should support research, gear, and base expansion that reduces later reliance on low tier materials. As you advance, prioritize transitioning key systems from sticks to stronger resources while retaining minimal stick production for emergency repairs and low-value utilities.