This hardcore PvP server removes the guards from the various cities and playfields and re-opened PvP on the instances around the city of Tortage. In July 2011, a Hardcore PvP server was launched for the EU and US servers. Adventurers can cooperate with one another to build cities with walls, towers and catapults that can protect player-owned taverns and merchant facilities. Players are able to take part in large scale siege operations.

Players can then work together and build on each other's strengths, for example a character standing in line with a 'Conqueror' when he is running will have a greater resistance to knockback effects. In some situations however, players will choose to band together and unite their skills to face other bands of players or non-player armies. The 'Real Combat' system is used in one-on-one weapon battles, as well as during spell-casting, ranged combat and mounted combat. The idea of 'Real Combat' is to eliminate the dullness of typical MMO fighting, which often consists of an auto-attack feature. Character statistics and item bonuses also play a role in this system, however item bonuses have less effect on a character's power than in comparable games, so that whilst equipment does play a certain role other factors also have an impact, such as the player's skill or their analysis of the scenario. Feedback from players has pointed out that this system requires a certain degree of dexterity. Combinations can be performed by stringing together consecutive attacks in particular directions.

This 'Real Combat' system is a first-person melee approach in which every enemy has three different areas that players can target.

The developer Funcom stated that their 'Real Combat' system, a combat system designed to offer more real-time options than traditional Dungeons & Dragons-inspired 'turn-based' combat systems that are more commonly used, will be a prime attraction of Age of Conan: Unchained. Difficult-to-perform combinations cause additional damage and faster strikes.

These directions are designed to be strung together in combination naturally during combat. Combat comprises striking a target from different angles, such as hacking down against the head, slashing diagonally down from the left or right, and slashing diagonally up from the left or right.

Age of conan review 2019