The best doctrines of sins in the cult of the Lamb

Key conclusions

• Cult of the Lamb
  uses the doctrines of sin to manipulate the behavior of followers for the benefit of the cult and the Lamb.
• The Sin Doctrines fall under the categories of sex or violence, complementing the type of cult players are creating.
• Different doctrines, such as Blind Loyalty and Rite of Lust, offer unique benefits and bonuses depending on the player's choices.

Every cult needs a balance of shame, guilt, and pleasure to manipulate its followers into submission and recruit new followers. Cult of the Lamb there is a whole chapter of scripture devoted to it doctrines of sin which give players the power to accuse and acquit.

The doctrines of sin fall into two types, which can be divided into sex or violence, with some overlap, so the choices can vary depending on the type of cult players are building. At first glance, these are some of the most fun and interesting, with the best long-term and overall benefits depending on what other doctrines the player chooses to complement them.

Updated on November 23, 2024. Christie Ambrose: The doctrines of sin give followers of the Lamb equal amounts of greed, lust, and devotion to better serve their dear leader. Various current game updates have added some new options, and some doctrines can also be used to get contributions and donations to temples when the Lamb needs money. Sin isn't just a concept, it's a currency in Cult of the Lamb used to unlock rituals, traits, and other benefits. Some of the doctrines of sin have useful connections with doctrines from other sections of the cult's holy book, such as Livelihood or Property.

10 Blind loyalty

Cultist from birth

• Cult-hatched followers are born with a higher level of loyalty

Traveling the world and recruiting followers with crusades and gold is dangerous and difficult. Why not do what many other cult leaders have done and encourage followers to have children who will grow up surrounded by the cult's teachings?

That's exactly why Blind loyalty is one of the best Doctrines of Sins obtainable and persists until level 4. This unlocks the follower trait of the same name, ensuring that each new cultist hatched will be born with additional loyalty. These followers are harder to convert to heretics with their subversive teachings, but they are promoted faster and more effectively than those without blind allegiance.

9 A rite of lust

Engage in love, not anger

• A lustful dance around the Mayflower totem that creates more sin and gives the cultists an egg-cooking feast

A doctrine that discloses a sordid and indecent rite involving naked dancing around the central totem pole of the cult complex. This ensures equal amounts of nakedness, lust, and leisure to keep followers happy and full of precious sin.

When participating in Rite of Lustall the adult followers of the cult dance are naked around the shrine, and the Lamb chooses his favorite as a receptacle for additional sins. Still “clothed” sectarians are allowed to take the day off to reflect on what they have done.

8 Demand a tithe

Greed is closely related to lust

• Collect 2 coins from each follower every day

One of the doctrines of possession, Demand a tithe means more material goods and wealth in general for the Cult, which means more for the Lamb. It depends on the type of cult the player is creating, so this Doctrine is more suited to a decadent type of cult than an austere or stoic one.

Giving away too much of one's own money can damage a follower's morale, and settling it is where the additional doctrines of sin come in. Blind Loyalty is one way to ensure loyalty even in difficult times, and Lust Ritual is one way to distract cultists from worrying about money.

7 Born of sin

For those born in faith

• Cult-hatched followers gain one sin from them

Cultists can begin contributing to the welfare and safety of the cult from the moment they are born due to this doctrine. Every follower that hatched into a cult now has Born of sin A trait that promotes their sin from the moment they are born, which is both convenient and beneficial.

It's a tier 4 doctrine, meaning it's one of the last players can choose based on previous picks. Whatever level 4 doctrines they choose will depend on their previous choices and the type of cult they are building.

6 Ritual feast

Subscribers need to be fed

• Make sure followers stay fat and happy for days

This doctrine is one of the earliest that Lamb can discover. This is a ritual that means the Lamb will have to gather his flock in the temple and spend 75 bones for a great feast. Their hunger will be satisfied Ritual feast and the Lamb will gain an additional +30 Faith from their loyalty boost.

Anur, one of the first four crusades, has a planned Famine event and this is one of the Rituals that can help mitigate its effects. An alternative doctrine, ritual fasting, prevents followers from going hungry for three whole days and can be used to plan ahead if the Lamb decides to go on a long crusade.

5 Gluttony of cannibals

Even better with the cannibal trait

• A ritual in which one follower is chosen to be eaten by other cultists

The Gluttony of cannibals The doctrine opens the ritual of the same name, in which one follower is chosen to be devoured by the rest of the community. This gives the cult full sin, but the cost is 40 Faith unless the player has the Cannibal trait, one of the Doctrines of Sustenance.

Lust and gluttony go so well together that they are almost the same thing. The doctrine of cannibal gluttony goes well with the cannibal trait, which is one of the sustenance doctrines. This gives the follower +5 to their Loyalty and allows them to eat follower mince without getting sick.

4 Enforcer Loyalty

Shepherd when the lamb is absent

• The Lamb conducts the Ritual and appoints his emissary

Whether the cult of player choice is a cult of pleasure or pain, loyalty is not simply a way to keep the faith after using the doctrines of sin to add new followers. It's also an important currency that Lamb can use for other projects, such as adding new buildings and decor to the Cult complex.

The Lamb uses this Ritual to select one of his trusted followers as his official loyalty executor. They will collect Allegiance instead of the Lamb when the Dear Leader is out crusading, fishing, or playing Knucklebones.

3 A violent extremist

More benefits for crusades

• Collect sin from bosses by killing bosses in crusades

This opens up a trait that directly benefits the Lamb during the crusade. If the Lamb has to fight and kill a more powerful enemy of the faith, chances are they will give up sin when they die. Note that this does not apply to the enemies they fight in Purgatory.

Each Crusade dungeon is guarded by a boss, and while they can talk to or even appear to Lamb in the dungeon, they usually only appear at the very end. Make them pay for their blasphemy and cleanse them of their sin A violent extremist Doctrine.

2 Faith in false idols

Impress the cult with seductive decor

• Once the basic designs are done, it's time to show off

The second in the list of doctrines of Possessions, Faith in false idols this is a trait that is automatically given to every active cult member when it is unlocked. Every time the Lamb builds a structure that serves only a decorative function, it increases the amount of faith received from followers, altars, and other structures.

This is the best trait to use later in the game after the cult complex already has all the basic structures such as a farm, graveyard, resource processing places and houses for followers. When it comes time to decorate the living spaces of worship, the Lamb can do so more freely and creatively and as a result create more faith overall.

1 A sinner's pride

Punish their love

• A practice also known as “scapegoating”, but this time absolution is possible.

A sinner's pride unlocks a 2nd level ritual that is an alternative to the Cannibal Gluttony doctrine. As in the other doctrine, the ritual begins when the Lamb chooses a follower, but instead of being eaten, the cultist takes on the sin of all his peers.

This collects a good sin reward from the entire congregation, which players can use to unlock other Temple perks. However, a chosen follower may be unhappy with the number of sins they are taking on and this will lead them out of the cult. Make sure this follower is released as soon as possible to keep him as a spiritual slave and continue to enjoy their undying love and devotion.