As players progress through dungeons in Cult of the Lamb, players will need to build and improve their base while managing their followers' Hunger, Faith, and Loyalty. Because of this complexity, new players may find themselves a bit overwhelmed at the start of the game, as it offers players many progression options related to all of these mechanics Cult of the Lamb has to offer.
There are four main ways by which players can improve their cult: unlocking and upgrading buildings, unlocking combat perks for the protagonist, Crown Upgrades, and Doctrines. Building is the bread and butter of base management as it is essential to the base-building aspect of the game. Combat perks can include unlocking weapons in Cult of the Lamb, such as Vampiric or Necromantic, or increasing the health pool of The Lamb. Crown Upgrades are obtained after defeating each main boss and provide powerful perks. Lastly, Doctrines will unlock most rituals in the game but can also give followers very powerful traits, such as eating grass without getting upset.
Upgrading these various aspects will require distinct types of resources in the game. Unlocking and upgrading structures will require players to farm Devotion from their followers, which they can mainly do at their Shrine. Improving the protagonist’s combat prowess will require players to give out daily sermons and the odd sacrifice if they choose. Each Crown Upgrade requires a Heretic Heart, of which four are in the game, one for each Bishop. Doctrines will require players to use a Commandment Stone, which is usually split into three fragments.
The Best Upgrades to Get Early in Cult of the Lamb
The first few buildings players should unlock in the cute and creepy Cult of the Lamb include the bedrolls and the farm, as these will cover two of the follower’s most basic needs: hunger and sleep. After getting the cult to level two, players should prioritize acquiring and building the Stone Mine and the Lumberyard, as these resources will become harder to farm at the base. The best combat perks are a bit more subjective, but, in general, most players will benefit greatly from having a bit more health during crusades, which is why getting a few extra hearts, even blue ones, can be very helpful to survive an extra hit or two.
Omnipresence and Resurrection are two excellent Crown Upgrades in Cult of the Lamb. However, the latter wins out due to its usefulness during boss fights. Omnipresence allows players to return to base in the middle of a dungeon run, while Resurrection will negate a death per run at the cost of a follower. This might seem a bit harsh during the early game, as players will have few followers, but it can be extremely valuable during crusades, especially when facing off against tough bosses.
Doctrines are the primary way players gain rituals in the game, but they can also significantly improve followers by giving them powerful traits. For example, players who wish to unlock and upgrade buildings as fast as possible will benefit greatly from the Faithful trait in the Work and Worship tree. The Sustenance category provides players with a great way to deal with hunger via the Grass Eater trait. The Bribe Follower action in Possessions is also excellent, as it gives players one more way by which they can increase Loyalty in Cult of the Lamb.
