Cult of the Lamb Doctrine Guide

Last Update: July 9, 2023 9:10 AM /

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Cult of the Lamb Doctrine Guide - cover

Our Cult of the Lamb Doctrine guide will tell you what Doctrines are, what they do, and the best Doctrine choices to make!

What Are Cult of the Lamb Doctrines?

Doctrines are permanent policy choices that can unlock new Rituals, Traits, Follower Actions, or Buildings in Cult of the Lamb.

There are five categories of Doctrines: Afterlife, Work & Worship, Possessions, Law & Order, and Sustenance. Each Category has a total of four choices to be made, one after another in a fixed order.

How to Unlock a Cult of the Lamb Doctrine

You can unlock a Cult of the Lamb Doctrine by collecting three pieces of a Commandment Tablet. Once you do, you can go into your Temple, select "Crown," and expend the Commandement Tablet to select a new Doctrine.

Cult of the Lamb Doctrine Guide - Best Cult of the Lamb Doctrines icon

Best Doctrines in Cult of the Lamb

Wondering which Doctrine you should pick? We'll tell you what we think are the best choices to make.

Keep in mind that there is currently no way to change your decision after you've made it (short of closing the game without saving). Be absolutely certain that you're going to make the choice that's right for you before you make it!

Cult of the Lamb Doctrine Guide - Afterlife

Afterlife Doctrines

As one might expect, Afterlife is a part of the Cult of the Lamb Doctrine concerning death and what lies beyond.


Should I Pick the Belief in Sacrifice Trait or the Belief in Afterlife Trait Doctrine?

Belief in Sacrifice Trait

Trait Unlock

All Cult members will gain the Belief in Sacrifice Trait. +20 Faith when another Cult member is sacrificed.

Believe in Afterlife Trait

Trait Unlock

All Cult members will gain the Belief in Afterlife Trait. Only lose -5 Faith when a Follower dies instead of -20.

You should pick the Belief in Afterlife Trait. Followers can die for reasons outside of your control, even if you're sacrificing them left and right. The better long-term strategy is to reduce any penalties.


Should I Pick the Ritual of Resurrection or the Funeral Doctrine?

Ritual of Resurrection

Ritual Unlock

Perform a Ritual at your temple that allows you to bring a dead Follower back to life.

Funeral

Ritual Unlock

[Hold a Funeral for a dead Follower and gain 20 Faith.]

You should pick the Ritual of Resurrection. Revived Followers will retain their Loyalty level and any Necklace you've given them, allowing you to repeatedly revive your most valuable Followers.,


Should I Pick the Respect Your Elders Trait or the Good Die Young Trait Doctrine?

Respect Your Elders Trait

Trait Unlock

All Cult members will gain the Respect Your Elders Trait. Followers receive +5 Faith for every elderly Follower in the Cult.

Good Die Young Trait

Trait Unlock

All Cult members will gain the Good Die Young Trait. Gain 10 Faith if an elder is sacrificed, murdered, or consumed, but lose 20 Faith if an elder dies naturally.

You should pick the Respect Your Elders Trait. Sacrificing Followers while they can still work is not an optimal strategy.


Should I Pick the Return to the Earth or the Grieve the Fallen Doctrine?

Return to the Earth

Building Unlock

Unlocks the Natural Burial building. The corpses of dead Followers may return to the earth by becoming Fertilizer.

Grieve the Fallen

Building Unlock

Unlocks the Grave building. Gain 2 Faith when followers grieve at the Grave.

You should pick Return to the Earth. There are many sources of Faith in Cult of the Lamb, but few sources of Fertilizer.


Cult of the Lamb Doctrine Guide - Work & Worship

Work & Worship Doctrines

Work & Worship is an area of Cult of the Lamb Doctrine relating to the generation of the Devotion resource and the work your Followers do.


Should I Pick the Faithful Trait or Industrious Trait Doctrine?

Faithful Trait

Trait Unlock

All Cult members will gain the Faithful Trait. Generate Devotion 15% faster.

Industrious Trait

Trait Unlock

All Cult members will gain the Industrious Trait and increase work speed by 15%.

This choice depends on whether you want to unlock Buildings faster or whether you want to Craft and Farm faster; either choice is a good one.


Should I Pick the Inspire or Intimidate Doctrine?

Inspire

Follower Command Unlock

Inspire a Follower to significantly increase their Loyalty. Replaces the Bless action.

Intimidate

Follower Command Unlock

Intimidate a Follower to slightly increase their Loyalty as well as make them work +10% harder for 2 days. Replaces the Bless action.

Once again, both of these choices are equally valid. Intimidate has greater value in the late game, but Inspire can give you a bigger boost to building Loyalty and unlocking more Buildings and Doctrines.


Should I Pick The Glory of Construction or the Ritual of Enlightenment Doctrine?

The Glory of Construction

Ritual Unlock

Perform a Ritual at your temple that will immediately build all structures currently under construction.

Ritual of Enlightenment

Ritual Unlock

Perform a Ritual at your temple that will temporarily increase Devotion generation speed at your shrine by 20% for 3 days.

You should pick Ritual of Enlightenment. While instant completion of Buildings can have its advantages, you will eventually need to build fewer and fewer Buildings as time goes on. You'll always have a need for Devotion, and so the latter Ritual is much more useful.


Should I Pick the Glory Through Toil Ritual or the Holy Day Ritual Doctrine?

Glory Through Toil Ritual

Ritual Unlock

Perform a Ritual at your temple which allows your Followers to work through 3 days and nights without getting tired.

Holy Day Ritual

Ritual Unlock

Perform a Ritual at your temple declaring a day of rest. Your Followers will not work that day and gain +80 Faith.

You should pick the Glory Through Toil Ritual. The Holy Day Ritual gives a massive boost to Faith, but you can increase Faith in other ways. Glory Through Toil, on the other hand, will give you a much bigger benefit by effectively doubling the amount of work your Followers can do.


Cult of the Lamb Doctrine Guide - Possessions

Possessions Doctrines

The Possessions Doctrines largely focus on Coins and Faith.


Should I Pick the Extort Tithes or Bribe Follower Doctrine?

Extort Tithes

Unlocks the Extort Tithes Follower Action. Collect Coins from a Follower once a day.

Bribe Follower

Unlocks the Bribe Follower Follower Action. Bribe a Follower with 3 Coins to increase their Loyalty.

You should pick the Bribe Follower Doctrine. As stated elsewhere in this Cult of the Lamb Doctrine Guide, it's easier to get Coins than it is to get Loyalty.


Should I Pick the Belief in Materialism Trait or the Belief in False Idols Trait Doctrine?

Belief in Materialism Trait

Trait Unlock

All Cult Members will gain the Materialistic Trait. Gain Faith when building better sleeping quarters.

Belief in False Idols Trait

Trait Unlock

All Cult members will gain the False Idols Trait[.] Gain more Faith when placing a decoration building.

You should pick the Belief in False Idols Trait. You will likely place many more Decorations than you will sleeping quarters.


Should I Pick the Alms for the Poor Ritual or Ritual of Enrichment Doctrine?

Alms for the Poor Ritual

Ritual Unlock

Perform a Ritual at your temple in which you distribute coins to all Followers to increase their Loyalty. You will also gain +10 Faith.

Ritual of Enrichment

Ritual Unlock

[Followers donate Coins to you.]

You should pick Alms for the Poor. The 25 Coins you pay is a paltry price for boosting the Loyalty of your entire Cult, and it's not all that difficult to earn money as the game progresses.


Should I Pick the Sacral Architecture Trait or the Devotee Trait Doctrine?

Sacral Architecture Trait

Trait Unlock

[Cult members gain +5 Faith when a new Building is constructed.]

Devotee Trait

Trait Unlock

All Cult members gain the Devotee Trait. Gain more Faith when delivering a Sermon.+

You should pick the Devotee Trait. You will eventually stop putting up Buildings, but you will always have a need to hold a Sermon.


Cult of the Lamb Doctrine Guide - Law & Order

Law & Order Doctrines

Every Cult of the Lamb Doctrine in the Law & Order section is themed around what's legal (and what's not) in your Cult.


Should I Pick the Murder Follower or Ascend Follower Doctrine?

Murder Follower

Unlocks the Murder Followers action. A simple solution to many problems, but some Followers may find this upsetting... if they're awake to witness it.

Ascend Follower

Perform a Ritual at your temple in which you can ascend a Follower's spirit to a higher plane of existence. All followers gain Loyalty.

You should pick Murder Follower. While the Loyalty boost from Ascend Follower is useful, it does not seem possible to bring back Followers who have Ascended.


Should I Pick the Ritualistic Fight Pit or Wedding Doctrine?

Ritualistic Fight Pit

Ritual Unlock

Perform a Ritual at your temple in which two Followers fight to the death - unless you're feeling merciful.

Wedding

Ritual Unlock

Perform a Ritual at your temple so you can marry one of your Followers. Gain 30 Faith.

You should pick the Wedding Doctrine. Your Spouse(s) gain an extra action to increase their Loyalty without the need for a Ritual.


Should I Pick the Belief in Original Sin Trait or the Belief in Absolution Trait Doctrine?

Belief in Original Sin Trait

Trait Unlock

All are born guilty. Reduced Faith loss when putting a Follower in jail who is not dissenting.

Belief in Absolution Trait

Trait Unlock

Freedom above all else. Every day that begins without anyone in prison, gain +10 Faith.

You should pick Belief in Absolution. As long as you keep your Faith up, you won't have Followers in Prison very often (except for the occasional Follower Quest, and that's only if you decide to do it). This effectively makes this a free +10 Faith every day for most days.


Should I Pick the Loyalty Enforcer or Tax Enforcer Doctrine?

Loyalty Enforcer

Ritual Unlock

Perform a Ritual at your temple in which you appoint a Follower as your Loyalty Enforcer, tasked with patrolling the Cult and raising the Loyalty of your Followers.

Tax Enforcer

[Ritual Unlock]

Perform a Ritual at your temple in which you appoint a Follower as your Tax Enforcer, tasked with collecting Coins from other Cult members.

You should pick Loyalty Enforcer. Loyalty is much harder to get than Coins.


Cult of the Lamb Doctrine Guide - Sustenance

Sustenance Doctrines

Each Cult of the Lamb Doctrine in the Sustenance tree relates to Food and Farming.


Should I Pick the Ritual Fast or Feasting Ritual Doctrine?

Ritual Fast

Ritual Unlock

Perform a Ritual at your temple to declare a fast. Followers will not eat or be hungry for three days.

Feasting Ritual

Ritual Unlock

Unlock the Feasting Ritual. Throw a grand feast for your followers to refill their hunger and gain 25 Faith.

You should pick the Ritual Fast. It's not that difficult to Cook for your Cult, especially with Farming. Removing the need for Food for three days, however, nicely combines with the Brainwashing Ritual and the Glory Through Toil Ritual, allowing you to leave your Cult alone for several days without worrying about things falling apart.


Should I Pick the Cannibal Trait or Grass Eater Trait Doctrine?

Cannibal Trait

Trait Unlock

All Cult members will gain the Cannibal Trait. +5 Faith when eating a meal made from Follower meat.

Grass Eater Trait

Trait Unlock

All Cult members will gain the Grass Easter Trait. No negative Faith when a Follower eats a meal made from Grass.

You should pick the Grass Eater Trait. Grass is easy to collect and it makes for an excellent backup Food to Cook if your Cult is close to starving.


Should I Pick the Ritual of the Harvest or the Ritual of the Ocean's Bounty Doctrine?

Ritual of the Harvest

Ritual Unlock

Perform a Ritual at your temple that causes all seeds to be immediately ready for harvest.

Ritual of the Ocean's Bounty

Ritual Unlock

Perform a Ritual at your temple which for 2 days will make special fish more likely to appear while fishing. You will also catch double fish.

You should pick the Ritual of the Ocean's Bounty. Aside from letting you catch more Fish, it will also make completing the Quest for Fishing much easier. Completing this Quest will unlock a shop that allows you to buy rare Fish.


Should I Pick the Substances Encouraged Trait or the Belief in Prohibitionism Trait Doctrine?

Substances Encouraged Trait

Trait Unlock

All Cult members will gain the Substances Encouraged Trait. Gain 20 Faith when Brainwashing Ritual is performed.

Belief in Prohibitionism Trait

Trait Unlock

All Cult members will gain the Prohibitionist Trait. Increase work speed and devotion generation increased by 10% but 50% chance of Followers becoming sick after the Brainwashing Ritual.

You should pick the Substances Encouraged Trait. While the benefits of Belief in Prohibitionism Trait are tempting, the penalty could be a disastrous drain on your resources should you ever have a need for the Brainwashing Ritual.


That's the end of our Cult of the Lamb Doctrines Guide. Check out our other guides below!

Have a tip, or want to point out something we missed? Leave a Comment or e-mail us at tips@techraptor.net


A photograph of TechRaptor Senior Writer Robert N. Adams.
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Learn more about Cult of the Lamb
Game Page Cult of the Lamb
Developer
Massive Monster
Publisher
Devolver Digital
Release Date
August 11, 2022 (Calendar)
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