Acolytes

Acolytes are crucial followers in the game, influencing mission success through their skills, traits, and quality. Proper management and optimization of acolytes are key to progressing effectively.
== Skills ==
Skills vary based on acolyte quality and the player's strategy.
=== Early Game ===
Start with very poor acolytes. Focus on traits (+2/+2 or +3) over skill upgrades. Ensure acolytes have basic skills in retail and empathy.
=== Mid Game ===
Replace very poor acolytes with average ones. Optimize skill sets for essential roles and manage traits using the Ministry of Alterations.
=== Late Game ===
Good acolytes become available, with missions ranging from levels 8 to 12. Aim for high skill levels (8-9) and enhance traits through sermons.
=== Rare Acolytes ===
Exceptional acolytes from events like Divine Intervention excel in high-level missions (9-12) with top-tier skills and traits.
== Traits ==
Traits can be positive, negative, or impactful in various ways.
=== Negative Traits ===
* Apathetic: -3 Empathy
* Disorganized: -2 Empathy, -2 Planning
=== Positive Traits ===
* Clinical Training: +1 Butchery, +2 Improvisation
* Scheming: +3 Planning
* Charismatic: +2 Bluffing, +2 Social
=== Major Positive Traits ===
* Added Value: +4 Retail
* All Star: +1 to each skill
* Perceptive: +4 Espionage, +4 Planning
* Unlimited Potential: +2 level cap (4 free skill points)
=== Divine Traits ===
Acolytes on the Path of Darkness may gain daemonic traits with both benefits and drawbacks.
== Qualities ==
Key properties of acolytes include:
* Quality
* Traits
* Level
* Skill Set
=== Quality Impact ===
Quality 	Max Skill Training	Max Levels	Implied Max Skill Points	Recruitment
Very Poor	3 	8 	Yes 	
5 	6 	10 	Yes 	
8 	8 	14 	Yes 	
9 	10 	18 	Yes 	
10 	12 	22 	Yes 	
11 	14 	24 	Divine Inspiration only 	
12 	16 	28 	Divine Inspiration only 	
== Acolyte Improvement ==
Enhance acolytes through sermons and the Ministry of Alteration.
=== Ministry of Alteration ===
Removes negative traits with a chance to gain positive ones (about 5%). Costs 200 Influence. Top research and divine inspirations cost around 750 and 600 Influence respectively.
=== Sermon Ability ===
Costs influence and has a 50:50 chance of gaining a bad trait when cultists gain traits. Useful for trait management.
== See also ==
*Original guide by Disastrous Impact on Steam
Category:Acolytes