In Emperor of the Fading Suns, religion isn’t just lore dressing—it’s a full-fledged, three-layered strategy system that can reshape your empire’s success. Every Sect provides distinct bonuses across the Galaxy, Planets, and Individual Units, and these stack to create a powerful advantage. Learning how to use them well is key to dominating both AI and real human players in PBEM campaigns.
Emperor of the Fading Suns Guide & Walkthrough
Understanding the Three Layers of Sect Bonuses
1. Galaxy Bonuses – Holy Terra or Bust
These are only activated when your sect controls Holy Terra, the spiritual capital of the Known Worlds. Once in your grasp, these bonuses kick in empire-wide, affecting all planets, units, and structures. Think of them as game-changing perks that can redefine your macro strategy.
2. Planetary Bonuses – Build to Belief
Each time you build a Cathedral of a specific sect on a planet, that planet gets special buffs tied to that sect—ranging from better resource production to increased loyalty or healing. These are local, but when spread across multiple planets, they snowball fast.
3. Unit Bonuses – Faith in the Flesh
Every unit has a Sect affiliation, and that Sect grants passive bonuses to individual stats. These include healing, armor, movement, upkeep costs, experience gain, and more—regardless of whether they’re near a cathedral or not.
Sect Breakdown: Choose Your Faith Wisely
Orthodox (Ort) – The Steady State
- Playstyle: Hierarchical, conservative, loyalist.
- Planet: +10% resources, +5 Loyalty, +10% Tax
- Galaxy: +5% Tech & Lab Maintenance (stable economy)
- Unit: +5% Armor, +1 Spotting, +5% Psy Defense
Why Play Orthodox?
If you want a strong, economically sound empire with low rebellion risk and solid infrastructure, Orthodox is your go-to. A top-tier early-game pick for resource scaling.
Amaltheans (SAe) – Healers of the Wounded Galaxy
Playstyle: Pacifist monks and disease mitigators.
- Galaxy: +10 City Healing, +4 Unit Healing, -10 Plague Chance
- Planet: +10% Healing, +4% Loyalty Conv., +5% Exotica/Gems
- Unit: +20% Armor, +10% Psy Def, +1 Camouflage
Why Play Amaltheans?
Ideal for empires hit hard by war or plagues. Their healing and defense makes them sustainable in the long run. Use on populous or post-conflict worlds to rebuild fast.
Eskatonics (Esk) – Mystics and Tech Seers
Playstyle: High-tech, high-psy defense, ruin-exploring visionaries.
- Galaxy/Planet: +5% Research Rate, -5% Tech/Lab Upkeep
- Planet: +5% Wetware, Biochems, Gems
- Unit: +50% Psy Defense, +2 Agility, +2 Camo, +1 Spotting
Why Play Eskatonics?
Best for research-focused empires and psychic defense. Absolutely shines on ruin-rich planets or in Psy-heavy battles.
Incarnates (Inc) – Fringe Efficiency Experts
Playstyle: Rebels and reformers running efficient breakaway states.
- Galaxy: +5% Production, +10% Research
- Unit: -10% Tech Upkeep, -5% Unit Upkeep
- Unit: +1 Spotting, Agility, Camo
Why Play Incarnates?
Top-tier for wide empires running on tight margins. Their upkeep and production advantages stack massively over time. Great for fast expansion and thin logistical lines.
Avestites (Ave) – Burn the Heretics
Playstyle: Firebrand inquisitors enforcing faith with force.
- Planet/Unit: +10 Loyalty, +20 Rebellion Resistance
- Unit: +10% XP Gain, +25% Psy Strength, +10% Close Combat
- Galaxy: -10% Research, +10% Lab Upkeep (tradeoff)
Why Play Avestites?
Unmatched for post-conquest stabilization. Use them to lock down rebellious worlds and quickly train elite fighting units.
Brother Battle (Bro) – Elite Soldiers of the Church
Playstyle: Combat monks seeking holy order through war.
- Planet/Unit: +15 Loyalty, +15 XP Gain
- Unit: +5% Attack, +25% Close Combat, +5 Healing, +1 Accuracy
- Galaxy: +10% Lab Upkeep, +25% Unit Upkeep
Why Play Brother Battle?
Incredible for small, elite armies. Use for planet-holding and XP grinding. Just be careful with upkeep—it adds up.
Hesychasts (Men) – Silent Workhorses
- Playstyle: Quiet logistics and mobile production chains.
- Galaxy: +10% Production, -5% Tech/Lab Upkeep
- Unit: +15 Move Points, -10% Upkeep, +3 Camouflage, +2 Agility
Why Play Hesychasts?
Underrated support sect. Great for stealth scouts, economic scaling, and sustaining large empires without combat focus.
Becoming the Patriarch
The Patriarch is elected every 23 turns. The determining factor? Flock Share—the percentage of the galaxy’s population following each sect.
How to Influence the Flock:
- Convert as many cities and units as possible
- Build cathedrals on populous planets
- Deploy clergy where there’s little resistance
- Time conversions just before the election cycle
When your sect wins the Patriarchy:
- Stronger cathedrals
- More tithes
- Immunity from excommunication
- Political dominance
Deny Rival Sects Like a Pro
Even if you don’t win the Patriarch seat, you can cripple rivals:
- Convert away their core planets
- Demolish or overwrite their cathedrals
- Replace enemy clergy with your own
- Use diplomacy to pull religious strings
Excommunication is Brutal
Being kicked from the Church hurts. Here’s why:
- Loyalty drops sharply (-30%)
- Income/tithes reduced
- No religious influence
- Easier target for spiritual warfare
- Triggers: Lab overuse, tech abuse, pissing off the Patriarch.
