A build is a cult plus a weapon. Both have to work for the same run.
The cult base
A cult that holds faith funds the crusades. Food, housing and one good ritual beat a sprawling base you cannot keep loyal. Stability first.
The weapon
Pick a weapon you can swing under pressure. Reach and speed matter more than peak damage. The weapon database shows both, so pick for your dodge.
The fleece
Wear the fleece that fits the run you win. A harder fleece only helps once the bishops already fall. Learn the game in the default, then add risk.
Read the list
A tier list ranks ideal kits. Your save has your cult and your unlocks. Take the build that uses what you have. A plain setup you can run beats a perfect one you cannot.
The fleece guide and weapon tier list are the two reads that turn this into a loadout.
A loadout that works
Pair a high-mobility weapon (the Blunderbuss or a fast melee) with a fleece that fits your playstyle, not the one with the biggest number. If you dodge well, take a fleece that rewards aggressive play; if you get hit, take one that softens punishment. The cult setup matters too — a well-fed cult means more resources for weapon upgrades between crusades.
Don’t over-specialize too early
A balanced build (one melee, one ranged, full follower support) clears all four bishops. Save the glass-cannon fleece runs for after you have the bishops on farm, when a wipe costs less. The fleece guide shows which penalty modifiers pair with which weapon, so you are not guessing.