A fleece changes the run’s rules. Pick one that fits the run you can play.
What they do
Some fleeces add challenge for a bigger payoff. Others reshape the crusade: fewer hearts, different unlocks, or new limits. The change is the point.
First clear
Wear the fleece nearest the default. Extra rules you have not internalised are a tax on a fight that already demands focus. Learn the bishops first.
The trade-off
A harder fleece pays more, but only if the run survives to spend it. A fleece that risks a run you cannot clear yet is a loss, not a boost.
Match the build
Once the cult is stable and the bishops fall, pick a fleece that rewards your style. The payoff then compounds a run you already win.
The best builds guide shows which cult and weapon setups pair with which fleeces.
Pick the fleece for the run, not the number
Fleeces are cosmetic skins that carry a gameplay modifier — some add enemies or limit healing, others change how you fight. Early, take a neutral or forgiving fleece; the penalty ones are for farmed bishops where a wipe costs less. Match the modifier to your weapon: a glass-cannon fleece pairs with a high-mobility weapon, a defensive one with a slow heavy weapon.
Unlock order
Fleeces unlock from bishop clears and side quests, so they arrive as you progress. Equip the one that fits the next bishop, not the one you think looks strong. The best builds guide shows the cult and weapon setups that pair with each fleece, so the choice is informed.