Making friends with sinners in Sinner Maker hinges on a three-part strategy: consistently giving them their favored 'Offerings,' choosing dialogue options that align with their specific sin, and completing their unique side quests without fail. This cycle of gift-giving, tailored conversation, and loyal assistance is the only way to raise your Bond Level, unlock their personal stories, and gain powerful combat synergies that are essential for the late game.
This guide breaks down the entire friendship system, from the core mechanics to a detailed blueprint for winning over every single one of the seven central sinners. Forget trial and error; this is the definitive path to becoming a trusted confidant.
The Friendship System, Explained
At its heart, Sinner Maker's social system is a straightforward point-based mechanic called the Bond Level. Every major interaction you have with a sinner can either raise or lower this level. The goal is to raise it from the starting rank of 'Stranger' all the way to 'True Kin.'
Here’s how the progression and its rewards work:
- Bond Levels: The system has five distinct tiers: Stranger, Acquaintance, Confidant, Trusted Ally, and True Kin.
- Unlocking Tiers: Reaching a new tier requires accumulating a set number of Bond Points (BP). These points are hidden from the player, but their effects are not.
- Primary Benefits: Each new Bond Level unlocks tangible rewards. These include new, often revelatory, dialogue branches that explain a sinner's backstory, unique side quests that cannot be accessed otherwise, and most critically, powerful Synergy Skills. These are devastating team-up attacks in combat that can turn the tide of a boss fight.
- Decay and Neglect: Be warned—the system is not static. Ignoring a sinner for too long or repeatedly making poor choices can cause Bond Levels to decay, locking you out of previously earned benefits.
The Art of the Offering: A Gift-Giving Guide
Offerings are the most reliable way to earn a large, consistent infusion of Bond Points. These are special items you can find, craft, or purchase, and each sinner has a very specific set of tastes. Giving the right gift yields a massive BP gain, while the wrong one can set you back significantly. The game categorizes these preferences into four tiers: Loved, Liked, Neutral, and Hated.
The golden rule is to never give a Hated gift. The penalty is severe, often wiping out the progress of several successful interactions. Neutral gifts are a waste of resources, offering a trivial amount of BP. Your focus should always be on acquiring and distributing Loved or Liked items.
Sinner Maker in-game screenshot
Here is a complete breakdown of what each sinner desires. Keep this handy when you're looting ruins or browsing the wares of the Murky Trader.
| Sinner | Sin | Loved Offerings | Liked Offerings | Hated Offerings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valerius | Pride | Ornate Jewels, Gilded Mirrors, Engraved Trophies | Silk Handkerchiefs, Fine Wines, Poetry Books | Crude Tools, Simple Rations, Worn Clothing |
| Mamon | Greed | Heaps of Gold, Rare Ores, Sovereign's Seal | Legal Ledgers, Abacus, Weighted Scales | Forged Documents, IOU Notes, Charity Box |
| Ira | Wrath | Sharpening Stones, Whetsteel, Heavy Gauntlets | Training Dummies, Battle Plans, Potent Ale | Peace Treaties, Delicate Flutes, Diplomatic Papers |
| Levia | Envy | Stolen Heirlooms, Exotic Feathers, Scrying Lenses | Disguise Kits, Lockpicks, Maps of Rivals' Homes | Family Portraits, Letters of Commendation, Medals of Honor |
| Asmodea | Lust | Perfumed Oils, Silken Garments, Rare Flowers | Masquerade Masks, Sweet Chocolates, Romantic Novels | Austere Robes, Holy Symbols, Vows of Celibacy |
| Beel | Gluttony | Exotic Spices, Multi-course Feast, Golden Honey | Butcher's Cleaver, Aged Cheese, Recipe Books | Watered-down Soup, Moldy Bread, Fasting Manuals |
| Belphegor | Sloth | Self-winding Clockwork, Automatic Scribe, Soft Pillow | Complex Blueprints, Intricate Puzzles, Warm Tea | Alarm Bells, Urgent Missives, Manual Labor Orders |
Navigating Conversations: Dialogue That Works
Dialogue in Sinner Maker is more than just flavor text; it's a recurring test of how well you understand each character's core motivation. When presented with a choice, you generally have three options: one that appeals to their sin, one that challenges it, and a neutral or evasive response.
To build friendship, you must consistently validate their worldview. This can feel counter-intuitive, as you're often encouraging their worst impulses. But to befriend a sinner, you must first meet them on their own terms. Trying to "fix" them with righteous dialogue too early will only push them away.
General Principles for Dialogue
- For Pride (Valerius): Choose options that praise his skill, acknowledge his superior status, or defer to his judgment. Never show pity or offer unsolicited help.
- For Greed (Mamon): Always select the path that leads to the greatest material gain. Frame every decision in terms of profit and loss. Appeals to morality are ignored.
- For Wrath (Ira): Advocate for direct, aggressive action. Suggest force as the first and best solution. Diplomacy, patience, and subtlety are signs of weakness to her.
- For Envy (Levia): Indulge her paranoia and suspicion. Agree that others are plotting against her or that their success is undeserved. Show her secrets you've uncovered about others.
- For Lust (Asmodea): Focus on beauty, pleasure, and freedom of expression. Compliment her appearance and support choices that lead to hedonistic or aesthetically pleasing outcomes.
- For Gluttony (Beel): Express a love for fine food and drink. Show enthusiasm for new recipes or the prospect of a grand feast. Dismiss concerns about over-indulgence.
- For Sloth (Belphegor): Praise efficiency and clever shortcuts. Choose the path of least resistance and show appreciation for his inventions that save effort. Never rush him or demand immediate action.
Sinner Maker in-game screenshot
A Sinner-by-Sinner Friendship Blueprint
Once you've grasped the basics of Offerings and dialogue, you can focus on each sinner's specific needs and quests. Maxing out a bond requires completing a series of two to three character-specific side quests that become available as you reach new Bond Levels.
Valerius (Pride)
Valerius, the disgraced swordsman, craves validation. His friendship path is about restoring his sense of self-worth. His first quest, "The Tarnished Blade," involves finding a master blacksmith to restore his ancestral weapon. Later, in "An Audience with None," you must help him defeat a phantom rival that only he can see. Throughout, constantly remind him of his past glories and future potential. The key is to treat him like the champion he believes he still is.
Ira (Wrath)
Ira is a warrior consumed by rage against a past betrayal. Befriending her means becoming the whetstone for her anger. Her quests, like "The Burning Fields" and "Redemption in Blood," are straightforward combat challenges. She asks you to help her hunt down remnants of the mercenary company that wronged her. Always choose the most violent and direct path; any attempt to suggest mercy or alternative solutions will be seen as a betrayal. Your role is to be an unwavering weapon at her side.
Mamon (Greed)
Mamon's trust is transactional. Every favor has a price, and friendship is just a long-term investment. His quests, "The Sunken Ledger" and "A Hostile Takeover," revolve around acquiring wealth and ruining business rivals. He'll ask you to sabotage competitors and retrieve lost treasures. To win him over, you must prove you are a profitable asset. Complete his tasks efficiently and never ask for a reward—he will provide one if he deems the venture successful, and this show of understanding is what builds the bond.
Sinner Maker in-game screenshot
What Happens When Friendships Fail?
Making the wrong choices has severe consequences. If a sinner's Bond Level drops too low, they will become 'Antagonistic.' This has several negative effects that can make the game significantly harder.
- Loss of Synergies: All Synergy Skills with that character become locked and unusable.
- Combat Sabotage: In the worst cases, an Antagonistic sinner may actively hinder you in battle. Ira might refuse to guard an ally, or Mamon might steal a portion of the loot after a fight.
- Locked Storylines: You will be permanently locked out of their side quests and the significant lore and unique rewards they provide.
- Betrayal: In the game's final act, sinners with whom you have a low Bond Level may abandon you or even switch sides during a critical confrontation. Maintaining at least a 'Confidant' level with all seven sinners is highly recommended to avoid a disastrous endgame.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you make all sinners friends at once? It's challenging but possible. It requires carefully managing your resources, especially Offerings. Focus on getting everyone to the 'Confidant' level first before pushing a select few to 'True Kin.' Never miss an opportunity for a positive dialogue interaction.
Can you romance sinners in Sinner Maker? No, the game does not feature a romance system. The 'True Kin' Bond Level is the highest form of relationship and is depicted as a deep, platonic, or familial-style bond of absolute trust, not a romantic one.
What's the best universal gift for sinners? There is no single universal 'best' gift. However, some crafted items fall into the 'Liked' category for multiple sinners, making them efficient choices if you're low on character-specific 'Loved' Offerings. The 'Intricately Carved Box' is a good example, being liked by Valerius, Mamon, and Belphegor.
How long does it take to max out a friendship? Maxing a single sinner's bond can take a significant portion of the game, roughly 15-20 hours of focused effort, including finding their loved offerings and completing their quests as they unlock. Maxing all seven on a single playthrough is a major undertaking.
The Final Take
Ultimately, the friendship system in Sinner Maker is a reflection of its central theme: understanding and accepting flawed beings. To succeed, you can't be a generic hero. You must become a shrewd psychologist, a patient confidant, and an enabler of sin. By learning to navigate the twisted logic of each character, you not only gain a mechanical advantage but also unlock the richest narrative threads the game has to offer. The path is dark, but the loyalty of a true friend—even a sinful one—is a light worth fighting for.