The fastest way to raise affection in Sinner Maker is by repeatedly giving a character their single most-loved gift, supplemented by always choosing empathetic or supportive dialogue options during main and side quests. While quests provide large, one-time boosts, the daily grind of targeted gifting is the most efficient and controllable method for reaching the highest affection tiers required for special events and endings.
This guide breaks down every system for earning affection points (AP), from the obvious to the obscure. Mastering these mechanics is the only way to unlock each Sinner's true potential and witness their ultimate fate.
The Three Pillars of Affection
Affection isn't just a number; it's a resource that gates story progression, combat abilities, and ultimate endings. The system is built on three core activities: gifting, dialogue, and completing character-specific quests. Understanding how they interact is crucial.
1. Gifting: The Daily Grind
Gifting is your most reliable source of AP. Each of the four main Sinners—Stolas, Lilith, Belial, and Mammon—has a unique set of preferences. Gifts are categorized into four tiers of effectiveness:
- Loved (+15 AP): Each character has one or two specific items they adore. These are often rare or expensive, but provide the best return.
- Liked (+5 AP): A broader category of items that give a decent boost.
- Neutral (+1 AP): Generic items that show you tried, but barely move the needle.
- Hated (-10 AP): Giving a character an item they despise will set you back significantly. These are often tied to their personal history or rivalries.
You can give one gift per character per day. Therefore, your primary goal should be to identify and stockpile their "Loved" items to maximize daily gains.
2. Dialogue Choices: The Story-Driven Boosts
Throughout the main story and each Sinner's personal questline, you'll face critical dialogue choices. These moments are often clearly telegraphed. As a rule of thumb, choices that align with a character's core personality and motivations yield the most points.
- Stolas values knowledge, curiosity, and quiet contemplation. Choose options that show respect for his research and intellect.
- Lilith responds to empathy, passion, and artistic appreciation. Choices that validate her feelings or admire her creations are always correct.
- Belial respects strength, directness, and loyalty. Avoid showing weakness or indecision in his presence.
- Mammon is drawn to ambition, wit, and material success. Options that demonstrate your own cunning or appreciate his wealth are highly effective.
A correct choice in a major story beat can be worth +20 to +50 AP, making them far more potent than a single gift, but they are finite and cannot be farmed.
3. Character Quests: The One-Time Windfalls
Each Sinner has a multi-part personal questline that delves into their backstory. Completing each stage of these quests is the single largest source of affection in the game. The final mission in a character's arc can award as much as +150 AP, instantly pushing them into the next tier of devotion. Prioritizing these quests is essential, as many are time-gated by main story progression.
The Ultimate Gift Guide for Every Sinner
Forget trial and error. This table contains a complete list of the best and worst gifts for every Sinner. Focus your resources on acquiring the "Loved" items for the character you're pursuing.
Infographic chart of the best gifts for each character in Sinner Maker.
| Character | Loved (+15 AP) | Liked (+5 AP) | Hated (-10 AP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stolas | • Forbidden Grimoire<br>• Celestial Orrery | • Black Ink<br>• Owl Feather<br>• Quiet Tea Leaves | • Gaudy Jewelry |
| Lilith | • Black Rose<br>• Silver Lyre | • Charcoal Sketchpad<br>• Tragic Poetry<br>• Blood-Red Wine | • Unfeeling Construct |
| Belial | • Whetstone of the Conqueror<br>• Dragon's Tooth | • Training Weights<br>• Spiced Ration Pack<br>• Map of Old Battles | • Frivolous Novel |
| Mammon | • Flawless Diamond<br>• Gilded Ledger | • Rare Coin<br>• Silk Handkerchief<br>• Imported Spices | • Simple Wooden Cup |
Pro-Tip: The Forbidden Grimoire for Stolas can be crafted after finding the recipe in the Sunken Library, while the Flawless Diamond for Mammon is a rare drop from the Gilded Caverns dungeon. Farming these locations is the key to a steady supply of top-tier gifts.
Navigating Critical Dialogue Paths
While we can't list every choice, we can provide a framework for success. Most crucial conversations happen at the end of a major quest. You'll typically be presented with three options that can be broadly categorized as Empathetic, Pragmatic, or Antagonistic.
For instance, after helping Lilith confront the spirit of her lost muse, she asks you if her art is meaningless without her pain.
- Empathetic: "Your art is a reflection of you; it will always have meaning." (Correct, +30 AP)
- Pragmatic: "You can find a new source of inspiration." (Neutral, +5 AP)
- Antagonistic: "Yes, your best work is behind you." (Incorrect, -20 AP)
A 4-panel comic showing how to raise affection in Sinner Maker with a correct dialogue choice.
When in doubt, always choose the option that validates the character's worldview and emotional state. The game rewards you for paying attention to their personal stories, not for trying to change who they are.
Hidden Affection: Minigames and Exploration Secrets
Beyond the main three pillars, several smaller systems can provide a steady trickle of affection points that add up over time. Don't neglect them.
The Infernal Chef Minigame
Once the kitchen is unlocked, you can cook meals for the Sinners. This rhythm-based minigame is surprisingly robust. Each character has a favorite meal. Successfully cooking it with a "Perfect" rating and serving it to them grants a +10 Affection bonus on top of its normal restorative effects. This can be done once per day and serves as a secondary, craftable gift.
Annotated diagram of the Infernal Chef minigame in Sinner Maker.
Finding Lost Mementos
Scattered across the world are 3-5 "Lost Mementos" unique to each character (e.g., Stolas's Lost Spectacles, Belial's First Dagger). Finding one and returning it to its owner initiates a unique dialogue and provides a one-time +25 AP boost. These are often hidden in out-of-the-way corners of dungeons or quest areas, rewarding thorough exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Affection
Here are quick answers to the most common sticking points players have with the affection system.
How do I check my current affection level? You can check your affection level with any Sinner in the "Pact-mates" tab of the main menu. It's represented by a meter under their portrait that fills up and changes color as you cross certain thresholds. The game defines these tiers as Indifferent (0-99), Acquainted (100-299), Cherished (300-599), and Devoted (600+).
Can affection decrease? Yes. Giving hated gifts, choosing antagonistic dialogue options, or failing certain character-specific quest objectives can lower affection. The most significant losses come from major story betrayals, which can permanently lock you out of a character's best ending.
What is the max affection level? The maximum affection score is 999. Reaching this level with a character often unlocks a special title and a final, post-ending scene with them if you achieved their true ending.
Poster listing the affection tiers and point requirements in Sinner Maker.
Do I need max affection for the true ending? No, you don't need the absolute maximum of 999. However, you do need to reach the "Devoted" tier (600+ AP) before initiating the final main story quest, "The Heart of the Abyss." If you enter the final quest below this threshold, you will be locked into that character's neutral or bad ending.
The Final Word
Raising affection in Sinner Maker is a marathon, not a sprint. The most successful strategy is to pick one or two characters to focus on per playthrough. Funnel all your best gifts and quest priority toward them. Consistency is key. A daily routine of giving a "Loved" gift, cooking their favorite meal, and making the right story choices will have you at the "Devoted" tier long before the final act, securing your path to their most satisfying conclusions.