Whats the point of followers?

[XelNigma]

With out spoiling much, I ask why should I gather followers? I expected I could send them on missions, and I kinda sorta can. but 90% of the time they fail and just generate scares and notoriety. I can hire a random off the street with better stats and when they get hurt or die, its no biggy.
Same for expeditions.
I have got to the part where I can summon stuff but even my smoke monster with 8 moth died trying to burn some evidence.
So why gather followers if they have no use?

[HeraldOfOpera]

You can upgrade them to be significantly better than the hirelings. Especially the ones that match your cult, who can be Exalted.

Also, the failure chance never entirely goes away, no matter how high their stats are.

[Maina]

The "smoke monster" and other summons are free and infinite. You don't have to pay followers. Pay more attention to expeditions. If they're failing 90% of the time, you are doing something (probably multiple somethings) horribly, horribly wrong.

[XelNigma]

oh no no, expeditions go well. I ususaly wait for a bomber as forge is often required from what I can tell, if not lamp which I havnt found a hireling for that yet.

I mean little jobs like "go craft stuff to sell" or "go steal from people" they fail 90% of the time. and Iv never had a murder or destroy evidence work. granted iv only requested them jobs twice or so. small selection pool and all that.

[Maina]

Higher Aspect = higher success rate. Going to need to promote them then.

[vindicar]

Those side jobs actually suck most of the time because of notoriety.

First and the most important use for followers is expeditions.
Basically, 2 Disciples with the right aspect can win a challenge 90% of the time )can't get it to 100%). Same with just 1 Exalted follower.
As such, best way to approach expedition becomes sending disposable summons/hires first, then have the matching followers join the expedition later - or stay in hot reserve in case a summoning gets killed.

Second, some followers are more useful than others.
Forge ones can repair artifacts (albeit for a price).
Moth ones can destroy evidence. Though I think there is a bug where Exalted Moth cultists still only have 70% chance to destroy evidence.
Heart ones can get rid of reputation. Though reputation card grabbed is random, and notoriety has a higher chance to fail - but at least it doesn't double up, like with Moth!
And last but not least, Knock followers are good for summoning rituals. Doubly so if you gift them some 8-aspect tools (I'd recommend Biedde's Blade and Elagabaline Manacle) - that will allow you to summon things like Caligines or attacking spirits with pretty much just Lore and Follower.

Third, again, rites. Sunset Rite uses a follower, and it is easily available. So the more followers you have, the easier it will be to mix and match aspect combos.

And fourth, meatshield. A few dangers can go for you, OR for the followers. If there is no followers on the table, you become the target by default.

[Maina]

Destroying evidence being capped at 70% is almost certainly not a bug, it's a balance feature. It isn't the only follower activity that has a non-90% cap.

Charm only looks for a "reputation" card and does not have different difficulties for each type.

Scarring followers is generally a better option than giving tools since doesn't cost a unique item, only a fund for healing.

[Nakos]

"I honoured my agreement, but I did not have a friend."

[vindicar]

Originally posted by Maina:

Destroying evidence being capped at 70% is almost certainly not a bug, it's a balance feature. It isn't the only follower activity that has a non-90% cap.

Which is annoying, as it further devalues followers.

Originally posted by Maina:

Charm only looks for a "reputation" card and does not have different difficulties for each type.

That's odd, off all times it grabbed a Mystique (usually by my oversight) it only failed with it once, while it fails Notoriety check far morre regularly.

Originally posted by Maina:

Scarring followers is generally a better option than giving tools since doesn't cost a unique item, only a fund for healing.

Except that the scar type is random, and trying over and over is not something I like doing. I've found that I rarely need tools in general, followers and lore tend to be more useful.
Well, and roleplay reasons too. I prefer playing pacifist while possible. =)

[HeraldOfOpera]

Originally posted by Nakos:

"I honoured my agreement, but I did not have a friend."

Big oof. (It's worth mentioning that every possible ending has an achievement so you'll have to do this at least once)

[tiffsterr]

You can promote your followers, scar them and give them instruments to buff them, however, if they are getting hella scarred and dying on missions then start your missions with 2 summon creatures so that the ones who fall are the leader and assistant, ensuring your permanent team stays safe. Click the cards inside the missions and read what they are recommending to overcome the obstacles.

Summons are super easy if you look at the requirements on the wiki and give a follower a tool that will allows you to summon with just two cards... one follower with two lore types and an instrument or lore card.

I generally just use summons to eliminate evidence unless I am trying to get a scar on my follower. Sometimes I will have 4-6 summons existing at one time. I stall out their timers using talk, work and explore. Sending 4+ summons on a mission makes it easy peasy.