Cultists

The Zealots are Ganados and members of the Los Illuminados cult based in Ramon Salazar's castle. They are dressed in clerical robes and habits bearing the cult's insignia. Black is worn by the regular cultists, purple by elites, with red worn by the cult leaders. The Zealots are better equipped than the villagers, carrying a variety of medieval armaments, such as scythes, flails, crossbows, RPG-7s and even dynamite-throwing zealots appearing occasionally as well. Some zealots also carry heavy wooden shields or wear iron masks to protect themselves from gunfire.

The colors of a Zealot's robe appear to indicate rank or status within the cult:


 * Black robes are worn by the lowest ranking Zealots, who can appear wielding any weapon. Black zealots are less likely than the others to reveal a Plaga upon injury.
 * Purple robes may indicate higher ranking Zealots or simply a more elite cadre as they only start appearing when the player has progressed deep into the castle, usually in whole groups of their own. Leader variants of this zealot with goatskull masks are not uncommon. These zealots tend to carry the 'worm' type Plaga.
 * Red is worn by the leader Zealots, who may also wear a Goatskull mask or amulets. Note that these zealots will at first only appear leading groups of lower ranking cultists, but in later areas may attack in whole groups of their own. Although often unarmed when leading groups, red robed Zealots are usually much tougher to kill than their subordinates. These Zealots usually carry the 'spider' type Plaga.

Although better armed and equipped than the villagers, Zealots tend to be somewhat more zombie-like in their behavior, often shuffling around aimlessly when not accompanied by higher ranking cultists, mumbling or chanting sinister mantras to themselves. Once aroused however, Zealots will attack with surprising haste and viciousness. With the exception of the shield carriers and bowmen, these Ganados attack in much the same way as villagers. Here follows a list of equipment and their common uses:


 * Flail- The most common Zealot armament, a medieval spiked mace on a chain. The Zealots carrying this weapon will attempt the swing the mace in a circle before smashing it down on the player's head. They are more dangerous in close combat than Villager Ganados because they can change their attack direction in mid-swing, allowing them to spin around and hit the player if they try to run around their sides. Fortunately, the mace cannot be thrown so if kept at a distance these Zealots are not too dangerous.
 * Wooden Shield- Often carried in conjunction with the flail, this full body shield allows the Zealot to advance under gunfire. The shield can be destroyed utterly with heavy firepower or explosives, or blown away in pieces. Another tactic to use is to try and throw Hand Grenades behind the Zealots or shoot at their feet or exposed body parts. You could also use a weapon that can pierce through multiple targets (such as the Punisher) to hit them.
 * Crossbow- Bowmen will attempt to keep at range and harass the player with their bolts, usually fired in pairs and sometimes set alight for added damage. Bowmen are usually the weakest Zealots to kill and rarely reveal a Plaga.
 * Scythe- A large reaping scythe, this is likely the most dangerous weapon in a Zealot's arsenal, capable of slashing in a wide arc, it can also be thrown at close range, damaging the player. If thrown at a moderate distance, it could cut Leon's head off. Even if not thrown, one swing at close range could result in an instant decapitation.
 * Full Face Helmet- A heavy iron mask which protects the wearer from headshots. All ranks may wear a helmet but it seems most common on Zealots wielding melee weaponry.
 * Others- Zealots will on rare occasions make use of other weapons, most often dynamite and RPGs. Dynamite carrying zealots should be treated much the same as villagers, while when facing RPG carrying zealots, the player should seek cover immediately and wait until they have fired before attacking.
 * One of their most used chant is "morir es vivir" which means "To Die is To Live" in Spanish.

Likely having not left the castle for years, the Zealots skin is much paler than that of the villagers, and all of them appear to be bald, although their baldness is likely a result of having deliberately shaved their head as a religious statement rather than as a symptom of their infection. Others are ritually tattooed or scarred. Overall, the Zealots are likely the most sinister and frightening to the Ganados.

After defeating Bitores Mendez, you can still return to the village. When entering the church, you will see two black robed zealots from the scene where Ashley and Leon jump through the window. In Salazar's castle, whilst the zealots are 'sacrificing' around what appears to be a heart, you can sneak up to the edge, and if equipped with a missile launcher, you can take them all out with one shot if done properly.

Quotes

 * "Morir es vivir." "To die is to live."
 * "Cogedlo.. Cogedlo" "Grab him.. Grab him"
 * "¡Allí está, mátalo!" "There he is, kill him!"
 * "Muere... Muere" "Die... Die"
 * "¡Eh, si, quiero matar!" "Oh yes,I want to kill!"

Trivia

 * In the chapter where Leon goes to find Ashley after she was taken, a Zealot in red will run to take cover when Leon enters the room and he is invincible. You must then enter a side room, go up the stairs, and then reenter the main room. After you jump down the small ledge to where he was, He runs from where he was hiding and pauses on the other side of the room. If you are quick enough, you can kill him with the Sniper Rifle and he will drop the key, allowing you to skip the turret. If not then he will mount a hidden turret and you will have to kill him by shooting him until dead and then get the Gallery Key.
 * If you shoot the hood-less ones in the head, their heads are most likely to hang there and a parasite will appear.
 * After you rescue Ashley in 2-1, if you go inside the church during 2-2, two black robed zealots with crossbows will attack you.
 * In chapter 4-1, if you kill a zealot that is patrolling the tower with the jammed gears in it, you will notice that the top part of his cloak disappears.