The Zealots are Ganados and members of the Los Illuminados cult and appear 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 with RPG and dyanamite wielding zealots appearing occasionally as well. Some zealots also carry heavy wooden shields (which can be destroyed with enough firepower) or wear iron masks (which make the wearer immune to headshots) to protect themselves from gunfire.
The colours of a zealots robes appear to indicate rank or status within the cult:
- Black robes are worn by the lowest ranking Zealots, and can appear wielding any weapons. Black zealots are less likely than others to produce a Plaga was injured.
- Purple robes may indicate higher ranking Zealots or simply a more elite cadre as they only start appearing when the player had progressed deep into the castle usually in whole groups of their own. There also appear to be leader variants of this zealot as purple robed zealots 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 Goatskull mask or amulets. Note that these zealots will at first only appear leading groups of lower ranking cultits, but in later areas may attack in whole groups of their own. Although often unnarmed when leading groups, red robed Zealots are usually much tougher to kill than their subordinates. These Zealots usually carry the 'spider' type Plaga.
Although beter armed and equipped than the villagers, Zealots tend to be somewhat more zombie-like in their behaviour, often shuffling around aimlessly when not acompanied 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:
- Morning Star- 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 players head. Fortunately the mace cannot be thrown so these zealots are among the least dangerous of enemies.
- Wooden Shield- Often carried in cunjunction with the mace, this full body sheild 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 grenades behind the zealots or shoot at their feet or exposed body parts.
- Crossbow- Bowmen will attempt to keep at range and harass the player with their bolts, usually fired in pairs. 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 zealots arsenal, capable of slashing a wide area, it can also be thrown damaging the player at range.
- 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 melee weapon equipped Zealots.
- 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 immiediately and wait until they have fired before attacking.
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. Overal, the zealots are likely the most sinister and frightening ot the Ganados.