"meubanks;15496255" wrote:
My shortlist of recommendations:
1.If clubs are used, the Networked club trait cannot be purchased for clubs which allow children. Reason- this perk gives an advantage which directly benefits the challenge by allowing faster school promotions.
2. Possibly restrict Rally the Troops. The ability to fill all club members needs on-demand with a single mouse click has obvious advantages to just about any challenge. A case can be made either way for this one, but it is a powerful perk. Note that this one only works during an active gathering, while "Networked Club" only requires a sim to belong to the club. Play style has a big impact on the usefulness of this perk, but when you know how to use it, it's incredibly strong.
3. Restrict all Emotion-based club vibes except for the default happiness vibe and it's upgrades. The ability to give a strong emotional boost on demand has obvious advantages, particularly with Focused, because the ability to stay very focused all day directly influences school promotions. It is virtually impossible to get an 8 hr focused mood any other way for kids. That's why the vibes are a bit exploitative in my opinion. The max level vibe is difficult to override. Even if the kid's needs start to fail or they get stressed, they will probably not lose the focused state.
If you do these rules, the skill boosts themselves wouldn't be particularly unbalancing. Since the "goal is to get them an A and age them up, the skills are not critically important to the challenge. The kids would gain skills faster, but they would progress through school at a normal pace, and therefore not really break the intent of the challenge. This approach removes the unfair advantages, with the fewest number of rule additions, while allowing the most flexibility for players who want to use clubs. It levels the playing field without unnecessary restrictions on anyone's play style.
If any of my convoluted rambling is not clearly explained feel welcome to ask for clarification or further feedback. My recommendations are only suggestions. I'll support your decisions whether you use them or not.
1. I think another option could be that you either use the Networked perk or a skill perk. In the end to get an A in school you need to go at least 2 times for grade but you also have to have a skill at level 4 (children)/3 (teen). So the problem seems to be when you have both. Altho I have no idea whatever the have the same amount of "power". A test could be having a kid in a club with the perk and one with the skill and see how they progress. :smiley:
2. The Rally The Troops should be restricted I think. Part of the challenge is to care for everyone's moods. And the Rally the Troops seems to be kinda without limits. I remember seeing people using in it a lot. It doesn't even seems to have a cool down period. You only need to get the perk once and you're settle for the rest of the challenge. It's not like a mood fixer potion the require you to buy with aspirations points every time.
3. On the emotions I don't really have an opinion. They are easily influenced in other ways anyway so.
