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HollownessDevour
Seasoned Ace
2 days ago

[Discussion] Trait Combinations, Lifestyles & Item/Object Pairing Investigation

Every once in a while I see on the EA forums or Reddit there is a Trait Combinations thread. May it be what is your favourite, what is the most chaotic and what is the best. But most of the times I see one of a few things end up being the conclusion, 1: is that traits play no real part or no real difference in the game, 2: people choose randomized and stick with it, or 3: they opt out of the most detested traits.

As I have only been playing Sims 4 since L&D aka earlier this year, I haven't really had a chance to have these conversations and I just look up old zombie threads most of which do not have much on the new traits. So I propose a small community collaboration project reporting findings on certain trait combinations with or without Lifestyle or item/object support.

To make this easier to report/review let's use a response format:

Traits: <list traits used here, feel free to include occult type, reward, aspiration, etc. traits>
Lifestyles: <if used, by cheats or earning properly>
Items/Objects: <list of items on Sim or objects place for Sim to help encourage trait synergy>
Plan: <what you think or hope will happen>
Results: <what actually happened>
Rating: <out of 10 how did the combination fair?>
Conclusion: <Any additional thoughts>

6 Replies

  • Traits: Romantic/Jealous
    Lifestyles: Hungry for Love (usually added by cheat)
    Items/Objects: Fire Opal Ring, +Flirty (emotional support)
    Plan: I thought a plain Romantic Sim would be too boring/predictable but with Jealousy they'd be a bit more needy and not always in a positive mood.
    Results: It seemed to be a balance of Flirty/Happy with having time with partner—to Tense without partner and pangs of jealousy when their partner talks to other Sims.
    Rating: 7.5/10
    Conclusion: I like it, it could have been a bit better but it is one of my favourite working combinations and with Lifestyle/Charged Jewelry relationship could anonymously maintain under various circumstances. Even with recently added Lovestruck romantic satisfaction could be decently kept up.

  • Traits: Neat/Squeamish
    Lifestyles: N/A
    Items/Objects: None
    Plan: I honestly just wanted to see what would happen.
    Results: More Uncomfortable moods.
    Rating: 5/10
    Conclusion: This just seems like a doubling down on the Neat trait, making them maybe a bit more neurotic about mess and cleaning it up. Usually positive moodlets can pile up fast after a while, and it is a bit more high maintenance to keep this Sim happy/positive.

  • Traits: Mystical/Spellcaster or other occults*
    Lifestyles: N/A
    Items/Objects: Tarot Cards
    Plan: The idea to use as an occult leaning trait for a more immersion.
    Results: Mystical is a very self-applied positive moodlet trait. You can +1 Confidence for reading an aura, +2 Happy for granting a sacred blessing, as well as believe two random +2 Inspired moodlets. With Tarot readings you can give or receive positive or negative moodlet results.
    Rating: 10/10
    Conclusion: For occults Sims more specifically Spellcasters, Fairies and Mermaids this trait adds a sort of magical ethereal component.

    *TBH there is just more effort in the newer traits, and though this is still a good trait without an occult Sim, I think it is better combined with an occult Sim.

  • Traits: Macabre/Spellcaster or other occults*
    Lifestyles: N/A
    Items/Objects: Tarot Cards
    Plan: The idea to use as a dark occult leaning trait for a more immersion.
    Results: Macabre grants positive and negative moodlets to the Sim or to other Sims. With Tarot readings you can give or receive positive or negative moodlet results as well.
    Rating: 10/10
    Conclusion: For occults Sims more specifically darker Spellcasters, Fairies, Mermaids and Vampires this trait adds a sort of darker mystic component. This is a very good check and balance for giving and granting positive/negative moodlets.

    *TBH there is just more effort in the newer traits, and though this is still a good trait without an occult Sim, I think it is better combined with an occult Sim.

  • Traits: Disruptive/Romantic for [Sim 1] with a Mystical/Romantically Reserved [Sim 2] partner
    Lifestyles: with or without Hungry For Love
    Items/Objects: N/A
    Plan: This was originally a test to see if Disruptive Sims would be in conflict with Mystical Sims in a relationship. 
    Results: A pleasant pairing usually resulting (occasionally) the Opposites Attract Sentiment and Refreshingly Different +1 Happy moodlet.
    Rating: 7/10
    Conclusion: I am not 100% sure which opposite traits/if not both trigger the Opposites Attract Sentiment and Refreshingly Different moodlet. But they are both opposites so maybe they both help. I thought there might be some fun chaos between Disruptive and Mystical Sims, so in that sense, a slight disappointment, but I didn't want it to break the relationship either so I am happy about that!

  • Traits: Plant Lover/Loner
    Lifestyles: N/A
    Items/Objects: On or off lot plants
    Plan: Loners who you keep busy still eventually need to talk to someone... not anymore!
    Results: You gain both social and fun from talking to plants. You don't even need to be a gardener or have a plant on your home lot, and you get a balance of both positive and negative moodlets. The plants are in the open world or almost any lot. You do not have to keep them happy/clean/etc. like minor pets nor relationship panel.
    Rating: 8-10/10
    Conclusion: What I like about this combo is that you technically don't have to be a loner gardener/harvester, and if you are a loner gardener or flower arranger you get can get positive and negative moodlets (more negative as a flower arranger as you are cutting up/harvesting your friends!). 

    I'd say this is a 9/10 if you are not planning to use Natural Living Skill but only 8/10 if you are (especially if you are also are a Naturopath, so many plant interactions), because you almost get too many interactions with plants as Plant Lover/Natural Living Skill/Naturopath. However, this combo could be considered a 10/10 for the flexibility factor and possibility of self-sufficiency with the right skills of this combo.

    If you do pair with the Natural Living Skill with Plant Lover/Loner, your Sim will be pretty much self-sufficient. So if you like to solo game, collecting and traveling (with or without gardening/harvesting). You really don't need anyone.

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