Traits are the building blocks of a Sim’s personality. When you fashion a Sim, the last thing you do is imbue them with a set of traits.
Traits determine Lifetime Wishes, career tracks, skill development talents, social graces, and more. Almost every facet of the Sim’s life is affected by the choices you make assigning traits, so choose wisely.
Trait List
Use this list of traits to determine the best modifers for your Sims. This list explains the strengths and weaknesses of each trait as well as the unique features that having the trait brings into a Sim’s life.
Absent-Minded (The Sims 3)
Description: Absent-Minded Sims get lost in their thoughts and occasionally forget what they are doing or where the are going.
Benefits: None
Shortcomings: Sim will often stop in mid-action, disrupting progress and losing valuable time.
Unique Features: Absent-Minded Sims sometimes turn off the television when they finish watching—even if other Sims are still watching.
Adventurous (World Adventures)
Description: Adventurous Sims enjoy traveling and exploration more than other Sims, can go on new trips sooner, and improve their visa levels more quickly.
Benefits: Adventurous Sims get a positive Adventuring moodlet while on vacation.
Shortcomings: Sim tends to get the Stir Crazy moodlet faster, which prevents them from lazing indoors for extended periods of time.
Unique Features: The Recently Traveled moodlet does not last as long for an Adventurous Sim, meaning they can skip off on another trip sooner than other Sims.
Ambitious (The Sims 3)
Description: Ambitious Sims dream big and are more rewarded when their wishes are satisfied in life. They are driven to move up the corporate ladder more quickly, but fall prey to low mood if they don’t quickly receive the promotion they desire.
Benefits: Ambitious Sims enjoy improved performance at work. Fulfilled wishes are worth more Lifetime Happiness Points.
Shortcomings: Sim gets the Anxious to Advance negative moodlet if promotions or skill level advancements dont come at a regular pace.
Unique Features: To keep Ambitious Sims happy, make time to advance skills. Stay on top of goals at work, too.
Angler (The Sims 3)
Description: Anglers catch fish better than any other Sims. They also enjoy fishing more than anyone else.
Benefits: Anglers catch more fish and gain Fishing skill faster than normal Sims.
Shortcomings: None
Unique Features: Anglers start their lives with a Fishing skill book in their personal inventories. Fishing lowers their stress and decreases the need for Fun.
Animal Lover (Pets)
Description: Sims with the Animal Lover trait love all members of the animal kingdom and have special benefits when interacting with pets.
Benefits: Enhanced relationships with all pets.
Shortcomings: Cannot choose Cat Person, Dog Person, or Equestrian traits.
Unique Features: Sims with the Animal Lover trait build relationship with all animals more quickly than Sims without the trait (but a little slower than Sims who have a pet-specific trait gain with that pet type).
Animal Lover Sims also build the hidden Wildlife Friend skill faster.
Artistic (The Sims 3)
Description: Artistic Sims are naturally gifted artists with a paint brush. They make pretty good writers or musicians.
Benefits: Artistic Sims gain the Painting skill faster than normals Sims. They also gain the Writing and Guitar skills faster, too, but not as fast as the Painting skill.
Shortcomings: None
Unique Features: Artistic Sims automatically interact with guitars and easels more often. Trait introduces Talk About Art social.
Athletic (The Sims 3)
Description: Athletic Sims are the best athletes in town. They can push themselves harder and longer than others, and will do so to feel the burn.
Benefits: Athletic Sims earn the Athletic skill faster than normal Sims. Athletic Sims also take longer to get the Fatigued moodlet.
Shortcomings: Do not like to listen to other Sims complain about exercise or athletic activities.
Unique Features: Athletic Sims cannot possess the Couch Potato trait. Athletic Sims get the Talk About Exercise social.
Bookworm (The Sims 3)
Description: Bookworms have a passion for reading that surpasses their other desires. They also tend to become good writers.
Benefits: Bookworm Sims read faster. Bookworm Sims also write faster whether working on the Writing skill, writing novels, or doing homework. They get increased Fun from reading, which helps dispel the Stressed Out moodlet.
Shortcomings: None
Unique Features: Bookworm Sims get an increased environmental bonus from a room with a bookcase. They receive a Talk About Books social.
Born Salesperson (Ambitions)
Description: Not only do Born Salespeople often sell their wares for more money than other Sims, they know the importance of a good reputation and can quickly build one at the consignment store.
Benefits: These Sims generally sell their stuff at the consignment store for more money. The more items they sell at the consignment store, the better their reputation, which in turn leads to higher sales and better prices.
Shortcomings: None
Unique Features: Excellent trait choice for Sims who make their living by creating items to sell, such as painters and sculptors.
Brave (The Sims 3)
Description: Brave Sims are fearless individuals who will fight fires, wrangle Burglars, and work to protect those around them.
Benefits: Brave Sims will fight and defeat Burglars. If a fire breaks out on the lot with the Brave Sim, the Brave Sim will not panic.
He/she will immediately grab a fire extinguisher and put out the flames. Brave Sims do better in the Military and Law Enforcement careers.
Shortcomings: None
Unique Features: Brave Sims can sometimes demand a raise from their boss with success. Brave Sims are not scared by ghosts. Brave Sims cannot pick the Loser or Coward traits.
Can’t Stand Art (The Sims 3)
Description: Sims who Can’t Stand Art will never appreciate the latest masterpiece or expensive home decor. They are the anti-connoisseur.
Benefits: None
Shortcomings: Sims with this trait have a negative reaction to all art. They do not like to talk about art either.
Unique Features: Sims get the negative Can’t Stand Art moodlet whenever they are around art.
Cat Person (Pets)
Description: Sims with the Cat Person trait are happiest when they are surrounded by multitudes of felines.
Benefits: Enhanced relationships with cats. Gain the positive Cat Playtime! moodlet when interacting with cats.
Shortcomings: Cannot choose Animal Lover, Dog Person, or Equestrian traits.
Unique Features: Sims with the Cat Person trait prefer cats to people, and build relationships with cats quickly. They also mourn cats who have passed on more intensely.
Charismatic (The Sims 3)
Description: Charismatic Sims love to socialize and often know the perfect thing to say. They also like to throw parties.
Benefits: Charismatic Sims start with a Charisma skill building book and gain the Charisma skill faster than other Sims.
Charismatic Sims fare well in almost all conversations. It’s a useful trait for the Political career because it boosts the chances of contributions. Social-oriented tones in career have greater effect on performance.
Shortcomings: None
Unique Features: Charismatic Sims are great in conversations, which makes it easier to make friends. They’re good at everything from Debate Politics to Boast About Fishing. Cannot have the Loser trait at the same time.
Childish (The Sims 3)
Description: Childish Sims find it difficult to “act their age.” They love playing with children’s toys, see things through the eyes of a child, and need to be constantly entertained.
Benefits: Childish Sims get benefits from having children’s toys around, such as environmental boosts. They can also play with toys.
Shortcomings: Childish Sims are easily bored in conversations. They are particularly sensitive to repeated socials.
Unique Features: Childish Sims are not afriad of ghosts. Childish Sims can fish in swimming pools.
Clumsy (The Sims 3)
Description: Clumsy Sims muck up life with shoddy footwork and poor planning.
Benefits: None
Shortcomings: Clumsy Sims drop food, trip, and lose fish while reeling them in from the water.
Unique Features: Clumsy Sims drop engagement rings when proposing. It’s actually cute...
Commitment Issues (The Sims 3)
Description: Sims with Commitment issues don’t really want to settle down into a long-term relationship or lifelong career. Marriage is out of the question.
Benefits: None
Shortcomings: This Sim reacts poorly to many relationship-oriented socials, like proposing marriage.
Unique Features: Commitment Issues Sims must have a high romantic relationship with another Sim to accept marriage proposal. This Sim will desire to change careers just when things are getting good at work.
Computer Whiz (The Sims 3)
Description: Computer Whizzes love spending time on the computer. They are great at tinkering with computers, and can even make money as hackers if they choose.
Benefits: If the Sim has the Handiness skill, they almost instantly repair computers without fail. Unlocks the Hack interaction, which offers a new revenue stream. Sim gets greater pleasure out of Play Computer Games interaction.
Shortcomings: None
Unique Features: Unlocks Talk About Computers social.
Couch Potato (The Sims 3)
Description: Couch Potatoes are perfectly happy sitting on the couch to watch TV and eat junk food. They’ll need additional prodding to lead active lives.
Benefits: Comfy moodlet is 50 percent stronger. Watching TV improves Fun need quicker than other Sims.
Shortcomings: Couch Potatos need to sleep longer.
Unique Features: Couch Potato Sims cannot have Athletic trait. Will not workout unless in a very good mood.
Coward (The Sims 3)
Description: Cowards are terrified of everything that can and will go bump in the night. They are scared of the dark and frequently faint in “dire” situations.
Benefits: None
Shortcomings: Gets the Scared moodlet when seeing any of the following—Burglar, ghost, fire, Grim Reaper. Runs from these things most times, but will occasionally faint.
Unique Features: The trait unlocks the Run Away interaction. Cowardly Sims cannot have the Brave or Daredevil traits.
Daredevil (The Sims 3)
Description: Daredevils seek the extreme side of life, even if it means making an everyday chore extreme. They also love fire.
Benefits: Quickly puts out fire when on the same lot. Daredevils never burn to death if on fire.
Shortcomings:
Unique Features: Many interactions now have the word “extreme” in them. Adds the Watch This social, which asks others to watch as the Sim does something crazy.
After being crazy, Sim enjoys the Adrenaline Rush moodlet. Cannot have Daredevil and Coward trait at same time.
Disciplined (World Adventures)
Description: Disciplined Sims do not fool around. They have the dedication and perseverance to become the best martial artists in town.
Benefits: Sim learns the Martial Arts skill noticeably faster and has an increased chance of successfully sparring.
Disciplined Sims developing the Martial Arts skill also fail less at using the Board Breaker or the Training Dummy.
Shortcomings: None
Unique Features: Any martial arts–related activities provide fun for a Disciplined Sim.
Dislikes Children (The Sims 3)
Description: Sims who Dislike Children do not want to have anything to do with children. No talking, no playing, and certainly no reproduction.
Benefits: None
Shortcomings: Sims reacts poorly to Sims with children or on a lot with children.
Unique Features: Dislikes Children Sims are in a bad mood any time they are around young Sims.
Dog Person (Pets)
Description: Sims with the Dog Person trait have an extra special relationship with their dogs.
Benefits: Enhanced relationships with dogs. Gain the positive Dog Playtime! moodlet when interacting with dogs.
Shortcomings: Cannot choose Animal Lover, Cat Person, or Equestrian traits.
Unique Features: Sims with the Dog Person trait prefer dogs to people, and build relationships with dogs quickly. They are more successful at training dogs. They also mourn dogs who have passed on more intensely.
Dramatic (Ambitions)
Description: Everyday situations in life deeply stir the imagination, emotions, and reactions of Dramatic Sims.
Benefits: Dramatic Sims enjoy extra mood boosts when good things happen to them. They respond with great enthusiasm to major, positive life events like getting engaged/married, having a child, or getting a promotion at work.
Shortcomings: If Dramatic Sims have to undertake a menial task, like taking out the trash, they whine and get a mood hit.
Dramatic Sims have a greater chance of just breaking up with a partner during the course of an argument and are likely to outright slap a Sim who insults them, which causes major relationship decay.
Unique Features: Dramatic Sims respond to complaints from other Sims with a yawn. They have new socials, including Whine About Life, Pretend to Faint, and Tell Dramatic Story.
After performing the Pretend to Faint social, Dramatic Sims get a special positive moodlet: Thespian.
Easily Impressed (The Sims 3)
Description: Easily Impressed Sims are easily astounded by everyday stories and are always pleased with the smallest of accomplishments.
Benefits: Easily Impressed Sims are always receptive to boasting socials.
Shortcomings: None
Unique Features: Discovering an Easily Impressed Sim is a goldmine for adulation. These Sims hang on every boastful word, whether it’s about fishing or dancing.
Eccentric (Ambitions)
Description: Eccentric Sims have a natural talent for inventing crazy gizmos and whatchamacallits.
Benefits: Eccentric Sims develop the Inventing skill much faster. They learn new blueprints for inventions much sooner, and also speedily create replicas of previously discovered inventions.
Shortcomings: None
Unique Features: None
Eco-Friendly (Ambitions)
Description: Eco-Friendly Sims prefer a lifestyle of energy conservation, recycling, and sustainable eating.
Benefits: Eco-Friendly Sims gain many positive moodlets from making environmentally conscious decisions such as using an expensive washing machine (Saving Water) or gardening (Replenishing the Earth).
Carpooling to work earns the positive Carpooling moodlet. Using a clothesline to dry clothes results in the Saving Electricity moodlet.
Shortcomings: Gets negative moodlets for potentially wasteful activities. Using the cheap washing machine, for example, results in the Wasting Water moodlet.
Unique Features: If they own one, Eco-Friendly Sims ride a bike when traveling alone instead of using a taxi or family car.
All foodstuffs Eco-Friendly Sims create are organic. Eco-Friendly Sims have new socials that include Talk About Recycling, Talk About Going Green, Talk About Composting, and Talk About Renewable Energy.
They can take a quicker shower to save water, which results in the positive Saving Water moodlet. Eco-Friendly Sims will have wishes related to getting rid of cars if the family owns one or buying a bike if the family does not.
Equestrian (Pets)
Description: Equestrian Sims love horses, and horses love them back! The mutual equine affection makes these Sims naturals at handling and training horses.
Benefits: Enhanced relationships with horses. Gain the positive Horse Playtime moodlet from riding and training their horses.
Shortcomings: Cannot choose Animal Lover, Dog Person, or Cat Person traits.
Unique Features: Sims with the Equestrian trait prefer horses to Sims and build relationship with their horses quickly. They gain Riding skill quickly. Horses gain Racing and Jumping skills faster when trained by an Equestrian Sim.
Evil (The Sims 3)
Description: Evil Sims love the dark, take great delight in the misfortune of others, and prefer to lead a life as far away from goodness as possible.
Benefits: Evil Sims are not discouraged by a lack of light. These Sims also get positive moodlets from other Sims’ misery, like Very Hungry or Smelly. Natural advanced performance in the Criminal career track.
Shortcomings: Other Sims are naturally wary of the Evil Sim once this trait is discovered, especially Good Sims or Sims in the Law Enforcement career.
Unique Features: Evil Sims cannot have the Good trait.
Excitable (The Sims 3)
Description: Excitable Sims get excited about everything. They enjoy an extra dose of self-satisfaction when good things happen.
Benefits: Excitable Sims get positive moodlets from many activities, such going on dates, eating a favorite food, getting a promotion, or catching a fish.
Shortcomings: None
Unique Features: Excitable Sims cannot have Grumpy trait.
Family-Oriented (The Sims 3)
Description: Family Oriented Sims make great parents. They love big families and being surrounded by their children.
Benefits: Family Oriented Sims can help children with walking and talking better than other Sims. These Sims also start out with even better familial relationships than other Sims.
Shortcomings: None
Unique Features: Family Oriented Sims have the Talk About Family social.
Flirty (The Sims 3)
Description: Flirty Sims are constantly looking for romance and are most often quite successful in this endeavor.
Benefits: Flirty Sims do exceptionally well with romantic socials and have more available right away. Massages from Flirty Sims have extra positive effects.
Shortcomings: None
Unique Features: Flirty Sims naturally drift toward flirting unless it would negatively affect a current relationship.
Friendly (The Sims 3)
Description: Friendly Sims smile frequently at other and are quick to make friends.
Benefits: Friendly Sims default to friendly socials and develop friendships faster. Friendly Sims have an easier time becoming friends with other Sims.
Shortcomings: None
Unique Features: Friendly Sims cannot have the Mean trait.
Frugal (The Sims 3)
Description: Frugal Sims love to clip coupons to save money, relish a good deal, and hate being wasteful.
Benefits: Frugal Sims get coupon-related interactions with newspapers and computers and enjoy the Got a Good Deal moodlet whenever a discounted object/service is purchased.
Shortcomings: Frugal Sims react poorly to purchasing expensive objects, even if they are beneficial to household or Sim.
Unique Features: Frugal Sims give less in campaign donations.
Genius (The Sims 3)
Description : Geniuses are brilliant logical thinkers, masters of chess, and excellent hackers. They savor pursuits of the mind.
Benefits : Genius Sims generally have accelerated learning with brain-related skills and activities, such as the Logic skill or using a telescope.
Genius Sims do well in the Science, Law Enforement, and Medical careers and are naturals at chess.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : Genius Sims often automatically use the Contemplate interaction.
Good (The Sims 3)
Description : Good Sims go out of their way to help friends and family in need, are charitable with their money, and frequently comfort those around them.
Benefits : Good Sims don’t react negatively to socials or interactions as often and try to see everything in a positive light. When Good Sims “help” another Sim in a negative mood, that Sims gets the Comforted moodlet.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : Good Sims cannot have the Evil trait. Good Sims get the Donate to Charity interaction with the mailbox. Donating results in the Charitable moodlet. Good Sims can only donate once per day.
Good Sense of Humor (The Sims 3)
Description : Sims with a Good Sense of Humor tell the best jokes.
Benefits : Sims with this trait have an easier time starting relationships with other Sims, even those with No Sense of Humor. Jokes have a greater impact on relationships with other Sims.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : Sims with a Good Sense of Humor also respond well to jokes.
Great Kisser (The Sims 3)
Description : Great Kissers kiss better than any other Sim. They give kisses that are not easily forgotten.
Benefits : Kisses from Great Kissers are more readily accepted by other Sims and have larger positive effects on the relationship.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : None
Green Thumb (The Sims 3)
Description : Green Thumbs are the best gardeners. They find solace and comfort in their gardens and can revive plants in the worst conditions.
Benefits : Green Thumb Sims learn the Gardening skill faster than other Sims and start off with a Gardening skill book in their personal inventories.
They create higher quality harvestables and can revive dead plants.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : Green Thumb Sims have the Talk to Plants interaction with their gardens. This interaction can remove the Lonely moodlet.
Grumpy (The Sims 3)
Description : Grumpy Sims are rarely in a good mood. They simply don’t want to be happy.
Benefits : None
Shortcomings : Grumpy Sims naturally have decreased moods. It takes more work to make them happy.
Unique Features : Grumpy Sims cannot have the Excitable, Hot-Headed, Good Sense of Humor, or Neurotic traits.
Handy (The Sims 3)
Description : Handy Sims are the best tinkerers. They will never fail when repairing or upgrading a household item, which makes electrical objects far less dangerous.
Benefits : Handy Sims learn the Handiness skill faster and start out with a Handiness skill book in their personal inventory. Handy Sims never fail when repairing or upgrading objects.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : Objects repaired by Handy Sims have a lower chance of breaking again.
Hates the Outdoors (The Sims 3)
Description : Sims who Hate the Outdoors despise being outside and will remain indoors whenever possible.
Benefits : None
Shortcomings : These Sims get the Plagued by Outdoors negative moodlet when they are outside for longer than just a few minutes. (Travel to work is excluded.)
These Sims make poor anglers because they don’t like being outside.
Unique Features : They cannot have the Loves the Outdoors trait.
Heavy Sleeper (The Sims 3)
Description : Heavy Sleepers will sleep through any situation, no matter how loud or alarming. They also tend to snore.
Benefits : Heavy Sleepers are not awakened by loud appliances or music, letting them get a full night’s sleep.
Shortcomings : Heavy Sleepers sleep through bad events, too, like burglaries and fires. Not even the alarms for these rouse the Sim.
Unique Features : Heavy Sleepers cannot have the Light Sleeper trait. They also get the Sleep at Work tone for careers.
Hopeless Romantic (The Sims 3)
Description : Hopeless Romantics passionately seek their soul mate. They want romance and true love, and surround themselves with cheesy romantic television and novels.
Benefits : Hopeless Romantics are more receptive to romantic socials and get an environment bonus if they are in the same room as a romantic interest in their lives.
Shortcomings : The Stood Up and Heart Broken negative moodlets are more potent with Hopeless Romantic Sims.
Unique Features : Hopeless Romantics have more fun reading romance novels and if they are writers, they create higher quality romance novels.
Hot-Headed (The Sims 3)
Description : Hot-Headed Sims are quick to anger. Broken household objects, conversations gone awry, or even the slightest negative moodlet will send them into a boiling rage.
Benefits : None
Shortcomings : Negative moodlets related to anger are more potent. Hot-Headed Sims have increased negative reactions to getting fired and broken objects.
Unique Features : Hot-Headed Sims react poorly to negative socials, such as Mock or Break Up.
Hydrophobic (The Sims 3)
Description : Hydrophobic Sims are terrified of swimming. They loathe every second they have to spend in the pool.
Benefits : None
Shortcomings : This Sim hates the water and will experience negative moodlets whenever around it.
Unique Features : Hydrophobic Sims never automatically get in the pool. They will not play with the rubber duckie in the bath, excluding them from Duck Time moodlet.
Inappropriate (The Sims 3)
Description : Inappropriate Sims talk about the wrong thing at the wrong time, never think to dress properly, and never think to apologize when they’ve wronged someone.
They enjoy mocking others with harsh words.
Benefits : Inappropriate Sims can rummage through other Sims’ trash cans to find cool things (and trash).None
Shortcomings : Inappropriate Sims cannot Apologize—they simply do not have this social option. They have the Make Fun Of social that is just cruel to other Sims.
Unique Features : Inappropriate Sims cannot have the Friendly trait.
Insane (The Sims 3)
Description : Insane Sims respond to events in life unpredictably. They say what they want, do what they want, and even wear what they want, even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else.
Benefits : Insane Sims are not frightened by ghosts.
Shortcomings : Insane Sims have a random response to a marriage proposal, no matter the level of the relationship.
Unique Features : Insane Sims will sometimes put on inappropriate outfits for occasions, like formal wear for going to bed. Insane Sims can fish in swimming pools.
Insane Sims have the Talk to Self social, which removes the Lonely moodlet.
Kleptomaniac (The Sims 3)
Description : Kleptomaniacs “accidentally” end up with things owned by others. They often permanently borrow items from work, school, or even their neighbors’ homes.
Benefits : None
Shortcomings : Kleptomaniac Sims often come home with stolen objects, which can severely damage relationships.
Unique Features : Stolen objects are tagged with the object’s origin. Kleptomaniacs get the Return to Owner interaction with stolen objects that results in Returned Stolen Object moodlet.
Light Sleeper (The Sims 3)
Description : Light Sleepers toss and turn throughout the night and are awakened by the slightest sound or bump.
Benefits : Light Sleepers always wake up when a Burglar arrives.
Shortcomings : Light Sleepers have trouble getting Fully Rested and are easily woken by music, children, and noisy objects.
Unique Features : Can use the Research Sleep techniques interaction on computer, but this has no specific benefit. Light Sleepers cannot have the Heavy Sleeper trait.
Loner (The Sims 3)
Description : Loners enjoy time spent alone more than time spent with others, Quite shy, they never approach anyone who isn’t a close friend. They prize their solitude and get nervous around large groups.
Benefits : Loner Sims do not mind being by themselves. In fact, they get the Enjoying Solitude moodlet.
Shortcomings : Loners get the Too Many People negative moodlet in social situations.
Unique Features : Loner Sims cannot have the Party Animal trait.
Loser (The Sims 3)
Description : Losers encounter woe and misfortune throughouts their lives, beginning with school and continuing into their career.
They will fail, and fail often. They won’t get mad even when life falls apart. They’ll just cry.
Benefits : Loser Sims will get a nice mood bump from the Winner moodlet in the rare event they actually win a game.
Shortcomings : Losers rarely win at games, such as chess or videogames. Losers complain more often in conversations.
Unique Features : Loser Sims cannot have the Charismatic or Brave traits.
Loves the Outdoors (The Sims 3)
Description : These Sims love spending time outdoors and find special joy amid nature.
Benefits : Sims get great moodlets for being outside and love careers like Athletic, Science, and Military, and enjoy talking about the outdoors.
Shortcomings : Loves the Outdoors Sims need to be outside more often, which can be disruptive at times.
Unique Features : Sims cannot have the Hates the Outdoors trait at the same time.
Lucky (The Sims 3)
Description : Lucky Sims are closely followed through life with comforting sense of luck. They win often and they win big.
Benefits : If a Lucky Sim gets at least four hours of straight sleep, they have a chance at the Feeling Lucky moodlet.
This staves off misfortune, like fires, broken objects, and burglaries. Lucky Sims also have a greater chance of getting raises at work.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : Lucky Sims have increased chances at winning chess games or video games.
Mean Spirited (The Sims 3)
Description : Mean-Spirited Sims love to fight, mostly because they never lose in a brawl. They take satisfaction with every new enemy made and dream of new ways to be nasty to others.
Benefits : Mean Sims always win fights. Of course, that means they had to get into a fight in the first place. Every enemy a mean Sim has contributes to the Sim’s overall mood.
In other words, the more enemies they have, the better mood they’ll be in.
Shortcomings : Mean-Spirited Sims regularly make enemies and often veer toward negative socials.
Unique Features : Mean-Spirited Sims cannot have the Friendly trait.
Mooch (The Sims 3)
Description : Mooches can mooch food and money from their neighbors, who for the most part, just go along with it.
Benefits : Mooch Sims can actually get free food and Simoleons from other Sims.
Shortcomings : While many Sims just roll with it, not everybody likes a Mooch.
Unique Features : Mooch Sims have the Have Snack interaction on other Sim’s lots and the Mooch interactions in conversations.
Natural Cook (The Sims 3)
Description : Natural Cooks can improve any dish, making their food the most delicious.
Benefits : Natural Cooks learn the Cooking skill faster than other Sims and start off with a Cooking skill book in their personal inventory. They never start kitchen fires and never burn food.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : Natural Cooks can learn recipes just by trying foods on other lots.
Neat (The Sims 3)
Description : Neat Sims always find the time to clean, regardless of their mood. They are easily devastated by filthy surroundings, but will never leave a mess behind.
Benefits : Neat Sims will automatically clean up their surroundings and clean objects more thoroughly.
Shortcomings : Neat Sims get negative moodlets around dirty surroundings or unclean Sims.
Unique Features : Neat Sims have the Clean House interaction, which sets them to clean every filthy/dirty surface or object in a house.
Neurotic (The Sims 3)
Description : Neurotic Sims will freak out at the most minor of provocations. They become stressed easily and can be difficult to mellow. Luckily, they take solace in sharing their worries with others.
Benefits : Neurotic Sims have a self-interaction to freak out, which gives them a mood boost for a while (at the mood expense of nearby Sims).
Shortcomings : Neurotic Sims take longer to shake stress. Sims can automatically Freak Out after an unfortunate event, such as burning food or breaking an object.
Unique Features : Neurotic Sims can use a new Freak Out interaction that is disruptive to nearby Sims. At the end of the Freak Out, they get the Tranquil moodlet.
Never Nude (The Sims 3)
Description : Never Nudes despise nudity and will never completely remove their clothing.
Benefits : None
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : Never Nude Sims wear swimwear into the bath or shower.
No Sense of Humor (The Sims 3)
Description : Sims with No Sense of Humor tell terrible jokes, so they tend not to tell them. They don’t enjoy the jokes of others, either. Humor is simply wasted on them.
Benefits : None
Shortcomings : No Sense of Humor Sims have weak reactions to jokes or humorous socials.
Unique Features : No Sense of Humor Sims cannot have the Good Sense of Humor or Schmoozer traits.
Nurturing (Generations)
Description : Nurturing Sims are great with children and teens. They understand the joys and difficulties of growing up and are instinctively well prepared to take care of them.
Benefits : Nurturing Sims gain LTR faster with non-adult Sims such as teens and children. As a result, their socials with younger Sims, such as scolding or directing to do homework, are more successful.
Admonishments and punishments also result in fewer tantrums from the targeted young Sim.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : The trait cannot be paired with Dislikes Children.
Over-Emotional (The Sims 3)
Description : Over-Emotional Sims experience great mood swings when both good and bad things happen. They are constantly shedding tears of joy, whether it’s at a wedding or just on the couch watching romantic television.
Benefits : Over-Emotional Sims get an extra bump out of positive moodlets.
Shortcomings : Over-Emotional Sims also get an extra dip out of negative moodlets.
Unique Features : Over-Emotional Sims have extreme reactions to events such as getting a raise/promotion, having a child, or getting married.
Party Animal (The Sims 3)
Description : Party Animals love to party, and others love to party with them. When a Party Animal hosts a party, everyone comes and has a great time. Wooo!
Benefits : Any Sim invited to a party from a Party Animal will attend regardless of relationship. These Sims have a greater chance bringing gifts to a Party Animal’s party.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : Party Animals have the Wooo! social. If the other Sim reacts positively, the Party Animal gets the Awesome Party and Life of the Party moodlets.
Perceptive (Ambitions)
Description : Perceptive Sims make keen investigators. Their ability to investigate and stake out potential criminals is unsurpassed!
Benefits : If your Sim is going to be a private eye, this trait makes that career much easier and rewarding. Perceptive Sims earn more Simoleons for completed assignments and have a greater chance of ferreting out crime on a stakeout.
Perceptive Sims also quicker to develop the Logic skill or learn the traits of other Sims faster when socializing.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : The Perceptive trait cannot be used at the same time as Absent-Minded.
Perfectionist (The Sims 3)
Description : Perfectionists spend more time cooking, writing, or even painting, but what they eventually finish is noticeably better than average. Perfectionists accept nothing shy of perfection.
Benefits : Perfectionist Sims have the chance to make higher quality painting, novels, recipes, and homework.
Shortcomings : If a Perfectionist Sim is making a high-quality piece of art or food, the action takes longer.
Unique Features : The Perfectionist Sim always makes the bed after waking up from sleep.
Photographer’s Eye (World Adventures)
Description : Sims with the Photographer’s Eye naturally learn Photography more quickly than other Sims and tend to earn more Simoleons for the photos they take.
Benefits : Sims with this trait develop the Photography skill faster and their photographs are worth more.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : Sims with the Photographer’s Eye trait have a series of new socials such as “Talk About Cameras,” “Discuss SLR Cameras,” and “Rant about Dark Rooms.”
These help establish relationships with other Sims who are interested in Photography or have the Photographer’s Eye trait.
Rebellious (Generations)
Description : Rebellious Sims take special pride in putting it to the man. Causing trouble (and getting out of it) is their specialty!
Whether they’re out after curfew or telling their boss they’ve had it, they’ll no doubt take extra pleasure in it.
Benefits : If a Rebellious Sim writes a Satire novel, they earn additional royalties. Rebellious Sims get the Fight the Power (positive) moodlet after completing the following pranks, socials, or interactions:
- Copy Homework
- Get Tattoo
- Hack
- Sabotage
- Smash Dollhouse
- Sneak into VIP Area (Late Night EP-only)
- Set Burglar Free
- Slap
- Mastermind Plot
- Bar Brawl (Late Night EP-only)
- Bribe
- Plant Stink Bomb
- Throw Eggs
- Ding-Dong Ditch
- Make Inappropriate Forum Post
- Fight
Shortcomings : Rebellious Sims are hit with the negative Sell-Out moodlet for the following actions or socials:
- Get Tattoo Removed
- Beg for Job Back
- Disapprove of Criminals
- Suck Up (career tone)
- Grovel to Leader (career tone)
- Do Boss’ Paperwork (career tone)
- Run Errands for Superior (career tone)
Unique Features : Rebellious child and teen Sims have a lower chance of getting caught while pulling a prank or being out after curfew. Rebellious Sims love to ride motorcycles; for doing so, they receive the Rebel Ride positive moodlet.
Savvy Sculptor (Ambitions)
Description : Savvy Sculptors know the ins and outs of sculpting. These Sims make the best sculptures around.
Benefits : Savvy Sculptors develop the Sculpting skill much faster and have a handful of special sculptures that only the Savvy Sculptor knows.
Savvy Sculptures never shatter a sculpture block while working, and they do not accidentally behead topiary sculptures.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : Introduces the Talk About Sculpting social.
Schmoozer (The Sims 3)
Description : Schmoozers are really good at befriending neighbors and co-workers, and sucking up to their bosses. They love to flatter and are very good at it.
Benefits : Schmoozer Sims more effectively socialize/suck-up with co-workers and bosses.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : Compliments from Schmoozers are always accepted and always improve a relationship. The Chat social is replaced with Schmooze.
Shy (Late Night)
Description : Shy Sims will never approach anyone that isn’t a friend and tend to stick to their rooms if they are able. They are also uncomfortable around large groups of people that they do not consider friends.
Benefits : Now, this seems like a largely negative trait, but there is real depth here that can be exploited by a social-oriented player.
A Shy Sim is slower to build a relationship with a new Sim and endures the Feeling Shy negative moodlet when around non-friend Sims.
But they get a huge mood boost when they hang around friends—more than a normal Sim. The Among Friends moodlet is powerful stuff.
Shortcomings : Shy Sims cannot have the Flirty or Party Animal traits.
Unique Features : Shy Sims will never automatically socialize with non-friend Sims. In a crowd setting, they remain closed off to others.
Slob
Description : Slobs constantly leave messes in their wake. To make matters worse, they won’t offer to pick up or clean. Luckily, common filth won’t offend their senses.
Benefits : Slob Sims are not negatively affected my messes or bad smells. Slob Sims can eat spoiled or burnt food without negative effects.
Shortcomings : Objects used by Slobs get dirtier faster than when used by other Sims.
Unique Features : Slobs can use the Lick Dish Clean interaction.
Snob (The Sims 3)
Description : Snobs are very hard to impress, though they love hearing about themselves and will never turn down a compliment.
They dream of owning only the finest things and being associated with the highest echelon of neighborhood Sims.
Benefits : Snob Sims love mirrors and expensive objects. They also always accept compliments regardless of relationship.
Shortcomings : Snobs are very hard to impress in conversations.
Unique Features : Snobs often wish to make money, date wealthy Sims, take well-paying jobs, and buy new objects—particularly mirrors!
Star Quality (Late Night)
Description : Sims who have Star Quality are bound to become popular. They have an easier time befriending celebrities and climbing the ladder to stardom.
Benefits : Because Sims with Star Quality have that natural “x-factor” that makes them the center of attention, they have a much easier time impressing celebrities.
They also earn more Celebrity Points when they make a celebrity friend. (For more of the celebrity scene in Late Night, please see the Popularity Contest chapter.)
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : Sims with Star Quality are likelier to get free objects when they achieve celebrity status.
Technophobe (The Sims 3)
Description : Technophobe Sims hate television. They rarely watch television and always look for alternate entertainment.
Benefits : None
Shortcomings : Technophobes have negative reactions to computers and televisions.
Unique Features : Because Technophobes do not like computers or televisions, they have a difficult time repairing them and have a harder time learning the Writing skill.
Unflirty (The Sims 3)
Description : Unflirty Sims do not appreciate romantic advances and are difficult to woo. It’s not that they don’t want to love, it’s just difficult for them.
Benefits : None
Shortcomings : Unflirty Sims have negative reactions to romantic socials, such as kisses or flirtatious jokes.
Unique Features : Unflirty Sims cannot have the Flirty trait. They also have fewer romantic socials.
Unlucky (The Sims 3)
Description : Things rarely go right for Unlucky Sims. They lose at everything they touch.
Benefits : The Grim Reaper sometimes takes pity on Unlucky Sims who die of accidents and revives them.
Shortcomings : Unlucky Sims occasionally get the Feeling Unlucky moodlet after four hours of sleep, which affects their chances of burning food, setting fires, and losing games.
Unique Features : Unlucky Sims cannot have the Lucky trait.
Vegetarian (The Sims 3)
Description : Vegetarian Sims never choose to eat meat and doing so makes them ill.
Benefits : Vegetarians live longer than other Sims.
Shortcomings : Vegetarian Sims who eat meat earn the Nauseous moodlet.
Unique Features : Vegetarian Sims cannot prepare recipes with meat in them. Vegetarians can also cook vegetarian versions of some recipes, such as veggie burgers and tofu dogs.
Vehicle Enthusiast (Late Night, Generations)
Description : Vehicle Enthusiasts enjoy the craftsmanship of a fine ride and know the value of a dependable vehicle. Their relationship with their vehicles is a special one.
Benefits : Vehicle Enthusiasts get a charge out of nice wheels. Park them in a sweet ride for a mood boost.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : These Sims automatically name their car and they gain a positive relationship with their car more quicker than other Sims.
Virtuoso (The Sims 3)
Description : Virtuosos have a natural gift with musical instruments and make the best musicians.
Benefits : Virtuosos learn the Guitar skill faster than other Sims and start with a Guitar skill book in their personal inventory. They earn more Simoleons from tips.
Shortcomings : None
Unique Features : Virtuoso Sims tend to sing in the shower.
Workaholic (The Sims 3)
Description : Workaholics love to work and rarely become stressed from working. Their mood suffers when they miss work, but they can make it up by working from home. Workaholics make the best employees.
Benefits : Workaholics finish homework faster and have fun doing it. Workaholics have a better chance at getting raises at careers. They get the Likes Work moodlet when working.
Shortcomings : Workaholics suffer from the Missing Work moodlet if they accidentally miss a shift.
Unique Features : Workaholics can check in at work via the cell phone. These Sims can also work from home on the computer, which helps with career advancement.
Hidden Traits
As well as these trackable skills, Sims have access to certain hidden skills. These skill generally improve when Sims spend time doing a certain thing or interacting with a certain object.
Some hidden traits can be passed down to offspring.
The Sims 3
The Pyromaniac hidden trait can be earned only through genetics—it’s sometimes given to children of Firefighters.
Pyromaniacs can set objects on fire and get a positive moodlet from doing so. Of course, this ruins the object.
Pyromaniacs can also take a fruit and turn it into a Flame Fruit, which Pyromaniacs have fun eating.
World Adventures
World Adventures added two new hidden traits: French Culture and East Asian Culture. These traits are inherent in the non-player Sims who live in their respective destinations.
These traits are also slowly picked up by a Sim the longer they remain in France or China.
These traits affect behavior when in the related destination. For example, when in China, a Sim with the East Asian Culture trait will always eat with chopsticks.
The French Culture trait causes a Sim with the hidden trait to greet other Sims in France with the double-cheek kiss.
These traits are passed down genetically. If a Sim marries a non-player Sim from France or China and has a baby, there is a 70 percent chance the baby will acquire the hidden culture trait.
Late Night
Vampires can pass their... predilection... on to their children. See the the Late Night guide for more information about this thrilling lifestyle choice.
Hidden Skills
The Sims 3
The base version of the game has several hidden skills. You won’t see these skill on the Skills tab, nor will they appear in the Skill Journal. But with certain activities or interactions, the more you do it, the better you get at it.
Chess is one such hidden skill: the more you play chess, the better you get at it. Soon you will start winning more and more games.
Your Sims also get better at dancing, playing foosball, and collecting the more you practice these arts.
Sims with the Computer Whiz skill can increase their Hacking ability, and Sims with the Mooch trait can perfect the art of begging (although this is harder if the target Sim is Frugal).
Child Sims can get better at doing homework.
World Adventures
When your Sims are exploring tombs abroad, they sometimes have to dive into wells to continue. The more they do this, the better they get at diving.
And if your Sims buy a Snake Charming basket, bring it home, and entertain their friends with it, they improve their Snake Charming hidden skill.
Ambitions
Ambitions adds five new hidden skills. The more you apply tattoos to Sims, the better you get at it, which in turn leads to greater chances of success or pay-offs.
The Consignment hidden skill operates in a similar manner.
The more you visit and use the consignment store, the greater your reputation at the venue. In turn, this earns you more Simoleons for sold items and gets you dicounts on both objects.
The Styling hidden skill is directly related to the Stylist career.
The more you work with Sims to help them find better outfits, hairstyles, or make-up options, the more you develop this shadow skill.
Two hidden skills are attached to fun objects for your lot: trampoline and Gnubb. Eveybody loves to play on a trampoline. The longer you do so, the better you get at it.
Over time, as this hidden skill is develooped, your Sim jumps higher and pulls off more acrobatic moves in mid-air. Gnubb is a fun backyard game your Sim can play with the Portable Gnubb Set object.
As Sims practice and play matches, they develop this hidden skill. The higher the skill, the greater the chance at victory in a game of Gnubb.
Generations
You can purchase a new Hopscotch Court object in Buy Mode and then place it either indoors or outdoors. Sims aged child and up can then either practice or play hopscotch with other Sims or by themselves.
The hidden Hopscotch skill improves the more Sims practice or play hopscotch. So, at first Sims stumble on the court. But over time, their jumps turn surer. They soon start winning games, which can also fulfill a wish.
Pets
Pets adds a new hidden skill also. Interacting with wildlife builds the hidden Wildlife Friend skill, which is a key factor in taming unicorns!
Watch, feed, or pet wild animals to build this skill. But be careful, because wild animals are unpredictable. If your Sims go too far, they could get bitten!