Understand Traits in Sims 3
Traits are the building blocks of personality in The Sims. They determine a Sim's behavior, ability, and any wishes. Differentiating them from personality points, like in Sims 2, traits sounds and seems to be more realistic to real life characteristics.
Contents
Steps
- Review the list of traits. Currently there are 63 traits in the game and also split into categories. To view a full detailed list with descriptions, you can click here.
- Mental: Artistic, Bookworm, Can't Stand Art, Computer Whiz, Excitable, Genius, Green Thumb, Handy, Insane, Natural Cook, Neurotic, Photographer's Eye (World Adventures only), and Virtuoso.
- Social: Charismatic, Commitment Issues, Dislikes Children, Easily Impressed, Flirty, Friendly, Good Sense of Humor, Great Kisser, Grumpy, Hopeless Romantic, Inappropriate, Loner, Loser, Mean Spirited, Mooch, No Sense of Humor, Party Animal, Schmoozer, and Unflirty.
- Physical: Athletic, Brave, Clumsy, Couch Potato, Coward, Disciplined (World Adventures only), Heavy Sleeper, Hydrophobic, Light Sleeper, Lucky, Neat, Never Nude, Slob, Unlucky, and Shy.(Late Night only.)
- Lifestyle: Adventurous (World Adventures only), Ambitious, Angler, Childish, Daredevil, Evil, Family-Oriented, Frugal, Good, Hates the Outdoors, Hot-Headed, Kleptomaniac, Loves the outdoors, Over-Emotional, Perfectionist, Technophobe, Vegetarian, Workaholic and Star Quality.(Late Night only.)
- Learn the limit and how you can attain them. Each age span receives a certain amount of traits. Toddlers get 2, Children get 3, Teens get 4, and Young Adults, Adults, and Elders all get 5 traits. Baby and toddler traits can also be inherited from parents' genetics. If they are raised well, you will be able to select a third trait when they age up to be a child. A fourth trait may be attained if the child is raised successfully to become a Teen, and so forth.
- Be aware of contradicting traits. A Sim can't have opposite traits, such as Good and Evil or Athletic and Lazy. If you choose a trait such as "Dislikes Children", then "Family-Oriented" would be grayed out. Also, if you want to have a relationship with another Sim, it is harder to build up a positive relationship if they have contradicting traits
- Notice the abilities. Traits can also grant Sims different abilities or specific actions. Along with meat related foods, Vegetarians can also cook alternative Vegetarian options, for example; a non-Vegetarian Sim has the option to cook "Hot Dogs" at a barbecue, but a Vegetarian Sim can make "Tofu Dogs" instead. If your Sim is Hydrophobic, they would never be seen in a swimming pool. In order to boost their social skills, Insane Sims can have a conversation with themselves.
Tips
- Every expansion pack adds additional traits to the list. There are currently about 83 traits, and 8 hidden ones. Hidden traits may only be obtained through genetics.
- Traits allow you to make unique and complicated Sims. Feel free to create diverse and strange personalities. The sky is the limit (or is it?)!
- Always know that less is better. The more traits a person has, the more complicated they will be. However, if the traits pair with each other or the majority pairs up in the same category, it will be a better balance.
- Be aware of hidden traits, such as Pizza Appreciator, Pyromaniac, etc.
- Try to avoid making Sims "too perfect". Everybody has flaws, it's part of our nature. Maybe your Sim is afraid of water, perhaps his wife becomes a bit hot-headed after a difference of opinion with her work colleagues, or maybe their son is afraid of things that go bump in the night? Be creative but think.
Related Articles
- Make a Preteen Sim in the Sims 3
- Add Your Own Music to Sims 3
- Change Your Sim's Traits in The Sims 3
References
- Original source of article, Sims 3. Shared under a Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 license.
