Wow, thanks so much for the replies! I have been working on keeping my schoolwork up since making this topic, & just haven't really had time for the game at all. My finals are done though, so I'm thinking seriously about using the Sunset Valley 2013 version over at that
German sims fansite for my next attempt. Gives everyone in the Darlings family that many more things to do, lol!
I'm going to reply to everyone in just this post (to keep from double-posting), so look for your reply below, I might have questions specifically to your reply.
Do you always do Cornie's garden inside in pots? Have you considered using that area where there is a chess set instead? It will give you more space and is rather like a greenhouse to begin with. Just clear out the floor and bring it down to dirt and plant in there. Should be tall enough for trees but not sure.
I never even thought about that chess set area! OMG! I have Seasons, so I'm trying to keep the plants inside so that I can keep gardening after the dormant state would hit them otherwise. Would this idea still work even if the plants are no longer in Pots? I read the Pot's description in-game, which is what gave me the idea in the first place.
Is there a mod to do in-door planting throughout the colder seasons? Because even though I plant them in-door, in the pots, they still show as dormant if the outside trees have become dormant by this point.
The Goth Mansion grounds have plenty of space to do an outside garden and with the sprinkler thing you will not have to water ever again.
I read somewhere in the Prima guide that it's better for your skilling to water the plants yourself while your still learning the skill. I know it makes more sense to plant on the grounds of the mansion, which I've done several times before I bought Seasons, but my above mention of the dormant problem has kept me from doing so after this fact.
If Mortimer catches fish Cornie can use them for high level fertilizer, especially vampire fish, which will make your garden raise faster. One trick I use to get to perfect garden is I plant three of each fruit and veggie but not all at once. Searching for higher quality seeds can help too. If you start with purchased fruit and veggies from the grocery store, planting just one of each, you automatically have one level higher to begin with. At the first harvest plant one of the highest quality fruits/veggies you harvest, (unless you've find that higher quality seed, then plant that instead), go through one more harvest stage if you want to eat or sell the produce, then remove those first plantings as the second planting should be higher quality already. Keep replanting higher and higher and removing the lower ones till they are all perfect. If you keep all your plants your garden can get too big.
Lol, you described exactly how I do this everytime. I have Mortimer learn fishing as well as his dad, because Gunther's death slows down the gardening process a little if Morty hasn't at least gotten to level 5 by then, but he usually does unless I try to have him learn University's Science skill as a teen.
If you're a builder, you can improve the mansion and grounds to give you more space and a less spooky, dirty look to the place. One of mine came out like this:
Ooh! I really like what you've done with yours! =D So pretty!
But somehow, I like the charm & personality the home brings to the family. I most definitely will do this once Agnes & Erik inherit the place though, because it really seems to fit the style of that couple's original home.
In fact, I might have to try this! They'd receive the home, because Mortimer & Bella would be getting ready for Alexander's birth & after ensuring that he will indeed be a little boy, I'll plan on moving them out, so that he has a 2nd cousin roughly his own age to hang out with. I just love the thought of seeing them play together!
Btw, I usually try to raise Mortimer's three needed skills as much as I can, because my understand of Story Progression, is that it does have the sim eventually become more advanced in his or her career while you're playing another household.
Is this correct? I'm checking before I try again.
Now that I think of it, I think I'll take pictures of Agnes's original home, for the remodeling process. So that most of the rooms will resemble her original one, including packing some of the items that have those custom colors. (i.e. the easel, couches & desk)
You've given me food for thought. I just might try this as a personal challenge.
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I love the Goths! I know the Goths has a long history and I haven't played Sims 2 much and only watched Sims 1 video, but I already feel very attached to them in Sims 3 as many other do.
I know
exactly what you mean! I was like that when I learned about them in TS2, I hadn't played the original Sims 1 much, in fact, I didn't even own the game until after Bon Voyage came out. So I didn't know the long history until after joining the TS2 bbs back in '07, & the impact they had on the game's fanbase over there really opened my eyes to them. I've been SO in love with all of them ever since!
I find Gunther, Agnes, Erik's LTWs relatively easy to complete even with only the base game.
Gunther can read skill books in library after work. Fishing and Handiness will help Cornelia's gardening. Logic will help tutoring Mortimer. He probably needs Charisma for his job anyway.
That's how I am with those three as well. I even plan on having him Retire from his CEO job if I can't get him promoted before his birthday, so I can focus completely on his skill building.
Purchase fast learner reward and he will max all three in no time.Just don't try any new skills (I mean the skill points he has for painting and writing) which will take up a lot of work. Unless it will help Cornelia's gardening.
So, you're saying to continue his Painting & Writing skills, in addition to adding the Fishing skill? That sounds fun, I'll have to try it! I'm planning right now to work on Fishing first (catching Death fish usually seems to do the trick super-fast), that way both sisters benefit from his skill. Then Painting until he ages up, so as to max his Fun need after working. Finally, when he retires on his birthday, immediately start copying Agnes in maxing those two out. Shouldn't he be able to get Tutoring from Agnes by that point? Or am I thinking of something else?
Agnes...needless to say all dynasty players did it. There isn't much trouble with that. She isn't that young but she has all her adulthood and elder years ahead, I'd suggest she max out her cooking first so that she can make ambrosia.
I've known since 2009 that Agnes is by far the easiest. Just going to have her focus on Painting until Erik is resurrected, since she's almost finished with it at the start of the game. Just a tiny sidetrack with her Cooking first, lol! Writing will be worked on during her pregnancies, so as to have the comfortable moodlet in addition to the other ones.
Cornelia's the hardest one. I haven't tried this either. I think the best bet with base game is having her read gardening books and find life fruit seed as soon as possible while Gunther does fishing, Agnes max out cooking so Ambrosia could be ready by the time her sister nearly dies.
I almost never think of Ambrosia! OMG, total headdesk moment right here. Of course! Repaying Cornelia for all of her family's help with getting Erik back, which helps Morty in the process of things with Cassie & Alex. This also explains how Cornelia died during Cassandra's childhood, when in most of my previous tries, Cornelia dies during either Bella's pregnancy with her, or during Cassie's toddler years. =P
She then has limitless time to work all her way to perfect seeds and perfect plants. Agnes once 'ambrosia ready' can work on her LTW as well.
Erik, once revived, can take up guitar and charisma, working in political career, using legendary host to throw a lot of parties will accomplish his LTW in a short time.
Really? Hm... interesting! I've never played the Political career out before. I'll have to try this! =D
With EPs things are much, much easier.
WA: Cornelia plants in vacation worlds. Let brave Gunther do the tomb exploring/visa advancing/buying vacation home job. Erik can use that 'human expert form' photography challenge to make easy friends.
Generations: Use that rocking chair for reading skill books! The Goths are rich and probably can buy out library with a bit of work. Put a rocking chair there and read skill books while rocking, it increase the fun meter instead of decreasing it.
Napping is faster than sleeping and saves time as well.
Oh, wow! I never thought of this at all! I might attempt this in a separate game save, once I tackle the original intent EA gave us in 2009.
Rocking chair..... ok, I didn't even know it gave a fun boost! Yes! Okay,
so using that! =D
Supernatural: Apart from turning Cornelia into a fairy and bloom the plants, she can also tour the arboretum and find a lot of good seeds. Turn Agnes or grown up Mortimer into a witch can conversion ritual some good seeds. But hey with Fountain of Youth elixir so easily obtainable from elixir store what else can't you do.
Hm..... I never think to turn pre-mades into Supernaturals, let alone something that hardly suits Cornelia at *all*. But, it certainly sounds fun nonetheless, & I definitely intend on trying it out!
I've wanted to turn Agnes into a Witch ever since Supernatural came out! I never take the time to find out how though.... is there a Let's Play of a tutorial somewhere, or.....? *spazz-out*
Hm...? Fountain of Youth elixir is at that store thing? Veeerrryy interesting.....
When I play it after moving the pre-mades into that German site's "New Sunset Valley 2013" version.... definitely using!! ='D
University: Go to university. Plant there. Max out science. Science cloning seeds can increase its quality to the best. I don't think I need to mention brain enhancing machines to finish Gunther's LTW on day 1 and get the collector's helper?
Although I've yet to find time to play University, I'm in the understanding that a sim ages throughout Uni just like he or she would back in the home world, correct? If so, I'd rather focus on their families, such as getting Cassie & Alex to be the right ages by the time I would get to Sims 1 status.
Cornelia's gardening can be made even easier with store premium content gardening station.
After all I think only with vanilla base game it will be hard work for Cornelia and takes A LOT OF lucks...
Unfortunately, I'm doing good to have been able to afford Into the Future back in November, & was only able to take advantage of Origin's Black Friday sales by the
[/i]sheer luck[/i] that we happened to get our payday the day before.
So, I won't be seeing the gardening station for a few months. Once my next semester starts up in the Spring, however... you better believe I'll be grabbing that little sucker!
Yeah, that's why I tried asking on here, to see what other Goth fans have done, notably your advice with the EPs installed (I have all of them, & Outdoor Living is only because of the Black Friday deal), I wondered how many advantages I had with those!
The Green Dragon from Dragon Valley makes that Lifetime Wish [Perfect Garden] a BREEZE.
Ooh... I did manage getting Dragon Valley (Burbs!! I'm also a fan of How to Train Your Dragon as well... soooo....
), definitely gonna check this out! I can see the Goths owning a dragon. =P
