Rules: Household Skills Project

[RainBeau]

That's all right, I don't mind it. I went ahead and made my founder human in anticipation of that ruling. It's more challenging and interesting that way anyhow!

[RainBeau]

Another question has occurred to me. I am playing in Monte Vista, the land of the most skilled townies anywhere in the game. I want to move in a certain fairy to complete the Magic Makeover LTW. The problem is, I looked her up in Towns and Townies and she starts the game with skills I haven't unlocked yet. What is the ruling on moving in already-skilled Sims? Can I move her in if I don't let her build any of those skills? She's perfect otherwise. Her skills are painting, gardening, and handiness, if it matters. Without an easel or any space to garden, I don't think she can skill in those autonomously. I will keep her away from anything broken and make sure she doesn't watch the Gardening channel on the TV.

EDIT: Be wary of field trips! I had forgotten this but they can give your Sims skills they don't already have! As I remember, the Bistro excursion gives Cooking skill, the Science one can do fishing or gardening. I don't remember if any others do that.

[hazelnut]

Another question has occurred to me. I am playing in Monte Vista, the land of the most skilled townies anywhere in the game. I want to move in a certain fairy to complete the Magic Makeover LTW. The problem is, I looked her up in Towns and Townies and she starts the game with skills I haven't unlocked yet. What is the ruling on moving in already-skilled Sims? Can I move her in if I don't let her build any of those skills? She's perfect otherwise. Her skills are painting, gardening, and handiness, if it matters. Without an easel or any space to garden, I don't think she can skill in those autonomously. I will keep her away from anything broken and make sure she doesn't watch the Gardening channel on the TV.

I''d be inclined to say you can't move in anyone with skills - except I already broke that rule myself   Leilani, who was briefly part of the household in my first attempt (until I realised I had the ageing bug and had to go back to an earlier save and move towns) arrived with level 5 writing.  On reflection, I think it's inevitable that a few Sims will arrive with skills (e.g. repair Sims have high handiness - I think level 10).  Just do your best to stop them developing those skills.

Of course, given that it's a project rather than an official challenge, you can really do whatever you want

EDIT: Be wary of field trips! I had forgotten this but they can give your Sims skills they don't already have! As I remember, the Bistro excursion gives Cooking skill, the Science one can do fishing or gardening. I don't remember if any others do that.

Theatre trips build guitar (and probably the Late Night instruments as well) - but only as high school trips.  Younger kids are OK.  I think the same might apply to the bistro but I'm not sure.  The mausoleum is the only really safe trip.  Which sounds really weird, considering the zombie bears

[RainBeau]

I have seen kids gain cooking skill from the bistro. They can't use it yet but it shows up when they age up.

Thanks for the answers! I was also think it was inevitable people would have skills, especially in Monte Vista.

[yruvian]

A trip to the police station builds Athletics

[Niana]

Trying to develop a rough plan to see if I might risk this -

You mentioned a few skills that could be combined earlier - inventing develops handiness, too, doesn't it? Does that mean I'd have to unlock it in a previous move before attempting inventing, or is that another alternative that could be combined?

[hazelnut]

I was planning to do handiness before inventing, because it's more useful - but then I'm intending to keep all of the skills separate.  They would make a good combination - I'll add it to the rules.

[RainBeau]

Are you planning to modify the rules for University?

[hazelnut]

Probably should.  At the moment, I have no particular plans to get University Life, so I'm really going by the Guide here.

• My impression is that the new skills would fit better in combination with one of the existing skills rather than an entire household doing them but exactly where they'd go probably depends on the order you play the other skills in.
• The new careers and PlantSims seem to be covered by the existing rules.
• 'Someone has to do each degree at some point in the game' for University itself (?)

Any suggestions?  (Rosa or anyone else who happens to read this .)

[RainBeau]

Why, thank you for asking I do have some ideas, actually.

I think this would be a strategy thing. None of the new skills are in any way crucial, so I would save them for later on. But they don't necessarily require another skill, either. Yes, Science benefits from having seeds, plants, fish, and insets, but you don't need to learn the gardening or fishing skills to do it. I would do it after they'd be unlocked, though. Street Art, as far as I can tell so far, does not raise painting so I don't think it matters when you do it. And Social Networking is raised when you text, so I suggest if you're planning to text you unlock the skill first. It seems like a lot of things raise Social Networking though, so I would suggest being very aware of what raises it, doing it early, or for you to make it a "free skill" since it's harder to avoid now that everyone who has the EP has a smart phone.

I agree, along with the new LTWs and Traits. The LTRs are something you'll want to take into consideration. For your ease, they are: Honorary Degree, Jock Influence, Nerd Influence, and Rebel Influence.

Yes, someone should do each degree, and I think someone should reach maximum influence with each group as well. Of course, that requirement is covered by the LTW and career requirements.

[hazelnut]

It seems like a lot of things raise Social Networking though, so I would suggest being very aware of what raises it, doing it early, or for you to make it a "free skill" since it's harder to avoid now that everyone who has the EP has a smart phone.

OK, social networking sounds tricky.  Does it have challenges?

I'm tending towards allowing the other two University skills to be done in combination with another skill of the player's choice, with the same rules as e.g. martial arts and athletic (everyone must max at least one of the skills and someone has to supermax each of them) since they seem to be 'proper' skills, with ten levels and additional challenges, unlike collecting or driving, for example.

I agree, along with the new LTWs and Traits. The LTRs are something you'll want to take into consideration. For your ease, they are: Honorary Degree, Jock Influence, Nerd Influence, and Rebel Influence.

Oops!  I'd forgotten to check the new LTRs but yes, they seem to be covered already.

I think someone should reach maximum influence with each group as well. Of course, that requirement is covered by the LTW and career requirements.

Agreed.

[RainBeau]

OK, social networking sounds tricky.  Does it have challenges?

I think so, but they don't appear to be listed. The Challenge Board said that all new UL skills are acceptable SuperMax skills so it must have.

That all sounds good! What skills will you combine them with then?

[hazelnut]

I think so, but they don't appear to be listed. The Challenge Board said that all new UL skills are acceptable SuperMax skills so it must have.

I thought I'd seen that as well but then there wasn't anything in Carl's article, so I wondered.

Just checked on SimsWiki.  There are three challenges (selling 5 blogs, meeting 25 Sims and changing the relationships of 30 Sims).

That all sounds good! What skills will you combine them with then?

Networking would seem to go with charisma and street art with painting but I think I'd be inclined it up to the player, since (a) some people are already playing and may have done those skills (ratchie started with painting, for example) and (b) social networking seems likely to be unlocked as soon as UL is installed.

[RainBeau]

I thought I'd seen that as well but then there wasn't anything in Carl's article, so I wondered.

Just checked on SimsWiki.  There are three challenges (selling 5 blogs, meeting 25 Sims and changing the relationships of 30 Sims).
Networking would seem to go with charisma and street art with painting but I think I'd be inclined it up to the player, since (a) some people are already playing and may have done those skills (ratchie started with painting, for example) and (b) social networking seems likely to be unlocked as soon as UL is installed.

So since I did Charisma first can I do Social Networking right away?

[hazelnut]

So since I did Charisma first can I do Social Networking right away?

Yes.  Editing the rules now.