2013 Tournament General Rules (Read This First)

[Metropolis Man]

Hello everyone! I just have a question or two to ask before I continue with my practice. First off, can you change the life states (vampire,witch,werewolf, etc.) of the children of the founders? Also, would making sims and then using the "save to bin" option be allowed? Or do we need to create brand new sims?
~Posidem

"Founders" is typically a Dynasty term if that is the type of challenge you are referring to. But, regardless, yes you can change life states of your Sims in Tournament challenges UNLESS the specific event rule set prevents you from doing so. These are blanket rules that cover all 12 events, then there are the specific challenge rules.

As for the Save to Bin option, yes that's fine. I know that Pam has used some of her Dynasty Sims in Tournament challenges via that method.

[heatherliz2002]

For the Dynasty events we have a blanket policy that if something like this happens you do not need permission and can use the cheat. I know it's a pain, but at least let the team know what's going in if you run into a snag in a Tournament event so we can  give approval. Thanks.

Will do- thanks for the quick answer.  I knew about the dynasty rule, but wasn't sure about the tournament.  Going to keep my fingers crossed that it won't be an issue!

[Posidem]

"Founders" is typically a Dynasty term if that is the type of challenge you are referring to. But, regardless, yes you can change life states of your Sims in Tournament challenges UNLESS the specific event rule set prevents you from doing so. These are blanket rules that cover all 12 events, then there are the specific challenge rules.

As for the Save to Bin option, yes that's fine. I know that Pam has used some of her Dynasty Sims in Tournament challenges via that method.

Thanks! I was referring to the Baby Boom challenge for the two parents as the founders.

[Chuckles_82]

The auto-placed elixir consignment store doesn't have the plants. Is it ok to bulldoze it, and replace it with a saved copy from Moonlight Falls?

[Ricalynn]

You cannot bulldoze any lots. 

Also - placing the saved copy usually doesn't keep the plants either. 

[DrStrange01]

I can't wait to start my first challenge. come on jan/ 7th

[Turoskel]

• If the neighborhood you choose has no empty lots on which to build a home (i.e. Bridgeport) you are free to tear down one existing home to have a place to build.

I'm assuming this means we cannot purchase a starter home but must always build from scratch? I can see those new blueprints being useful if so.

I already have a town and empty lot picked for the handyman challenge but was just looking about for the baby boomer, auto placement keeps stealing the best lots though  I wanted to use Twinbrook but it only has small lots left over, I guess i'll have to look elsewhere or get annoyed with toddlers and multiple staircases.

I wish sometimes they had made it so it always asks if you want buildings auto placed, and not just when you add an expansion mid game, then the karaoke bar wouldn't be on the lot I had wanted to use 

[MarianT]

Turoskel, I asked about this either last year or earlier on this thread -- you don't have to build a house unless it says so specifically. It's okay to move into an already existing house.

[Turoskel]

Oh that would be good then as one of the swamp starter homes is on a good sized plot, bigger than the empty ones in any case. I read through all the posts before asking so I think you must have asked last year, or my glasses need cleaning, thanks Marian.

[Metropolis Man]

Well everyone, we're getting close! The Tournament begins very very soon. I would appreciate all participants rereading the General rules at the first post in the thread one final time and asking for any clarifications if you still have them. And obviously reread the first two challenge rulesets (Baby Boomer and Handyman) before beginning your scoring file attempts.

I think it's going to be a wonderful year with lots of participation. Remember to keep those lips sealed on strategies until the thumbs up topic icons have been changed on challenges and events are officially closed. Good luck everyone!

[JSBrantner]

Can someone please detail what the settings are for the Long Lifespan? My default setting for it shows Baby at 6 days, but according to a post by ratchie on page 3 of the Baby Boomer Challenge Thread, the setting for Baby is 7?

[Ricalynn]

If you don't mess with the sliders at all the defaults are:

Infant: 6
Toddler: 15
Child: 15
Teen: 30
YA: 45
Adult: 45
Elder: 36

[JSBrantner]

Thank you Rica. That's what my sliders are showing as well. I figured I would make sure just to be on the safe side.

[miricats]

Question for clarification:

Metro, you said the below, but when Noocherenee asked the question  in the BBIV thread, Rica gave the opposite answer (as quoted below).  So I will ask here, for a definitive answer, two questions that could make the logistics of playing a challenge a bit easier:

1.  Can I start a file, edit the town for the changes I need, then save it before adding sims, and start from that save file each time, or must I re-edit the base town every time?  (I've forgotten to place skilling bookcases in the bridgeport library on occasion during practice.)

2.  Can I create my starting sim/sims and then load them from the bin for each practice and then the official attempt, or must I recreate them every time?

Also, one more question:  what is the definition of premium store content (as opposed to normal)?  I'm now a bit more confused again.

Thank you!

...

As for the Save to Bin option, yes that's fine. I know that Pam has used some of her Dynasty Sims in Tournament challenges via that method.

...

Also does it matter if you play the sims before your scoring file.  Does anything save to the sim itself after you've played them in move in household file.  I just want to make sure that when I start the scoring I haven't done anything that is consider cheating.

...

Yes everything saves to the Sims if you use household so you can't use that method.  For all challenges, you have to pull the sims straight from CAS not move household in.  When we say create 2 sims, that means pull up a brand new world, add the lots you want, hit create a household, make your two Sims, place the Sims and then start. 

[Ricalynn]

Question for clarification:

Metro, you said the below, but when Noocherenee asked the question  in the BBIV thread, Rica gave the opposite answer (as quoted below).  So I will ask here, for a definitive answer, two questions that could make the logistics of playing a challenge a bit easier:

1.  Can I start a file, edit the town for the changes I need, then save it before adding sims, and start from that save file each time, or must I re-edit the base town every time?  (I've forgotten to place skilling bookcases in the bridgeport library on occasion during practice.)

2.  Can I create my starting sim/sims and then load them from the bin for each practice and then the official attempt, or must I recreate them every time?

Also, one more question:  what is the definition of premium store content (as opposed to normal)?  I'm now a bit more confused again.

Thank you!

Our answer when it came to Sims was exactly the same answer.   You have to enter Create-a-Household every time you start a new file.   Saving to the bin means the Sim Bin not the Household bin.  You cannot use Move In Household ever in a challenge.  You must always enter CAS at the start of each file.

As for your first question ----

All challenges begin in a fresh, virgin, completely unaltered town.

Premium Content is a special category on the Sims 3 Store.  You can find everything labeled premium content here.