Sims 4 Traits

The Sims 4 has a plethora of traits to choose from when creating your Sim. With 60 unique traits to choose from it can be tough to decide which three to select. Ultimately, your decision comes down to what play style you are going for. Do you want a Sim who has traits that will help them complete their Aspiration? Do you want traits that will give your Sim some personality? Or are you selecting traits based on what will help your Sim advance in their careers faster? I decided to research the traits and create a list that included their descriptions and game mechanics. Some newer traits didn’t have a lot of information available so I will update this list when I discover their in-game mechanics while playing. I have sorted these by their CAS category: Social, Emotional, Hobby, and Lifestyle.

Emotional Traits:

Active: Sims tend to be energized, they can Pump Up other Sims, and they may become upset if they don’t exercise for a period of time. This trait conflicts with Lazy. Your Sim will randomly gain an energized moodlet which helps your Sim to gain the fitness skill.

Cheerful: These Sims tend to be happier than other Sims. This trait conflicts with Gloomy and Hot-Headed. Cheerful Sims will randomly receive a boost to happiness, which can synergize with other positive emotions like Focused or Inspired. This can lead to your Sim becoming Very Inspired or Very Focused.

Creative: These Sims tend to be Inspired. They can Share Creative Ideas with other Sims and they may become upset if they’re not creative for a period of time. Creative Sims can get a random Inspired buff. Creative Sims will enjoy painting a lot more than other Sims and, unlike other Sims, will gain fun from doing so. To resolve any tenseness from not being creative for too long, you can have your Sim paint, write, or perform any other creative skill. This trait would be perfect for any Sim that is going to pursue a creativity-related career or a creative aspiration such as, Writing, Painting, or either of the two Cooking skills.

Genius: These Sims tend to be focused. They can Share Ideas with other Sims and may become upset if they haven’t improved their mental skills for a while. If your Sim is Tense from not stimulating their mental skills, you can resolve this by having them perform an action that is mental based such as programming, video gaming, or working on their handiness skill. If your Sim is going to pursue Programming, Video Gaming, or Handiness this is the trait.

Gloomy: These Sims tend to be sad. They can Sigh to other Sims and, while sad, will gain a boost to their creative skills. This trait conflicts with Cheerful and Hot-Headed. These Sims can Share Melancholy Thoughts and will randomly become sad.

Goofball: These Sims tend to be Playful This trait conflicts with Snob. They will randomly become playful and this moodlet can stack with other buffs to make your Sim become Very Playful. This would be a good trait for a Sim that is going to be a Comedian.

High Maintenance: These Sims require extra work to keep in good condition. These Sims will randomly receive negative moodlets which can be resolved by performing wellness activities. They can receive a tense moodlet after waking up from “Really Weird Dream”. If their needs aren’t met they will receive a +5 Angry moodlet.

Hot-Headed: These Sims tend to be angry. They can Rile Up other Sims and become angry when targeted with mischief. This trait conflicts with Cheerful and Gloomy. This is a useful trait for the Criminal career, Boss Branch, because you need enemies to advance and becoming angry easily will make it easier to be mean.

Romantic: These Sims tend to be flirty and they can become sad if they haven’t had any romantic interactions in a while. This trait can help a Sim find romantic partners, or even get married. While flirty, they have higher success rates at romantic interactions. This would be a good trait for any Sim that is attempting to complete the Serial Romantic or Soulmate aspirations.

Self-Assured: These Sims tend to be confident. Sims who are self-assured will randomly become confident. This boost to confidence can help level up your Sims charisma skill.

Unflirty: These Sims get tense around other Sims who are flirty and they seldom get flirty themselves. It is difficult for them to be romantic in public. An unflirty Sim is awkward when attempting to perform romantic interactions. Many romantic interactions are renamed and success with those interactions is stunted. They will become uncomfortable when they fail an interaction. This trait makes it more difficult to build romantic relationships.

Lifestyle:

Adventurous: These Sims seek out new and unique adventures. These Sims will not panic when a fire starts and will automatically attempt to put it out. They will become bored when eating quick meals and can browse blogs for new adventures. They gain an inspired moodlet from eating gourmet and experimental foods. If your Sim is performing the same skill repeatedly for too long they will become bored. Your Sim will have a tolerance for all food in The Sims 4: Jungle Adventure, without the need to increase the Selvadoradian culture skill.

Ambitious: These Sims gain powerful moodlets from career success, gain negative moodlets from career failure, and may become upset if not promoted. This trait conflicts with Lazy. These Sims will get an 8 hour +4 Happy moodlet when they are promoted. Since they are ambitious they are more likely to perform well on the job and get promoted faster. This trait shouldn’t be selected if you intend for your Sim to be self-employed since they will get a +2 tense moodlet for being unemployed.

Animal Enthusiast: These Sims are obsessed with animals and will seek out their company often. They will have an easier time taking care of animals and getting closer to them. You’ll be able to more enthusiastically interact with your animals and “Smother them with Love”. You can show off your dance moves to your animals and you can also Admire an animal.

Cat Lover: Sims tend to make cats their companions, preferring the company of cats over other Sims. Your Sim will sometimes get a “giddy” interaction when they are near cats. They can “Enthuse about Cats” and get a happy moodlet when interacting with a cat if they succeeded in an introduction that doesn’t lower the relationship.

Child of the Islands: These Sims experience a spiritual connection to Islands of Sulani Honor the Islands by partaking in their culture, summon powerful elementals and reap the rewards of their blessings- or the consequences of their disfavor. You can click on your Sim to summon elementals and have a visit from Island ghosts that reward you based on your participation in activities like drinking Kava and cleaning up the Islands. Winning their blessing can give powerful Moodlets that last 48 hours, but they can also be disappointed with you.

Child of the Ocean: Answer the call of the ocean! Sims will prefer water related activities and feel closer to denizens of the sea. Your Sim can become sad when attempting to fish, you can counteract this by acquiring more happy buffs. While in the water or when doing water activities, your Sim tends to be happy. These Sims also like releasing fish from traps and seeing big fish. They enjoy interacting with dolphins more than other Sims, as well as Mermaids.

Childish: These Sims gain powerful moodlets from watching the Kids Network, become playful when playing with children, and become happy when playing with children’s toys. This trait conflicts with Snob, Evil, and Hates Children. You can increase their fun need by playing with children’s toys. This is a good trait for Sims that want a family, as your Sim will get a lot of joy out of interacting and playing with kids.

Clumsy: These Sims tend to fail more often at physical activities and tend to laugh at failure instead of becoming upset. This is mainly a trait to give your Sim more personality.

Dance Machine: These Sims can’t wait to get down, boogie, and party all night. When at venues like Bars, Nightclubs, and Lounges, these Sims can get a burst of energy with the Party Time interaction. Entering a Bar, Nightclub, or Lounge will give your Sim a +1 Happy moodlet. These Sims can take “Disco Naps” which are vastly more effective than normal. If this Sim hasn’t danced in a while they will grow bored.

Dog Lover: These Sims love to be near dogs. They will gain relationships faster with dogs and socialized with dogs more than the average Sim.

Erratic: These Sims can talk to themselves and have unpredictable emotions. An erratic Sim will randomly hiss and do random movements while idle. These Sims may talk to random objects and they can flirt with themselves in the mirror. When struck by lightning, these Sims gain a happy moodlet.

Freegan: These Sims reject consumerism and prefer to reduce wasteful spending by any means. A Sim with this trait gains the ability to check the freshness of food, which may make the food edible despite being past its timer. They will get upset if they spend over 800 Simoleons at one time and gain a +1 stressed moodlet that last an hour and a half. They can receive buffs from lucky finds in the dumpster, like eating cheap meals, saving money, rummaging, and getting an NPC to lower their price via bartering.

Glutton: These Sims have a greater negative reaction to being hungry.They always enjoy eating regardless of the food quality. They will also eat spoiled food. This trait conflicts with Foodie and Squeamish. The amount of discomfort these Sims feel when hungry increases. It takes more than two dishes of spoiled food for these Sims to suffer from an unpleasant environment.

Green Fiend: These Sims are happiest when living on a green street and will continuously work towards making their environment more eco-friendly. Sims with this trait can gain a 4 hour Inspired buff when doing green activities.

Kleptomaniac: These Sims don’t mind “borrowing” things from others with a simple swipe, but will get tense if they haven’t swiped in a while. One of the more useful traits for gaining wealth. They will gain a +1 energized moodlet after a successful swipe but can’t take anything else while this moodlet’s active. Your Sim can take things from other Sim’s homes and community lots. Only certain types of objects, like lamps, chairs, paintings, and decorative items can be taken. If the item can’t be carried by your Sim it will be located in the Household Inventory.

Lactose Intolerant: These Sims will become sick if they eat Dairy, but will feel great if they’ve avoided it for a while. When a Sim with this trait is about to eat a food containing dairy the “Wonder if it’s Worth It” option will come up, if selected your Sim will not eat the food. If this Sim continues to eat dairy they will become bloated and get the +4 uncomfortable moodlet. They will also fart and beg you to let them go to the bathroom.

Lazy: These Sims gain powerful moodlets from Watching TV or Napping, as well as from comfortable furniture. They become fatigued faster from exercise and grow tense while performing household chores. This trait conflicts with Neat, Active, and Ambitious. Lazy Sims can nap on chairs to fill their energy need, you’ll need to do this a few times as it’s a slow process. This trait can be good for any Sim that will be doing a lot of writing, programming or anything that requires a lot of sitting.

Loves Outdoors: These Sims can Enthuse about Nature to other Sims and become happy when outdoors This trait conflicts with Squeamish. If you plan on having your Sim spend a lot of time Outdoors, this is the trait for you. When they are outside and enjoying nature they will receive a +2 Happiness buff. This is an excellent trait for Sims that will be fishing, gardening, or doing any other outdoor activity.

Materialistic: These Sims can Admire and Brag about Possessions and become sad when they haven't purchased a new item for a period of time. Admiring new possessions make these Sims happy.

Neat: These Sims become happy and have fun when performing household chores, can have a cleaning frenzy, and become really uncomfortable in dirty surroundings.

Overachiever: These Sims tend to raise their skills faster and are happy when they finish work tasks but are a little harder to get along with as friends. They build skills twice as fast as other Sims. They have difficulty building relationships. When they level up a skill they gain a +1 happy moodlet. They gain a +1 angry moodlet when interacting with other Overachiever Sims.

Recycle Disciple: These Sims are rabid recyclers that benefit from recycling and rummaging for bits and pieces, but should they go too long without indulging in their hobby... After an extended time of not recycling, they will go mad and get more stressed about the lack of stuff to recycle, and may end up recycling something without permission.

Slob: These Sims aren't affected by dirty surroundings, make household items dirtier faster, and can Rummage for Food in garbage. This trait conflicts with Neat and Squeamish.

Snob: These Sims can Critique Work on low quality items, are bored by "low brow" TV, and gain confidence around other Snob Sims. This trait conflicts with Goofball and Childish.

Squeamish: These Sims are nauseated by the sight of creepy crawlies, vomiting, violence and death. They become uncomfortable around anything dirty. This trait conflicts with Glutton, Slob, and Loves Outdoors. They get powerful negative moodlets when picking up insects, fishing, and when around scenarios such as those mentioned above.

Vegetarian: These Sims will actively avoid eating any food that contains meat and can become sick if they eat such food. This trait provides a 3 hour +1 happy moodlet in addition to the normal food-related moodlets when eating quality vegetarian-friendly dishes. If your Vegetarian Sim eats a dish with meat in it they will gain a +5 sad moodlet for violating their principles. This then leads to a +10 uncomfortable moodlet when the meal is finished. Dishes that are vegetarian-safe will say so when you hover over the option.

Hobby:

Art Lover: These Sims gain powerful moodlets from Viewing works of art and can Admire Art. They can also discuss art in unique ways. When an Art Lover Sim views admires art they gain a +2 Inspired buff that can stack with others. This is a powerful pick for a Painter or a Writer.

Bookworm: These Sims gain powerful moodlets from reading books. They can Analyze Books and Discuss Books in unique ways. Analyzing a Book will give a Sim a +2 Inspired moodlet for 4 hours. This trait works well with Art Lover for a Writer or Painter.

Foodie: These Sims become happy and have fun while eating good food, they biome uncomfortable when eating bad food, and can watch Cooking Shows for ideas. This trait conflicts with Glutton. When eating gourmet food your Sim can gain a +4 Happy moodlet. This is an excellent choice if you are planning on making your Sim become a Chef.

Geek: These Sims become happy when reading Sci-Fi or playing video games, may become tense if they haven’t played much are better at finding collectibles, and can Discuss Geek Things with other Geek Sims. After finishing a gaming session these Sims will gain a Focused buff. This trait increases the likelihood that your Sim finds rare collectibles from digging and finding frogs.

Maker: These Sims become happy when making things. They become sad when it’s been too long since completing a project on a Fabricator, Candlemaking Station, Juice Fizzer, or Woodworking Table. They don’t receive negative effects from crafting or repairing failures. These Sims get a +1 Focused moodlet for 60 minutes when they see a high quality crafted item and a 4 hour +1 Happy buff when they make something.

Music Lover: These Sims gain powerful moodlets and boost their fun need when listening to music and become happy when playing instruments. These Sims can Listen Deeply to music on stereos which can give them a +2 Inspired buff. This is a good trait for any creative Sim.

Perfectionist: These Sims take longer to craft items but tend to make higher quality items, and they gain negative moodlets after crafting a low quality item. Your Sim will take longer to craft items but they tend to be of a higher quality, which means they are of greater value.

Social:

Bro: These Sims can Bro Hug other Bros, gain confidence around other Bros, and become energized from watching Sports. Bro Sims will gain a +1 Happiness buff when around other Bros. The Bro Hug and Bro Bump are great for building friendships ( or Romance, as it’s not gender-related) with other Bros.

Evil: These Sims become happy around Sims with negative moodlets, can laugh Maniacally and discuss evil plans. They become angry when interacting with good sims. This trait conflicts with Good and Childish. The buff this Sim receives when around other Sims with negative emotions goes away when that Sim leaves the area.

Family-Oriented: These Sims become happy around family members, become sad if they don’t interact with family for a period of time, and can Boast about Family. This trait conflicts with Noncommittal and Hates Children. This is a good trait for Sims that will spend a lot of time around their family and those who desire to have a big family.

Good: These Sims become happy around Sims with positive moodlets, can donate to charity, become sad when interacting with Evil Sims, and can discuss world peace. This trait conflicts with Evil and Mean. These Sims are going to have positive moodlets more often than not.

Hates Children: These Sims become Angry around children, become tense after Try for Baby, and can be mean to children. Get a +1 Angry from being around a child, even if they’re rather far away.

Insider: These Sims love being in Clubs, and tend to be happiest when surrounded by their friends. When in a group of 3 or more (or in a club gathering) this Sim will get a +1 happy moodlet.

Jealous: These Sims get jealous more easily than other Sims. They gain a boost of confidence from being around their significant other, but get tense if they haven’t seen them in a while. Jealous Sims can get jealous even if the interactions aren’t romantic.

Loner: These Sims are happiest when they are alone. They don’t receive negative moodlets when their social need is low, become tense around strangers, and become embarrassed more often by social rejection. This trait conflicts with Outgoing.

Loyal: These Sims value their relationships and fully commit to them, where they are friendships, romances, or even work. They avoid lying and cheating. This trait conflicts with Noncommittal.

Mean: These Sims become happy when being mean or mischievous to other Sims and become confident after winning a fight. This trait conflicts with Good. Any time this Sim is mean or mischievous they gain a 4 hour +1 happiness moodlet. This is good for any Sim that is going to be using the mischief skill a lot.

Noncommittal: These Sims become tense after a while in the same job or relationship, become happy after they quit a job or break up, take longer to propose and can discuss their fear of commitment.

Outgoing: These Sims gain powerful moodlets from friendly socialization, have their social need decay quickly, and gain more negative moodlets when their social need is low.

Paranoid: These Sims feel that danger is around every corner, and that people are always talking about them. They feel a sense of security while hanging out in basements. As long as this Sim is inside a basement they gain a +1 happy moodlet. They can change passwords on computers and sometimes gain a +1 scared moodlet when around other Sims whispering.

Party Animal: These Sims tend to enjoy parties and letting every other Sim know by hyping up a crowd and performing party tricks. If your Party Animal Sim hasn’t been to a party for some time they will become tense.

Proper: These Sims tend to disapprove of other Sims' improper behavior such as Mean or Mischievous socials, but find themselves happier in Formal Outfits and have a much easier time with Friendly and Romantic socials. This trait conflicts with Mean and Slob. Dressing in formal outfits will give these Sims a happy moodlet. When greeting other Sims they will bow. They cannot fight.

Socially Awkward: These Sims tend to struggle in social situations and build charisma more slowly. They have a hard time building relationships, but the relationships they do build are stronger and last longer.

Thanks for looking through the list of Sims 4 traits. If you think of anything I’ve missed, or have any suggestions, please let me know!

Dag Dag!

Sources:

The Sims 4 CAS Traits Menu

https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/traits/

https://sims.fandom.com/wiki/Trait_(The_Sims_4)#Personality_traits

https://sims.fandom.com/wiki/Cat_lover

https://sims.fandom.com/wiki/Erratic

https://bestgamingtips.com/sims-4-lactose-intolerant/

https://simscommunity.info/2022/10/12/sims-4-traits-loyal/

https://sims.fandom.com/wiki/Overachiever#:~:text=Overachiever%20is%20a%20lifestyle%20trait,get%20along%20with%20as%20friends.%22

https://sims.fandom.com/wiki/Paranoid_(The_Sims_4)

https://bestgamingtips.com/sims-4-party-animal-trait/

https://bestgamingtips.com/sims-4-socially-awkward/

https://sims.fandom.com/wiki/High_maintenance#:~:text=High%20maintenance%20is%20a%20trait,appear%20out%20of%20the%20blue.

https://sims.fandom.com/wiki/Adventurous#The_Sims_4:_Snowy_Escape

https://simscommunity.info/2021/07/09/the-sims-4-cottage-living-new-traits-aspiration-guide/

https://sims.fandom.com/wiki/Proper#The_Sims_4:_Snowy_Escape