The Sims Medieval Basics: Traits, Flaws, Tips, and Cheats
Start your kingdom off right with our guide
What happens when you add medieval RPG elements to the long established Sims franchise? A pleasant kind of confusion, at least at first. There’s so much to do in your new realm: create various inidividualistic heroes, embark on countless different quests, and of course, rake in those Simoles any way you can. It’s not just about you and your family anymore.
Here you’ve got an entire kingdom to look after, but don’t worry if it’s a bit much to handle - even the most learned Sims veterans may struggle to get the most out of the game at first. If only someone would whip up a guide covering some of the basics...
General Tips
- Gambling at game tables is a quick (and risky) way to make some simoles. Game tables can be bought and placed in any building.
- Buildings you should erect early on include the Market (Merchant), Smithy (Blacksmith), and Peteran Monastery (Peteran Priest).
- While bathing isn’t as necessary as it is in other Sims games (no hygiene bar in Medieval) it will give you a quick boost in focus.
- If you’re planning ahead, visit the Peteran Priest before an upcoming sword fight. The priest will grant you the “Watcher’s Favor,” which will revive you instantly should you fall in battle.
- Save one of your daily responsibilities for when you need a boost in focus. They are a great way to counteract any focus debuffs you may be experiencing.
- You’ll earn a little extra daily income if you marry any non-hero.
- Always sharpen you sword before battle! You can do this anywhere, at any time. You can also earn the “Combat Ready” buff by practicing on a dummy beforehand.
- Spies can open the stocks.
- You can replace your Fatal Flaw with a Legendary Trait by completing specific quests. These quests are: Fountain of Legend, Invasion, The Dragon of..., Seven Mechanical Arts, The Fisherman’s Challenge, and The Philosopher’s Stone.
Cheat Codes
Are you tired of playing by the rules? Have you got your eye on that sweet armoire but are sick of picking herbs for paltry sums? Simply press ctrl + shift + c and simply type “help” into the command line to display all of the cheats right there on screen! Below you’ll find some of the more useful ones.
kaching: 1,000 simoles
motherlode: 50,000 simoles
Rerollquests: Randomizes available quests
fadeObjects on/off: Toggles whether objects fade when the camera gets close to them
Traits and Fatal Flaws
Traits are nothing new for a Sims game. The two that you choose shape your Sim’s personality, determine their affinity towards certain quests, and ultimately determine whether or not you’re a match for that flirty house servant who comes every night to empty your wooden poo bucket. Performing actions in-line with your Sim’s traits will help your focus, while doing the opposite may hurt it. While all traits have a slight downside to them, there isn’t one that is inherently better than another. Remember, you’ll be creating additional heroes once you have the resources to expand your kingdom, so don’t be afraid to mix it up.
Fatal Flaws on the other hand - as their doubly negative name suggests - feature no upside whatsoever. Consider them entertaining handicaps, designed to stop your Sim from becoming a golden god too quickly. Thankfully you’re only forced to have one, and the choice is all yours.
Traits
Adventurous
Fairly self-explanatory in a game with a medieval theme. Sims with this trait love to slay dragons, venture far and wide, and generally try to assume the Captain Morgan pose whenever possible. You’ll get large focus boosts from going on adventures (something exclusive to this trait) in the forest or at the docks, but be careful - attempting such with a low focus bar may result in an injury, which hampers your meter for long after the deed is done. This trait conflicts with the Cowardly fatal flaw.
Chivalrous
This trait, while designed with the pure-hearted in mind, makes nighttime naughtiness a lot easier. Your Sim will be able to woo other characters extremely quickly, but things get tricky once you’re in a relationship. Make sure your partner’s toothbrush is out of the house before setting your sights on another, or face a serious hit to your focus. Chivalrous Sims also gain focus by making donations.
Creative Cook
Before microwaves and fridges, Sims spent a good portion of their day at the cauldron. A Sim with this trait will prepare food quicker, and their meals give off the “Delicious” focus buff when eaten. Additionally, these Sims actually benefit from eating Gruel, an action that normally lower focus. There’s no trait-specific way to lose focus with Creative Cook. Bam
Dedicated
This trait can be a lot of work, as you’ll usually be saddled with a third daily responsibility after finishing your standard two. The upside is an additional opportunity to gain focus from this extra task. Just make sure not to choose this trait lightly, as a failed responsibility is very bad for your focus.
Earthy
Turns your Sim into a hippie. Spending a lot of time outside will give you the One With Nature buff and boost your focus. Alternatively, staying indoors for an extended period of time will have the opposite effect. Sims with this trait are better at finding rare herbs, and benefit from wearing green or brown.
Eloquent
Sims with this trait can use their silver tongues to open up lots of new social interactions. It’s a great way to make friends quickly, and your rhetorical powers can actually boost the focus of anyone listening. This trait conflicts with the Uncouth fatal flaw.
Evil
Above: Though it looks like he’s pummeling this woman’s face, Lord Matthias is only emotionally abusive
This turns your Sim into a genuine ass. The trait doesn’t allow your Sim to hurt anyone per se, but you can choose to laugh at Sims who are already experiencing a negative status. This will give you the “Fiendishly Delighted” buff, and a focus boost. Other than that, there’s not much to get out of this trait. Evil obviously conflicts with good.
Excitable
No, not that kind of excitable. Sims with this trait experience the “Excited” buff after accomplishing many different tasks including winning duels or succeeding at gambling. This is an excellent trait to choose, as it has no downside and tasks you’d normally complete anyway will give you extra focus. This trait conflicts with the Morose fatal flaw.
Friendly
This trait is more for those interested in innocent friendships than countless one night stands, though it certainly doesn’t hurt your chances at achieving the latter. This trait allows you to earn friendships more easily with an increased number of conversational choices, and you’ll suffer less if you ignore your social needs. This trait conflicts with the Solitary trait and Misanthrope fatal flaw.
Fun-Loving
If left alone, Sims with this trait tend to go after the “fun” activities like Kingball and gambling. If you have enough fun over a short period of time, you’ll earn a huge focus boost.
Good
Sims with this trait have numerous opportunities to earn focus buffs. “Brightened Day” is earned by being nice to other Sims, “Comforted” is earned by lifting the spirits of sad Sims, and “Charitable” is earned by donating to the poor. Good conflicts with the evil trait.
Greedy
This trait isn’t as bad as it sounds - it just means your Sim really loves money. Making a lot of Simoles per day will give you a large focus boost, but having a low bank balance will actually lower your focus. If that’s the case, greedy Sims can borrow money from others without ever paying them back.
Haggler
A good trait for those who bend over in the parking lot every time they see a simole. You’ll receive discounts from vendors and earn a focus buff when you do. If you’re playing as a vendor, you’ll also receive more money for your goods.
Hopeful Orphan
This is an odd buff with a very specific pay off. Sims with this trait are able to ask others about their parents for a small focus boost. Every now and then the Sim you’re speaking too will have a letter from your parents. Reading said letter will give you a large buff. There’s no downside to this trait, other than the fact that well, you’re an orphan... This trait conflicts with the Whale Ate My Parents trait.
Jokester
Above: Ironically, the jester in the background is studying while King Matthias makes an ass of himself
This trait gives your Sim additional conversation options that can raise your friendship meter quicker than normal. You can actually raise the focus of other Sims by telling them jokes. Conflicts with the Fatal Flaw Morose.
Loves Family
To get the most out of this trait, you’ll obviously need a family, which is something you don’t have right out of the gate. You’ll get extra conversation options when talking to your family members that increase your focus when chosen. This is a trait for those planning ahead.
Scholarly
People who love to click on everything in a Sims game should definitely go for this. Sims with this trait will often get a focus boost just from examining objects around them. They also have a good chance of getting a focus boost after reading a book.
Solitary
The Sims games usually involve interacting with other Sims, but if you prefer to keep that to a minimum, this trait is for you. You’ll actually earn a focus boost by staying away from other Sims, and suffer a drop in focus when surrounded by others.Taking on quests alone (which is common) will earn you the “I Can Do It On My Own” focus buff. This trait conflicts with the Friendly trait.
Unkempt
If you’re one of those that think just dealing with hunger and energy is still too much of a bother, this one’s for you. Sims with this trait don’t care for doing things like taking baths, and will gain focus if they stay dirty. You’ll also be able to eat spoiled food (and usually gain focus in the process), and sleep on the ground like a hobo. This trait conflicts with the Vain trait.
Vain
If you have this trait, all you’ll need to do for a focus boost is look into a mirror. It’s a quick and easy way to keep your focus up, so don’t be afraid to simply buy a ton of mirrors and put them wherever you can. This trait conflicts with the Unkempt trait.
Whale Ate My Parents
What is clearly the most “wtf?” trait on this list is also one of the most interesting and fun. Sims with this trait can (and should) go on whale hunts via the docks. Doing so will earn you the “Whale Rage Satisfied” focus buff, as well as provide you with a load of valuable and tasty whale meat. Unfortunately your whale rage can bring you down too, so make sure to go on hunts every now and then. This trait conflicts with the Hopeful Orphan trait.
Fatal Flaws
Bloodthirsty
As it is with any thirst, failure to quench will result in bad things. Sims with this flaw that are left unattended will get into fights over almost anything, and keeping your Sim from fighting will actually hurt their focus. This is a great flaw to give to Knights, as they live for battle anyway.
Compulsive Gambler
Above - Dammit! I will so send you to the stocks if you roll another seven
Sims with this flaw need to gamble fairly often or suffer a loss of focus. On the upside, they are able to place larger bets at the game table.
Cowardly
Definitely not a choice for Knights, Spies, or Monarchs. Sims with this flaw often flee from battle, and will even suffer a loss of focus if they step outside after sunset or are completely alone. This flaw is manageable if given to a Sim who won’t be fighting or adventuring.
Cruel
Sims with this flaw don’t need to do physical harm to others, only emotional. Being mean to other Sims will prevent you from losing focus. Obviously this makes friendship tricky, so you’ll need to keep track of who you’ve done wrong around the kingdom.
Cursed
If the name weren’t enough to turn you off, then listen to us: avoid this flaw. Sims with it may or may not wake up with the negative “Cursed” buff (uncontrollably random), which drains your focus and lowers your chance of success during certain activities.
Drunkard
Above: Come on, gimme that sweet sweet nectar!
Sims with this flaw will suffer a loss of focus when off the sauce. Make sure to keep a barrel of wine or beer around your domicile. Drinking in moderation can actually give you a small focus boost, but don’t partake too generously - drinking too much can kill your focus immediately or when you wake up hungover.
Fool
If you’re interested in leveling up, do not choose this flaw. It lowers the amount of XP you get during experience-based activities. On the upside, you won’t suffer any explicit focus debuffs with this flaw.
Glutton
This flaw can be extremely annoying as it makes your hunger meter drop at a faster rate than normal. However, when coupled with the Creative Cook trait, it can work to your benefit. Sims with that trait are more likely to make quality food, so eating often will provide you with focus buffs all day long.
Hubris
Hubris forces the “Blinded By Hubris” focus debuff on your Sim when they accomplish positive tasks like winning swordfights or gathering herbs and flowers. Definitely one of the harder flaws to manage, so you should probably just avoid it all together.
Insecure
This flaw hampers your social skills and increases your odds of being rejected during conversations. Your Sim will also take a focus hit if he/she does not speak to anyone for a full day, but such a thing is very easy to avoid.
Insomniac
This flaw can actually prevent your Sim from using their bed at all if the “Can’t Sleep” debuff is active. There is also a chance of passing out during the day, which further increases if your energy is low.
Licentious
Above: “My hand is clipping through your robes m’lord!” “Oh fair maiden, just wait until tonight...”
Sims with this flaw will suffer a loss of focus if they go long without at least kissing someone else. There are two ways to deal with this - get to know (wink wink) a lot of other Sims, or simply get married. Overall it’s a fairly manageable flaw.
Misanthrope
A very difficult flaw to manage. Sims afflicted with this suffer a loss of focus whenever interacting with other Sims. This means you’ll have to compensate for the lowered focus whenever you’re on a quest that requires you to speak to someone else.
Morose
These Sims are generally depressed all the time. As a result, things that would normally increase a Sim’s focus benefit Morose Sims less frequently. There is also a chance that your Sim will wake up with a debuff that will last most of the day.
Puny
Sims with this trait get injured very easily, and as such they should avoid things like sword fighting, hunting, or Kingball. Fortunately, there are many professions that never partake in any of those activities, rendering this flaw null.
Uncouth
Generally manageable, as there are no debuffs associated with this flaw. Uncouth Sims will have difficulty when a quest requires smooth talking. They also suck at Kingball.
Weak Constitution
The biggest issue with Weak Constitution is the lack of stamina during Swordfights. Sims with this flaw will also have a hard time recovering from illness, and may vomit after drinking or eating. You’re better off giving this flaw to a less adventurous Sim.
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