The Sims 4 allows players to design their dream worlds, express creativity, and connect with their characters on a personal level. However, what if you’ve given your Sim a trait that just doesn’t work for their story? traits are integral to a Sim’s personality, but sometimes mistakes happen, or you simply want a change. Thankfully, The Sims 4 provides various ways to remove and change traits, whether through gameplay mechanics or cheats. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you’re equipped to tailor your Sims exactly as you imagine them to be.

Why Change or Remove Traits in The Sims 4?

Traits in The Sims 4 define a Sim’s personality, behavior, and interactions with the world around them. They shape how Sims respond to situations, what they’re passionate about, and even what types of relationships they pursue. While traits make your Sims unique, there are times you might want to update them:

  • You accidentally assigned the wrong trait during character creation.
  • Your Sim’s storyline evolves, and their personality needs adjustments to match.
  • You’ve decided to explore how different traits influence gameplay mechanics.

Regardless of the reason, knowing how to change or remove traits can enhance your gameplay and deliver a richer experience.

Methods to Remove or Change Traits in The Sims 4

1. The Re-Traiting Potion – An Easy In-Game Solution

The Sims 4 provides an in-game solution for changing traits without using cheats: the Re-Traiting Potion. This potion is simple to use, but there are a few requirements to access it.

Steps to Use the Re-Traiting Potion

  1. Earn 5,000 Satisfaction Points by completing your Sim’s whims and aspirations.
  2. Open the Satisfaction Reward Store by clicking on your Sim’s aspiration panel.
  3. Purchase the Re-Traiting Potion from the store.
  4. Click on the potion in your Sim’s inventory, and when prompted, choose new traits for your Sim.

Once you confirm your choices, your Sim’s traits will be updated. However, note that this method only works for basic traits and won’t affect traits they earned during their life, such as those acquired through completing certain aspirations.

2. Cheat Commands – A Powerful and Flexible Option

For players looking for precise control or a faster method, cheats are the ideal way to remove or change traits. This method allows you to modify any aspect of your Sim’s traits efficiently.

How to Enable Cheats in The Sims 4

Before you can use trait-related cheats, you need to enable cheats in the game:

  • PC: Press Ctrl + Shift + C to open the cheat console.
  • Mac: Press Command + Shift + C.
  • Consoles: Press all four shoulder buttons on your controller simultaneously.

Once the cheat console opens, type testingcheats true and press Enter. Cheats are now enabled for your game session.

Using Specific Cheats to Remove Traits

To remove a trait, use the following cheat syntax:

traits.remove_trait [TraitName]

Replace [TraitName] with the exact name of the trait. For example:

  • To remove the “Child of the Ocean” trait, type traits.remove_trait ChildoftheOcean.
  • To remove the “Clumsy” trait, type traits.remove_trait Clumsy.

Ensure you type the trait names correctly, with no spaces for multi-word traits.

Adding Traits with Cheats

You can also add traits to your Sim using this cheat:

traits.equip_trait [TraitName]

For example, to add the “Active” trait, you’d type traits.equip_trait Active. This method is perfect for mixing and matching traits to craft well-rounded Sims.

Using Full Edit CAS Mode

Full Edit CAS (Create-A-Sim) mode is another cheat-enabled option for modifying traits:

  1. Open the cheat console and type cas.fulleditmode, then press Enter.
  2. Hold down the Shift key (or press Circle + X on PlayStation, or B + A on Xbox) and click on the Sim you want to edit.
  3. Select Modify in CAS to enter the full CAS interface.
  4. Adjust your Sim’s traits alongside other properties like appearance.

Once completed, save your changes and enjoy your Sim’s updated personality.

Important Considerations When Changing Traits

  • Trait Limit: By default, Sims are limited to three standard traits. To add new traits, you must remove one of the existing traits.
  • Trait Conflicts: Some traits cannot coexist. For example, a Sim cannot be both “Outgoing” and “Loner” at the same time.
  • Updates and Expansions: As future expansion packs or updates are released, new traits might be introduced. Learn their cheat codes to maintain flexibility in editing your Sims.

Step-by-Step How-To Guide for Removing a Trait

  1. Open the cheat console by using Ctrl + Shift + C (PC), Command + Shift + C (Mac), or all four shoulder buttons (consoles).
  2. Type testingcheats true and press Enter to enable cheats.
  3. Use the cheat traits.remove_trait [TraitName], replacing [TraitName] with the name of the trait you want to remove.
  4. Example: To remove the “Hates Children” trait, type traits.remove_trait HatesChildren.
  5. Confirm the change. Your Sim’s behavior will update accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I earn Satisfaction Points quickly?

Complete whims and aspirations for your Sim to earn Satisfaction Points. Alternatively, use the cheat sims.give_satisfaction_points 5000 to instantly gain 5,000 points.

Can I use cheats on a console version of The Sims 4?

Yes, cheats work on consoles. Open the cheat console with all four shoulder buttons, enable cheats with testingcheats true, and proceed as you would on PC or Mac.

Will removing traits affect my Sim’s memories?

No, removing traits will not erase memories or life events. However, it will change how your Sim interacts with the world.

Can I remove traits added by expansion packs?

Yes, you can remove expansion pack traits using their specific cheat codes, provided you’ve entered them correctly.

What happens if I exceed the trait limit?

The game does not allow adding more than three standard traits. You must remove one before adding a new trait.

How do I find the cheat names for traits?

Search online trait lists or refer to official resources to identify the proper cheat codes for traits.

Does using cheats disable achievements or trophies?

Yes, using cheats typically disables achievements or trophies for the duration of the game session.

What’s the difference between the Re-Traiting Potion and cheats?

The Re-Traiting Potion is an in-game feature requiring Satisfaction Points. Cheats provide faster, unrestricted editing but require enabling cheat mode.

Can I remove reward traits with cheats?

Yes, reward traits earned through gameplay can also be removed using cheat codes.

Is using cheats considered “cheating” in The Sims community?

Not necessarily. Many players use cheats as tools to enhance their creativity, not just to bypass challenges.

Conclusion

Removing or changing traits in The Sims 4 gives you unparalleled freedom to craft the perfect Sims for your stories. Whether you prefer in-game methods like the Re-Traiting Potion or the flexibility of cheat codes, this guide covers all the essential techniques to help you customize your Sims. Dive back into your game, experiment with traits, and create narratives that truly feel personal and engaging. Happy Simming!