Fairies have been the most talked aboutThe Sims 4 Enchanted by Naturefeature by far, but with so much hype over a new occult, players may be overlooking how an existing one has improved: PlantSims. The addition of fairies to the game is certainly exciting for players - myself included - who have been pining for this particular occult, making it easy for their inclusion to overshadow other additions. Though PlantSims still aren’t the best occult by any means, they’ve become a lot more fun.
Historically, PlantSims have certainly not been themost popular occult inThe Sims 4. There are a few reasons for this, like the fact that it’s only a temporary form that Sims eventually revert out of, the work necessary to transform in the first place, and how fulfilling the need for sun can be excessively difficult during bad weather. Not only doesEnchanted by Natureimprove all of these,it also includes several new actions and mechanics that make PlantSims a much more viable occult.
Becoming A PlantSim Has Become Much Easier
Enchanted By Nature Makes Forbidden Fruit More Accessible
Previously, to become a PlantSim, Sims needed to reach level 10 in the gardening skill and purchase a large number of rare seed packets until they acquired all six magic beans. After planting all of them in the Magic PlantSim stump and venturing into the tree that spawns, they’ll acquire the Forbidden Fruit, which will transform them. With the new ability to bring gnomes to life, getting the beans is easier than ever.
I discovered this entirely by accident: I had a Sim infected with the Gnome Lure ailment - anotherfeature added inEnchanted by Naturethat an imbalanced mind or mischievous fairy can cause - and their lot was bombarded by gnome activity for several days. Seed packets of all kinds were strewn about by the dozens, as many of the gnomes spawned by the ailment were good ones assigned to help with gardening. Within a few gnome visits,I’d been given enough rare packets to acquire all six.
Fairies can force the ailment on Sims, or Sims can purposefully bring gnomes to life with magic to a similar effect, though it may take longer. With the barrier to entry now much lower, the idea of playing as a PlantSim feels much more appealing. The fact that it remains a temporary state is undeniably disappointing. Still, the ability to extend it indefinitely with Pixie Dust through the Restore Life Force action is a welcome change. For those that don’t want to hunt down Pixie Dust, if players plant the first Forbidden Fruit they receive, it’s easier to maintain PlantSim form.
PlantSims Go Great With Natural Living
The Occult Is Perfect For Enchanted By Nature’s New Skill
Before this Expansion Pack, I’d never really played as a PlantSim, and I was surprised by how simple it was to fill their needs. This is largely due to the new Natural Living skill and its associated additions, such as the Nature Nomad Aspiration. Combined with changes made to the occult,it hasnever been easier to be a PlantSim. Because they don’t have to eat or use the bathroom, and can fulfill social needs by talking to plants, Natural Living and PlantSims are a perfect match, making it incredibly easy for Sims to be self-sufficient while living in the great outdoors.
It also meshes well with the new Apothecary skill - a garden of ingredients means lots of plants to absorb energy from. Not having to worry about needs nearly as much gives players a lot more time for other things, like building skills or raising children, and things like theRags to Riches challengeare easier, too - it can be a very useful occult for overachieving Simmers. Though fairies coming inThe Sims 4 Enchanted by Natureis very exciting, and PlantSims still aren’t perfect, they’re a much more viable occult than they’ve ever been before.
