The Sims 4 has now introduced playable ghosts. Sims who expire in the game can now choose to live on in a spectral form, although unlocking ghostly powers through a talent tree is limited to those with the Life & Death expansion pack.
However, ghost Sims in the base game can still have some unique limited abilities relating to their deaths. Not all death types have these effects but many of them do. Here’s what you can expect from your spectral housemates.
Ghost Death Effects Versus Ghost Powers
Ghost powers are exclusive to the Life & Death expansion. They are abilities which are accessible to any playable ghost and are unlocked using a talent tree system. The more you use your spectral powers, the more you unlock, in a similar way to Vampires and Werewolves.
Ghost powers are the same for every ghost, and as a player, you just need to decide if you want to unlock skills for good, or mischief. There are also a couple of neutral skills in the middle.
Ghost Effects vary depending on the way a ghost died. Even if you create a ghost in Create-A-Sim, you can choose the manner of their death and gain access to the effects of that ghost type.
Generally, a ghost type will have its own unique animation, usually relating to the manner of passing, and many also have a few little quirky effects. These effects work on any version of the game, so long as you have the pack which unlocks the corresponding death.
Here’s what you can expect from each ghost type.
All Base Game Ghost Types And Their Effects
These ghost types can all be accessed just with the free base game. Here are all the types, their animations, and any unique effects or interactions they have.
|
Death Type |
Unique Animation |
Effects |
|---|---|---|
|
Anger |
Anger animation of steam rising in chest. |
Prone to random bouts of anger. Can make nearby Sims angry. |
|
Cowplant |
None |
Is terrified of plants, yet does care for them. Will try to kill any plants on your lot with decay interaction when in a bad mood. |
|
Drowning |
Sim appears wet with water dripping from them. |
Leaves puddles everywhere. Scared of baths and swimming. |
|
Electrocution |
Zaps of power periodically jump from the Sim. |
Can shock Sims and loves to do this with hand buzzers. Often breaks electronics and can do this deliberately through possession. |
|
Embarrassment |
None |
Is often embarrassed, remembering their death. |
|
Fire |
Smoke rises from the Sim and there is a flame effect flicker. |
May start random fires. Can summon a fire when angry. |
|
Hunger |
None |
Hunger need decays twice as fast as usual. Frequently eats everything in the fridge. |
|
Laughter |
None |
Often playful. Can make nearby Sims playful. |
|
Meteorite |
A meteorite hovers in their chest. |
Explodes in a re-enactment of their death at random moments. |
|
Overexcertion/ Old Age |
None |
Sleeps a lot. |
If you create a ghost Sim in Create-A-Sim, you can choose any of these ghost types from the Cause of Death menu, and get the appropriate effects.
Related
The Sims 4: Life And Death – How To Create A Bucket List
You’ve still got aspirations, but a Bucket List overhauls the satisfaction system massively.
All DLC Ghost Types And Their Effects
For those with DLC packs, there are a large number of other death types unlocked. This list details their animations and effects as well as which pack they come from.
|
Death Type |
DLC |
Unique Animation |
Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Consumed By Mother |
Strangerville |
Pink spores surround the Sim. |
Needs are frozen at the point of death. Needs do not decay but also cannot be fulfilled. Can remove vines from plumbing in ghost form. |
|
Beetles / Beetle Juice |
Eco Lifestyle |
None |
Will never be scared of haunted houses. |
|
Murphy Bed |
Tiny Living |
Z’s rise from the Sim’s chest. |
Terrified of all beds, and cannot sleep in one. Lectures Sims on the dangers of beds. Their sleep need can be refreshed by possessing living Sims to steal their sleep. Can only sleep by napping on anything which isn’t a bed. |
|
Swarmed by Flies |
Eco Lifestyle |
Flies buzz around the Sim. |
Will bat at the flies surrounding them. |
|
Broken Heart |
Lovestruck |
A heart icon breaks in two and tears come out. |
Will frequently become sad. Can make other Sims sad. |
|
Falling From Heights |
Snowy Escape |
None |
Will chalk their hands occasionally. |
|
Freezing |
Seasons |
Condensation rises from the Sim. |
Shiver and rub their arms a lot. Can cool down warm Sims. Will try to warm themselves up. |
|
Killer Chicken |
Cottage Living |
A chicken icon floats around the Sim’s chest. |
Loves to scare chickens nearby. |
|
Killer Rabbit |
Cottage Living |
A rabbit icon floats around the Sim’s chest. |
Scares any rabbits they see. |
|
Lightning |
Seasons |
Zaps of lightning appear from the Sim at random. |
Love to zap Sims with a buzzer. Can break items at random but not on purpose. |
|
Mold |
For Rent |
Green mold spores come off the Sim. |
Can summon different types of mold. Can spawn mushrooms. Can spoil food Can fertilise plants. |
|
Murder Of Crows |
Life & Death |
A crow icon moves around the Sim’s chest. |
None |
|
Overheating |
Seasons |
None |
Fan themselves and wipe their brow. Can warm up a cold Sim. Will try to cool thermselves down. |
|
Poison |
Jungle Adventure |
A green cloud surrounds the Sim. |
Burps a lot. Can cause Sims to pass out with their burps. |
|
Pufferfish |
City Living |
A pufferfish icon is in the Sim’s chest. |
None |
|
Rabid Rodent Fever |
My First Pet Stuff |
Wears a permanent giant ghostly rat costume. |
Wears a giant rat costume at all times. Foams at the mouth constantly. Can spread fear of rodents, causing Sims to flee. |
|
Spellcaster Overload |
Realm of Magic |
Overload effects and sparkles surround the Sim. |
Remains a spellcaster, with spellcaster abilities. |
|
Steam |
Spa Day |
Steam rising from the Sim. |
Will try to cool themselves down by swimming or drinking. Can sabotage a sauna so it will break when next used. |
|
Stink Capsule |
High School Years |
Green stinky smog rises from the Sim. |
Autonomously defuses pranks. |
|
Sunlight |
Vampires |
A sun icon shows in the Sim’s chest. |
Can summon fires when angry. Can go out in the sun without dying, but it will drain their energy. |
|
Urban Myth |
High School Years |
Black fog surrounds the Sim. |
Is scared of mirrors. Can (and often will) defuse pranks. |
|
Vending Machine |
Snowy Escape |
A can icon appears in the Sim’s chest. |
They will never be able to get an item out of the vending machine. |
If you have Romantic Garden Stuff your Sim can make a wish for ‘youthful vigor’. If it goes wrong, they will become a random ghost type. Drinking Ghost Goo, which can be made in Get To Work’s Scientist career, will also turn your Sim into a random ghost.
Next
The Sims 4: Life & Death – Reaper Career Guide
Get that promotion, the legitimate way or with a cheat using our guide.