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Lightning
A Sim getting struck by lightning
Lightning is a weather phenomenon in The Sims 2: Seasons, The Sims 3: Seasons, and The Sims 4: Seasons during heavy storms.
It also constantly appears in the dystopian future of Oasis Landing in The Sims 3: Into the Future.
The Sims 2: Seasons
Lightning can be distant, nearby, or local. Distant lightning will be marked by thunder, but there may not be a flash. With a nearby strike, there will be a flash, which may be intense, and the thunder may be louder, but the lot will not be affected. With a local strike, a bolt of lightning actually hits something (or someone) on the lot.
If a Sim is outside there is a possibility they will get hit. A Sim who is on the lot as a walkby can be hit, even if they have not been greeted. Lightning can also be attracted to a lightning conductor, like a hot tub or a hot spring. Sims soaking in one of these during a storm will be hit by lightning very frequently. It is also very likely that after getting hit while in the hot tub, the Sim will also be struck by lightning as soon as they step out of the hot tub, resulting in near-instant death. Sims that are struck by lightning get a significant drop in their needs except for Energy, Social and Environment (energy even gets boosted), while the bladder is mostly affected (as it can reach its lowest value -100), then Hygiene, then Comfort and Fun and lowest affected being Hunger.
Lightning can also hit trees or other objects placed outside, causing them to catch fire. Sims who call the fire department will usually be given a fine, as the fire is generally out by the time they arrive. However, if lightning strikes a combustible object and other combustible objects are nearby, the fire may spread and require a call to the fire department to be put out.
For most Sims, getting hit by lightning is a fear, but for knowledge Sims, it is often a want.
In the Seasons patch, Maxis made lightning less deadly. However, it can still kill a Sim.
Players can buy a lightning rod, the EZ120v Lightning Finial, which is found in the Decorative section of buy mode. It can be placed on the ground or on a roof, and tends to attract lightning. If a lightning rod is present, lightning may still strike a tree, building, or Sim, but it's more likely to strike the rod.
Lightning can also cause a ghost to appear if there is a gravestone on the lot. The grave will be struck by a blue rod of lightning and the ghost will leave their grave, even during daytime hours.
Be aware that lightning will also cause a Sim's motives to drop quite sharply. This is especially true for the bladder motive, and any Sim unfortunate enough to be struck is very likely to wet themselves in short order.
The Sims 3: Seasons
Lightning is present in heavy thunderstorms that commonly occur in spring, summer, and occasionally fall. As in The Sims 2: Seasons, lightning can kill a Sim, however it is extremely rare and will require a Sim to either be struck twice or to be singed. Death by lightning in The Sims 3 is treated as death by electrocution.
Lightning occurs at three different distances:
- Distant - There will be a flash of light and audible thunder, but a bolt of lightning is never actually seen.
- Nearby - A visible lightning bolt will strike somewhere in the world, but the player's Sims are not at risk.
- Local - Lightning will strike on or very close to the active lot. This will pose a risk of being struck to playable Sims and will create a very loud crack of thunder. However, local strikes will only occur if a thunderstorm is very long-lasting.
SimBots and Plumbots will instead receive the "Energized" moodlet from being struck, which fills up their battery power.
The Sims 3: Into the Future
The type of lightning in Into the Future, which only occurs in the Dystopian Future of Oasis Landing, differs significantly from that of Seasons, and occurs from two causes: A rapid set of 10 in connection with a meteor strike,[n 1] or with the "Lightning Magnet" moodlet that can be obtained from exploring geyser rifts.
As with Seasons lightning, being struck once gives the "Singed" moodlet. However, being struck while singed from a previous strike does not lead to death. Additionally, any lightning strike in the Dystopian Future also gives the "Charged with Disaster" moodlet, whose effects are currently unknown; and Plumbots receive "Charged with Disaster" instead of "Energized".
Lightning Magnet lightning strike actions can't be cancelled by clicking on the queue icon, but if at least one action is ahead of it in the action queue, the lightning strikes can be overridden and prevented by manually selecting any action.
The Sims 4: Seasons
Lightning is a returning weather phase in The Sims 4: Seasons. Sims that get struck by lightning will receive a +40 dazed moodlet, a +2 "Supercharged" energized moodlet, and become singed. After the second time they get struck, they will gain the ability to summon lightning anywhere they choose. As with previous games, it is possible a Sim who gets struck by lightning consecutively or while singed will die from electrocution, though this is a rare occurrence. Carrying an umbrella may increase the chances of a Sim being struck.
Sims who are outdoors during a thunderstorm will become scared and will autonomously attempt to run indoors. Even when indoors, Sims will receive a weaker "Scared of Thunderstorms" moodlet for the duration of the storm. The scared moodlet will instead be a +1 happy moodlet if the Sim has the Storm Chaser trait From the rewards store. If a Sim with the storm chaser trait or erratic trait gets struck by lightning, they will also get a +3 "That Was Totally Awesome!" happy moodlet.
Lightning can also strike a Sim that begs for an apology from a holiday gnome. The lightning can hit indoors, and will not leave Sims singed.
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Player Tips
The Sims 2: Seasons
- If you try to get a Sim hit by lightning to satisfy a want, make sure their needs aren't low or they may die. Alternatively, make sure another Sim they have a good relationship with is around to plead for them.
- Don't worry if a tree catches fire, it will be put out by the rain. If the tree is not put out before the rain ends, there is still no need to worry, as the "stuck" fire FX should be gone the next time the lot is entered.
- Flying a kite[TS2:OFB] may attract lightning, even if it's not done in rain or a thunderstorm. Evil kites are much more likely to attract lightning, and may attract it even if Seasons is not installed.
- Even though water is bad for a Servo, being struck by lightning increases its power need. It's still not a good idea to let a Servo be struck by lightning.
- Be aware that lightning will also cause a Sim's motives to drop quite sharply. This is especially true for the bladder motive, and any Sim unfortunate enough to be struck will likely wet themselves in short order.
The Sims 3: Seasons
- Carrying an umbrella in The Sims 3: Seasons can slightly increase the chance of getting struck.
- If the player has Ambitions installed, when SimBots and Plumbots are stuck by Seasons lightning, they receive the positive "Energized" moodlet.
- In The Sims 3: Pets, horses will receive the negative "Panicked" moodlet if lightning strikes near them, this applies to the wild horses as well.
Gallery
Notes
- ↑ NRaas Industries mods, primarily NRaas Overwatch, has been known to set flags that turn the Defense Grid permanently on for that savefile, making the Dystopian Future lightning never show up.