sims
The Sims 2: University The Sims 2: Nightlife The Sims 2: Seasons The Sims 3: Generations The Sims 3: Seasons The Sims 4

Prank
Hair coloring prank
A hair dye prank in the shower, causing the hair and body hair to turn into a vibrant color

Pranks are an interaction where one Sim uses physical humor to amuse—or annoy—another Sim, or an interaction involving objects. They were first introduced under that name in The Sims 2: University, though some of the abilities Sims could gain from Crystal Clear Ability Rocks in The Sims: Makin' Magic are essentially pranks. Pranks also appear in a different form in The Sims 3: Generations, The Sims 3: Supernatural, The Sims 3: Seasons, and The Sims 4.

The Sims 2

The Sims 2: University introduced three new pranks that Sims can pull on each other. With the addition of rugs in The Sims 2: Nightlife, children can do a static charge prank. PlantSims have a special prank of their own. While the prank is taking place, other Sims in the room will gather around to watch it. Playful Sims will laugh and nice Sims will watch worriedly. Sims with low playful and nice scores may boo the prankster.

Pranks can have a positive or negative effect on two Sims' relationships, depending on how high it is. For example, if a Sim's good friend pulls a prank on them, the outcome will have a positive effect on their relationship. When a Sim's enemy pulls a prank on them, it will have a negative effect on their relationship. The same goes for acquaintances—the higher the relationship, the higher the chance of a positive effect. Therefore, it is best not to do pranks on other Sims you have a low relationship with unless you intend on making enemies.

There are also pranks which involve objects. These pranks will attract the attention of other Sims on the lot, but will not affect their relationship with the prankster.

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The Sims 3

The Sims 3: Generations adds a prank system for teenagers. An early game trailer showed a number of pranks, including a Sim letting off a "stink bomb" in a library.[1] Sims can be punished if they are caught preparing a prank, depending on the severity of the prank. Domestic and misdemeanor pranks are punished by scolding or timeouts; school pranks are punished by detention; and neighborhood delinquent behavior are punished by police involvement. Only children and teens can pull pranks. Children can plant booby traps, and teenagers can also prank neighbors and their school. Sims will get a negative moodlet if they fall victim to a prank, unless they have a good sense of humor. Children and teens caught pranking will get grounded by their parents.

In The Sims 3: Supernatural, fairies are introduced, which are the creatures known for mischief. Fairies can use their magic to prank other Sims, which manifest once after turning into teen. In addition to normal and magic booby traps, they can pull a prank directly to a Sim when socializing.

In The Sims 3: Seasons, the tanning booth can be sabotaged.

Booby traps

These pranks can be set up on objects, which trigger when a Sim uses it.

Prank Setup &EP04
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Whoopee Cushion Rigs the target chair to make a farting noise when another Sim sits in it.
Hair Dye in Shower Rigs the target shower to briefly dye their victim's hair a lurid color. (2)
Exploding Sink Rigs the target sink to squirt all over Sims who try to use them.
Scary Computer The prankster will program a scary pop-up (similar to that of an internet "Screamer") on the victim's computer that lasts for a few seconds before reverting back to the original desktop. The pop-up in question contains a close-up, moving image of Bigfoot from The Sims 2: Bon Voyage accompanied by loud growling.
(Also for older than teen)
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Overflowing Toilet Purposely clogs the toilet to make it overflow when flushed. (2)
Outdoor Trashcan Sets a trap on the object to jump onto the Sim rummaging through it, as well leaving trash piles laying around nearby. (4)
Sofas and loveseats Will make the next Sim who sits in it sleepy and beginning to nap on the trapped object.[n 2] (6)
Mailbox Sets a fairy trap on the object, which will release a swarm of bees on the Sim that retrieves mail from the mailbox. (8)
LLAMA Sets a fairy trap on the object that transports a Sim traveling with it to a random location instead of the intended one. (9)
Tan Dye Rigs the dye in the tanning booth to give their victim an ugly tan. &EP04
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Neighborhood pranks

Teenagers can pull off these pranks on the homes of other residents. These can be initiated by clicking on the target house. If the teen gets caught by the residents, they will be warned or be escorted home by the police, where they will be grounded by their parents.

School pranks

Teenagers can also prank their school in a variety of ways. Getting caught pranking the school will result in both a detention from the school, and a grounding from the teen's parents.

Fairy tricks

In addition to pranks and traps, fairies can also cast tricks directly on another Sim face-to-face. Playing them on other fairies or on witches makes the caster susceptible to being backfired on.
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Lv. Trick Effects
0 Chattering Teeth The target Sim shivers for a few seconds. Despite the similar names, the trick does not give the "Teeth Chattering" moodlet,[TS3:S] nor is it known to directly impact a Sim's body temperature.[TS3:S]
Hot Head Gives the target the Moodlet toospicy Too Spicy! -20 moodlet for 2 hours.
4 Tummy Twister The target Sim burps, giving them the Moodlet awkward "Awkward!" moodlet for 30 minutes.
6 Skivvies Causes the target Sim to change to sleepwear and in response embarrassingly try to cover themselves up.
7 Gold and Toads Gives the Moodlet goldandtoads "Gold and Toad" moodlet to victim of the prank, which will have the Sim frequently cough out either only a toad or fairy coin (which can be sold for §77). As they collect the item it will accumulate over time in their inventory. This cannot be cast on Sims who are in designated temporary states.
10 Inner Beauty Projecting onto another Sim will change their facial features to a zany deformed face. This effect lasts until "Inner Beauty" moodlet expires, but will be prolonged for another 24 hours for every mean interaction the Sim initiates. The Sim cannot use standard mirrors during the moodlet, except for a unique interaction to get worried about their look. This cannot be cast on Sims who are in designated temporary states.

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The Sims 4

Pranks return again in The Sims 4 and some are found under the mischief social category. While some basic pranks are already available to Sims, most of the other pranks are acquired by raising the mischief skill. Although pranks are usually successful, target Sims who have either a high mischief or logic skill are able to stop pranks, causing them to backfire. Pranks can also be considered as a funny interaction, if the target Sim is in a good mood and the current conversation is going nicely. Children can also pull various pranks on other children and can gain more pranks by raising their mischief skill, after mastering the social skill. Sims can also receive a prank call from non-active Sims.

Sim pranks

Away From Home pranks

When either an adult or a child Sim reaches a high mischief skill, they can become partners in crime with their friends. Both Sims then have the possibility to prank their workplace or school in variety of ways. The prank will happen when the Sim has gone to work or school, and have either a positive or a negative outcome. Having a negative outcome results in a decrease of work/school performance and an embarrassed moodlet.

At Work pranks

At School pranks

Object Pranks

Some prank interactions only show on the specific objects up to mischief skill level required or on an occasion. In The Sims 4: Discover University and The Sims 4: High School Years, more pranks can be made on some school facility.

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See also

Notes

  1. Prior to the FreeTime patch, neat Sims would become furious at the victim when they were instructed to mop up a puddle created as a result of this prank, even if the neat Sim was the prankster themselves.
  2. Plumbots,[TS3:ITF] who are unable to nap or sleep, will yawn once and then get straight up from the couch again.

References