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Do Mermaid Sims Live Longer? Unveiling the Secrets of Aquatic Lifespans in The Sims 4

Yes, mermaid Sims in The Sims 4: Island Living do indeed live longer, at least during their elder stage, thanks to a bonus lifespan specifically added to that life stage. The degree to which they live longer depends on the lifespan setting you choose in your game options. This bonus period extends their time as elders, allowing for more storytelling opportunities and a richer gameplay experience. Let’s dive deeper into the details of mermaid lifespans and other fascinating facts about these aquatic Sims.

Mermaid Lifespan: A Detailed Look

The key to understanding mermaid lifespans lies in the elder stage. While the other life stages (baby, toddler, child, teen, young adult, adult) remain the same length as normal Sims, the elder stage gets a significant boost.

Long Lifespan Setting: On the long lifespan setting, mermaid Sims receive a whopping 764-day bonus to their elder stage, bringing their total elder lifespan to 810 days. That’s nearly double the elder lifespan of a normal Sim with the Long-Lived trait! This extended elderhood gives you ample time to enjoy their golden years, pursue their passions, and perhaps even witness future generations of mermaid offspring.
Normal Lifespan Setting: When playing with the normal lifespan setting, the bonus is significantly reduced but still present. Mermaids gain an additional 47.8 days to their elder stage.
Short Lifespan Setting: On the shortest lifespan setting, the bonus is the least pronounced, adding only 11.9 days to their time as elders.

It’s important to note that this lifespan extension only applies to the elder stage. Mermaids don’t have altered lifespans during their younger years. This bonus ensures that players have more time to enjoy their mermaid Sims in their twilight years, allowing for deeper connections and fulfilling legacies. This is just one of the many fascinating design choices in The Sims franchise that mirror real-world considerations, as highlighted by research from the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, which explores the educational and social impact of games. Or if you prefer GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mermaid Sims

Here are some frequently asked questions about mermaid Sims in The Sims 4, covering everything from their unique needs to their special abilities.

1. Can Mermaid Sims Die from Dehydration?

Yes, mermaid Sims can die from dehydration. If they stay out of water for too long, they will begin to dry out, receiving negative moodlets. If their hydration need is completely depleted, they will eventually pass out. If another Sim doesn’t splash them with water, they will indeed die. Staying near a body of water or taking a shower/bath can help to prevent this.

2. What Do Mermaids Eat?

While mermaid Sims can eat regular Sim food, they don’t gain as much energy from it. To truly satisfy their hunger, they prefer fish and kelp. Keeping a supply of these items on hand is essential for a happy and healthy mermaid.

3. What are the Cons of Being a Mermaid?

Being a mermaid in The Sims 4 comes with a few drawbacks:

They cannot have the Hydrophobic trait.
Cats are more likely to follow them around, which some players find annoying.
They lose their mermaid abilities and become a normal Sim if they don’t swim in salt water for an extended period.

4. What are the Perks of Being a Mermaid?

Mermaid Sims have several unique advantages:

They can breathe underwater.
They have access to unique mermaid abilities.
They can summon dolphins, perform special interactions, and even control the weather (with the Seasons Expansion Pack).
They have an easier time getting their hydration need fulfilled when near water.

5. Can You Create a Mermaid Baby in Create-A-Sim?

No, you cannot create a mermaid baby, toddler, or child in Create-A-Sim. Mermaids are occult Sims who gain their abilities later in life. However, you can have a mermaid Sim give birth to a mermaid baby.

6. How Do I Get a Mermaid Baby?

Mermaid babies are born into mermaid families. If one parent is a human and the other is a mermaid, the baby has a 50% chance of inheriting the mermaid trait. If both parents are mermaids, the child is guaranteed to be a mermaid. Their powers will manifest when they become teenagers.

7. How Can a Mermaid Turn Back into a Human?

To turn a mermaid back into a human, you need to have them eat two Mermadic Kelp in a row. This will revert them back to a normal Sim.

8. What Does a Mermaid’s Kiss Do?

A mermaid’s kiss has a special effect. It allows them to smooch another Sim without needing to build up a romantic relationship first. Additionally, the Sim who receives the kiss gains Aquatic Breath, which allows them to hold their breath longer and dive deeper underwater.

9. What Happens When a Vampire and Mermaid Have a Baby?

The outcome of a vampire and mermaid pairing is unpredictable. The resulting child is either a pure mermaid or a glitchy vampire-mermaid hybrid. The hybrid is often buggy, and the best course of action is to use mods to fix the issue.

10. Why Can’t Mermaids Snorkel or Scuba Dive?

Mermaids cannot use or buy scuba diving equipment, and they won’t snorkel or scuba dive. Instead, they can use the free dive option, allowing them to stay underwater much longer than regular Sims. It seems the use of snorkel and scuba gear is considered taboo.

11. What Does the Siren’s Lullaby Do?

The siren’s lullaby is a powerful mermaid ability. It has several different effects, including:

Aegean’s Question: Makes the Sim tense.
Charmer’s Lullaby: Makes the Sim flirty.
Inspiring Berceuse: Makes the Sim inspired.
Night’s Requiem: Makes the Sim sad.

All mermaids have access to these songs, regardless of whether they are good or evil.

12. Can Mermaids Walk on Land?

Yes, mermaids can walk on land. However, they thrive near the ocean, as their hydration replenishes faster. They can also use their abilities more readily in water. On land, they must be careful to stay hydrated to avoid negative moodlets and potential death.

13. Can Mermaids Shower and Bathe?

Yes, mermaids can shower and bathe. Using water sources like showers, bathtubs, and sinks replenishes their hydration need. So, even if they’re not near the ocean, they can still stay hydrated.

14. Can Mermaids Die of Starvation?

Yes, mermaids can die of starvation. While they prefer fish and kelp, they can also eat normal Sim food. Neglecting their hunger need will eventually lead to death, just like with regular Sims.

15. Is There a Secret Mermaid World?

While there isn’t a “secret” mermaid world in the traditional sense, the Island Living expansion pack takes place in Sulani, a tropical paradise that is closely associated with mermaid culture. The ocean around Sulani offers many opportunities for mermaids to thrive and explore their abilities.

Hopefully, this article answered your question about mermaid lifespans and provided valuable information about these fascinating occult Sims!

Do mermaid Sims live longer?