Banish Those Boos: A Simmer’s Guide to Evicting Ghosts in The Sims 4

So, you’ve got a spectral squatter in your Sim’s home? Don’t fret! Dealing with ghosts in The Sims 4 is a common occurrence, and luckily, there are several ways to send them packing. The quickest and most definitive method? Releasing their spirit to the netherworld via their urn or tombstone. Simply click on the urn or tombstone and select “Release Spirit.” Poof! Ghost gone (but not forgotten in the family tree).

However, if you’re looking for more nuanced solutions, or perhaps a more permanent goodbye beyond the netherworld, read on. This comprehensive guide will explore every option for dealing with those pesky paranormal residents in your Sims 4 game.

Understanding Your Ghostly Problem

Before diving into eviction strategies, it’s helpful to understand what you’re dealing with. Are these ghosts family members you’d rather not see floating around, or random specters haunting your lot? Are they playable ghosts or just ambient beings? Your approach will vary depending on the situation. Remember, ghosts have emotions which are represented by colors. For example, a flirty or playful ghost will be pink.

Methods of Ghost Removal: From Gentle to Drastic

1. Releasing the Spirit (The Classic Approach)

This is the most straightforward method and, as mentioned, involves interacting with the ghost’s urn or tombstone. The “Release Spirit” option permanently removes the ghost from the game, banishing them to the netherworld. This means they will no longer appear on your lot. This is a permanent deletion of the ghost, but does not remove them from the family tree.

2. Moving the Urn/Tombstone

If you don’t want to permanently remove the ghost but want them gone from your home, you can simply move their urn or tombstone to a different lot. This will prevent them from spawning on your residential lot. A good place for this is the graveyard, where they can rest in peace with their own kind.

3. Managing the Dead (Graveyard Mausoleum)

If you don’t even want the urn or tombstone on your lot, you can visit the Mausoleum at the Graveyard and use the “Manage the Dead” interaction. You can take urns/gravestones that belong to your family here and store them, while also keeping them off of your Sims’ home lot.

4. The “traits.removetrait ghostX” Cheat (For Playable Ghosts)

If the ghost is a playable member of your household, you can use cheats to remove their ghost trait. To do this, open the cheat console (Ctrl + Shift + C), type “testingcheats true,” and then enter “traits.removetrait ghostX,” replacing “X” with the ghost’s specific trait ID. This can be tricky to find. A simple solution is to resurrect the ghost by using the method described below, or with a cheat, if you really want to get rid of the ghost.

5. Resurrection (Turning the Tables)

Why kick them out when you can bring them back to life? There are several ways to resurrect a ghost in The Sims 4:

• Ambrosia: This is the classic method. A Sim with high Cooking and Gardening skills can prepare Ambrosia. Once a ghost consumes it, they return to life.
• The Book of Life: If a Sim wrote a Book of Life before their death, they can use it to bring themselves (or another ghost) back to the land of the living.
• Realm of Magic Spells: If you have the Realm of Magic game pack, Sims can learn the Necrocall spell to summon ghosts and the Dedeathify spell to resurrect them.

Resurrecting a ghost effectively removes them from the ghost category. They become a regular Sim again.

6. Ignoring Them (Passive Aggression, Sim Style)

Sometimes, the best approach is to simply ignore the ghost. Over time, if their urn or tombstone isn’t mourned or interacted with, the ghost will eventually fade away permanently. This is a less proactive approach but can be effective if you don’t want to actively deal with the situation.

7. Keeping Them Busy (The Babysitter Method)

If you’re stuck with a ghost (perhaps a family member you can’t bring yourself to banish), you can try to keep them occupied. Like any other Sim, ghosts have needs and wants. Assign them tasks around the house, such as cleaning or gardening. A busy ghost is less likely to cause trouble.

8. Moving Out the Living (The Ultimate Sacrifice)

If all else fails, and the ghosts are truly unbearable, you could consider moving your living Sims to a new home. This leaves the ghosts to haunt the old place in peace, and your Sims can start fresh elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ghostly Eviction

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to give even more information:

1. Can I get rid of a ghost without an urn or tombstone?

Unfortunately, no. The urn or tombstone is the key to releasing a ghost’s spirit permanently. If you don’t have one, the ghost is likely tied to the lot and will continue to appear. This makes it difficult to do anything with them.

2. What happens if I release a ghost to the netherworld?

Releasing a ghost removes them from your game. They will no longer appear on your lot. However, they will remain in your family tree (if applicable).

3. How do I stop ghosts from appearing on my lot?

Besides releasing their spirits, moving their urns/tombstones off the lot, or changing the lot type (some lot types attract ghosts), there isn’t a surefire way to prevent ghosts from appearing entirely. However, ensuring their urns/tombstones are properly mourned can reduce the frequency of their appearances.

4. Can I marry a ghost in The Sims 4?

Yes, you can! You can romance ghosts and even marry them. However, ghosts cannot procreate, so you won’t be able to have ghost babies.

5. How do I make a ghost a playable member of my household?

You can befriend a ghost, build a strong relationship, and then invite them to join your household. Alternatively, you can use cheats to add them directly to your household.

6. What does the color of a ghost mean?

The color of a ghost indicates their emotional state. Blue ghosts are sad, green ghosts are happy, pink ghosts are flirty or playful, etc.

7. Can ghost Sims age?

Ghosts do not age. The only way to age a ghost is to resurrect them, making them a living Sim again.

8. Can I get pregnant by a ghost in Sims 4?

Unfortunately, no. Ghosts in The Sims 4 cannot procreate, so that means no pregnant Sims and no Ghost babies.

9. How do I evoke a spirit in Sims 4?

If you have Realm of Magic, you can use the Necrocall spell to summon ghosts.

10. What is the ghostly ritual in Sims 4?

The Ghastly Ritual is supposed to turn your Sim into a ghost temporarily.

11. How do you honor the dead in Sims 4?

This can be done by collecting nine sugar skulls and placing them inside the “Sugar Skull Display Case.”

12. Where is the ghost urn in Sims 4?

This depends. If the Sim died on your lot, the urn should be there. If the Sim was a townie, then it will be at the Graveyard.

13. What happens if you offer your soul Sims 4?

You can offer these to specters and often they’ll leave you a little gift and leave the lot.

14. Can a Sim have a baby with the Grim Reaper?

Yes, you can add the Grim Reaper to your family and use cheats to make him a regular Sim.

15. How do you get ghost to eat ambrosia?

Ghosts only eat Ambrosia after you make them into playable ghosts.

Conclusion

Dealing with ghosts in The Sims 4 can be a spooky but ultimately manageable situation. Whether you choose to release their spirits, resurrect them, or simply tolerate their presence, understanding your options is key. Remember to consider the type of ghost you’re dealing with and your desired outcome. With the right approach, you can banish those boos and reclaim your Sim’s home! If you’re interested in learning more about the educational aspects of gaming, consider checking out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.