Inside the new Paranormal stuff pack in The Sims 4 are two new careers. There’s the new Medium path, dealing with communing with spirits, which is fun and spooky. Then there’s the much more Paranormal Investigator. Their job is to take on tasks hunting down spirits and cursed objects, making them inert, or just disposing of them. You can earn quite a living as a Paranormal Investigator in The Sims 4, here’s how.
First, you need to know how to join the career. Since it’s a big focal point of the new expansion, it’s pretty easy to get into. The new Freelance career ties directly into the Medium skills, but offers different interactions with objects than the Medium Skills, and a way to make some cash. Here’s everything you need to know about being a Paranormal Investigator in The Sims 4.
How to become a Paranormal Investigator in The Sims 4
Paranormal Investigator Skills are all tied into the Medium skill tree. So you may want to focus on getting that maxed out first, before pursuing a ghost hunting career. When you’re ready, head to the Work tab and select the Find a Job option. Within that menu is a Freelancer option, choose that. Another menu should open asking you to Select an Agency to work for. Choose the Federal Bureau of Spooky Investigation from within that menu and you’re good to go.
There are many different tasks to deal with when hunting ghosts, more on that below. For now, let’s talk about what you will be spending most of your time doing, talking to spirits.
How to deal with ghosts
There are three types of ghosts on haunted lots.
- Friendly Specter – A very easy-going ghost. These can often just be asked to leave. If that fails, they can be agitated and begin to sew chaos, so be prepared with a good crafted item to calm an upset Friendly Specter. (Beginner Gigs Only)
- Mysterious Specter – Mysterious Specters are somewhat unpredictable. It’s often best to gauge what kind of mood their in by Watching first, a less agitated one might be more inclined to leave if you ask nicely. (Adept or Expert Gigs)
- Mischievous Specter – The most dangerous normal type. They can set things on fire and play very mean pranks. Be very careful not to upset them. You should often go right for the Offerings with these as a start, depending on how mad they are. These are the hardest to get rid of, so be prepared to work with your more powerful items against them. (Expert Gigs)
When dealing with Specters, it’s best to know your options. Part of getting rid of each type of Specter is knowing what works best on each kind. Here are the options you have when interacting with these ghouls.
- Watch Specter: This will give your Sim some info on the specter, and possibly let you know what you’re dealing with.
- Talk To Specter: Your Sim will try to make conversation with the Specter, making them more amiable.
- Ask to Leave: Friendly Specters can be politely asked to leave, other Mysterious or Mischievous Specters might play along, but are much less likely to leave.
- Present Offering: Specters can be given handmade items by your SIm to appease them. Choose food, knittables or other crafting items.
- Offer Soul: For really dangerous situations, you can possibly offer up some of your soul as a tribute. You will lose some Age off your bar, but they will often flee happy from the lot. You can absorb the Soul Scraps left behind by departed Spectres to restore some lost Age. The best way to undo the damage is to consume Soul Pieces.
Gigs Galore
No, you’re not joining the gig economy, you’re going out ghost hunting. Each gig has a few basic tasks in it, you’ll get a feel for what you need to do as you play, but here are the basics. Expect to have to mop up slime puddles, clean up spiritual pranks, destroy cursed items and a few other things. As the tasks get tougher, expect more dangerous ghosts and a greater number of tasks to complete.
Payouts for Gigs are sorted by how hard the gig is to complete. Here’s the breakdown.
- Beginner: §750
- Adept: §1,500
- Expert: §3,000
Tips for success on Gigs
The gigs you go on get harder as you get more skilled. You should always try to do things with your Medium skill to raise it as high as possible before trying to become a Paranormal Investigator in The Sims 4. Having all the interactions and items unlocked is a huge help on the tougher missions. With that in mind, here are some other basic tips to help you succeed.
How to farm Satisfaction Points
Have your new Sim move into a Haunted House lot, then place down the Helping Hand object found in Build/Buy to set the lot to Heroic Mode. You can then earn tons of Satisfaction Points each night you spend in the ghastly manor. You will want to save up enough Satisfaction Points to buy the Brave Reward Trait for 8,000 Satisfaction Points. Sacred Candles for 500 Satisfaction Points are a good buy as well. You can get 3, bring a few to any Gig to be prepared.
How to pass Beginner Gigs
Beginner Level gigs are pretty easy once you have the flow of the gameplay down. Placing Sacred Candles in every room of a haunted house will help temper the spawn chance of evil spirits for each room, making the gig safer. The chance of a ghost spawning here is pretty low. Most basic gigs involve mopping up some slime, destroying a few Cursed items, and then doing a few ceremonies via the Circle to appease any spirits.
However, Adept and Expert level gigs are a whole different beast.
How to pass Adept and Expert Gigs
Bringing both Sacred Candles and Bizarre Idols can be really helpful here. Placing Sacred Candles in every room of a haunted house will help temper the spawn chance of evil spirits for each room, making the gig safer. For these and Expert missions, some players might want to summon Bonehilda as soon as you arrive at a gig. Save those Bizarre Idols for when you really need it.
While you’re doing all the normal tasks, you’re probably being harassed by a bunch of ghosts. Always try to have Bonehilda up if you can, and have the Sacred Candles set ASAP on these tougher outings.
Watch out for Temperance
Temperance is almost like a boss for this Stuff Pack. She’s a pretty tough ghost that can’t be contained via other means. There are two ways you can take her down. If you’re not quick though, you could be in real trouble. She will only spawn during Expert Gigs though, as far as we can tell.
- Bizarre Idols: The first time you meet Temperance, you can tell Guidry about it via the Séance, or if he’s already there. You will get a Bizarre Idol from him. This item is in the game to ward off the foul ghost. Place a Bizarre Idol down in the same room as Temperance, and it will then take her on. When it bursts into flames, she will be stunned for a short time allowing you to hunt cursed objects in relative peace.
- Bonehilda: If you don’t have an Idol handy, you can always drop a Séance Circle and rush over to it to summon Bonehilda. This powerful and helpful maid can take on Temperance no problem. She will keep the hostile ghost at bay and protect you while you do the rest of the tasks in your current Gig.
Item Effects and uses explained
There are a bunch of both useful and decorative items added in the Paranormal Stuff Pack. Aside from all the séance content, there’s another set of items that’s not for the Medium career specifically. Each of these interactions can be triggered when needed. If you’re going on tons of gigs, focus on the items that ward off hostile ghosts.
- Bizarre idols – These are used to fight off Temperance as an investigator.
- Ectocake – Can be eaten by Sims for random positive moodlets.
- Soul Pieces – These can be consumed by a Sim to reduce their age.
- Unassuming Candy Jar – Can be eaten by Sims for random positive moodlets, but too many has the opposite effect.
- Wraith Wax – Can be used to make Sacred Candles.