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Superheroes should be a lifestate.
kwanzaabot
Posts: 2,440 Member
Superheroes, or rather, Super-Sims, should be a new lifestate, and here's a little outline of how they should work:
Super-Sims come with a new perk tree, similar to the Vampire, Celebrity and Spellcaster trees. Functionally I'd imagine them as something as a cross between Vampires and Spellcasters: they'd have alternate forms like Vampires, (which I call Secret Identities), but a range of elemental abilities like Spellcasters. And even some psychic powers like Aliens.
Powers, which would be their equivalent of perks, would be a free-form tree: you can pick and choose whichever Power you like, so long as you're the right level, although at higher levels you're also required to pick a weakness (which I'm calling Mutations), which offer an ability that has some drawbacks, without ruining your gameplay style. In this way they're like Vampires. You can make exactly the hero you want.
Many Powers come with new interactions, and these interactions deplete a Need unique to Super-Sims: the Superpower need.
But why have Super-Sims? What can they do?
Isn't it obvious? They can protect your home from Burglars, and by using a new object, the Police Radio Scanner, you can protect other Sims' homes from Burglars as well!
But because you can choose how you play the game, you can also help the Burglars, by taking on the Police as a supervillain, instead of a superhero. Because Police would also be returning to the game, this means that Sims without powers can still protect their home, with Burglar Alarms that alert the cops, and cause the traditional fight to break out: the Burglar has a chance of defeating the cop, however, and running off with your stuff!
If only you'd bought the Super-Sim Signal to summon a Super-Sim, instead!
Now, without further adieu, the Powers! Many of these are inspired by Vampire powers, or else by Spellcaster spells. At higher levels, they may also require a certain Public Image score, so I'm suggesting that reputation become a basegame feature, instead of locked to Get Famous.
* Up, Up and Away!: Gain the ability to fly. (acts like the Vampire's bat ability, or a Spellcaster's teleport/broom)
* Read Mind: Learn all of another Sim's Traits.
* Alter Thoughts: Reach into a Sim's head and scramble their thoughts, which changes their emotion to Dazed. Raises Mischief skill. This can help stop Burglars from stealing objects by distracting them long enough for the Police to arrive.
* Super-Smart: The Sim reads and does computer research at a faster rate. These interactions also provide Super-Sim exp over time.
* Telekinesis: Fix a broken object, or make crafted objects higher quality. They can also play chess using only the power of their mind!
* Super-Strength: Increased chance of winning fights, and gain muscle/burn fat more rapidly. (Tier 1)
* Mega-Strenth: Further increased chance of winning fights. (Tier 2)
* Ultra-Strength: Even more likely to win fights, can crush crystals into refined elements with their bare hands. (Tier 3)
Winning a fight against a Burglar guarantees they won't steal anything, allowing the Police to arrive to arrest them and
returning any stolen objects.
* Control Thoughts: Control the minds of other Sims--command others to perform Cleaning, Repairing or Cooking interactions. This can help stop Burglars from stealing objects.
* Laser Vision: Start fires on any object/floor, or set a Sim on fire (will not burn to death). Can also light fireplaces and campfires. This can help stop Burglars from stealing objects. Inspired by Superman and Cyclops.
* Freeze Breath: Put out fires and freeze Sims (like the SimRay). This can stop Burglars from stealing objects. Inspired by Superman and Iceman.
* Electromagnesis: This Sim can manipulate the Earth's electromagnetic field, allowing them to break objects by scrambling their circuits and prank Sims by controlling lightning! This can stop Burglars from stealing objects. Inspired by Thor, Magneto, Storm, Electro... etc etc
* Solar-Powered: Until the sun sets, this Sim can use their Powers for a reduced Superpower cost, and gain skills faster.
* Solar Battery: This Sim can retain the benefits of Solar-Powered until midnight. (Tier 2)
* Stellar Battery: This Sim has learned to harness the power of the stars (which are just very very small Suns, right?) and can retain the benefits of Solar-Powered at all times. (Tier 3)
* Retcon: If your Secret Identity is revealed to another Sim, this lets you undo it. Has a chance of erasing all relationship scores with the target Sim. Raises Mischief skill and makes the target Sim Dazed.
* Knockout: Winning a fight now causes the other Sim to fall asleep.
Heroic Branch (requires positive Public Image):
* Police Hotline: This Sim has a direct line to the Police Commisioner's office, and will occasionally get phone calls warning them of various Evil Schemes, in the form of Chance Cards. The Sim will change into their Super-Sim form and disappear off the lot for a few hours if they accept, and will enter a Jungle Adventure-style text adventure, where they can thwart a bank robbery, an alien invasion, a museum heist, and more! Has a chance of failure, similar to the fight win/loss chance. Powers that help stop Burglars will increase the chances of success. Inspired by Batman.
Villainous Branch (requires negative Public Image):
* Criminal Connections: This Sim has contacts in the Criminal Underworld, and will occasionally get phone calls inviting them to join in an Evil Scheme, in the form of Chance Cards. The Sim will disappear off the lot for a few hours if they accept. Similar to the Police Hotline power, except from the other side of things.
* Super-Speed: Gain the power to run at super speed. Inspired by The Flash and Quicksilver.
* Power Drain: This Sim can drain the Superpower need of other Super-Sims! However, unless that Sim is Best Friends with your Sim, or a Boyfriend/Girlfriend or Spouse, they will react negatively to it. Inspired by Rogue.
* Crime Sometimes Sleeps: This Sim gains Energy need at a faster rate while sleeping. (Tier 1)
* Crime Seldom Sleeps: This Sim gains Energy need at an even faster rate while sleeping. (Tier 2)
* Crime Never Sleeps: This Sim's Energy need doesn't decrease at all, eliminating the need for sleep altogether. (Tier 3)
Heroic:
* Pass the Mantle: This Sim can train other Sims in the ways of the hero, allowing them to become a Super-Sim as well!
Villainous:
* Foolproof Plan: This Sim can Plan Heists on the computer, which increases the chances of success when involved in Evil Schemes.
* Influence Emotion: Make nearby Sims feel a specific emotion. (Tier 1)
* Alter Emotion: More powerful emotional moodlet. (Tier 2)
* Control Emotion: Even more powerful moodlet. (Tier 3)
* Super-Healing: This Sim's Superpower need will restore over time, slowly. Inspired by Wolverine and Deadpool.
* Ageless: This Sim no longer ages at all, and can never die of Old Age. Inspired by Wolverine and Mystique, as well as the general idea of
"floating timelines" in cartoons/comics -- ie Spider-Man as a character has been around since the 60s, but is still roughly
college-aged. Or how Bart Simpson will always be 10 years old, despite being around since the late 80s.
Heroic:
* Power Creep: This Sim always wins fights against Burglars.
Villainous:
* Evil Lair: This Sim's house is an officially-sanctioned Evil Lair, and will never be robbed by a Burglar.
* Tragic Origin: This Sim has a tragic origin story, which occasionally makes them Sad. Inspired by Batman, Magneto and Spider-Man.
* Uncontrolled Powers: This Sim doesn't know their own strength, and may accidentally break objects, making them Embarrassed.
* Irresistably Punny: This Sim can't help but make jokes at inappropriate times--they gain Comedy skill when fighting other Sims. Inspired by Spider-Man and Deadpool.
* Petraphobia: This Sim has an irrational fear of rocks, and will become Uncomfortable near collectible crystals. Inspired by Superman's weakness to Kryptonite.
* Overconfidence: This Sim is living proof that too much confidence can be a bad thing! When this Sim becomes Confident or Very Confident, there is a chance they may become Over-Confident. Over-Confidence is a new level of the Confident emotion, that causes any interaction with a chance of failure to be more likely to fail, including fighting Burglars!
* Not-So-Secret Identity: This Sim has a target on their back, meaning they're more likely to be Burgled! Other Sims can also stop and ask them for autographs, even if they're not in their Super-Sim form.
* Empathic Connection: When interacting with another Sim, this Sim will feel any emotion--good or bad--that the other is feeling.
* Animal Instincts: This Sim will sometimes sniff the air around them (which other Sims may react negatively to), and are more sensitive to bad smells. The smell of trash, or other Sims with low Hygiene will make them Very Uncomfortable. Inspired by Wolverine.
* Wall-Crawler: This Sim can hang upside-down from any ceiling light, raising their Fun need. They can socialise with other Sims while upside-down, but unless they're a Super-Sim, they might think they're a little weird... Inspired by Spider-Man and Beast.
* Supersonic: Flying with "Up, Up, And Away" and running with "Super-Speed" emit shockwaves, causing nearby objects to break.
* Powerful Metabolism: When using Powers, this Sim's Energy need now depletes in addition to their Superpower need.
Super-Sims come with a new perk tree, similar to the Vampire, Celebrity and Spellcaster trees. Functionally I'd imagine them as something as a cross between Vampires and Spellcasters: they'd have alternate forms like Vampires, (which I call Secret Identities), but a range of elemental abilities like Spellcasters. And even some psychic powers like Aliens.
Powers, which would be their equivalent of perks, would be a free-form tree: you can pick and choose whichever Power you like, so long as you're the right level, although at higher levels you're also required to pick a weakness (which I'm calling Mutations), which offer an ability that has some drawbacks, without ruining your gameplay style. In this way they're like Vampires. You can make exactly the hero you want.
Many Powers come with new interactions, and these interactions deplete a Need unique to Super-Sims: the Superpower need.
But why have Super-Sims? What can they do?
Isn't it obvious? They can protect your home from Burglars, and by using a new object, the Police Radio Scanner, you can protect other Sims' homes from Burglars as well!
But because you can choose how you play the game, you can also help the Burglars, by taking on the Police as a supervillain, instead of a superhero. Because Police would also be returning to the game, this means that Sims without powers can still protect their home, with Burglar Alarms that alert the cops, and cause the traditional fight to break out: the Burglar has a chance of defeating the cop, however, and running off with your stuff!
If only you'd bought the Super-Sim Signal to summon a Super-Sim, instead!
Now, without further adieu, the Powers! Many of these are inspired by Vampire powers, or else by Spellcaster spells. At higher levels, they may also require a certain Public Image score, so I'm suggesting that reputation become a basegame feature, instead of locked to Get Famous.
Rank 1:
* Up, Up and Away!: Gain the ability to fly. (acts like the Vampire's bat ability, or a Spellcaster's teleport/broom)
* Read Mind: Learn all of another Sim's Traits.
* Alter Thoughts: Reach into a Sim's head and scramble their thoughts, which changes their emotion to Dazed. Raises Mischief skill. This can help stop Burglars from stealing objects by distracting them long enough for the Police to arrive.
* Super-Smart: The Sim reads and does computer research at a faster rate. These interactions also provide Super-Sim exp over time.
* Telekinesis: Fix a broken object, or make crafted objects higher quality. They can also play chess using only the power of their mind!
Rank 2:
* Super-Strength: Increased chance of winning fights, and gain muscle/burn fat more rapidly. (Tier 1)
* Mega-Strenth: Further increased chance of winning fights. (Tier 2)
* Ultra-Strength: Even more likely to win fights, can crush crystals into refined elements with their bare hands. (Tier 3)
Winning a fight against a Burglar guarantees they won't steal anything, allowing the Police to arrive to arrest them and
returning any stolen objects.
* Control Thoughts: Control the minds of other Sims--command others to perform Cleaning, Repairing or Cooking interactions. This can help stop Burglars from stealing objects.
* Laser Vision: Start fires on any object/floor, or set a Sim on fire (will not burn to death). Can also light fireplaces and campfires. This can help stop Burglars from stealing objects. Inspired by Superman and Cyclops.
* Freeze Breath: Put out fires and freeze Sims (like the SimRay). This can stop Burglars from stealing objects. Inspired by Superman and Iceman.
* Electromagnesis: This Sim can manipulate the Earth's electromagnetic field, allowing them to break objects by scrambling their circuits and prank Sims by controlling lightning! This can stop Burglars from stealing objects. Inspired by Thor, Magneto, Storm, Electro... etc etc
Rank 3:
* Solar-Powered: Until the sun sets, this Sim can use their Powers for a reduced Superpower cost, and gain skills faster.
* Solar Battery: This Sim can retain the benefits of Solar-Powered until midnight. (Tier 2)
* Stellar Battery: This Sim has learned to harness the power of the stars (which are just very very small Suns, right?) and can retain the benefits of Solar-Powered at all times. (Tier 3)
* Retcon: If your Secret Identity is revealed to another Sim, this lets you undo it. Has a chance of erasing all relationship scores with the target Sim. Raises Mischief skill and makes the target Sim Dazed.
* Knockout: Winning a fight now causes the other Sim to fall asleep.
Heroic Branch (requires positive Public Image):
* Police Hotline: This Sim has a direct line to the Police Commisioner's office, and will occasionally get phone calls warning them of various Evil Schemes, in the form of Chance Cards. The Sim will change into their Super-Sim form and disappear off the lot for a few hours if they accept, and will enter a Jungle Adventure-style text adventure, where they can thwart a bank robbery, an alien invasion, a museum heist, and more! Has a chance of failure, similar to the fight win/loss chance. Powers that help stop Burglars will increase the chances of success. Inspired by Batman.
Villainous Branch (requires negative Public Image):
* Criminal Connections: This Sim has contacts in the Criminal Underworld, and will occasionally get phone calls inviting them to join in an Evil Scheme, in the form of Chance Cards. The Sim will disappear off the lot for a few hours if they accept. Similar to the Police Hotline power, except from the other side of things.
Rank 4:
* Super-Speed: Gain the power to run at super speed. Inspired by The Flash and Quicksilver.
* Power Drain: This Sim can drain the Superpower need of other Super-Sims! However, unless that Sim is Best Friends with your Sim, or a Boyfriend/Girlfriend or Spouse, they will react negatively to it. Inspired by Rogue.
* Crime Sometimes Sleeps: This Sim gains Energy need at a faster rate while sleeping. (Tier 1)
* Crime Seldom Sleeps: This Sim gains Energy need at an even faster rate while sleeping. (Tier 2)
* Crime Never Sleeps: This Sim's Energy need doesn't decrease at all, eliminating the need for sleep altogether. (Tier 3)
Heroic:
* Pass the Mantle: This Sim can train other Sims in the ways of the hero, allowing them to become a Super-Sim as well!
Villainous:
* Foolproof Plan: This Sim can Plan Heists on the computer, which increases the chances of success when involved in Evil Schemes.
Rank 5:
* Influence Emotion: Make nearby Sims feel a specific emotion. (Tier 1)
* Alter Emotion: More powerful emotional moodlet. (Tier 2)
* Control Emotion: Even more powerful moodlet. (Tier 3)
* Super-Healing: This Sim's Superpower need will restore over time, slowly. Inspired by Wolverine and Deadpool.
* Ageless: This Sim no longer ages at all, and can never die of Old Age. Inspired by Wolverine and Mystique, as well as the general idea of
"floating timelines" in cartoons/comics -- ie Spider-Man as a character has been around since the 60s, but is still roughly
college-aged. Or how Bart Simpson will always be 10 years old, despite being around since the late 80s.
Heroic:
* Power Creep: This Sim always wins fights against Burglars.
Villainous:
* Evil Lair: This Sim's house is an officially-sanctioned Evil Lair, and will never be robbed by a Burglar.
Mutations (ie Weaknesses)
* Tragic Origin: This Sim has a tragic origin story, which occasionally makes them Sad. Inspired by Batman, Magneto and Spider-Man.
* Uncontrolled Powers: This Sim doesn't know their own strength, and may accidentally break objects, making them Embarrassed.
* Irresistably Punny: This Sim can't help but make jokes at inappropriate times--they gain Comedy skill when fighting other Sims. Inspired by Spider-Man and Deadpool.
* Petraphobia: This Sim has an irrational fear of rocks, and will become Uncomfortable near collectible crystals. Inspired by Superman's weakness to Kryptonite.
* Overconfidence: This Sim is living proof that too much confidence can be a bad thing! When this Sim becomes Confident or Very Confident, there is a chance they may become Over-Confident. Over-Confidence is a new level of the Confident emotion, that causes any interaction with a chance of failure to be more likely to fail, including fighting Burglars!
* Not-So-Secret Identity: This Sim has a target on their back, meaning they're more likely to be Burgled! Other Sims can also stop and ask them for autographs, even if they're not in their Super-Sim form.
* Empathic Connection: When interacting with another Sim, this Sim will feel any emotion--good or bad--that the other is feeling.
* Animal Instincts: This Sim will sometimes sniff the air around them (which other Sims may react negatively to), and are more sensitive to bad smells. The smell of trash, or other Sims with low Hygiene will make them Very Uncomfortable. Inspired by Wolverine.
* Wall-Crawler: This Sim can hang upside-down from any ceiling light, raising their Fun need. They can socialise with other Sims while upside-down, but unless they're a Super-Sim, they might think they're a little weird... Inspired by Spider-Man and Beast.
* Supersonic: Flying with "Up, Up, And Away" and running with "Super-Speed" emit shockwaves, causing nearby objects to break.
* Powerful Metabolism: When using Powers, this Sim's Energy need now depletes in addition to their Superpower need.
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Comments
Kind of! Yeah!
Outside of the usual super-strength and flight standards that every hero has, most of the interesting (and doable in The Sims) superpowers just so happen to be mutant abilities. But with this, you could make Superman (Laser Vision, Freeze Breath, Flight, Super-Strength, Petraphobia), Batman (Super-Smart, Super-Strength, Police Hotline, Tragic Origin), Spider-Man (Tragic Origin, Super-Strength Wall-Crawler, Irresistibly Punny), or any number of heroes. The elemental stuff, the Laser Vision, the Electromagnesis, the psychic powers etc are just more flashy.
The protecting your/other Sims' homes from Burglars, and the Police Hotline chance cards would be new gameplay, as well. Or at least new in TS4 (as Burglars were in previous games, but this expands on them a bunch).
I've always been a huge X-Men fan and I would love to have a selection of powers and be able to choose up to three for each Sim, with the ability to mix and match. I've kinda been trying to do this with my Spellcasters but you can't really select your spells, just a magical path.
I'd also love to have some unusual CAS options to give them hair like Wolverine or Rogue (and others) or sunglasses like Cyclops and Jubilee, and weird skin tones to look like they can become metal or furry or another color. It would also be awesome if we could choose if we want a "super form" or not, as some heroes shapeshift, some have permanent forms. I'd also like a special clothing category for them that we can select so when they're "working", they change into that wardrobe.
It would be a great opportunity to bring crime and police into the game and add some excitement.
Glad to see there are other superhero fans! 😊
Yeah, I really leaned hard on the burglar side of things.
A while back SimGuruGrant (IIRC) said he didn't know how superheroes would mesh with standard Sims gameplay, but I think burglars are the solution.
Like, witches/spellcasters are very focused on domestic tasks, vampires are focused on new ways to socialise and build relationships, so why not have superheroes as a way to mitigate household disasters?