The Sims 4 Skills

Skills List and Ideal Emotions Strategies

Skills for The Sims 4 Cats and Dogs and others will be added soon. Check back in a day or two! Cats and Dogs includes a Veterinary and Pet Training Skill (the latter mostly focused on dogs)

Skills in The Sims 4 unlock the moment your Sim performs an interaction related to them. This will help you to utilize all skills that could be helpful to you. If your Sim talks to others a lot, Charisma will gradually develop. Tell a joke, and wham - you've got the Humor Skill at level 1. Each level your Sim gains in these Skills will improve their performance and unlock new abilities.

Skill Books

Skills may be learned from Skill Books, read at the Library or purchased from the computer for use at home. In The Sims 4, you can learn the first four levels of a Skill from the first volume, though you must reread the book to do so. You will not gain Skill level from Volume 2 or 3 until you've reached level 4. Volume 2 works up to level 7, at which point you can read Volume 3. The last volume will only take your Skill to level 9, requiring you to at last use the Skill for Mastery.

Moods and Skills

Most Skills have an ideal mood - something that will boost Skill gains further than just being happy, or otherwise increase the likelihood of a good outcome. I'll list the ideal moods with each Skill, while Guides for each Skill and others (like this one on Emotion) may teach you what can be done to get your own Sim in the best mood for the Skill. Some Skills, like Writing, Charisma, and Painting, can incorporate many moods into their abilities. Depressed Sims may make a masterpiece sad painting, or a flirty author might write a great Romance novel. You can learn the role of Emotions with Skills in this Guide to How Emotions Affect Skill Levels and Best Moods.

Acting

(The Sims 4 Get Famous Expansion Pack)



Ideal Mood: Confident



Skill Info: Acting is primarily used if you pursue the Actor Career, though it may be useful in some minor ways for directing the conversation. Actors can perform scenes for tips in public, which gives them a small bit of fame.

Archaeology

(The Sims 4 Jungle Adventure Game Pack)



Ideal Mood: Focused





Skill Info: Archaeology helps immensely with exploring the jungle of Selvadorada, its many traps, and puzzles. The game pack's core skill gives you new ways to find valuable artifacts and relics, which can be pieced together to create powerful magic on command.

Baking Skill

(The Sims 4 Get to Work Expansion)



Ideal Mood: Inspired

Skill Info: Bake sugary treats that can be sold in a retail store or direct to a local bakery by clicking them in your Sim's inventory. Use an oven's 'Bake' menu to start learning, and be sure to be Inspired as it makes your Sim more likely to bake excellent-quality foods. This Skill also makes good use of the Base Game's cupcake factory.

Bowling

(The Sims 4 Bowling Night Stuff)



Ideal Mood: Focused





Skill Info: Listed for the sake of completion, Bowling is a minor skill (with a maximum 5 levels) released with The Sims 4 Bowling Night Stuff

Charisma Skill



Ideal Mood: Happy for Skill Gains, Confident and other Moods for Interactions



Skill Info: The Charisma Skill will help your Sim form Friendships and Romantic Relationships faster by increasing the success of Social Interactions and unlocking new ones. It helps if your Sim just needs a pal, wants to get married, or just Woohoo. Start by talking to a Sim or 'Practicing Speech' at a Mirror.

Comedy Skill



Ideal Mood: Playful (for some Interactions)



Skill Info: The comedy Skill allows your Sim to write jokes, perform Comedy Routines and even earn tips for making other Sims laugh. Start by Writing Jokes at the Computer or choosing a Funny Interaction.

Cooking/Gourmet Cooking Skill Guides



Ideal Mood: Inspired



Skill Info: Lets your Sim cook better meals, leading to better Moodlets after meals. Additionally, you'll unlock new and better Recipes. Cooking leads to the Gourmet Cooking Skill. Start by Cooking a meal. Once you've unlocked Gourmet Cooking (automatically at Level 5 Cooking), you can practice by Cooking those types of meals and using Skill Books. Actually, you can unlock Gourmet Cooking early by purchasing a Skill Book, but still need to learn cooking to utilize it.

Dancing Skill

(The Sims 4 Get Together Expansion)



Ideal Mood: Confident



Skill Info: Dancing is a minor skill with 5 levels that gives you better animations as your Sim improves. In the game, it's a way to get out and have fun while also getting some exercise to shed those pounds off your Sim.

DJ Mixing Skill

(The Sims 4 Get Together Expansion)



Ideal Mood: Inspired



Skill Info: Get started with a turntable and go from making horrific noises that shatter your household's nerves to being the life of the party, filling the room with sweet music that makes Sims want to dance all night long. Your Sim will learn to get crowds into the mood to party and may even earn some extra tips from those nights on the town.

Fabrication

(The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle)



Ideal Mood: Focused





Skill Info: Why buy brand name when you can make it yourself? Recycle old stuff that would be thrown out otherwise and use the Bits and Pieces to make something all your own! nFabrication Skill is built by using the fabricator and by creating candles at the candle making table. Increasing this skill unlocks new recipes to explore

Fishing Skill



Ideal Mood: Focused



Skill Info: Learn to catch fish, use bait, and guess the best bait to use on any given spot of water. This is a highly-profitable Skill that lets you enjoy some beautiful views while your Sim reels 'em in one by one. Start by heading to a sign near a body of water, The Sims 4's form of Fishing Spot.

Fitness Skill



Ideal Mood: Energized



Skill Info: Lets you mold your Sim's body through exercise. You can lose weight, gain muscle, or just stay in shape with Fitness. Start this Skill by heading to a Gym or purchasing some equipment for home use.

Flower Arranging

(The Sims 4 Seasons Expansion)



Ideal Mood: Inspired





Skill Info: The ability to play as a florist is possible if you own both Get to Work and Seasons, but fear not. You can sell flower arrangements with a single click whether you own both or not. High levels allow you to infuse arrangements with scents that have powerful effects, and can even extend a Sim's life or cause death via aging.

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Gardening Skill



Ideal Mood: Focused for Skill Gains



Skill Info: Gardening allows you to plant, harvest, weed and water Plants. Eventually, you'll unlock the ability to take cuttings and graft them onto other plants, forming all kinds of different combinations and unlocking new Plant Types. Start by planting anything your Sim has Harvested in the wild, or order some seeds on the Computer.

Guitar Skill



Ideal Mood: Inspired



Skill Info: The Guitar Skill allows Sims to make money via Guitar, make Licensed Songs to earn a commission and 'Play for Tips'. Start by picking up a Guitar in buy mode. The best way is through practice!

Handiness/Woodworking Skill



Ideal Mood: Focused



Skill Info: Upgrade Objects throughout the home with the Handiness Skill. Objects can be made unbreakable, self-cleaning, and even perform better for your Sims. You'll also learn to work with woods to craft furniture for the home. Start by repairing a broken object or purchase a woodworking table.

Herbalism Skill

(The Sims 4 Outdoor Retreat Game Pack)



Ideal Mood: Focused

Skill Info: Take a vacation to Granite Falls and start gathering, eating, and identifying herbs. You can plant the specimens you take once you get home. Herbalists can brew potions that cure ailments. You must travel to get started in this Skill, but can begin learning from Skill books at home. Sims can learn a unique recipe from the hermit in the deep woods, should they befriend them.

Juice Fizzing

(The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle)



Ideal Mood: Focused





Skill Info: Sims with this skill have a natural curiosity for the art of the fizz. Whether it's a hobby or a side hustle, experimentation is key. These Sims can be found trying different ingredients and processes to hone their craft.

Logic Skill



Ideal Mood: Focused



Skill Info: Logic improves a Sim's ability to play Chess, as well as use the telescope and microscope. Both of these are routes to learning the Skill, as well as getting Focused and painting a mathematical diagram with an Easel. Pick up one of those two objects or head to the park for some chess.

Media Production

(The Sims 4 Get Famous Expansion Pack)



Ideal Mood: Inspired, but Varies



Skill Info: Media production allows Sims to mix music, record video blogs, or drone footage and edit/upload it to the web. This provides fame and a residual income. This skill can be used (primarily via drone and video footage) to help Sims who have no other means of accessing fame.

Mischief Skill



Ideal Mood: Angry, Happy, and Confident all boost Skill experience.



Skill Info: Mischief teaches Sims to be mean and pull pranks with cruel efficiency. You'll even get to use a Voodoo Doll to inflict harm upon your enemies. Start by pulling a Mischievous Interaction on another Sim or reading a Skill book.

Mixology Skill



Ideal Mood: Inspired



Skill Info: Mixology is the art of making drinks for your Sims and others. As Sims get better, they can make drinks to boost Emotions and earn money with the Skill. Start by buying a bar through Buy Mode or reading a Skill Book. More drink recipes unlock the further you advance in the Skill.

Painting Skill



Ideal Mood: Inspired



Skill Info: Teaches a Sim to make Paintings from a variety of types of art. Emotion is key, and Inspired is the go-to, but Sims may also paint while Angry or Flirty and come up with Paintings that give off Emotional Auras that influence others. Start by purchasing an easel.

Parenting Skill

(The Sims 4 Parenthood Game Pack)



Ideal Mood: Focused (Largely irrelevant)





Skill Info: Parenting is the act of teaching core responsibilities and life skills to young Sims. As you level the skill your Sim will unlock abilities that make them more efficient as a parent, for example time outs as a punishment, motive-solving interactions, and the Super Parent ability that reduces a parent's need decay so they can be there for their kids.

Pet Training

(The Sims 4 Cats and Dogs Expansion)



Ideal Mood: Focused





Skill Info: The Pet Training ability is only used for dogs, and is a minor skill with only 5 levels. As you level, you'll teach dogs more commands, and teach them faster. Heel, play dead, and attack are all commands that can be taught. Perhaps the most useful is the explore ability, which may result in your pet finding collectibles.

Photography Skill

(The Sims 4 Get to Work Expansion)



Ideal Mood: Inspired



Skill Info: Purchase a camera or use your Sim's cell phone to get started. Higher cost cameras lead to higher-quality images, which can be sold from the inventory for larger amounts. Pictures can be hung on the wall to decorate your home with pics of the game world or sold in a Retail Store.

Piano Skill



Ideal Mood: Inspired



Skill Info: With the Piano Skill, your Sim can make money once they've become good at tickling the ivories. To start using this Skill, you've got not real choice but to purchase a Piano.

Pipe Organ Skill

(The Sims 4 Vampires Game Pack)



Ideal Mood: Inspired





Skill Info: While the Pipe Organ skill does feature entirely new sounds, it is so similar to the piano skill that another guide is unnecessary. Unfortunately the limitation of one published piece per instrument applies to this as well. Players who wish to make money from music should spread out to multiple instruments, though it is a huge time commitment for little reward when compared to other money making opportunities.

Programming Skill



Ideal Mood: Focused



Skill Info: Programming gives you a variety of means of making money at the computer - from the good means, in writing plugins, to the darker side via hacking. To learn the Skill, get a computer and start practicing. You can also do so at the library if needed.

Research and Debate - (Discover University Expansion)



Ideal Mood: Focused



Skill Info: Participate in Debate club in University or learn new abilities that let you boss Sims around. Your Sim can learn most skills using the special (but expensive) research computers, and earn a little money contributing to to Sim knowledge once they've gained enough levels.

Robotics - (Discover University Expansion)



Ideal Mood: Focused



Skill Info: The Robotics skill works very well with the Engineer Career and is somewhat required to access all its benefits. Sims who attain high levels can not only make bots that can do household chores, they can also make exosuits that increase skills or build a Servo from scratch. Servos can join your household when activated.

Rocket Science Skill



Ideal Mood: Focused



Skill Info: Rocket Science lets your Sim build rockets (and rebuild them after crashes), while also upgrading them to improve their performance on Space Missions. These text adventures send your Sim to space where they may find rare items and also go after the Alien and Space Rock collections. Start by reading a Skill book or buying a rocket.

Selvadoradian Culture

(The Sims 4 Jungle Adventure Game Pack)



Ideal Mood: ???





Skill Info: The local culture skill is acquired while visiting the locals in Selvadorada. This skill unlocks new interactions with the locals and a few useful abilities for exploring the jungles. As another minor skill, it maxes out at level 5.

Singing Skill

(The Sims 4 City Living Expansion)



Ideal Mood: Inspired





Skill Info: The singing skill is practiced with a microphone or karaoke machine, and can be unlocked by singing in the shower. This skill, combined with guitar, can let your Sim eventually learn to do both at once. Like other musical skills, you can write songs and license them with the mailbox to make some side money.

Vampire Lore Skill

(The Sims 4 Vampires Game Pack)



Ideal Mood: Focused





Skill Info: Vampire Lore is leveled by reading the Encyclopedia Vampirica books series (only). Researching this skill gives your Sim the ability to ward off vampires, protect against the curse, reduce a vampire's vulnerability to sunlight, and even cure vampirism itself.

Veterinarian Skill

(The Sims 4 Cats and Dogs Expansion)



Ideal Mood: Focused





Skill Info: Leveling the Veterinarian skill grants your Sim some Vet Points that can be used to upgrade their own vet clinic. You'll also unlock new serums, pet interactions, and powerful treats such as Age Up/Down treats that can be used to make pets immortal.

Video Gaming Skill



Ideal Mood: Focused



Skill Info: Sims may blow off steam or meet their need for fun by playing games at the computer or via other electronics. Getting better at gaming means you can start to make money and even pursue it professionally via livestreaming and entering gaming tournaments. Start at the computer.

Violin Skill



Ideal Mood: Inspired



Skill Info: The Violin Skill is much like Piano and Guitar, allowing your Sim to play for profit. Learn this skill by purchasing a Violin. You can also use the one at the Lounge in Oasis Springs if the investment is too steep for a broke Sim.

Wellness

(The Sims 4 Spa Day Game Pack)



Ideal Mood: Focused



Skill Info: Learn to massage others to give them great moodlets, practice Yoga to get powerful moodlets for your own Sim, and meditate to possibly freeze needs and learn to teleport. Start by purchasing one of the related skill items or going to the Spa for a Yoga class!

Writing Skill



Ideal Mood: Inspired





Skill Info: Writing is done at the computer, and allows Sims to publish novels to earn income from their writing. Unlock new types of genres by advancing the Skill and rake in the cash. Emotion allows you to boost certain types of genres. You may start the Skill on the computer.

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