These rules were found on LIVING Off The GRID (sims4challengesrules.blogspot.com)
If the power went off in most peoples house right now (not a Prepper’s house, and if you had no generator, batteries, or any ability to use powered items; ie. a phone), what would you be left with that was usable, and what might you have to do to survive?
The Concept, Or The Spirit Of The Challenge :
Imagine that your Sim is so against depending on “the grid”, that they’ve consciously taken all steps to remove all electric devices, etc. from their home. They don’t even want solar panels or any kind of generator. I know, this is kind of extreme, but they’ve actually decided to live so free of electricity that the early 1800’s comes to mind.
That’s the spirit of the challenge in a nut shell.
STARTING OUT:
Lifespan must be set to normal. In CAS create one Sim (male/female). Make him/her a Nature aspiration, Subcategory Freelance Botanist.
Build a starter house, making no bathroom. The bathroom is to be an outhouse, with the cheapest toilet and shower. Furnish the house as you wish, but with nothing using electricity. No stove is be added, you can only cook outdoors (grill). The Kitchen should almost be none existent. No refrigerator is allowed.
(Update- 11/21/14)
PLAYING AS A FAMILY: (ie, playing with a Sim, Sim’s spouse, and maybe even Sim’s children) (Playing as a family was suggested by cultures on the forums ).
If you choose to start a family, that’s perfectly fine. I don’t see how that would interfere with the challenge, except it may make it either harder or easier, depending on whether you utilize the other household members to do things or not (like finding collectibles).
For example (not required for you), after I officially play-tested it, I then played it with a family, but without keeping points, just for fun, and I had my Sim garden, and her hubby fish (at the same time). Playing it like this was easier than playing it alone because my Sim had help completing the required tasks.
Family Rules + Points: When I created the rules for this challenge, I never really thought about the family aspect, so there are no specific points or rules associated with them (at this time).
LIVING Off The GRID challenge
RULES:
- Lifespan must be set to “normal” (default).
- Aging must be on.
- They must start as an Young Adult.
- You may use the resetSim cheat if your Sim gets “stuck” in an interaction or somewhere around town
- NO ITEMS THAT REQUIRE ELECTRICITY (UPDATE- 10/25/14): exception a small battery powered radio IS allowed – suggested bySimsShoe)
- (UPDATE- 11/7/14) Bedtime is now 9 P.M {closer to actual TS4 sundown}. (This bedtime is because there will be no lights, and only sunlight for your daily activities. Please Note: By going to sleep early; 9 P.M, your Sim should also, naturally, wake up earlier.
(UPDATE 11/1/14) By using a cheap bed your Sim should sleep longer and not wake up at midnight, or 2.am, etc. – idea by @ImaginingMystic)
- (UPDATE- 10/25/14) Whenever your Sim wakes up is to be considered the start of your day if you can’t get them to go back to sleep.
- NO job/career You may earn money any other way you can think of (for example: painting).
- Buy a microscope NOT a telescope ( I’m going to assume this microscope is not electric). I think you may like + need it (a microscope has the added ability to make a Sim become “Focused”. Becoming “focused” makes a Sim able to complete tasks + skills quicker + also learn quicker).
- NO telescope because it’s electric. (Exception) If your Sim has a whim to have a telescope well…. this is the only exception to the no electricity rule. (a telescope has the added ability to make a Sim become “Focused”. Once again, becoming “focused” makes a Sim able to complete tasks + skills quicker + also learn quicker.
- NO cheats/ No mods (for example: CC such as the buyable pond, however, clothing cc is fine., a phone mod, like the one mentioned below, is fine.)
- You DO have to pay bills.
- You may NOT move in with anyone.
- You may NOT not use any of the Reward Points you receive.
- (Update- 10/23/14) Refrigeratoris NOT allowed.
- A grill CAN be used for food
- NO stove
- NO phone (Sims use their phone to browse the internet, play games etc., so if you see this action it must be canceled immediately.) (side note: If you have a mod to stop the action, that’s o.k, and it will be the only mod allowed in this challenge. Here’s one: http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=536411 )
- Coolers CAN be used since coolers are indeed used when the power goes out. Also, because coolers don’t use electricity either.
- (Update- 3/2/2015 suggested by chococat9 ) Candles CAN be used because people w/o electricity would definitely use them even if they did go to bed early. Also, because they don’t use electricity.
- (Update- 4/19/15 ) Oil Lamps CAN be used because people w/o electricity would definitely use them even if they did go to bed early. Also, because they don’t use electricity.
- (UPDATE- 9/27/16) You are allowed to have a piano, violin and/or a guitar (because if Sims get bored, playing music often works). Please Note: The problem is that… with all the things that will need to be done during this challenge, which can get kind of “challenging” at times, finding time to play instruments will only make it even more “challenging”.
Outdoor Retreat: You don’t need to get the “Outdoor Retreat” plants. I wrote this challenge before that game pack was released. In Granite Falls there are several plants that could be gathered to complete the challenge, You really don’t have to travel though.
(Update- 10/26/14) SO HOW DO YOU TRAVEL THEN (when the phone can’t be used)? Well… I found that you can travel by scrolling to the edge of the neighborhood, + clicking the mouse when it turns to a magnifying glass, or simply press “M” on your keyboard.
Tip: The trick with some plants is to take a cutting asap, and graft it onto a plant you own. “Carl’s” e-guide comes highly recommended as it’s the guide that helped me collect all the plants and also teaches you all the secrets of gardening better in the game.
Remember, if you can get your Sim “focused” your Sim will garden faster, and learn skills faster, so you can complete it in time. There are lots of things in the world to control this emotion.
FOR HELP WITH THIS CHALLENGE: Please use “Carl’s” e-guide at http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/skills/gardening/
VERY IMPORTANT: As New Expansion Packs, Updates, Etc. Are Released, These Rules May Make Less Sense Due To The Changes, Additions, Or Subtractions Made To The Game. Due To This Fact, You’ll Need To Rely More And More On Common Sense To Help Guide What Should And Shouldn’t Be Allowed or Not Allowed In This Challenge In Order To Keep In Line With The General Spirit Of The Challenge.
FINISHING THE CHALLENGE (Goals):
The challenge is over when:
- Collect all Gardening Collectables (except UFO plant)
- You must max out the gardening skill
- Complete the “Freelance Botanist” aspiration.
- as long as its before your Sim dies (for Novice + Normal difficulty levels)
DIFFICULTY LEVELS:
Novice – No bedtime. You are also allowed to have a refrigerator in the house.
Normal – Follow the regular rules (given at the top).
{** Advanced Levels (seen Below)!!! **}
Specialist – You must complete the challenge before becoming an Elder, which for you, also includes completing the “Angling Ace” Aspiration.
Legendary – You must complete the challenge before becoming an Adult, which for you, also includes completing the “Angling Ace” Aspiration.
SCORING:
Add
100 – Each gardening collectable (for each type, NOT each individual item. ie. 10 strawberries, does NOT equal 1000 points.)
100 – Each level of gardening
100 – Reach Garden Variety (in the “Freelance Botanist” aspiration)
1000 – Reach Nature Walker (in the “Freelance Botanist” aspiration)
1000 – Reach Nature Nurturer (in the “Freelance Botanist” aspiration)
5000 – Reaching Freelance Botanist (in the “Freelance Botanist” aspiration)
Subtract
100 – for missed bedtime
100 – for each day after aging into an adult, that it takes for you to complete your goals
1000 – for using a phone
1000 – for each reward point use
ADVANCED LEVEL SCORING:
{ These are for those going for the Specialist + Legendary Difficulty Levels.
These are bonus points to all the above points. }
SPECIALIST POINTS
3000 – For completing the whole challenge before becoming an Elder
3000 – For completing the Specialist Difficulty Level ( and becoming a Sims 4 Specialist )
4000 – For achievingthe entire “Angling Ace” fishing aspiration
-300 – For every extra day you need to complete the challenge after Elderhood
** Congratulations! You’re now a “Sims 4 Specialist” !!!**
LEGENDARY POINTS
4000 – For achievingthe entire “Angling Ace” fishing aspiration
5000 – For completing the whole challenge before becoming an Adult
5000 – For completing Legendary Difficulty Level ( and becoming a Sims 4 Legend )
-300 – For every extra day you need to complete the challenge after Adulthood
** Congratulations! You’re now a “Sims 4 Legend” !!!**
Well… I Hope You Enjoyed The “Living Off The Grid Challenge” (a.k.a The “How To Live Off The Grid Challenge”)
FOR EXTRA FUN!
(After you finish with the challenge):
Substitute the “Freelance Botanist” aspiration with “The Curator” aspiration.
