Traits in The Sims 4 are core personality traits that make up a Sim's wants, needs, and desires. While there's a good amount of variety regarding base game traits, many are only accessible to players that purchase specific expansion packs. Now that the game is free-to-play, potential players might be wary of spending money to get a few more personality traits.

With the cost of expansion packs so high, many will turn to the avid modding community to enhance their game for the low, low price of absolutely nothing. For these mods, in particular, Simmers will want to ensure they enable script mods in the game settings. Once that's been taken care of, players can use the best The Sims 4 Trait mods to fine-tune a Sim's personality.

Updated April 18, 2023, by Rain Egan: The Sims 4 has changed significantly since the game went free-to-play. Sims can now gain three additional traits through gameplay, players can swap out personality traits based on the actions of Sims, and perhaps most significantly, infants have been added as a life stage. Now that the base game has undergone a significant overhaul, many may wonder if expansion packs are even worth it. With the help of mods, players can enhance traits in The Sims 4, rewrite some sections to improve clarity, and even update links to ensure that everything works with the most recent patch.

1 Inborn Personality Mod V2 by Vicky Sims

inborn personality mod the sims 4

The Inborn Personality Mod by Vicky Sims works well with the new infant update and the Growing Together pack, as it emphasizes family dynamics and parenting. With this mod, children have the chance to inherit traits from their parents, making for more engaging family gameplay.

The mod works by setting a percentage chance for children to inherit traits from their parents. Child Sims with one parent with a trait will have a 20% chance of gaining a reward version of that trait, and child Sims with two parents with a trait will have a 40% chance of achieving that trait.

2 More Traits by MapleBell

more traits maplebell sims 4

More Traits by MapleBell does what it says on the tin: it adds more traits to the base game. The mod adds twenty-one new traits that blend with the base game seamlessly: Serious, Stoic, Peaceful, Daredevil, Logical, Whimsical, Shy, Grumpy, Sexist, Generous, Sincere, Endurant, Unforgiving, Cowardly, Cunning, Hedonistic, Spoiled, Judgmental, Warm-Hearted, Heartless, and Pompous.

Each trait has unique moodlets and interactions that add significant depth to a Sims personality. The mod is so comprehensive that it might not even seem like it is there at all and is an absolute must for those looking for the best Sims 4 traits mods.

3 Baby/Toddler Trait Bundle by Snowiii95

baby toddler trait bundle the sims 4

For those feeling as though babies and toddlers lack some key personality traits, The Baby/Toddler Trait Bundle by Snowii95 should come in handy. It adds seven new traits exclusive to the baby/toddler age range: Always Happy, Bookworm, Fast Learner, Bossy, Naive, Stranger Danger, and Creative.

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This simple mod goes a long way in making the gameplay for babies and toddlers feel that much more realistic. Paired with the infant update and the Growing Together expansion, this is a family Simmers dream.

4 Absent Emotion Traits Mod by Vicky Sims

absent emotion traits sims 4

The Absent Emotion Traits Mod by Vicky Sims adds an interesting element to gameplay that could prove uniquely challenging. Sims with these traits will never experience the corresponding emotions. These traits can be primary traits or reward traits.

For example, Sims with the 'Lifeless' trait will never experience the emotions 'Energized' or 'Excited'. Sims with the 'Clearheaded' trait never get dazed, distracted, or confused. Sims with the Forbearing trait never experience pain, get uncomfortable, or even be tired. The potential for gameplay ideas is endless.

5 More Traits in CAS by thepancake1 and MizoreYukii

sims 4 cas mode traits

Before downloading other mods, players might want to consider the More Traits in CAS trait expansion mod by thepancake1 and MizoreYukii. The Sims 4 typically only allows an adult Sim to have three traits, which can be incredibly limiting - especially when things like 'vegetarian' take up one of those precious slots.

This mod allows the Sim to have additional slots depending on their age. Elders, adults, and young adults can have five traits; teens can have four, children three, and toddlers two. This small change significantly improves the current system and expands Sim's personality depth.

6 Child Exclusive Traits by Triplis

Screenshot of a child in The Sims 4.

Perfect for family Simmers, the Child Exclusive Traits mod by Triplis adds eight new traits exclusive to children in The Sims 4. Players have long complained about the lack of depth for the earlier life stages, but it's nothing talented modders can't fix. This mod provides variety to children's personalities and adds some extremes to spice up Sim stories.

The eight traits added are Bold, Fretful, Gigglemeister, Rocket, Sensitive, Sleuth, Sweetie, and Tattletale. The best part is that each trait directly corresponds to an in-game teen trait and an adult trait.

7 University Traits by PimpMySims4

Split grid with two screenshots of The Sims 4's Discover University Pack.

The Sims 4 Discover University is an expansion pack that adds a new world, aspirations, jobs, and school system. It's safe to say that it added a lot of content to the game, but that hasn't stopped modders from making improvements.

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PimpMySims4 released the University Traits pack with five new traits tailored to university students as part of a series on Things Discover University is Missing'. This pack adds the following traits: Coffee Addict, Frat Boy, Sorority Girl, Studious, and Cognitively Impaired. Each trait interacts with Discover University the best, but they will function in-game without the expansion pack.

8 Misery Traits by NateTheL0ser

Coral pink background with white text reading 'Misery Traits V3'. Next to the text is a cut out screenshot of three sims from The Sims 4.

Despite its potential to be a world without strife, many Simmers enjoy a little tension, drama, and upset in their Sims' world. For those players, the Misery Traits pack by NateTheL0ser adds a whole host of negative traits to play with.

This pack includes Alien Hater, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Hay Fever, Allergic to Cats, Allergic to Dogs, Hates Heat, Can't Stand Cold, Fame Jealous, Dry Skin, Chronic Headaches, Allergic to Magic, Asthmatic, and Hates Vampires. Each trait has unique negative buffs and moodlets that create a more exciting story and challenging gameplay.

9 Zodiac Signs by InsightBond

Screenshot of The Sims 4 Create-A-Sim mode.

InsightBond has a comprehensive Zodiac Signs trait pack for the astrologically inclined Simmer. This pack comes with a trait for each of the twelve zodiac signs and unique interactions and Moodlets for each sign. Keen astrologers might even want to take advantage of the three trait slots to give their Sim a sun, moon, and ascending sign.

Each sign has unique social interactions: one Friendly and one Funny, 'Tell A Story Social.' Players can incorporate these traits into storytelling and gameplay in fascinating ways.

10 Emotional Traits by Kuttoe

Two Sims from The Sims 4 posing separately.

The Emotional Traits pack from modder Kutoe elevates existing in-game traits and adds some emotion that the game might not have. All of these traits are available from ages child to elder and even add boosts to Character Values introduced in the Parenthood expansion pack. Perfect for the drama-oriented Simmer.

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The included traits are Arrogant, Calm, Coward, Daydreamer, Egghead, Insecure, Oblivious, Perky, Restless, and Stoic. Players can tell exciting stories and spice up their gameplay with these new, extreme traits.

11 Book Smart/Street Smart by JaneSimsten

Blue background with the text 'Trait Set: Book Smart, Street Smart'.

The Book Smart/Street Smart trait pack may only come with two traits, but they add surprising interest and realism to the game. In real life, many people will know (or be) people who ace exams but don't know how to catch a bus and people that can navigate danger with incredible ease while lacking the basic knowledge of academic subjects.

Each trait learns different skills faster, naturally does better at specific jobs, gets positive buffs for certain activities, and finishes certain activities more quickly. For example, Book Smart Sims will improve with Lawyer, Writer, Engineer, Doctor, Teacher, and Scientist careers. On the other hand, Street Smart Sims will do better in Athlete, Secret Agent, Criminal, Actor, Detective, Military, and Gardener careers.

12 Dungeons and Dragons Alignments as Traits by Emoria

A Sim imposed on a galaxy background with the text 'Lawful Good'

Both life simulators with entirely different styles, the intersection of Dungeons and Dragons players and The Sims 4 players is probably enormous. Dungeons and Dragons has a moral alignment system with nine options: Chaotic Good, Neutral Good, Lawful Good, Chaotic Neutral, True Neutral, Lawful Neutral, Chaotic Evil, Neutral Evil, and Chaotic Evil.

The Dungeons and Dragons Alignments as Traits pack is perfect for Sims 4 players looking to recreate their characters in The Sims 4 to flesh out their personalities and looks. Each trait comes with interestingly thought-out buffs and interactions corresponding to moral alignment.

13 Hobby Traits by Kuttoe

Two Sims on a white background displaying various traits.

Another trait pack by Kuttoe, Hobby Traits, adds eight new traits to the game based on different hobbies and lifestyles. Most of these traits require Sims to participate regularly in their favorite activities to prevent them from becoming stressed. Each trait also comes with new Moodlets, custom social interactions, speech bubbles, and whims.

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With this trait pack, players can add the following traits to their Sims: Artisan, Competitive, Horticulturist, Movie Buff, Scribe, Technophobe, Tinker, and Worldly. They can then experiment with different combinations to add exciting flavor to each Sim.

14 100 Base Game Traits by Vicky Sims

Screenshot of a large amount of traits in The Sims 4.

The 100 Base Game Traits pack from Vicky Sims might be the best option for ultimate customizability. This mod is an absolute labor of love with a hundred unique traits to choose from, all with special buffs, interactions, and Moodlets.

These traits are split into five categories: emotional traits, social traits, relationship traits, physical traits, and talent/weakness traits. The player can have all traits available in create-a-sim from the beginning or, for a less cluttered experience, have all the traits in the rewards store instead.

The Sims 4 is available now for Mac, PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S.

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