How to Resurrect Sims 4
In The Sims 4, death is not always the end. Whether your Sim was taken by old age, an unfortunate accident, or a poorly timed emotional outburst, resurrection is possible if you know the right tricks. Bringing a Sim back from the dead can be an emotional and strategic decision, especially if you’ve built strong relationships or long-term gameplay goals with that character. Learning how to resurrect Sims in The Sims 4 involves several methods, including gameplay mechanics, aspirations, special objects, and even cheats. Each option has its own steps and requirements, and understanding them will help you control life and death in your Sim household more effectively.
Understanding Death and Ghosts in The Sims 4
What Happens When a Sim Dies
When a Sim dies in The Sims 4, the Grim Reaper appears to collect their soul. If no one pleads for their life or the plea fails, the Sim becomes a ghost and leaves behind an urn or tombstone. The urn can be placed on your lot, in the household inventory, or even in a public cemetery if mods are involved.
Dead Sims can return as ghosts, which can interact with the living world. You can build relationships with them, ask them to join your household, and even use them to start the resurrection process.
Ways to Resurrect Sims in The Sims 4
Ambrosia: The Classic Resurrection Method
Ambrosia is a powerful dish that can bring a ghost Sim back to life. However, making it is not easy. It requires rare ingredients and maxed-out skills.
Requirements to Cook Ambrosia:
- Gourmet Cooking skill level 10
- Cooking skill level 10
- Fishing skill level 10
Ingredients Needed:
- Angelfish Can be caught in certain fishing spots. Try the Willow Creek or Oasis Springs areas.
- Death Flower Can be acquired by grafting specific plants (Pomegranate + Orchid) or via rare seed packets.
- Potion of Youth Purchase from the Rewards Store for 1,500 satisfaction points.
Once the Ambrosia is cooked, place it on a table. Have the ghost Sim (must be part of your household) eat it, and they will immediately return to life in their original form.
Book of Life: A Powerful Alternative
The Book of Life allows a Sim to come back to life after death, but it must be prepared in advance. This method is available to Sims who complete the Bestselling Author aspiration.
Steps to Use the Book of Life:
- Complete the Bestselling Author aspiration.
- Reach level 10 in the Writing skill.
- Write The Book of Life and bind it to a living Sim.
If that Sim dies, any Sim can use the book to resurrect them. This works even if they are not currently a ghost in your household, as long as the book is available.
Pleading with the Grim Reaper
Immediately after a Sim dies, another household member can try to plead with the Grim Reaper. This is a gamble but can result in instant resurrection.
- Click the Grim Reaper during the death scene.
- Select Plead for [Sim’s name].
The success of the plea depends on your Sim’s relationship with the deceased and the mood they are in. If it succeeds, the Sim is revived instantly. If it fails, they are lost unless you try another method.
Wishing Well (Romantic Garden Stuff Pack)
If you own the Romantic Garden Stuff Pack, the Wishing Well provides a chance to bring back a dead Sim. The outcome is unpredictable and depends on how generous the Well is feeling.
- Place the Wishing Well on your lot.
- Select Wish for Life.
Results can vary:
- Full resurrection
- Ghost resurrection (Sim returns as a ghost)
- Partial effects or nothing at all
Using the Wishing Well multiple times may affect your luck, so it’s not the most reliable but can be a fun addition to gameplay.
Cheats to Resurrect Sims Instantly
Using Cheats for Resurrection
If you don’t want to go through the gameplay steps, you can use cheats to bring back Sims instantly. First, make sure cheats are enabled:
- PressCtrl + Shift + Cto open the cheat console.
- Type
testingcheats trueand press Enter.
Resurrecting a Ghost
To add a ghost Sim to your household:
- Shift-click the ghost and select Add to Household.
Once they’re in your household, you can have them eat Ambrosia or use other resurrection tools.
Reviving a Sim Instantly:
- Open the cheat console.
- Type
traits.removetrait GhostAnywhile controlling the ghost.
This command will remove the ghost trait, instantly returning the Sim to life without needing Ambrosia or other items.
Using Mods
Mods like MC Command Center can make resurrection easier and more accessible. With MCCC installed, you can click on a ghost and select options like Revive Sim. This is an advanced feature but commonly used among players who want full control of their Sims’ lives.
Preventing Death in The Sims 4
Ways to Keep Sims Alive
If you don’t want to deal with resurrection at all, consider these strategies to avoid death:
- Use the Potion of Youth to reset a Sim’s age.
- Eat regularly and avoid dangerous objects (e.g., Murphy beds, fireplaces).
- Equip Sims with the Savior trait (via mods or cheats).
- Use Ambrosia before death as a healing item.
Embracing Death as Part of the Story
Not every Sim needs to come back. Sometimes, letting a Sim rest in peace can open new narrative opportunities. Ghosts in The Sims 4 are highly interactive. They can form relationships, help raise children, and add unique dynamics to the household.
If you’re open to a different kind of gameplay, keeping ghosts around can add depth and emotional variety to your Sim family. Just remember that if you change your mind, resurrection is always an option with the right strategy or cheat.
Learning how to resurrect Sims in The Sims 4 gives you control over one of the most dramatic parts of the game: life and death. Whether you prefer to bring Sims back the traditional way with Ambrosia, write your own Book of Life, take your chances with the Grim Reaper, or use mods and cheats for convenience, there’s always a way to keep your favorite characters from disappearing forever. Mastering these resurrection methods not only enhances your storytelling potential but also deepens your overall Sims gameplay experience.