The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy: Extended Description and Key Features

Dynasty

Dynasty Head

Lead your family to greatness – Any Sim (Young Adult or older) can start a Dynasty, and as Head they are the only ones who can set the Dynasty’s Values, purchase Perks, choose their Heir, or designate Outcasts. They also decide which family members can be a part of the Dynasty, and they can expel members. If a Sim is in a Dynasty and breaks away to start their own, they’ll inherit some Prestige from the original Dynasty. When you start a Dynasty, you’ll be able to name it & customize the crest and motto.

Values & Prestige

Rise to prominence – A Dynasty’s Values are set when the Head chooses up to 3 Ideals and 3 skills that are important to them. Ideals reflect how Dynasty members are expected to behave and are tied to different activi-ties, careers, and actions. When members live up to their Values – by working on the right skills or choosing an aligned career, for example – the Dynasty gains Prestige. There are 10 levels of Prestige, and the higher the level the more Perks – like Private Tutors & inheritable traits – can be unlocked.

Roles & Unity

Rally together – There are two more Dynasty roles to keep in mind: Heirs and Outcasts. Heirs inherit the Headship, and their actions affect Prestige dramatically. Outcasts barely affect it at all. Members may be declared Outcasts because their actions do not align with the Values and are dragging Prestige down. Dynasty Unity is the average relationship between members. Having Unity Stability means more positive events, like alliance proposals, will occur while a Unity Crisis spells trouble and division.

Nobility

Duties & Favor

Rule your realm – Nobility is an active 10 level career, and it’s also a way of life. Daily tasks may include Holding Court using a Throne, holding Press Conferences using Podiums, reading and replying to Noble Mail, donating to the Kingdom Fund, adjusting Kingdom Taxes, granting Noble titles, enacting Decrees, and more. As you perform your daily tasks, you’ll have chances to court either Commoner Favor or Royal Favor. What kind of Favor you gain shapes your rule, unlock interactions & even win you Noble Gifts.

Rivalries

Best your rivals – Rising through the noble ranks isn’t only about performing your duties. There may already be Sims holding the titles you want to advance to – these are your Noble Rivals. There are three ways to get around them: diplomacy, scheming, and Duels. Diplomacy will involve encouraging (or pressuring) your Rival to abdicate, scheming involves learning about your Rival’s scandal and extorting them, and Dueling them means challenging them to a contest of Swordsmanship.

Powershifts

Experience storybook moments – There are 5 Powershifts that can affect a Noble’s rank or Favor. Sims can seek out a mystical sword in a stone and – if the sword deems them worthy – become the Kingdom Leader. They can also kiss frogs – maybe they’ll find a Noble Frog! – or experience a special Ballroom Dance in crystal shoes. Both of these can lead to an upgrade in title, as well as love! Sims can also take on Anansi’s Trials, or find the Enchanted Mirror and take their chances – it may reward or punish them.

Scandal

Breaking Scandals

Thicken the plot – Is your Sim being watched? If they do something scandalous, like have a secret child, it won’t be a scandal right away. If they can keep it to themselves, things might blow over. Or, rumors might swirl. Other Sims might witness the deed or discover the secret by hacking, rummaging through trash, or asking around. They may choose to extort the Sim and expose the Scandal if they don’t comply, or they could just expose it. The Notebook will update automatically to track Scandals & potential Scandals.

Managing Scandals

Face the music – When a Scandal breaks, the Sim at the center will be affected. Depending on the Scandal they could face judgement from other Sims and lose romantic relationships, friendships, career progress, or even Swordfighting Duels. If the Sim is in a Dynasty, their Prestige will suffer. Nobles can lose titles. To manage these situa-tions, Sims can post apologies or denials using a computer. Nobles can hold Press Conferences. Sims can also profit from their scandals by uploading videos or writing books.

Extortion

Plot and scheme – If a Sim learns a secret, they can threaten to expose it to create a Scandal. Depending on who they are extorting, an active Sim may ask for Simoleons, abdication, Dynasty Heirship or Headship, approval of a relationship, Favor, for an Alliance to be broken, a truce called, or for someone to be declared an Outcast.

The World

Ondarion

Experience opulence and culture – Verdemar is a great place to hone your Swordsmanship skill or collect secrets. The bar is a popular hangout for Sims who like to gossip. Dambele is a warm, artistic neighborhood where you can browse a bustling market or recite writings under the Zanbira Tree. Bellacorde has a history of chivalry and drama – it is home to the returning Capp and Monty families, and their feud. Ondarion has a number of Secret Passageways that let you move between lots, and Treasure Chests with rare finds.

Swords & Swordsmanship

Prepare to Duel – Honing your Swordsmanship skill can have a variety of benefits. Sims can Duel for fun, Simoleons, promotions, and even to resolve a love triangle. There are Tournaments in every neighborhood, and 11 different swords that can be added to your Collection. Purchase them from Verdemar’s Blacksmith or the Community Market in Dambele, or find them in chests. Simcalibur is a one of a kind sword lodged in a stone. It can only be claimed by a Sim it deems worthy and instantly makes that Sim Kingdom Leader.

Families & Family Trees

Know your neighbors – All 3 of Ondarion’s neighborhoods have Dynasties and Nobles with their own lore to uncover. Verdemar has the adventurous Grand Duchess Cordelia V. Dambele’s Dynasty comes from a long line of artists and is known for being philanthropic. Bellacorde’s Capps and Montys have a longstanding rivalry. There are many contenders for the crown. Families can get complicated, and you can check the expanded Family Trees to track these relationships. You can view Family Trees in the new Tapestry or Compedium.