The Sims 4: Realm of Magic is the eighth game pack of The Sims 4 franchise and takes players on a magical journey to a new realm of spells and sorcery. Released on September 10, 2019, it introduces a new magical world where players can become spellcasters and learn new spells and potions. Players can create their own magical Sims and explore the world of Glimmerbrook, complete with hidden secrets and magical creatures. With the ability to choose their own magical path, players can become either good or evil spellcasters and use their powers to help or harm others, or a bit of both. This pack offers a unique experience for players who are drawn to the fantasy and mystical elements of occult gameplay.
In Realm of Magic, players will experience a focus on magic and enchantment as they explore the new magical world. It builds on previous packs like The Sims 3: Supernatural, The Sims 2: Apartment Life, and The Sims: Makin' Magic, all of which featured magical elements. The game pack provides players with a unique way to live their Sims' lives as spellcasters, with various abilities and interactions that allow them to immerse themselves in a world of magic. Players can create their own magical Sims, complete with unique magical powers, familiars, and personalities. They can then learn new spells and potions, and even unlock a magical realm where they can gain access to new magical items and ingredients. Additionally, the pack includes new objects and clothing items that are perfect for creating a magical and mystical atmosphere. While game packs offer fewer features compared to expansion packs, Realm of Magic provides an engaging and immersive gameplay experience for players who enjoy the fantasy genre.
Sources for this article and its images include EA.com and Sims Community .
Everything New In A Nutshell
- New Occult Lifestate: Spellcasters
- Familiars
- New World (Glimmerbrook)
- New Aspirations - Spellcraft & Sorcery (Knowledge) and Purveyor of Potions (Nature)
- New CAS, Build/Buy Items and Collectibles
Spellcasters
The Sims 4: Realm of Magic game pack adds a new supernatural species to the game - Spellcasters, which share similarities with the witches from previous Sims games. This pack invites players to create their own magical Sim and immerse themselves in a world of spellcasting, potion brewing, dueling, and even summoning familiars.
Players can advance their spellcasting abilities and become masters of the magical arts by unlocking a variety of skills and abilities as they progress through a rank system, similar to vampires or werewolves. Unlike other occult species, Spellcasters do not have a secondary form. In addition, if players have installed the Paranormal Stuff pack, Spellcasters will gain the medium skill at a faster rate than regular Sims.
Becoming A Spellcaster
In Realm of Magic, there are several ways for Sims to become spellcasters. Players can create a spell caster directly in the CAS screen, granting access to occult customization options like pointed ears, eyes, and teeth for a unique appearance. Children can also become natural-born spellcasters if one of their parents is a spellcaster, with a 50% chance if one parent is a non-spell caster and a guaranteed chance if both parents are spellcasters. Children will not display their abilities until their teen years. Additionally, spellcasters can inherit one of three bloodline traits (weak, strong, ancient) based on their family line, with older bloodlines having an easier time mastering magic.
To become a spellcaster, normal Sims can complete a quest from one of the three sages in the Magic Realm and perform the "Rite of Ascension" ritual. Alternatively, Virtuoso Spellcasters can learn the "Rite of Ascension" spell from the Sage of Practical Magic, which can instantly turn other Sims into spellcasters. Sims can stop being spellcasters by asking for the "Rite of Dissolution" from the sages, but they will lose their magic abilities. If they want to become a spellcaster again, they can regain their abilities, rank, and talent points.
Spells And Potions
Realm of Magic offers a vast array of spells and potions for Sims to explore and experiment with. With a total of 24 spells that can be learned, Sims can unlock various abilities like teleportation through Transportable, cleaning or repairing quickly with Scruberoo or Repairo respectively. Spellcasters have a unique meter called "Charge," which needs to be replenished to perform spells. In terms of visuals, it is similar to Werewolves' fury meter. This bar affects the power of spells, and when it's over 50%, magic is more potent but with the risk of overcharging and even death by spellcaster overload. Otherwise, they don't have different needs compared to the human Sims.
Spellcasters have three schools of magic: Practical, Mischief, and Untamed, and they can learn any spell by practicing within the respective school, reading tomes or asking a Sage to teach them. They are not limited to picking only one school of magic and every spellcaster can unlock each spell. The Spellcaster skill tree allows players to level up their powers and unlock new abilities, with some spells only becoming available once the spellcaster reaches a particular rank. Backfires are possible, depending on the spellcaster's ranking, and each school possesses an ultimate spell, which a spellcaster can only learn by reaching the Virtuoso rank and asking the respective Sage to teach them.
In addition to spells, there are 15 potions available in the Realm of Magic that can produce various magical effects, including need restoration and anti-aging. To avoid confusion, these potions are categorized under Alchemy in the Spellcaster book. Alchemy ingredients can be obtained through standard collection methods like gardening and fishing, but they can also be purchased at a market stall in The Magic Realm or won in magic duels. The Cats & Dogs expansion pack can also be useful for collecting items as pets can be bound as familiars and send for foraging. While some new spellcaster plants have been added, a majority of the required items are already available in the base game. Potions, like spells, can backfire and potentially curse the Sim. In summary, Realm of Magic may not offer new skills or significant gameplay features beyond spellcasters themselves, but their immense power and few drawbacks make them arguably the strongest occult. This is largely due to the addition of practical spells and potions.
Perks And Curses
As spellcasters progress through the ranks, they earn talent points that can be spent to unlock new perks, similar to the systems in Vampires and Werewolves. Unlike Vampires, however, there are no downsides or conflicting options in this system. Spellcasters can choose from a total of 24 perks, all of which are available as long as the player has the appropriate ranking. These perks significantly enhance spellcaster abilities, such as reducing the chance of backfire, providing curse immunity, and improving alchemy-related benefits.
Spellcasters are vulnerable to curses which can harm their needs or magic abilities. Curses are the only source of harm for these Sims and occur when a feat of magic, such as a spell or potion, fails. Spellcasters can have up to three curses at once out of a possible ten options, which appear in the spellcaster's needs panel. However, curses can be easily dispelled by using the Decursify spell or the Potion of Curse Cleansing. Strong spellcasters can remove curses quickly. Additionally, the Hexproof perk can prevent curses altogether, as long as the spellcaster has no existing curses.
Familiars
In Realm of Magic, players have the option to acquire magical familiars which can assist in spell casting. Familiars can be obtained from the Magic Realm shop, by finding them in the magical realm or dueling for them. If the player owns the Cats & Dogs expansion pack, their pets can also be bound as familiars. Children of spellcasters can own a familiar, but they cannot use magic until they grow up.
Players can bind and name multiple familiars, but only one can be summoned at a time. Familiars are highly beneficial to Spellcasters, assisting them in magical interactions and encouraging them in their progress. They can also provide positive moodlets to the Spellcaster Sim and even prevent their death. While there are various familiar options, they do not differ in abilities, except for pet familiars which can gather collectibles for the Spellcaster Sims.
Glimmerbrook
Glimmerbrook is a charming and enchanting world, perfect for Sims who enjoy a whimsical and magical experience. The world is a picturesque forest, filled with towering trees, a sparkling creek, and magical flora. The architecture is inspired by rustic cabins and old-world charm, with a cozy feeling throughout. The neighborhood is relatively small, consisting of only four residential lots and one community lot. There is also a secret lot with a magical portal that leads Sims to the Magic Realm. Glimmerbrook is an ideal place for spellcaster Sims to live, as it is the primary location for magical gameplay in The Sims 4.
Glimmerbrook introduces the Magic Realm, a unique lot that is inspired by Harry Potter franchise. It includes a magical school and a shopping area resembling Hogsmeade. Although it is not exclusive to spellcaster Sims, it is a great place for them to spend time as they can interact with other spellcasters and the three Sages, which allows Sims to learn new spells and potions much more quickly. In addition, Sims can purchase magical items such as wands, brooms, familiars, and potion materials.
Spellcraft & Sorcery Aspiration
The first of the two aspirations introduced in the Realm of Magic is the Spellcraft and Sorcery aspiration. Although there is some overlap between the two aspirations, as both require the spellcaster to reach the highest rank of Virtuoso, this aspiration focuses more on learning and practicing spells and participating in duels. It is relatively easy to complete since the Sim only needs to know 10 spells at the highest level of the task, and reaching a higher spellcaster rank is not too time-consuming if players focus on it.
Upon completing the Spellcraft and Sorcery aspiration, Sims receive the Slinger of Spells reward trait, which reduces the amount of charge that spells build up when casting, thus lowering the risk of overcharging and preventing the Sim from dying while practicing magic. It is a recommended aspiration to complete for any Spellcaster Sim.
Purveyor Of Potions Aspiration
The second aspiration introduced in the pack is the Purveyor of Potions, which centers on alchemy. In addition to advancing as spellcasters, Sims pursuing this aspiration must learn how to craft potions. While the task of brewing potions can be more challenging than casting spells because it necessitates Sims to possess certain ingredients, it is not excessively difficult, as many of these ingredients can be obtained from the overworld or purchased. Additionally, the potion-brewing task does not require Sims to craft numerous different potions, allowing them to brew a single, simple potion five times if they so choose.
Upon completing the Purveyor of Potions aspiration, Sims will be rewarded with the master mixer bonus trait, which decreases the chance of failure when Sim drinks a potion they have brewed. This trait can be especially beneficial for potions made with rare or difficult-to-obtain ingredients. The Purveyor of Potions aspiration is not as essential as the Spellcraft and Sorcery aspiration, unless players frequently rely on potions for their Spellcaster's personal use.
New CAS And Build/Buy Items
The Sims 4: Realm of Magic pack adds a variety of new CAS items that match the pack's magical and mystical theme. Players can now customize their Sims with a range of wizard-inspired clothing, hairstyles, and accessories that allow for endless outfit combinations. While surprisingly no pointy hats were added, there still are plenty of options for players to choose from. In addition to clothing, the pack also introduces new makeup options that allow players to give their Spellcaster Sims a unique magical look. Whether players prefer a classic witch or wizard style or a more modern twist, the Realm of Magic pack offers a range of options to suit any player's taste.
This pack also introduces over 80 new Build/Buy items that are perfect for Sims who love all things magical and mystical. This pack includes a cauldron that can be used to brew magical potions, as well as brooms that can be used for transportation. The pack also includes a range of wands that can be used by spellcasters to cast spells and perform magic. The pack also offers a range of whimsical and magical items that can be used to decorate any Sim's home. These items include stained-glass windows, doors, and magical-looking rugs that can give any home a touch of magical charm. Overall, the Realm of Magic pack provides a great way to add some magical flair to any Sim's home, regardless of whether they are a spellcaster or not.
The Sims 4 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S