In The Sims 4, creativity often leads to success, fame, or fortune but sometimes, it can also lead to deception. One of the most intriguing features for Sims who walk a less-than-honest path is the ability to Create Forgery on the Sketchpad. This gameplay mechanic is particularly useful for Sims in the Freelancer career, especially those focused on the Artist branch. It blends creativity, risk, and reward into a unique interaction that reflects the complexity of the artistic world. Whether your Sim is a struggling artist trying to make ends meet or a mischievous character looking to cheat the system, learning how to forge art on the Sketchpad can be both profitable and fun.
Understanding the Digitalistic Sketchpad
What Is the Sketchpad?
The Digitalistic Sketchpad is a digital art tool available in The Sims 4, particularly beneficial for Sims in creative careers. Unlike traditional easels, the Sketchpad offers faster completion times and a variety of artistic styles. It is especially useful for Freelance Artists, allowing them to create illustrations, paintings, and even digital forgeries from the comfort of their home studio.
How to Acquire the Sketchpad
To begin forging, your Sim first needs access to the Sketchpad. It can be purchased in Build/Buy mode under the Electronics section or by searching for ‘Sketchpad’ directly. Once bought, place it in your Sim’s inventory or home. The Sketchpad functions like an easel but provides more options for digital creativity, including the Create Forgery option.
Unlocking the Forgery Interaction
Who Can Forge Art?
The Create Forgery option is not available to every Sim. It typically becomes unlocked for Sims with enough Painting skill or those who join the Freelance Artist career. As your Sim’s skill improves, more options become accessible on the Sketchpad, including forging.
Skill Requirements
Although there is no official skill level publicly marked, most players report that the Create Forgery interaction appears once your Sim has reached Painting level 8 or higher. Being in the Freelance Artist career may speed up this process, and completing gigs helps unlock advanced creative options.
Traits That Help
Some traits make this process more efficient or believable:
- Creative: Helps your Sim stay inspired and boosts painting quality.
- Art Lover: Adds moodlets that encourage more time spent with visual arts.
- Kleptomaniac: While not directly related, this trait complements Sims with mischievous goals.
How to Create Forgery on Sketchpad
Step-by-Step Instructions
Once the required level is achieved, the Create Forgery option becomes available when clicking the Sketchpad. Here’s how to execute it:
- Click on the Sketchpad from your Sim’s inventory or desk.
- Select the Create Forgery option from the available interactions.
- Your Sim will begin drawing a fake copy of an artwork.
- Once finished, the forged painting will appear in their inventory.
What Happens After?
The forged artwork is visually similar to original masterpieces, but there’s always a chance that other Sims or certain gameplay scenarios might identify the piece as a fake. You can sell the forgery, use it for decoration, or even try passing it off during certain interactions. However, not all outcomes are safe. Some consequences may follow, especially if you’re playing with mods that expand crime or reputation mechanics.
Profitability and Risk
Is Forging Art Worth It?
From a Simoleon perspective, forged art can be highly profitable. Depending on the quality of your Sim’s skills, forged works can fetch impressive prices on the open market. However, selling too many forgeries may decrease the value over time or lead to reputation penalties, especially if Get Famous or mods like Basemental are in play.
Reputation and Fame Consequences
If you own the Get Famous expansion, your Sim’s actions may impact their public image. Creating forgeries can lower your Sim’s reputation if discovered, but it can also make them infamous leading to unique fame interactions. Some Sims may admire your rebellious creativity, while others might turn away from your deceitful lifestyle.
Integrating Forgery into Storytelling
Using Forgery in Sim Roleplay
Many players use the forgery mechanic as a storytelling tool. It can be part of a Sim’s dark past, a get-rich-quick scheme, or a secret income stream for a bohemian artist who’s disillusioned with the system. It’s also a great hook for drama, especially in legacy saves or family dynamics. Imagine a Sim who builds a fortune off fake art, only to be exposed during a wedding, causing their social world to collapse.
Career Implications
While it isn’t an official career path, forging can serve as a side hustle for Freelancers or those involved in creative gigs. It can be woven into career advancement or used as a substitute income while waiting for better freelance commissions. Combined with mods, this feature becomes even more dynamic.
Tips to Maximize Forgery Success
- Stay Inspired: Moodlets influence the quality of forged art. Keep your Sim inspired using décor or traits.
- Practice Painting: Keep leveling up Painting even after unlocking forgery. Higher skill increases sale value.
- Mix Originals with Fakes: Selling a variety of artworks helps disguise forgeries and maintain income balance.
- Use Mods for More Realism: Some players use mods to add criminal charges, auctions, or buyer reactions.
Using Forgery with Other Packs
Eco Lifestyle
Forged artwork can contribute to or counteract the eco-footprint in your neighborhood. Use recycled canvases or materials to create a believable backstory for your Sim’s actions. Eco-conscious forgers may justify their actions as anti-consumerist, making their story even more compelling.
Get to Work
If you enjoy playing as a Detective or in other active careers, having a Sim secretly creating forgeries while also working in law enforcement adds a thrilling double-life narrative. It’s also fun to imagine stolen artwork cases or underground auctions.
Creating forgery on the Sketchpad in The Sims 4 is a unique blend of creativity and deceit. It opens up narrative paths that go beyond traditional success stories and allows players to explore the gray areas of Sim society. Whether you use it for extra income, drama, or artistic expression, the forgery mechanic enriches gameplay for storytellers and strategists alike. By mastering the Sketchpad and embracing your Sim’s darker impulses, you unlock new ways to experience the game’s creative freedom. Forge carefully, but don’t be afraid to leave a scandalous mark on the world of digital art.