User:K6ka/The Sims 2 recommended CC

This is a personal list of recommended DLC for The Sims 2. A few important notes:
 * Need help with installing custom content? See here or here.
 * While I do use a large majority of items listed here, I don't use all of them. Don't ask why, just personal preference. This is mainly to list annoyance fixing mods that other people might benefit from.
 * Okay, the biggest reason is probably that I've found an in-game workaround for the mod, usually with the use of cheats or another third-party mod, or there was most likely a patch for it. Or maybe I just bear with it.
 * If a download link here is broken, contact me.
 * Always read the mod description page. If a mod gives you specific instructions on a special place to install it, or some "Do's and Don'ts", read them. Please don't come running to me complaining about how a mod broke your game because you didn't read the documentation, because it's not my fault that you didn't read instructions. Some downloads may come with a "Readme" or "RTFM" text file - read that as well!
 * This list may contain links to the Paysites Must Be Destroyed website. No, they're not illegal. In fact, EA's Terms of Use says that it is illegal to charge money to distribute custom content for any of their products. Any custom content you make for the game must be made available for free. Paysites like what used to be The Sims Resource and Simslice are illegal, pretty much. The EULA is cited on the website's home page, and it makes it pretty clear that paysites are illegal. By now I hope you will put away any complaints about how these links to freely obtained content that originally had to be paid for are illegal, because it's the other way around.
 * SimWardrobe doesn't allow direct links to individual pages. All links simply redirect to the main page. I will usually post directions on how to get to the mod, usually in the form of "The Sims 2>Fixes>Seasons fixes", as an example.
 * Many of J.M. Pescado's mods are available in his Director's Cut. I may link to it occasionally. The complete list of mods inside the director's cut can be found here (just unzip the RAR file and extract the .doc file). Note: You do NOT have to install all the mods inside the Director's Cut! Only install what you want to install.
 * Some hacks may conflict with other hacks. Hack conflicts are not the end of the world, usually. The game usually loads mods in alphabetical order, so mods that are closer to "A" will load first, and mods closer to "Z" will load last. Code that loads last will overwrite code that loaded first, so usually the coding in the mod closer to "Z" will override earlier mods. More information on load order here and here. The Hack Conflict Detection Utility created by SimWardrobe can locate possible hack conflicts and lists them. The HCDU lists hack conflicts by load order, so the mod closer to the bottom of the list is usually the "dominant" one.
 * Anyway, the point I'm trying to make here is that I will usually list mod conflicts if they conflict with another mod that's also on this list, and I will usually provide a fix for it.
 * This is my own personal list, not someone else's.

Enjoy!

"Must have" mods
Listed here because they really can save your life, or at least the life of your game. Really.
 * Alfixes by J.M. Pescado
 * This mod requires (and is pretty much mandatory for) Apartment Life.
 * This mod fixes countless bugs and glitches, many very serious indeed. It should be used alongside the AL patch, but does not replace it.
 * The original version disabled Date Gift Flowers that are delivered after a good date, largely because Pescado found it broken but didn't bother fixing it, since he never liked it himself anyway. I made a modified version of alfixes here. It's the same thing, just enables Date Gift Flowers. My mod should be used at your own risk.
 * Anti-Redundancy by J.M. Pescado.
 * Only allows the game to generate one of each type of NPC, so hoods will only get one maid, one gardener, one repair-person, etc. The mod will allow the game to generate a new one if the first one is unavailable. This mod can prevent character file overload caused by the game generating tons and tons of NPCs.
 * This mod is critical for unpatched Bon Voyage.
 * Cyjon's Lot Debugger by Cyjon.
 * Meant to complement the FFS Lot Debugger listed further down this list. Contains a number of fixes for bugs and glitches in lots.
 * Cyjon's Lot Inspector by Cyjon.
 * Can be used to inspect a lot to determine whether it is safe to bin or delete.
 * NOTE: Users who do not have Apartment Life or Mansion & Garden may find that the object doesn't work correctly for them. To make it work, press "Ctrl+Shift+C" to open the cheat box, type in boolProp testingcheatsenabled true, and click on the Lot Inspector. An object error dialog with "Bad gosub tree number" should pop up - click on "Cancel" to ignore the error. The inspector should then file a report.
 * Creature Fixes by J.M. Pescado.
 * Fixes some serious issues introduced in Nightlife.
 * Most notable fix is preventing vampires from biting Mrs. Crumpelbottom, which will cause game corruption if that occurs.
 * FFS Lot Debugger by J.M. Pescado.
 * This debugging object contains various tools that can be used to fix various bugs and glitches. It's also required to delete a Sim the correct way.
 * This page should cover most, if not all, of the options found on the FFS Lot Debugger.
 * No Corrupted Death Memory by J.M. Pescado.
 * Prevents the formation of corrupted memories with "squiggly lines" in them. Won't fix existing ones.
 * No Unlinkage on Urnstone Delete by J.M. Pescado.
 * Prevents the game from shredding character file data when a tombstone/urn is deleted. Can prevent corruption that occurs this way.
 * Pie Menu Text Strings Fix by Lord Darcy
 * A mod that fixes almost all pie menu issues, largely those with redundant functions, grammar mistakes, and terrible translations, especially in non-English versions of the game. Issues fixed include spelling errors, non-identical or silly translations (such as English appearing in the German version), or duplicate pie menu options because EA used the ellipsis character instead of the three periods they originally used.
 * Also fixes the Novellas Nouveau Bookcase issue where the bookcase was missing its "Read to Youngster" function.
 * Also fixes the pie menu for the cheap telescope in all non-English languages (e.g. seeing Watch for UFOs, written in English, in all non-English languages :facepalm:)
 * Also fixes the horribly broken pie menus for refrigerators in the German translation, which was a horrible mess, full of redundant functions and general crappiness.
 * Some issues in which you probably didn't even notice might be fixed in this mod, so just download it!
 * Stuff Pack Object Fixes for Apartment Life by Lord Darcy
 * Fixes the whole issue with stuff pack objects not having interactions for later (or even earlier) expansion packs because EA never bothered to update them, or decided to build them on an older game engine for no reason at all. Mindbogglingly unintelligent.
 * If you do not have Apartment Life or Mansion & Garden Stuff, do not download this compilation mod, and instead install each individual part of this mod. The links are in the mod description page, underneath the "Below is the list of fixes which were rolled into this collection. Remove them all to avoid conflict."
 * Various other issues were fixed in this mod.

Bug and annoyance fixes

 * 3 Base Game Bars Fix (NL/OFB functions enabled) by Lord Darcy
 * If you have Nightlife or Open for Business, you may notice that the 3 bars from the base game are seemingly... obsolete. If placed on a community lot, they don't spawn a bartender, and if placed on an owned business, you can't assign a Sim to tend it. The only option that comes up is the useless "Juggle Tumblers" interaction. That's because EA completely ignored the bars, all the way to the last expansion pack, for several years. Unbelievable. This mod will re-enable those missing interactions, so you can now get drinks from them at a community lot, assign others to tend those bars, and can use those bars as eating surfaces.
 * Works with Apartments and Shopping on the same lot mod.
 * Career Outfits are Added to Wardrobe Again in FreeTime by Lord Darcy
 * Ever since the FreeTime patch, career outfits are no longer added to the family wardrobe, for whatever reason. This mod re-enables that, so you can now wear your police uniform as casual wear again.
 * This is not the same as Career Outfits being hidden from the CAS and Buy catalogs. Use the linked mod instead, or use it alongside this one.
 * Community Wedding Fix for Celebration Wedding Arch by Lord Darcy.
 * The wedding arch from Celebration! Stuff lacked marriage on community lot function, even though the feature was enabled by EA in Bon Voyage. This mod allows Sims to use the Celebration! Stuff wedding arch to get married on a community lot.
 * Dance Sphere in use Fix by TwoJeffs
 * Fixes the issue where Sims could not tell whether the dance sphere was in use or not, so if a Sim was already using it, they may autonomously try to use it and throw a hissy fit about not being able to use it because IT'S IN USE ALREADY!!!
 * Good one, TwoJeffs!
 * DJ Booth Fixes by Cyjon
 * Fixes various bugs and glitches with DJ booths. Unfortunately, it won't fix the "Can't hold dance competition with the Nightlife booth" issue.
 * Fix for OFB Toddler Brown Badger Hat - Correctly shows up under PJs by Lord Darcy
 * A misplaced catalog item. The brown badger hat for toddlers, introduced in Open for Business, was incorrectly categorized as Everyday/Formal/Outerwear, whereas other colors show up under Everyday/PJs/Outerwear. This mod fixes that, moving the lost sheep from Formal to PJs. The shepherd has found you, and will bring you back to the rest of the herd!
 * Jukebox Animation Fix by Lord Darcy
 * The jukebox introduced in Nightlife has a sick animation of replacing and retrieving the record when Sims turn it on or off. However, if you exit and re-enter the lot, the jukebox will lose these animations. This mod re-enables them.
 * Note: You must sell and repurchase the affected jukeboxes for the fix to take effect.
 * Kids and Pets Unattended by BoilingOil.
 * This mod allows children, toddlers, and pets to be left at home alone without a teenager or older Sim present. Very useful for single parent families, so they don't have to bother with a nanny if they need the kids to be home alone for just a few hours while they work to bring in money. In a sense, this mod can be used to have a child live alone without any adults or elder guardians present. How fun!
 * Despite popular belief, this mod will not disable social worker visits completely. The social worker will still come to deliver adopted children, or remove children with bad grades, etc.
 * Maxis Centerpiece... as Centerpiece! (Centerpiece Enabler for Maxis Small Objects) by Lord Darcy
 * What this mod does is allow Sims to eat at tables that have a centerpiece on them, such as a small decorative object (sculpture or plant), dishes (plates, bowls, platters, and cake, so Sims with small dining rooms and a small table don't have to eat in the living room while the serving bowl is the sole occupant of the dining table), some small electronics, and lamps.
 * Quite useful for restaurants or for the lovely patio where there are small lamps on the tables - which are always vacant because nobody can eat at them! Well, with this mod, now they can.
 * Missing Default Wedding Dress Restored for Kitchen & Bath Stuff Pack by Lord Darcy
 * The default wedding dress from the base game was shamefully hidden due to a silly coding error in Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff. Originally, you needed to enter debug mode in CAS just to get the wedding dress. This mod re-enables it, so you no longer need to look like a computer-programming geek just to get this wedding dress.
 * Important: You may find this wedding dress even with K&B Stuff installed. Only install this mod if you can't find the wedding dress outside of CAS Debug Mode.
 * Neon Flamingo wall hanging (fix) (Pre-FT) by dickhurt
 * For some reason, between Nightlife and FreeTime, the Neon Flamingo wall hanging deco vanished from the buy mode catalog. It wasn't until the FreeTime patch that this was corrected. However, people who do not have FreeTime are unable to enjoy this neon flamingo as a result. I mean, it's NEON!!!
 * If you have the base game, University, or the FreeTime patch, you DO NOT need this mod.
 * No More Witch by Squinge
 * This mod prevents the NPC witch from spawning on any lot. It will not prevent Sims from using a teleporter to force them over, and it will not affect playable witches.
 * Warning: This mod can cause issues in a high-witch lot, in which these NPC witches must spawn for the lot to work correctly. If you need to buy reagents or parts, you can use the teleporter (link above) to force an NPC witch over to your home lot, and then buy the stuff from there. Reagents can also be obtained from the Sim Manipulator.
 * No Random bursting into Flames by SimWardrobe.
 * Access this file via "The Sims 2>Fixes>Seasons Fixes".
 * This effectively prevents spontaneous combustion from being too hot, because seriously, who catches on fire when they're hot? You'd have to be well over 100°C (212°F) before you bursting into flames even becomes a concern. And I guarantee you, your blood will boil and you'd die from that, not from a fire.
 * NOTE: Conflicts with Pescado's Warmth Fixes. Add a "Z" in front of SimWardrobe's mod so it loads after Warmth Fixes, if you want spontaneous combustion to be eliminated from the game.
 * No Reacting to Rain or Snow by SimWardrobe.
 * Access this file via "The Sims 2>Fixes>Seasons Fixes".
 * No Shade Eyes Salute by TwoJeffs
 * This prevents Sims from doing the annoying overlay animations introduced in Mansion & Garden Stuff when they go outdoors, including the "Shade eyes from sun" salute, which doesn't check to see whether the Sim has something in their hands. This usually leads to Sims putting objects on their heads, including but not limited to: garbage bags, babies, plates, cans, and baby bottles.
 * No Social Worker for Hot or Cold by SimWardrobe.
 * Access this file via "The Sims 2>Fixes>Seasons Fixes".
 * This prevents the social hater worker from kidnapping confiscating children just for being too hot or too cold. Why can't those uneducated folks come when a child is actually being abused, not just because they had too much fun building snowmen!
 * No Watchout for Driverless Vehicles by dickhurt
 * Sims will no longer have the "Watch Out!" interaction pushed on them if they are in the way of a vehicle, especially one that doesn't even have a driver. The interaction originally caused issues with entire command queues being wiped out with such a pointless interaction.
 * Note: Sims might be "run over" by cars with this mod installed, but it won't harm them, the car will just pass right through. Sims cannot die from a car running over them, or from a car accident. I think you'd prefer that over your well-thought-out plan for the day being erased.
 * Object Sound (Soundinfo) Fix for Maxis Objects by Lord Darcy
 * Objects make distinctive noises when Sims are interacting with them, such as a soft, cushion sofa making a squishy noise. However, sound attribution in later EPs were largely disregarded, such as the Seasons roofed bench making the soft cushion noise. Some objects won't make any sounds at all, because EA broke the coding for them. This mod fixes the sound for most pre-made objects.
 * Pet Interaction Enabler for Forgotten Objects by Lord Darcy
 * Several objects from several expansion and stuff packs just never had pet interactions enabled for them, because EA simply forgot about them. With the controlPets cheat, it's possible to see which objects have pet interactions enabled, and which don't. This mod enables those interactions on those forgotten objects, so pets can sleep, nap, chew, and scratch them.
 * Pregnancy controller fix by dickhurt
 * When a normal Sim gives birth, a pregnancy controller, also known as a "PC", is generated to handle the pregnancy. It delivers the new child, manages the birthing process, and, once there's a bouncing baby out in the world, it destroys itself because it is no longer needed. Pets get a pregnancy controller of their own, which functions similarly to normal Sim PCs, except it doesn't remove itself from the lot once it's done its job. It will simply hide on the lot, invisible to the player. If a pet gives birth afterwards, a new PC will be generated, and that will join the existing PC in their state of dormancy. And again. And again. Soon, a lot will have a graveyard of pet pregnancy controllers, just clogging up the lot doing absolutely nothing. This can eventually render the lot unplayable, if it becomes very serious. This mod will remove the pet pregnancy controller after a birth, and will also remove any existing dormant pregnancy controllers before the hack was installed.
 * I think the FFS Lot Debugger has an option to remove pregnancy controllers as well, though I'm not sure if it's for pets. I'd still recommend having this mod, because this is just a silly oversight by the developers.
 * Ramen Fix - Restores Uni texture taken over by BV ramen, Fixes the broken thumbnail by Lord Darcy
 * Bon Voyage overrode the Cup O' Ramen texture from University, so it's no longer used, being replaced with the newer Ramen texture from the Far East food stand. Yet for some reason, Sims still use a fork to eat Cup O' Ramen, even though Sims use chopsticks to eat Far East Ramen. This mod restores the University Cup O' Ramen texture, fixes the broken thumbnail for the Ramen bowl, and either allows you to get Sims to eat Cup O' Ramen with chopsticks, or with a fork like the original did.
 * Note: Sims will still use a spoon to eat Cup O' Ramen if they're not eating at a table.
 * Table Slot Height Fix by Lord Darcy
 * All Maxis tables, desks, and end tables have a fixed slot height of 0.8. If the table mesh height is lower than that, you'll end up with the mysterious ghostly floating plate. Higher than 0.8, and the table will partially "eat" the object it holds. While this glitch mostly happens for badly made custom content, some pre-made tables suffer from it too. This mod readjusts the slot height for affected tables, so objects are no longer eaten by their tables.
 * Note: You must sell and re-purchase the affected tables for the changes to take effect.
 * Temperate Beach Activities by maybesomethingdunno
 * This mod prevents Sims from being able to "sunbathe" when it is cold. Seriously, it's snowing out, and yet you still feel the need to lie shirtless on a frozen beach?
 * Conflicts with Treeag's Sunbathe anywhere. This mod includes the features of Sunbathe anywhere, so remove Treeag's mod to avoid unnecessary conflict.
 * Unlocked FreeTime Career Outfits (for FreeTime Patch) by Lord Darcy
 * After the FreeTime Patch, career outfits could not be purchased from CAS or the Buy catalog at a clothing rack. This mod re-enables that, along with some minor changes, such as townies being unable to spawn in career outfits (seriously, who wanders down the street in a ballet tutu??).
 * This is not the same as career outfits no longer being added to the family wardrobe. Use the linked mod instead, or use them together with this one.
 * Warmth Fixes by J.M. Pescado.
 * Several fixes regarding temperature that was introduced with Seasons.
 * NOTE: Conflicts with SimWardrobe's No Random Bursting into Flames. Add a "Z" in front of SimWardrobe's mod so it loads after Warmth Fixes, if you want spontaneous combustion to be eliminated from the game.
 * NOTE: Conflicts with SimWardrobe's No Random Bursting into Flames. Add a "Z" in front of SimWardrobe's mod so it loads after Warmth Fixes, if you want spontaneous combustion to be eliminated from the game.

Buying objects for lots (to furnish that empty shell)

 * Buyable Aspiration & Career Rewards for Lot Builders by Sophie-David.
 * This allows career rewards and aspiration reward objects to be purchased in Build or Buy mode. Very useful for lot builders that want to include a punching bag or podium in a community lot, or if you're a filthy cheater.

Feature adding mods

 * Apartments and Shopping, on the same Lot! by MogHughson
 * Allows certain community lot objects to function on apartment lots, so Sims can live in a "Mixed-use building", with stores at the foot of the building and living space on top.
 * Read the mod description carefully! The 3 base game bars will still be the bland, empty ones that don't spawn bartenders unless you have 3 Base Game Bars Fix (NL/OFB functions enabled) by Lord Darcy.
 * You cannot run an owned business on an apartment lot, even with this mod. This is currently not possible, and a mod for it would be beyond complexity.
 * Maxis Modular Stairs Passage Fix by Lord Darcy
 * This mod allows you to place object under modular stairs, you know, those that you can place on both foundations and on stories - even a 6 story drop for extra-long stairs. Even without this mod, it was possible to force objects underneath the stairs with the moveobjects cheat. However, they had to be decorational, as Sims often couldn't use those objects. This mod allows them to be placed normally, so a computer underneath the stairs is possible, instead of that seemingly wasted space.
 * You can either allow all modular stairs to have objects crammed underneath them (even the ones with supports under them), or only those without visible supports.
 * Note: Existing stairs must be reconstructed for this mod to take effect.
 * Sunbathe Anywhere by Treeag
 * This allows your Sims to sunbathe anywhere, as long as they are outdoors. Sims no longer have to be at a beach lot just to get a nice tan.

Teleporters

 * SimLogical Teleporters by Inge Jones
 * This teleporter allows you to teleport any Sim over to the lot instantly, as well as adopt any children or strays, as well as allowing you to "Zap" any unwanted Sims from the lot. It can also be used to move townies and such in, and also allows you to make Sims a townie, downtownie, etc.
 * Important: The coding to make Sims a vacation local works, but the only issue is that they will not have the coding to master the vacation gestures and dances. Use Argon's Townie Brick for custom vacation locals instead.
 * Visual Teleporter by SimWardrobe
 * Access this file via "The Sims 2>Objects>Other Objects>Visual Teleporter".
 * Works similarly to the teleporter above, except it's graphical and more newb-friendly.

Other

 * The InSIMenator by Eric
 * View the wiki article for the object here
 * The InSIMenator can do a lot of things, such as adjusting a Sim's personality points, motives, relationships, age, etc. See the documentation for more information.
 * The Sim Blender by TwoJeffs.
 * Functions similarly to the InSIM, but it is supported by the creator.
 * The Sim Manipulator by Aaroneous.
 * Functions similarly to the InSim and Sim Blender, but is supported by the creator. It also seems to have a lot more features, IMO.

All three of the above have their own advantages and disadvantages. I use all three of them in my game. The choice is yours.

Untested

 * Memory Commander
 * Seems to have something to do with managing memories or something. I don't know, haven't used it, but it looks useful.
 * This post contains the original author and a short description.