Lunar cycle
Lunar Cycle is a game feature introduced in The Sims 3: Supernatural. It controls the moon during night time continuously and adds in moon phrases to the game. The cycle may cause some bizarre events around a neighborhood. The feature is supported in every neighbourhood, even from Store or it is a custom. It cannot be turned off or removed from the game.
Players can check which lunar phrase the Sims in one neighborhood is it by looking at the moon icon in front of a Sim's portrait at the bottom-middle of the game UI. They also can check how many days will the full moon rise by having the mouse hovering to the moon icon.
Moon Phrases
There are eight moon phrases in the Lunar Cycle. When starting a new save game, the first moon phrase is First Quarter, unless the player "Set to Single Lunar Phrase".
| Stage | Image | Phrase Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Quarter | |
| 2 | Waxing Crescent | |
| 3 | New Moon | |
| 4 | Waning Crescent | |
| 5 | Third Quarter | |
| 6 | Waning Gibbous | |
| 7 | Full Moon | |
| 8 | Waxing Gibbous |
Options
At the game options, there is a "Environment Options" tab which changes the options of the Lunar Cycle. There are two options which are "Set to Rotating Lunar Cycle" and "Set to Single Lunar Phrase", which obviously the player must choose one. These options are applied universally and not per saved game.
- Set to Rotating Lunar Cycle
The player can set the duration of each lunar cycle from 2 to 10 days, by the multiple of 2. This can affect the moon phrases. The default game setting is 6 days.
- Set to Single Lunar Phrase
The player can set the lunar phrase which will be carried out throughout the whole game. He can set to Full Moon for one day if he wants a challenge.
Behaviour to Sims
Nothing bizarre may happen on most moon phrases. On the full moon however, some bizarre events will happen around the neighbourhood.
- Sims who posses werewolf powers automatically transform
- Some Sims turn into Zombies
- Pets[TS3:P] become skittish
- Significantly more ghosts in the neighborhood
- Normal Sims may get the Lunacy Buff, which will cause them to act slightly odd
The full moon also give some benefits to some Sims.
- Performing romantic interactions under a full moon will increase the Sims' romantic relationship
- Trying for a baby during a full moon increases the Sims' chance of conceiving a baby
The interactions' name may have changed during the full moon.
- Lunatic Slap
- Lunatic Embrace