Sims 2 Aspiration Calculator
Use this calculator to project your Sim's Lifetime Aspiration Score based on fulfilling wants and realizing fears, and to see how close they are to their next big Aspiration Reward!
Understanding Aspiration in The Sims 2
In The Sims 2, Aspiration is a core mechanic that dictates your Sim's overall mood, behavior, and access to powerful Aspiration Rewards. It's divided into two main components: the Aspiration Meter and the Lifetime Aspiration Score.
The Aspiration Meter
The Aspiration Meter is the visual bar that ranges from Red (worst) to Platinum (best). This meter directly influences your Sim's mood, their ability to perform certain interactions, and how quickly they gain or lose Lifetime Aspiration Points. A Sim with a Platinum Aspiration Meter is ecstatic, rarely fails interactions, and gains points rapidly. A Sim in Red Aspiration is miserable, prone to failure, and loses points quickly.
- Platinum: Best mood, high success rate, rapid point gain.
- Gold: Very good mood, good success rate, steady point gain.
- Green: Neutral mood, normal success rate, slow point gain.
- Yellow: Slightly bad mood, minor failures, slow point loss.
- Orange: Bad mood, frequent failures, steady point loss.
- Red: Terrible mood, constant failures, rapid point loss.
The meter moves up when Sims fulfill Wants and down when they realize Fears or when their needs are low. Certain Aspiration Rewards, like the Elixir of Life, can also directly impact the meter.
Lifetime Aspiration Score
The Lifetime Aspiration Score is a cumulative total of all the Aspiration Points your Sim has earned throughout their life. This score is crucial because it's what you spend to purchase Aspiration Rewards. Every time your Sim fulfills a Want, they gain points; every time they realize a Fear, they lose points. The amount of points gained or lost depends on the significance of the Want or Fear (e.g., a simple "Eat Food" might be +50, while "Get Married" could be +1000).
The calculator above helps you project how fulfilling a certain number of Wants and realizing Fears will impact this score, and how close you are to your desired Aspiration Reward.
Aspiration Rewards
Aspiration Rewards are powerful objects or potions that can significantly enhance your Sim's life. They are purchased using Lifetime Aspiration Points. Some popular rewards include:
- Money Tree (20,000 points): Generates Simoleons daily.
- Elixir of Life (20,000 points): Extends a Sim's lifespan and can restore their Aspiration Meter to Platinum.
- Love Potion #8.5 (10,000 points): Instantly creates a romantic relationship.
- SimVac (10,000 points): Steals skills, memories, and even relationships from other Sims.
- Thinking Cap (10,000 points): Boosts skill learning.
- Smart Answering Machine (5,000 points): Prevents bill collectors and allows for remote job finding.
Planning which rewards to aim for and how many points you need is a key part of strategic gameplay in The Sims 2.
How to Use the Calculator
- Current Lifetime Aspiration Score: Enter your Sim's current total Aspiration Points. You can find this in the Aspiration panel in-game.
- Number of Wants to Fulfill: Estimate how many Wants you plan to fulfill in a given period.
- Average Points Per Want: Provide an average point value for the Wants you expect to fulfill. Common values are 50, 100, 250, 500, or 1000.
- Number of Fears to Realize: Estimate how many Fears your Sim might realize.
- Average Points Per Fear: Provide an average point value for the Fears you expect to realize. These are typically negative versions of Want values.
- Target Aspiration Reward Cost: Enter the cost of the Aspiration Reward you are saving up for (e.g., 20000 for the Money Tree or Elixir of Life).
- Click "Calculate Aspiration" to see your projected new score and how many more points (and estimated Wants) you need for your target reward.
Tips for Managing Aspiration
- Prioritize Wants: Focus on fulfilling Wants that give high points and are easy to achieve.
- Avoid Fears: Try to prevent Fears from being realized, as they significantly reduce your score.
- Keep Needs High: A Sim with high needs is generally happier, which helps maintain a higher Aspiration Meter and makes it easier to fulfill Wants.
- Use Aspiration Rewards Strategically: The Elixir of Life is excellent for extending life and boosting aspiration, while the Money Tree provides passive income.
- Aspiration Type Matters: Different aspiration types have different Wants and Fears. Understand your Sim's aspiration to better manage their desires.