A Stellar Guide to Moon Phases + Cheats

Since werewolves are known to transform during the full moon, it came to no surprise that the pre-release patch of The Sims 4 Werewolves introduced a lunar cycle into the base game. And because it came to the base game, the moon will also affect other types of Sims. In this guide we give a quick explanation as to what the moon phases do to each occult and everything else you’d want to know about the new lunar cycle mechanic.

Duration of the Lunar Cycle

There are 8 moon phases in the game, meaning the default length of a full lunar cycle is set to 8 days. Every morning at 7 AM the old phase ends and the next one in line starts, meaning each phase will last 24 hours even when you can’t see the moon. This is important as it might benefit your Sim during the day as well.

Changing the Length of Each Cycle

The duration of the lunar cycle can be set to 2, 4, 8 – which is the default setting – 16 or 24 days. Changing the amount of days will change up the moon phases as followed:

• 2 days: switches back and forth between the new moon and full moon phases.
• 4 days: rotation between new moon, first quarter moon, full moon and third quarter moon.
• 8 days: a full lunar cycle with all moon phases.
• 16 days: also a full lunar cycle, but the moon phases last two days each.
• 24 days: again a full lunar cycle, phases then last three days each.

Find the settings for this in the Game Options Menu in the Environment tab. Here you could also set it to one certain phase permanently or turn off moon phases altogether. Moon phase-related moodlets that are already active on your Sim will stay until they wear off naturally.

All the Moon Phases Explained

Unless you choose to shorten the lunar cycle in your game there will be eight moon phases in each complete cycle. The moon phases affect each occult in the game differently, et’s go through each phase one by one. If the effect only takes place at night, it will kick in at 8:30 PM.

Please note that at the time I’m making this guide, there doesn’t seem to be any benefits for the alien occult whatsoever. However, I am thinking this is a mistake in the interface and it’s just not showing the right information. But again, that’s just my personal guess.

New Moon

• If your werewolf sleeps at night during a new moon, they wake up with a better mood the next morning.
• Vampires regain their vampiric energy faster than usual.

Waxing Crescent Moon

• Increased skill gain from fitness activities for werewolves.

First Quarter Moon

• Increased relationship gain and loss for werewolves, during the night.

Waxing Gibbous Moon

• Heightened fighting prowess for werewolves. They’ll have better luck trying to fight someone successfully. 

Full Moon

• Werewolves become tense a day before a full moon as the Call of the Beast will forcefully transform them into their wolf form. Their Fury increases a lot faster.
• Spellcasters will have a greater chance at successfully casting a spell.
• Merfolk will lose their hydration needs slower than usual.
•  The Moonpetal plant becomes harvestable.

Waning Gibbous Moon

• Werewolves learn the handiness skill faster at night.

Third Quarter Moon

• Increased relationship gain and loss for werewolves, during the night.

Waning Crescent Moon

• Werewolves learn the logic skill faster. They read books faster too.

Where can I Find what Moon Phase it is?

The current moon phase is shown in the same UI as the weather forecast, time and eco footprint. If you hover over the moon icon, you’ll get more information about the current phase and its benefits for your Sim. You can see upcoming moon phases on the calendar as well.

You can also find the moon dial – as shown above – in the center of Moonwood Mill, the new town from The Sims 4 Werewolves. It will show you the current phase when you hover your cursor over the statue.

What else can I do with Moon Phases?

Werewolf Sims will benefit the most in gameplay, but apart from the full moon it doesn’t add something super exciting for you to try out. However, there are a few new things your Sims will be able to do at night:

• Sim can moonbathe when it’s after 8:30 PM. It doesn’t give you much of a tan, but it will make your Sim energized afterwards. Just click on your active Sim and choose the moonbathe interaction. 
• Next to that you can use a telescope – including the new, smaller versions – to moongaze the night away. This will increase your logic skill.

Cheats to Change the Moon Phases in The Sims 4

You can use cheats to change the current lunar phase into the one you wish it to be. Unfortunately you’ll need the All Cheats Mod in order for the cheats to work.

Because these cheats require a mod, we can not guarantee they are completely safe. Using these cheats might break your game, therefore we advise you to use them wisely. Use at your own risk.

Cheat Code	Result
Lunar_cycle.set_phase 0	Set the lunar cycle to the New Moon phase.
Lunar_cycle.set_phase 1	Set the lunar cycle to the Waxing Crescent Moon phase.
Lunar_cycle.set_phase 2	Set the lunar cycle to the First Quarter Moon phase.
Lunar_cycle.set_phase 3	Set the lunar cycle to the Waxing Gibbous Moon phase.
Lunar_cycle.set_phase 4	Set the lunar cycle to the Full Moon phase.
Lunar_cycle.set_phase 5	Set the lunar cycle to the Waning Gibbous Moon phase.
Lunar_cycle.set_phase 6	Set the lunar cycle to the Third Quarter Moon phase.
Lunar_cycle.set_phase 7	Set the lunar cycle to the Waning Crescent Moon phase.