How to be the Best Ghost Hunter in The Sims 4
If you’ve ever wanted your Sims to live out their own Ghostbusters fantasy, The Sims 4: Paranormal Stuff is where the supernatural fun really begins. The Paranormal Investigator career lets Sims tackle haunted houses, chase away mischievous specters, and cleanse cursed objects for a living. It’s not your usual 9-5, but for players who enjoy a bit of chaos and storytelling, it’s one of the most entertaining freelance paths in the game.
Before you dive in, it helps to know how this career actually works. It’s not like your typical job where Sims disappear for eight hours and come back with a paycheck. This one’s gig-based, unpredictable, and just a little spooky.
How to Start the Paranormal Investigator Career
Becoming a paranormal investigator works differently from other careers in The Sims 4. Instead of scrolling through the normal career panel, your Sim needs to join the Freelancer career first. You can do this using either a phone or computer. Once you’ve joined, you’ll get a menu to choose your specialisation – pick “Paranormal Investigator.”
Unlike most freelance gigs (like writing or programming), you can’t start right away. Your Sim needs a license before they’re allowed to investigate haunted lots. Think of it like a ghost-hunting permit – you’re not ready to deal with the spirit world without one.
How to Get the Paranormal Investigator License
There are two ways to get your license, and both involve a little effort.
The first (and most authentic) way is through Guidry, the friendly ghost who acts as your supernatural mentor. If your Sim is living on a Haunted House Residential lot, Guidry will appear at night once your Medium skill reaches Level 5. You can also summon him using a séance table or séance circle once you’ve practiced enough. When he appears, simply chat with him and ask about becoming a Paranormal Investigator – he’ll happily hand over your official license.
The second option is a shortcut: buy the license from the Rewards Store for 3,000 Satisfaction Points. It’s pricey, but it skips the skill grind. Personally, though, meeting Guidry feels more fun and in-spirit (pun intended).
Finding and Choosing Gigs
Once you’ve got your license, open your Freelancer career menu to browse available gigs. You’ll see three difficulty levels:
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Beginner Paranormal Investigation – Easier jobs with gentler spirits and lower pay.
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Adept Paranormal Investigation – Moderate difficulty; more active ghosts and cursed items.
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Expert Paranormal Investigation – The real deal. Expect aggressive specters, creepy ambience, and the best payouts.
Just like other freelance careers, you can only take one gig at a time, and you’ll be paid when the job is done – not a moment sooner.
What to Expect During a Gig
Every paranormal gig happens at night, starting around 9:30 PM and ending by 6:30 AM. You’ll arrive at a haunted Lot filled with strange energy, flickering lights, and often a few cursed objects waiting to be exorcised.
To complete the gig, you’ll need to:
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Cleanse cursed objects by clicking on them and choosing “Remove Accursed Object.”
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Calm or banish specters, either by asking them to leave, offering gifts, or performing a séance to raise the home’s spiritual harmony.
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Perform ceremonies to strengthen the good energy in the house.
Each completed task fills up your progress bar. Once it’s full, you’ll automatically wrap up the gig and receive your payment.
Be warned – offering a piece of your Sim’s soul to a spirit might get them to leave, but it also shortens their lifespan by a few days. Definitely not worth it unless you’re desperate.
Level Up Your Medium Skill
Your Sim’s Medium skill plays a huge role in this career. The higher it is, the easier it becomes to communicate with ghosts and complete gigs quickly. You can train this skill using the Séance Table or Séance Circle, and it caps at Level 5 – so it’s quick to max out.
Spellcasters have a small advantage since their magical affinity helps them learn faster, but any Sim can reach Level 5 in a few in-game days with regular practice.
Once you’re skilled enough, séances will reveal new interactions like “Commune with the Departed” or “Perform a Ceremony,” both of which can calm spirits and reduce paranormal chaos on haunted lots.
Traits and Rewards That Help
If your Sim wants to make a real career out of ghost-busting, the Brave trait is worth saving up for. It costs 3,000 Satisfaction Points and makes your Sim much less likely to panic during gigs. Nothing kills the mood faster than a professional investigator screaming and running out of the house mid-séance.
If you don’t have the points yet, a sneaky trick is to set your home lot to “Haunted House Residential.” Living among ghosts will toughen your Sim up fast.
Getting Help from Guidry and Bonehilda
Even the bravest investigator sometimes needs backup. If a gig is going south – too many cursed objects, too little time – you can summon Guidry through your séance circle for advice or spiritual items. He often gives tips and even emotional support if your Sim’s nerves are shot.
And if you’ve unlocked Bonehilda, she can help too. Just know that she and Guidry don’t always get along, so maybe don’t summon both at once unless you enjoy a little drama in your haunted household.
Sweetening the Deal with Homemade Gifts
Not every spirit is out for blood – some just want attention (or snacks). Friendly specters can be persuaded to leave peacefully if you offer them a homemade gift. Baked goods, candles, knitted crafts, or even fizzy juice all work. They might even leave a gift behind as thanks, which is both creepy and kind of sweet.
Whether your Sim is calmly chatting with spirits, bribing specters with cupcakes, or accidentally losing a piece of their soul, this career is guaranteed to make life – and afterlife – a lot more interesting.
