Influence

Influence is gained by making friends and fulfilling wants that gain influence points (indicated by a blue border around the want). The amount of friends you have limits the amount of points you can accumulate at one time. Your Sim can then use those points to 'influence' or command other Sims to do things for your Sim.

Influencing has a powerful impact over the game, going as far as to controlling or changing a townie's life if planned correctly. For example, influence can lead to two Sims falling in love, or even fighting with each other, once you lead the initial interaction, the two Sims may continue to move off that interaction. For example, if you tell a Sim to insult another Sim, they may insult back. Thus, if you wait a bit, the two will continue to wage a feud against each other. You could also do the opposite or repair a Sims relationship doing this if you have enough influence (and patience) to deal with the two.

You can influence a majority of Sims, including service NPC's like maids, butlers, and police. However, some options are limited and sometimes it's advised not to influence a certain Sim as their own script makes them do something else. For example, trying to influence your butler to do something may result in him going to do house duties instead of what you asked and your influence points will not be refunded, and it is advised you do not influence your butler when there are things to be done, but when there is nothing left. Some Sims would rather do "Duty over influence" meaning that if something that would usually trigger their immediate attention (Like the butler) happens to do so, the Sim may automatically cancel the influence if it has not taken place and use their attention elsewhere. If said interaction has already begun, they will finish it if possible.

It should also be noted and warned that your influence pie menu does not take conditions into effect. For example, if you influence a Sim to make dinner, but that Sim can't get into the house because you've locked the doors, you will have wasted influence points and your Sim still won't have a dinner. Some fun you could do with influence is with your paper deliverers. If influenced correctly, they can stay in the lot long past their job time, stretching as far as to 8 PM.

It should also be noted influence can be a tool of destruction. If you want to see a townie or Sim suffer, your Sim could influence another Sim to do it for you. Said example is with breaking up a couple to get at the desired Sim without triggering jealousy or rejection. You could also just have Sims fight for your own amusement, influence has many probabilities.

Influence Level
Level 1 : Puny Pleader Capacity : 2000 Points Friends : 0

Level 2 : Common Cajoler Capacity : 4000 Points Friends : 1

Level 3 : Suave String Puller Capacity : 6000 Points Friends : 3

Level 4 : Powerful Persuader Capacity : 8000 Points Friends : 6

Level 5 : Master Manipulator Capacity : 10000 Points Friends : 12

Tips

 * When on a tight schedule, the ability to have Sims make your Sim a lunch or even do the garden for them helps.
 * You can persuade Sims to fulfill their own needs, such as taking a bath or eating.
 * Some influence abilities are locked until you make a few friends to expand your influence.
 * Instead of gardening, you can influence a friend (or the paper boy) to do your garden for you.
 * You cannot influence toddlers.
 * You could influence Sims to fight each other if your Sim wants to see a fight.