A good cheat can be really satisfying. The developers of The Sims 4 know that sometimes you just need to max a skill out right now.

They conveniently left in the ability to manually set your character’s skill levels with simple console commands. It’s a pretty simple process and this guide will help you create the most talented Sim of all time.

10 10. Getting Started

The first thing you need to do is open your console. Hit CTRL = shift + C while playing on PC. Use the command testing cheats and you’re ready to use advanced cheats. You’ll see a white box on the screen which will allow you to enter the individual skill cheats that you want to use. You can add more than one with a space between each if you’re looking to really beef up your character.

To make the process even easier, we’ve included the full list of cheats so you can simply copy and paste them.

Don’t forget to set “X” to the skill level you want. Some skills cap out at five (which we’ve noted). Skills from Expansion Packs are noted too!

9 9. Artistic Skills

Skill: Major_Acting (Get Famous Expansion Pack).

Acting is one of the more useful skills in the Get Famous Expansion Pack. It can be used to earn tips and even save a bad conversation. Each level of the skill unlocks a new feature so maxing it out is a good idea.

Skill: Major_Photography - stats.set_skill_level skill_photography X (Max 5, Get to Work Expansion Pack).

This is another fun skill that can be a pretty good money maker. The higher your level the more sellable photos you’ll be able to take.

Skill: Major_Painting - stats.set_skill_level skill_painting X.

This skill isn’t the toughest to level organically but if you’re in a rush to turn a profit, it’s a good idea to use the cheat. Your Sim’s paintings won’t be profitable at lower levels

8 8. Social Skills

Skill: Major_Charisma - stats.set_skill_level skill_charisma X.

Charisma isn’t as necessary as it was in the first game but it’s still really helpful. You can still get rejected pretty hard—even with max charisma—but it goes a long way.

Sill: Major_Comedy - stats.set_skill_level skill_comedy X.

This skill can be practiced through conversation but your Sim probably isn’t talking to someone 24/7. You could buy a microphone to hone your comedy but that’s time-consuming, too. A cheat here is a big time saver.

Skill: Major_Mischief - stats.set_skill_level skill_mischief X

This skill makes you better at pulling pranks and a better sport about receiving them.

7 7. Music Skills

Via: EA Games

Skill: Major_Guitar - stats.set_skill_level skill_guitar X

You run the risk of ruining other Sims’ moodlets if you practice an instrument around them. Just get to mastery level and avoid that embarrassment altogether.

Skill: Major_Piano - stats.set_skill_level skill_piano X

As with other music skills, no one wants to hear you practice "Chop Sticks" for four hours a day. Skipping that phase is a mercy to other sims.

Skill: Major_PipeOrgan - stats.set_skill_level skill_pipeorgan X (Vampires Expansion Pack)

This skill wasn’t added to the aspirations list so you won’t be making a career out of being an organist. But you can be dramatic and brooding.

Skill: Major_Violin - stats.set_skill_level skill_violin X

You can avoid causing other Sims negative moodlets by never letting them hear your awkward learning stage.

Skill: Major_Singing - stats.set_skill_level skill_singing X (City Living Expansion Pack)

Singing isn’t very useful on its own but it can be a useful skill in relationships.

6 6. Life Skills

A parent telling off her teens

Skill: Major_Baking - stats.set_skill_level major_baking x (Get to Work Expansion Pack)

Baking requires access to an oven and levels up very similarly to cooking or gourmet cooking. As with other cooking skills, you can set your oven on fire so leveling up is a matter of safety.

Skill: Major_Parenting - stats.set_skill_level skill_parenting X (Parenthood Expansion Pack)

The parenting skill influences the success rate of any parenting commands your Sim issues. These commands affect how well you’re able to influence your child’s traits.

Skill: Major_GourmetCooking - stats.set_skill_level skill_gourmetcooking X

Gourmet cooking is pretty similar to basic cooking skill. The meals will fill the hunger meter faster and are more fattening. You also have less chance of burning your kitchen down.

Skill: Major_HomestyleCooking - stats.set_skill_level skill_homestylecoking X

You don’t want to burn your house down, so go ahead and increase this skill.

Skill: Major_Handiness stats.set_skill_level skill_handiness X

This is one of the most important skills in the game. Any sim that lives in a house should max this one out.

5 5. Athletic Skills

Skill: Skill_Fitness - stats.set_skill_level skill_fitness x

The only way fitness helps your Sim out is in a fight. Don’t forget that maxing your fitness skill won’t keep your Sim fit if they don’t work out often enough.

Skill: Major_Wellness - stats.set_skill_level skill_wellness X (Spa day Game Expansion Pack)

Sims with a high level of wellness skill live longer and can even help themselves recover from illness. This is a pretty useful skill.

4 4. Party Skills

Skill: Major_Bartending - stats.set_skill_level skill_bartending X

This skill is one of the lower paying careers in the game but it can be very fun to watch some of the tricks.

Skill: Minor_Dancing - stats.set_skill_level skill_dancing X (Get Together Expansion Pack, may not work on Teenage Sims)

Dancing isn’t the most useful skill in the game. It’s just for fun. But you can hurt yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing so if you’re going to bust a move, max out so you don’t bust your face.

Skill: Major_DJMixing - stats.set_skill_level skill_djmixing X (Get Together Expansion Pack, may not work on Teenage Sims)

DJ mixing is only useful in a limited number of cases, but it can help you gain relationships a little faster.

3 3. Hobby Skills

Sims 4 Get Famous Pack: Sim Posing on Red Carpet

Skill: Skill_Bowling - stats.set_skill_level skill_bowling X (max 5)

This skill is definitely one of the slowest to level up organically. Using a cheat lets you skip the long, arduous process and get right to pro status.

Skill: Major_Fishing - stats.set_skill_level skill_fishing X

Fishing can be useful to gather ingredients for cooking and even generate a small income.

Skill: Major_Gardening - stats.set_skill_level skill_gardening X

Gardening can produce ingredients for cooking and produce to sell. You can also cultivate your own flowers for flower arranging.

Skill: Skill_Dogtraining - stats.set_skill_level skill_dogtraining 5 (max 5, Cats & Dogs expansion pack)

Even if you max this skill out, your pet will still resist training while they’re in heat. Keep that in mind as you teach your new friend tricks.

Skill: Major_Herbalism - stats.set_skill_level skill_herbalism X (Outdoor Retreat Expansion Pack)

This skill can be useful if you spend a lot of time in the park camping. You can even brew your own insect repellent.

Skill: Major_VideoGaming - stats.set_skill_level skill_videogaming X

Much like logic, the video gaming skill governs your Sim’s skill at winning games. Logic can stack with this skill as a mod.

Skill: Major_Veterinarian - stats.set_skill_level skill_veterinarian X (Cats and Dogs Expansion Pack)

Animal lovers should pay close attention to this skill. It allows you to treat and heal sick or injured pets.

2 2. Intellectual Skills

Skill: Major_Archaeology stats.set_skill_level major_archaeology x (Jungle Adventure expansion pack)

This skill doesn’t have much use outside of the Jungle Adventure Expansion Pack. Sims can learn this skill through skill books on home lots or by exploring piles of dirt while excavating in the jungle. If you have a higher level in the skill, you can find and disarm traps while studying temple objects.

Skill: Major_RocketScience - stats.set_skill_level skill_rocketscience X

Climbing to level 10 of the Astronaut career track can earn you a free rocket. You’ll need to use the rocket science skill to get there so max it out and get to work.

Skill: Major_Logic - stats.set_skill_level skill_meatproduction X

This skill impacts how likely you are to win games. Video gaming is the primary skill for digital games but logic will add a mod.

Skill: Vampire Lore - stats.set_skill_level Vampirelore X (max 15, Vampires Expansion Pack)

This skill is important for both being a vampire and defending against them. If you’re using this expansion, maxing this out is an obvious choice.

Skill: Adultminor_localculture - stats.set_skill_level skill_localculture X (Jungle Adventure Expansion Pack)

This skill is only useful in the Jungle Adventure Expansion Pack. This skill allows a Sim to get the most from food purchased from Selvadoradian cuisine vendors. Without it, you won’t be able to finish the local dishes.

1 1. Career Skills

A sim flower arranging with other garden activity behind her.

Skill: Major_Flowerarranging - stats.set_skill_level skill_flowerarranging X (Seasons Expansion Pack)

When combined with gardening, this skill can make a pretty decent living. It’s not a bad choice for anyone considering a career in floral arranging.

NEXT: The Sims 4: A Definitive List Of All The Ways A Sim Can Die

Skill: Major_Writing - stats.set_skill_level skill_writing X

This is the most reliable and profitable of all of the art skills in the game. If you want to make a living as a creative professional, max this skill out.

Skill: Major_Programming - stats.set_skill_level skill_programming X

At higher levels, programming can be used to generate a nice income. To raise the skill organically you have to purchase a computer which can be a bit expensive.