Can You Actually Beat Flowey in Undertale? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you absolutely can beat Flowey in Undertale! However, the way you do it depends on which form he takes: Photoshop Flowey or Asriel Dreemurr. Both encounters are pivotal to the game’s narrative and gameplay.

Understanding Flowey’s Two Forms

Flowey, the seemingly innocent flower, is far more complex than he appears. He is the main antagonist of Undertale, and the player encounters him in two distinct, challenging forms: Photoshop Flowey (also known as Omega Flowey) and Asriel Dreemurr (in his God of Hyperdeath form). Each form requires a different strategy to defeat.

Photoshop Flowey: A Fight Against SAVE Manipulation

The first time you defeat Flowey, he transforms into a grotesque, monstrous form known as Photoshop Flowey. This battle is unlike any other in the game. He uses the six human souls to become incredibly powerful, and he can manipulate the SAVE files to his advantage, making the fight seem unfair.

How to Beat Photoshop Flowey:

1. Endure the Initial Onslaught: Flowey will unleash a barrage of attacks, some of which seem unavoidable. Don’t give up!

2. The Souls’ Intervention: After withstanding his initial assault, the human souls will begin to rebel against Flowey. They will briefly take control and heal you.

3. Fight Button Appearance: During these moments of soul intervention, a “Fight” button will appear. Press it as quickly as possible.

4. Repeat Until Victory: Continue to endure Flowey’s attacks and take advantage of the souls’ interventions to attack. Eventually, Flowey’s defense will drop to zero, allowing you to defeat him.

Key Takeaway: The Photoshop Flowey fight isn’t about skillful dodging as much as it is about perseverance and taking advantage of the opportunities the rebellious souls provide. It’s a battle against manipulation itself.

Asriel Dreemurr: A Battle of Empathy

After completing a True Pacifist Run, you encounter Asriel Dreemurr in his final form. This fight is less about brute force and more about compassion. Asriel is incredibly powerful, arguably the most powerful being in Undertale, and he’s not holding back.

How to “Beat” Asriel Dreemurr:

1. Survive the Initial Attacks: Asriel’s attacks are intense and visually overwhelming. He’ll use attacks similar to Hyper Goner. Try to dodge the best you can, and don’t worry about dying.

2. The “SAVE” Phase: Eventually, Asriel will unleash an attack that reduces your HP to zero. However, you won’t die. Instead, you’ll enter a sequence where you must “SAVE” your lost friends by remembering them.

3. Restore Your Friends’ Memories: Select each of your friends (Undyne, Alphys, Papyrus, and Sans) and interact with their memories.

4. The Final Act of Mercy: After saving your friends, you’ll be able to SAVE Asriel himself.

Key Takeaway: The Asriel fight is unique because you don’t actually defeat him in the traditional sense. Instead, you use the power of empathy and friendship to reach his true self.

The Choice: Spare or Kill?

After defeating Photoshop Flowey, you are presented with a choice: spare or kill him. This choice has significant consequences for your playthrough.

• Sparing Flowey: Allows you to continue towards a Pacifist ending, and is required for the True Pacifist ending.

• Killing Flowey: Prevents you from achieving the True Pacifist ending in that playthrough.

In a Genocide Run, you are given the option to spare or kill him again, but if you want to spare Flowey during a Genocide Route, you have to quit the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Flowey

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify Flowey’s character and battles:

1. Is there a way to beat Flowey after he absorbs the human SOUL segments?

Yes, after Flowey absorbs the human SOUL segments, his DEF will drop to zero. The souls will provide healing items, and you simply need to continue to hit the “Fight” button when it appears to defeat him.

2. Is it possible to kill Flowey in every playthrough?

No. You can kill Flowey after the first neutral playthrough, but not after a Pacifist Run. In a Genocide Route, you can choose to kill or spare him.

3. Why can’t I fight Flowey in my current playthrough?

If you’ve already defeated Photoshop Flowey in a previous run, he might skip the battle in subsequent neutral runs. He remembers your actions. If it’s your first playthrough and you’re experiencing this, it could be a glitch.

4. Is Flowey stronger than Sans?

In terms of raw power, Photoshop Flowey is significantly stronger than Sans due to his ability to manipulate SAVE files and use the human souls. However, Sans is a formidable opponent.

5. Is Flowey scared of Frisk?

Flowey is not afraid of Frisk. Flowey is afraid of Chara, because Flowey destroyed Asgore’s soul to help Chara.

6. Is Flowey the real villain of Undertale?

Yes, Flowey is the main antagonist of Undertale.

7. Does killing Flowey ruin a Pacifist run?

Killing Flowey at the end of your first playthrough will prevent you from achieving the True Pacifist ending on that run. To get the true pacifist ending, you should spare Flowey.

8. Why is Flowey evil?

Flowey lacks a soul and cannot feel positive emotions like love or empathy. This, combined with his experiences after being resurrected, led him to adopt a “kill or be killed” philosophy.

9. Why does Flowey cry during the Photoshop Flowey fight?

Photoshop Flowey “cries” when he is damaged significantly.

10. Why does Flowey say “kill or be killed”?

Flowey’s “kill or be killed” ideology stems from his belief that it’s the only way to survive in a world where he can’t feel empathy or compassion.

11. Why does Chara kill Flowey at the end of a Genocide Route?

Chara kills Flowey because Flowey destroyed Asgore’s soul to “help” Chara, which ultimately cut off chara’s only way out of the underground.

12. What happens if you dodge Flowey’s bullets at the beginning of the game?

If you dodge Flowey’s “friendliness pellets,” he’ll acknowledge that you know something about them, providing a small easter egg in the dialogue.

13. How many times can you fight Flowey in Undertale?

You can only fight Photoshop Flowey once per save file. To fight him again, you must complete a Pacifist or Genocide run or manually delete your save data.

14. How did Flowey lose his soul?

Flowey lost his soul when he was resurrected by Alphys. The flower was given determination, but the body did not have a soul.

15. Is there a connection between Undertale and learning through games?

Absolutely! Undertale, with its branching narratives, moral choices, and compelling characters, can teach players about empathy, consequence, and the power of choice, mirroring concepts explored by organizations like the Games Learning Society. You can explore more about the intersection of gaming and education at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion: Flowey’s Defeat and the Power of Choice

Defeating Flowey in Undertale is not just about skill; it’s about understanding the narrative, embracing empathy, and making meaningful choices. Whether you choose to spare or kill him, your actions have lasting consequences, shaping the world of Undertale and reflecting on your own values as a player.