Can You Achieve True Pacifist After Offing Flowey in Undertale? The Definitive Guide

The question burns in the hearts of many Undertale players: can you still achieve the coveted True Pacifist ending after having eliminated the seemingly malevolent Flowey? The answer, thankfully, is yes. Killing Flowey at the end of a Neutral Route does not lock you out of the True Pacifist ending on a subsequent playthrough. The game is surprisingly forgiving in this regard, allowing players to learn and grow from their choices without permanently barring them from the most uplifting conclusion.

Understanding Flowey’s Role and Influence

Flowey is arguably the most complex character in Undertale. His actions are driven by a lack of empathy and a distorted worldview, leading him to adopt a “kill or be killed” philosophy. He’s the first character you encounter, and his initial hostility can understandably lead players to distrust and even eliminate him during their first run.

However, the game’s design ensures that this decision isn’t a fatal blow to achieving True Pacifist. Flowey’s death simply influences certain dialogue and events in subsequent playthroughs. Specifically, he won’t appear until after you’ve defeated Asgore in a Neutral Route.

The Path to True Pacifist: A Recap

Before diving deeper into the specifics, let’s briefly recap the requirements for achieving the True Pacifist ending:

• No EXP or LOVE: You must complete the game without killing any monsters. This means using non-lethal options like Spare or other unique actions specific to each enemy encounter. Fleeing battles does not ruin your chances, as long as you don’t gain EXP.
• Befriend Papyrus: After your first encounter with Papyrus, you must visit his house and complete the date/friendship sequence.
• Befriend Undyne: After the encounter with Papyrus, you must visit Undyne’s house in Waterfall, after you have completed the pacifist battle with her, and participate in the cooking lesson and subsequent friendship events.
• The True Lab: After completing a Neutral Route and fulfilling the previous requirements, you’ll receive a call from Undyne. She will instruct you to deliver a letter to Alphys, initiating the True Lab sequence. This involves exploring the lab, learning about Alphys’ past, and restoring her relationships.
• The Final Battle: After resolving the events in the True Lab, you will proceed to face Asriel Dreemurr in a final, emotionally charged battle.

How Killing Flowey Affects the Subsequent Playthrough

As mentioned, killing Flowey alters some aspects of your subsequent playthrough, mostly in his absence until after the Asgore fight. Here’s a breakdown:

• Flowey’s Absence: He won’t appear to taunt or guide you as he does in a typical Neutral Route run.
• Post-Asgore Sequence: Once you beat Asgore, if you have fulfilled all the requirements listed above for a true pacifist run, and depending on whether you killed Flowey previously, you will trigger the phone call from Undyne.

Essentially, killing Flowey makes the path to True Pacifist a bit quieter, but it doesn’t prevent you from walking it.

FAQS: Clearing Up True Pacifist Misconceptions

Let’s tackle some common questions and misconceptions surrounding the True Pacifist ending and Flowey’s role in it.

1. Does fleeing ruin a True Pacifist run?

No, fleeing does not ruin a True Pacifist run. You can run away from encounters without penalty, as long as you avoid gaining any EXP or LOVE by killing monsters.

2. What happens if you only kill Flowey?

If the only kill in your playthrough is Flowey, you will achieve a Neutral Ending, but it does not preclude you from a subsequent True Pacifist ending. The game acknowledges that you can kill, but this choice isn’t a permanent barrier.

3. What happens after you beat Flowey pacifist?

If you spare Flowey after his boss battle in a Neutral Route, he will appear after the subsequent phone call, and provide a hint on how to earn the True Pacifist ending, excluding an aborted Genocide Route attempt.

4. Can you get Flowey back after killing him?

Yes. When you start a new run after killing Flowey, he’s alive. He just avoids you until the end of the game, where you are forced to fight him again. He comes back just by reloading your save, just as with Asgore.

5. Can you lose the Flowey fight?

Dying during the Flowey fight causes the game to quit, but checkpoints ensure you resume the battle where you left off. So, while you can “lose” temporarily, you will eventually win if you are persistent.

6. Does Flowey remember true resets?

If you achieve a True Pacifist route, a True Reset becomes available. Flowey states that even his memories will be wiped if you perform such a reset.

7. What is the soulless pacifist ending?

The Soulless Pacifist ending occurs when you attempt a True Pacifist run after completing a Genocide run. The final scene is altered, showing Frisk waking up with red eyes and making a disturbing smile.

8. Should I spare Flowey in pacifist?

It is actually through sparing Flowey that you get the hint towards True Pacifist. Sparing Flowey is necessary to unlock the True Pacifist route hints.

9. How do I get my Alphys date?

Get the ferry from Hotlands to Snowdin Village and go to Papyrus’s house, and Undyne will give you a letter to deliver to Alphys. Take the ferry back to Hotlands and slide the note under the door, and after a brief and awkward conversation you’ll end up on a date with Alphys.

10. Does Undertale have 93 endings?

While there are three core endings, variations based on player choices can lead to a large number of unique outcomes. However, the notion of 93 endings is a bit of an exaggeration.

11. Can you complete Undertale without killing anyone?

Yes! This is the key to unlocking the True Pacifist ending. The game encourages non-lethal approaches, and many encounters are easier if you avoid violence.

12. Why does Flowey warn you about Sans?

Flowey warns you to not let Sans find out anything about your ability to Save and Reset the timeline. This knowledge makes Sans a dangerous opponent.

13. What does Flowey say if you spare him?

If spared after his boss battle, Flowey says, “I’ll kill everyone. I’ll kill everyone you love.” It’s a chilling reminder of his manipulative and ultimately malevolent nature.

14. Which Undertale ending is canon?

All endings of Undertale are considered canon within the Undertale/Deltarune multiverse, as Deltarune is set in an alternate universe.

15. Why is Chara evil?

Chara is not inherently evil. The Genocide Route, influenced by the player’s choices, corrupts Frisk and amplifies Chara’s vengeful tendencies. This is not their “default” state, but it becomes their role if the player decides to kill everyone in the Underground.

Embracing the Lessons of Undertale

Undertale is a game about choices and consequences. While killing Flowey might seem like a significant decision, the game offers redemption and the opportunity to strive for a better outcome. The True Pacifist ending is a reward for compassion, empathy, and understanding. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; learn from them, and keep striving for a more peaceful world within the game.

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