Can You Achieve True Pacifist After a Toriel Mistake in Undertale?
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The burning question on many Undertale players’ minds: Can you still achieve the coveted True Pacifist ending after accidentally or intentionally eliminating Toriel early in the game? The short answer is no, not in the same playthrough. However, all hope is not lost. Undertale, being the wonderfully forgiving and meta-aware game it is, offers avenues to correct your mistake and embark on the path to true pacifism. This involves understanding the game’s mechanics, particularly the SAVE system and the concept of resets. Let’s delve deeper into this, and other frequently asked questions, to clarify how to achieve the best possible outcome in the Underground.
Understanding Undertale’s Moral Compass
Undertale is renowned for its nuanced approach to morality and player choice. Every action, especially regarding combat, has consequences. The game tracks your behavior meticulously, and these choices directly influence the ending you receive. The True Pacifist ending demands unwavering mercy and kindness towards all creatures you encounter. Killing Toriel violates this core tenet, immediately disqualifying you from achieving this ending in that current playthrough.
The good news is that Undertale gives you the ability to rewind time.
Resetting and Reloading: Your Keys to Redemption
The game offers two crucial mechanisms for correcting mistakes: reloading a SAVE file and performing a reset.
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Reloading: This option allows you to revert to your last saved state. If you acted impulsively and defeated Toriel, immediately reloading your SAVE before the final blow can save your pacifist run. The game essentially “forgets” your transgression.
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Resetting: A reset wipes your progress entirely, allowing you to begin a completely new game. This is your path to redemption if you’ve already saved after killing Toriel, making reloading impossible. Think of it as creating a branching timeline where you make different choices.
It’s important to note the distinction between a “regular” reset and a “True Reset”. A regular reset simply restarts the game, while a True Reset, unlocked after completing the True Pacifist ending, is said to erase even Flowey’s memory of past timelines.
The Role of EXP and LV (Level of Violence)
A critical factor determining your eligibility for the True Pacifist ending is your EXP (Experience Points) and LV (Level of Violence). To achieve True Pacifist, you must complete the game with LV 1 and 0 EXP. Gaining EXP, even a small amount, indicates that you’ve killed a monster, instantly locking you out of the True Pacifist ending for that run.
Toriel’s death grants EXP, thus raising your LV. This is why simply sparing her is vital for this route.
Beyond Toriel: The Complete Pacifist Package
While sparing Toriel is a crucial first step, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. To unlock the True Pacifist ending, you must also:
- Never kill any monsters throughout the entire game. This means using the “Spare” option during every encounter.
- Complete a Neutral ending first. This involves defeating Asgore and Flowey (or simply fleeing from Asgore).
- Befriend Papyrus, Undyne, and Alphys. This involves specific side quests and dialogue choices, including dating Papyrus, becoming friends with Undyne, and going on a date with Alphys after receiving Undyne’s letter.
- Load your SAVE file after the Neutral ending and follow Papyrus’s advice to befriend Undyne.
- Complete Alphys’s date in the True Lab.
Failing to meet any of these requirements will result in a lesser ending, even if you spared every monster after Toriel.
Flowey Remembers… Sort Of
Undertale has a fourth-wall-breaking narrative. Flowey possesses some awareness of previous timelines. He knows about your resets and your past actions. This does not affect your ability to achieve the True Pacifist ending after a reset. However, he will make comments and references to your past actions, adding a layer of meta-commentary to your playthrough. Flowey’s awareness is a narrative element and will not prevent you from saving everybody.
FAQs: Untangling the Pacifist Path
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about achieving the True Pacifist ending, especially in relation to errors made early on in the game:
1. If I accidentally killed a monster other than Toriel, can I still get True Pacifist?
Yes, provided you immediately reload your SAVE file before saving afterwards. The key is to prevent any EXP gain from being permanently recorded. If you saved after accidentally killing a monster, you will need to reset entirely.
2. Does attacking a monster ruin the True Pacifist run?
Attacking monsters does not necessarily ruin your chances, as long as you don’t kill them and gain EXP. You can attack, use items, and even flee battles without penalty, provided the monster ultimately survives.
3. What happens if I trigger a battle but flee every time?
Fleeing from battles is perfectly acceptable for a True Pacifist run. As long as you don’t gain any EXP, your pacifist status remains intact.
4. Can I kill the Dummy in the Ruins and still get True Pacifist?
Yes. The Dummy encounter is designed so that killing it does not grant any EXP. This exception is made to move the plot forward.
5. Is there a point of no return for the True Pacifist ending?
Yes, there are multiple points of no return. Saving after killing ANY monster is a key point of no return. Missing the dates with Papyrus, Undyne, and Alphys locks you out of the special side quests required for the True Pacifist ending. Progressing past the Neutral ending without fulfilling the friendship requirements also prevents True Pacifist.
6. I already got the Genocide ending. Can I still get True Pacifist?
Yes, but with a caveat. After completing the Genocide ending, every subsequent Pacifist run will result in the Soulless Pacifist ending. The game remembers your past actions and alters the ending accordingly. It results in a sinister after-credits scene, implying that the protagonist has evil intentions.
7. Does the order in which I befriend Papyrus, Undyne, and Alphys matter?
The order is somewhat important. You must date Papyrus first before attempting to befriend Undyne, and only after doing that can you trigger the events to befriend Alphys.
8. What if I accidentally leveled up before fighting Toriel?
If you gained any EXP before encountering Toriel and saved, you are locked out of the True Pacifist ending. Your only recourse is to reset the game.
9. Does skipping dialogue affect my ability to get True Pacifist?
Skipping dialogue can be detrimental, especially if it causes you to miss crucial information about side quests or character relationships. For instance, skipping Papyrus’s instructions to befriend Undyne can stop you from doing the True Pacifist run.
10. Can I use items in battle during a True Pacifist run?
Yes! Using items in battle is perfectly fine and does not affect your eligibility for the True Pacifist ending.
11. What happens if I do a True Reset after achieving the True Pacifist ending?
A True Reset essentially wipes the slate clean, even erasing Flowey’s memories of past timelines (according to Flowey himself). This allows you to experience the game with a fresh perspective, although the game might still subtly acknowledge your past achievements. It is also how to reset your save after a soulless pacifist ending.
12. Is it possible to stay with Toriel forever?
No. While there’s a brief opportunity to linger in her home, the game’s narrative compels you to leave the Ruins and continue your journey. There is no in-game mechanic to permanently reside with Toriel.
13. Can I get True Pacifist on my first playthrough?
Yes, it is possible to achieve the True Pacifist ending on your first playthrough if you are careful and follow a guide closely. However, many players find it more rewarding to experience the game organically first, exploring the Neutral endings, before striving for the “perfect” outcome.
14. What is the hardest part of getting the True Pacifist ending?
For many players, the most challenging aspect is managing the Alphys date and navigating the True Lab. This section requires specific actions and dialogue choices to progress, and the True Lab itself can be a bit frightening. The Omega Flowey fight can also be considered difficult.
15. Why is the True Pacifist ending considered the “best” ending?
The True Pacifist ending is often considered the “best” because it represents the most optimistic and fulfilling resolution of the game’s narrative. It showcases the power of compassion, forgiveness, and understanding, and allows all the characters to achieve happiness. It also contains a lot more content than a neutral run. However, “best” is subjective, and other endings offer unique insights into the game’s themes.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Journey
Undertale is not just a game; it’s an experience. Don’t be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them. Even if you stumble along the way, the game provides opportunities for redemption and growth. The journey to the True Pacifist ending is a testament to the power of kindness and the importance of making conscious choices. Happy playing, and remember to stay determined! Learn more about games and learning on the Games Learning Society website. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org!