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How to Pacify the King: A Guide to Peacefully Beating Asgore in Undertale

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So, you’ve reached the throne room, stared into the melancholic eyes of King Asgore, and desperately want to complete your Pacifist run. The big question is: How do you beat Asgore peacefully? The short answer is: you can’t spare him directly during the fight because he destroys the MERCY button. However, you can significantly weaken him to the point where the fight is practically over, setting you up for the True Pacifist ending. The key is to reduce his attack and defense using the Butterscotch Pie, talking to him three times before the pie or a combination of both, and then enduring until the story progresses.

The Battle Begins: Preparation and Initial Steps

Before you even step into the throne room, make sure you have the Butterscotch Pie in your inventory. If you missed it in Toriel’s house, you can’t obtain it anymore during that playthrough, but don’t panic! Talking to him repeatedly still works. The pie provides a one-time massive debuff to Asgore’s attack and defense. If you do have the pie, save it specifically for this battle, as using it at any other time is a waste. If you don’t have the pie, talk to him three times. Each time he will say something and his Attack and Defense will lower.

Asgore’s attacks are similar to Toriel’s, but much faster and more relentless. Mastering the dodging mechanics is crucial. Pay attention to his trident; before he attacks, his eyes will flash either orange or blue, mirroring the upcoming attack pattern. Orange attacks require you to stay still, while blue attacks require you to move. React accordingly.

Utilizing the Butterscotch Pie

At the beginning of the battle, immediately use the Butterscotch Pie. This action drastically lowers Asgore’s attack and defense stats. It’s the single most effective way to mitigate the damage you’ll take during the fight. If you are choosing to talk to him, do that three times before attacking him.

The Fight Itself: Surviving and Enduring

Even with the lowered stats, Asgore’s attacks can still be punishing. Focus entirely on survival. Prioritize dodging his attacks over trying to deal damage. Use healing items as needed to keep your HP high. The goal is to endure until Asgore’s health is low enough (around 600 points) and the story progresses.

You cannot use the MERCY button. Asgore destroys it at the start of the battle, symbolizing his desperation and inability to allow you to simply spare him. It’s not an oversight; it’s a critical part of the narrative.

Keep using the “FIGHT” command to whittle away Asgore’s health, and heal up when needed. It can be a long and tense fight, but stay determined and keep learning his attack patterns until the end. When his health is somewhere around 600 points, he will endure one last attack before falling to 1 HP.

The Climax: What Happens Next

Once Asgore is at 1 HP, the story takes over. Flowey will intervene, ending the battle prematurely. This interruption is essential for progressing towards the True Pacifist ending.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Beating Asgore Pacifist Style

Here are some frequently asked questions about battling Asgore in a Pacifist Run:

Can I truly spare Asgore during the fight? No, you cannot. He destroys the MERCY button. The path to the True Pacifist ending involves weakening him enough so that story events can continue.
What happens if I don’t have the Butterscotch Pie? Don’t worry! While the pie makes the fight easier, you can still achieve a Pacifist outcome by talking to him, or simply enduring his attacks with enough healing items and skill.
What’s the best armor to use against Asgore? The Temmie Armor is generally considered the best for a Pacifist run, as it provides excellent defense. The money and Temmie Flakes needed to get the Temmie Armor can take a long time, depending on when you visit Temmie Village.
Does killing Asgore ruin my Pacifist run? Absolutely. Killing Asgore will lock you into a Neutral ending, not the True Pacifist ending.
Is there a way to skip the Asgore fight entirely? No, the Asgore fight is mandatory. You must engage in the battle for the story to progress.
What happens if I use the MERCY button repeatedly even though it’s grayed out? Nothing. Since the MERCY button is grayed out, so pressing it won’t affect the battle.
How much HP does Asgore have? Asgore has 3500 HP.
What attack patterns should I be aware of? Pay close attention to his trident attacks. The color of his eyes before each attack indicates whether you need to move (blue) or stay still (orange). He has two different trident attacks. One attack has him throw multiple tridents at once. The other attack has him swing the trident at you.
What is the difference between Asgore in Undertale and Deltarune? In Undertale, Asgore is the king of the Underground and the final boss standing between the protagonist and freedom. He’s a sorrowful figure burdened by his duties and past mistakes. In Deltarune, Asgore is Toriel’s ex-husband and runs a flower shop called “Flower King.” He is divorced from Toriel and appears to be in a more peaceful and ordinary life, reflecting his gardening hobby from Undertale.
Is Asgore evil? No, Asgore is not inherently evil. He is portrayed as a complex character driven by grief and duty. The loss of his children and the pressure to provide hope for his people led him to make difficult choices. He shows remorse for his actions.
What is the Worn Dagger? The Worn Dagger is one of the weapons available to the protagonist in Undertale. While the article suggests that it is advised if you want to get the Asgore fight over with fast, this implies a more aggressive approach. In a Pacifist run, the type of weapon is inconsequential because you are not trying to maximize damage.
What are the endings in Undertale? Undertale has three main endings: Neutral, Pacifist, and Genocide. The Neutral ending occurs when you defeat the final boss without meeting the requirements for the other endings. The True Pacifist ending requires you to befriend all key characters and resolve their issues. The Genocide ending involves killing every monster you encounter.
How do you befriend Alphys? To befriend Alphys, you must deliver a letter from Undyne to Alphys at her lab in Hotland. After sliding the note under her door, you will go on a “date” with Alphys. Completing this date is essential for progressing towards the True Pacifist ending.
Does fleeing ruin a Pacifist run? No, fleeing from battles does not ruin a Pacifist run. Fleeing is a viable strategy for avoiding combat without killing any enemies.
How to reduce the difficulty? You can reduce the difficulty by acquiring the Temmie Armor, using the butterscotch pie, healing with cinnamon bunnies and other healing items, and talking to Asgore to lower his defense before fighting him.

Final Thoughts: Perseverance and Compassion

Beating Asgore peacefully requires a blend of skill, strategy, and, most importantly, compassion. Understand that Asgore is a tragic figure, not a villain. By enduring his attacks, lowering his defenses, and ultimately refusing to kill him, you pave the way for the True Pacifist ending, showcasing the power of mercy and understanding in the world of Undertale. Remember to always be kind and stay determined! And to learn more about the educational and social impacts of games, explore the GamesLearningSociety.org website.