How to Beat Undertale Without Killing Anything: A Comprehensive Guide to the Pacifist Route
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To beat Undertale without killing anything, you must achieve the True Pacifist Ending. This means completing the game without earning any EXP (Experience Points). EXP is gained from defeating monsters. Therefore, your primary goal is to Spare every monster you encounter in combat. This requires understanding each monster’s unique behaviors and fulfilling specific actions to make them spareable. You also need to befriend Papyrus, Undyne, and Alphys following specific steps, and avoid attacking any boss. Careful choices and understanding the game’s mechanics are essential to achieving this emotionally rewarding ending.
Understanding the Pacifist Route
The Pacifist Route in Undertale is arguably the game’s “true” ending, showcasing the power of mercy and understanding in a world where violence is often the default. It’s a challenging but fulfilling path that requires patience, empathy, and strategic thinking. Unlike the Neutral or Genocide routes, the Pacifist Route focuses on resolving conflicts peacefully and building relationships with the quirky and memorable characters you encounter.
Core Principles of a Pacifist Run
- No Killing: This is the golden rule. You cannot defeat any monster through violence. Every encounter must end with you sparing them.
- Understanding Monster Behaviors: Each monster type has specific actions or conditions that make them spareable. Learning these patterns is crucial.
- Strategic Actions: Choose the right actions in battle to trigger the sparing condition. This might involve using specific items, selecting certain dialogue options, or performing particular sequences of actions.
- Following the Narrative: The Pacifist Route requires completing specific side quests and interacting with certain characters in a particular order. This ensures you unlock the necessary events for the True Pacifist Ending.
Getting Started: The Initial Encounters
From the very beginning of the game, be mindful of your actions. The first monster you encounter, Froggit, can be spared simply by selecting “Spare.” However, later encounters will require more nuanced approaches. Pay attention to the dialogue and descriptions provided during battles, as these often hint at what actions will lead to a peaceful resolution.
Key Encounters and How to Spare Them
Successfully navigating the Pacifist Route involves understanding how to spare various enemy types. Here are some common enemies and tips for sparing them:
- Froggit: Spare immediately.
- Whimsun: Flee or raise your ATK.
- Moldsmal: Simply Spare them.
- Vegetoid: Select “Dinner” then “Devour.”
- Loox: Don’t pick on Loox. Pick on him until he says something.
- Migosp: Attack Migosp until there is only one.
- Napstablook: Cheer him up.
- Toriel: Repeatedly select “Spare” until she gives in.
- Papyrus: Lose the battle (by falling below 1 HP).
- Doggo: Pet him or use the stick.
- Dogamy and Dogaressa: Roll around in the dirt.
- Lesser Dog: Pet him a few times
- Greater Dog: Play Fetch with him, then pet him.
- Undyne: Flee from her until she stops chasing you.
- Mad Dummy: Don’t attack him. Talk to him instead.
- Shyren: Hum to her, then Spare.
- Mettaton EX: You need to get at least 10,000 ratings.
Befriending Papyrus, Undyne, and Alphys
These friendships are crucial for unlocking the True Pacifist Ending:
- Papyrus: After defeating Papyrus (by losing), go on a date with him at his house in Snowdin. Choose dialogue options that flatter him.
- Undyne: After escaping Undyne in Waterfall, visit her at her house in Waterfall (near Napstablook’s house). After receiving a spear, get her water. Cook with her, and then let her win the fight.
- Alphys: After the Mettaton EX fight, return to Alphys’s lab. Complete her puzzle. Go on a date with her at MTT resort.
The Asriel Dreemurr Fight
This is the final boss battle of the True Pacifist Route. You cannot attack Asriel. Instead, you must use the ACT options “Hope” to save your lost friends.
Completing the True Pacifist Route: Post-Core
After defeating Asgore and Flowey in the Neutral ending, you must:
- Load your save file. Papyrus will call you and suggest you befriend Undyne.
- Befriend Undyne following the steps outlined above.
- Undyne will send you a letter.
- Deliver the letter to Alphys which starts a series of events.
- Complete Alphys’s True Lab.
- Return to the entrance of the Underground where your friends will be waiting.
What to Avoid
- Gaining EXP: Any EXP gain will ruin your Pacifist run. If you accidentally kill a monster, immediately reset your game.
- Using Aggressive Items: Avoid items that inflict significant damage, as these could inadvertently kill monsters.
- Ignoring Dialogue: Dialogue often provides clues about how to spare monsters. Pay close attention to what the characters say.
- Attacking Bosses: None of the bosses should be attacked in a Pacifist Run.
Conclusion: A Rewarding Experience
The Pacifist Route in Undertale is a deeply rewarding experience that challenges players to think beyond conventional combat and embrace compassion and understanding. While it requires patience and careful planning, the emotional impact and the sense of accomplishment make it well worth the effort. By following this guide and paying attention to the nuances of the game, you can successfully navigate the Pacifist Route and unlock the True Pacifist Ending.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I accidentally kill a monster?
If you accidentally kill a monster, you’ll gain EXP, which will invalidate your Pacifist run. The only solution is to immediately reset your game and reload your last save. There’s no way to undo a kill once it happens.
2. Can I still use items in battle?
Yes, you can use items in battle. Some items, like the Spider Cider or Butterscotch Pie, can even help you spare certain monsters. However, be cautious about using items that inflict damage, as they could accidentally kill a monster.
3. Is it possible to fight Asgore without killing him?
No, you cannot spare Asgore the first time you meet him. However, after Flowey interrupts, you will have another chance to complete the Pacifist Route. After completing the requirements, you will fight Asriel Dreemurr instead of Asgore.
4. How do I know if I’m on the right track for the Pacifist Ending?
If you have not gained any EXP throughout your playthrough and have befriended Papyrus and Undyne, you are likely on the right track. After completing the Neutral ending and reloading your save file, Papyrus will call you, confirming that you can pursue the True Pacifist Ending.
5. What’s the difference between the Pacifist and True Pacifist endings?
The Pacifist Ending is achieved by sparing all monsters but not completing the necessary steps to befriend Papyrus, Undyne and Alphys. The True Pacifist Ending requires both sparing all monsters and completing the specific side quests and befriending the key characters. It results in a happier resolution and provides more closure to the story.
6. Can I use the “Fight” option at all during a Pacifist run?
Generally, no. Using the “Fight” option is discouraged, but there are a few exceptions. Certain monsters require you to attack them a few times before you can spare them (like Migosp). However, you must ensure you don’t reduce their HP to zero.
7. What happens if I run away from a battle?
Running away from a battle does not count as killing and does not affect your ability to achieve the Pacifist ending. However, running away from a battle can prevent you from fulfilling the conditions to spare the enemy.
8. Is the Genocide Route harder than the Pacifist Route?
Both routes present unique challenges. The Genocide Route requires defeating every monster in each area, which demands strategic combat skills and can be emotionally draining. The Pacifist Route requires a deep understanding of monster behaviors and careful decision-making to avoid killing while navigating the story.
9. Do I need to complete the game once before attempting the Pacifist Route?
It’s not strictly necessary, but it is highly recommended. Completing a Neutral run first allows you to learn the game’s mechanics, understand the characters, and become familiar with the world. This knowledge makes the Pacifist Route much easier to navigate.
10. What is the “True Lab” and why is it important for the Pacifist Route?
The True Lab is a hidden area that provides crucial backstory about Alphys’s experiments with souls. Completing the True Lab is a mandatory step for unlocking the True Pacifist Ending.
11. How long does it take to complete a Pacifist run?
The length of a Pacifist run can vary depending on your familiarity with the game and your playstyle. On average, it takes 6-8 hours to complete a Pacifist run.
12. What is the hardest part of the Pacifist Route?
Many players find the Undyne the Undying fight to be particularly challenging if they accidentally initiate this hard mode. However, as long as you flee from Undyne as described above, you will not have to face Undyne the Undying, and the Pacifist Route shouldn’t be too hard.
13. Are there any missable elements in the Pacifist Route?
Yes, there are a few missable elements. The most common is failing to befriend Papyrus or Undyne correctly, which can prevent you from unlocking the True Pacifist Ending. Make sure to follow the steps outlined above carefully.
14. Does the order in which I befriend Papyrus and Undyne matter?
Yes. You must befriend Papyrus first before you can befriend Undyne.
15. Can I use a guide to help me with the Pacifist Route?
Yes, absolutely! Using a guide can be incredibly helpful, especially for understanding the specific actions required to spare each monster and complete the necessary side quests. However, try to avoid spoilers as much as possible to preserve the emotional impact of the story.