How to Beat Undertale Without Killing Toriel
The golden rule of a True Pacifist run in Undertale is simple: never kill anyone. This includes Toriel, the first boss you encounter in the game. You can successfully navigate this initial challenge, securing your path towards the coveted pacifist ending. The key to sparing Toriel is persistence and understanding the mechanics of the battle.
During the fight with Toriel, repeatedly choose the “Spare” option. Don’t attack her even once! It will likely take around 24 spare attempts before she yields and allows you to pass. While she initially attacks with fire magic, if your health is low, her attacks will begin to deliberately miss you. This mechanic is in place to prevent accidental deaths and is a major hint that you should spare her instead of fighting back.
Patience is vital. The battle might feel repetitive, but each spare brings you closer to the desired outcome. Avoid engaging in aggressive attacks at any point. Focus instead on dodging her attacks and choosing “Spare” each turn. Eventually, Toriel will give in, allowing you to continue your journey and remain on the path to a True Pacifist ending. Sparing Toriel ensures that you maintain a LV (Love) of 1, signifying that you have gained zero EXP through combat, a requirement for achieving the coveted True Pacifist ending.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I get the True Pacifist ending if I kill Toriel?
No, killing Toriel invalidates the True Pacifist route. You will need to reset your game and play again, ensuring you only ever “Spare” Toriel during the fight. Remember, maintaining a LV of 1, achieved by gaining 0 EXP, is crucial.
What happens if I accidentally kill Toriel?
If you accidentally kill Toriel, immediately reset your game if you haven’t saved yet. If you have already saved after killing her, you will need to reset completely and start a new game. There’s no turning back once the game saves your actions.
Is it harder to spare Toriel than to kill her?
While it may feel like the fight drags on, sparing Toriel is not inherently more difficult than killing her. Toriel’s attacks will start missing you when your health gets low, making it easier to survive and continue selecting the “Spare” option. The difficulty comes from resisting the urge to attack and patiently selecting “Spare” repeatedly.
Does killing the dummy in the Ruins ruin a pacifist run?
No, the training dummy in the Ruins does not count as a kill. Toriel’s reaction and the Mad Dummy’s dialogue change based on your actions, but neither attacking, talking to, nor fleeing from the dummy will jeopardize your pacifist run. Feel free to interact with it as you wish.
What happens if I sleep in the bed after killing Toriel?
If you sleep in the bed in Toriel’s home after killing her, a song called “Empty House” will play when you wake up. This is a subtle, yet poignant consequence of your decision. Attempting to sleep in the same bed after achieving the True Pacifist ending elicits a different response from the narrator, noting that the bed now feels too small.
How long should I wait for Toriel in the hallway?
After Toriel leaves you in a hallway and tells you to wait, waiting there for about five minutes will trigger some extra dialogue. While not crucial to the plot, it’s a fun easter egg for patient players. You can also proceed immediately if you choose.
Can Toriel kill you?
It is possible to die to Toriel, but only if your HP is very low. In that scenario, and Toriel combos her attacks, you can die. However, the game is designed to prevent this. Her attacks start missing if your HP is critically low, encouraging you to spare her.
Can you flirt with Toriel?
Yes, you can “flirt” with Toriel when calling her on your cell phone after leaving the Ruins. However, these interactions are mostly humorous and do not impact the main storyline or your ability to achieve the True Pacifist ending.
What is the best way to avoid Toriel’s fire attacks?
The most common strategy is to stay in the middle of the box and try to anticipate the rhythm of her attacks. Her fireballs often move in a predictable pattern, making it relatively easy to dodge them with practice.
What are the golden rules for getting the pacifist ending?
The golden rules for the True Pacifist ending in Undertale are:
- Never kill anyone. This is the most important rule.
- Keep your character level at 1 with 0 EXP.
- Complete a Neutral ending first. This is necessary to unlock the True Pacifist route.
- Befriend Undyne and Alphys.
- Go back to the MTT Resort after Papyrus calls you.
- Complete the True Lab sequence.
How do I befriend Undyne?
After your encounter with Papyrus, you’ll need to deliver a letter from him to Undyne. This initiates a series of events that lead to befriending her. The letter is a crucial part of the True Pacifist ending.
How do I befriend Alphys?
After befriending Undyne, you’ll go on a “date” with Alphys. During the date, try to be supportive and encouraging. Your choices during the date will influence whether you befriend her.
What happens if I do a Genocide run before a Pacifist run?
If you complete a Genocide run before attempting a Pacifist run, it will alter the ending of the Pacifist route. While you can still achieve the Pacifist ending, it will be tainted by the consequences of your actions in the Genocide run. Specifically, a character will have a slightly different expression at the end.
Can you run away from fights during a Pacifist run?
Yes, you can run away from battles during a Pacifist run without jeopardizing your chances of getting the True Pacifist ending. Running away does not grant you any EXP, so it won’t affect your LV. As long as you don’t kill any monsters, you’re good.
How does Undertale explore themes of learning and decision making?
Undertale masterfully explores the theme of learning through your in-game actions and decisions. Your choices have direct consequences, reinforcing that you are not just playing a game, but participating in a narrative that responds to your actions. The game’s mechanics offer valuable insights into cause and effect, empathy, and the morality of decision-making. To learn more about the intersection of games and education, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Your actions determine whether you are on the path to peace or destruction.