What Happens After You Defeat Flowey in Undertale?
So, you’ve finally taken down that menacing, soulless flower, Flowey, in Undertale. Congratulations! But what happens next depends heavily on how you defeated him and where you are in your playthrough. Broadly speaking, the immediate aftermath leads to a crucial branching point based on your EXP/LOVE and previous actions. If you have zero EXP/LOVE, you’ll essentially be given a second chance, a hint, and a push towards achieving the True Pacifist Ending. If you’ve gained EXP/LOVE (meaning you’ve killed monsters), the consequences are different, potentially locking you out of the best ending and nudging you towards other, darker paths. In either scenario, the game doesn’t simply end. Flowey’s defeat acts as a narrative pivot, setting the stage for the final act.
The Pacifist Route (or the Chance for One)
If you’ve managed to navigate the Underground without harming a single monster – maintaining that pristine 0 EXP/LOVE status – defeating Flowey (especially after his Photoshop Flowey form) triggers a special dialogue. He’ll acknowledge your unusual kindness and offer a cryptic hint. Usually this hint involves completing unfinished business. Flowey will urge you to befriend Alphys and discover what you may have missed, implying that there’s more to the story than you’ve uncovered.
The game then reverts you to your last SAVE point, usually just before the fight with Asgore. This isn’t a simple replay, though. The world has changed. Important characters will offer new dialogue, and previously inaccessible areas may now be open. This is your chance to unlock the True Pacifist Ending by completing the requirements revealed by Flowey’s hint: befriending Undyne, delivering the letter to Alphys, and going on the “date” with Alphys. The journey after Flowey’s defeat is a critical turning point in the game, giving you the ability to seek out the best possible conclusion by resolving interpersonal conflicts.
The Neutral Route(s)
If you’ve killed any monsters but haven’t committed to a full Genocide run, you’ll be on a Neutral Route. In this case, defeating Flowey typically results in one of many possible ending variations, determined by who you’ve killed and who you’ve befriended. The King (or Queen) of the Underground will be determined by your choices, and Sans will deliver a phone call after the credits, detailing the consequences of your actions. Flowey might be killed permanently, and you will wake up at Frisk’s house where Toriel will be your new mother. He won’t offer any helpful advice, and the world will reset after the credits, leaving you to make different choices in a subsequent playthrough. The emphasis here is on the consequences of your actions. The game emphasizes that every choice, even seemingly minor ones, has an impact on the world and its inhabitants.
The Genocide Route
If you’re following the Genocide Route, defeating Flowey is significantly different. Because you’ve systematically murdered every monster in the Underground, Flowey is absolutely terrified of you. He understands that you are not going to spare him and recognizes your power. In this scenario, Chara takes control and the player murders Flowey in a single strike. There’s no emotional plea, no final words of wisdom, just swift and brutal execution. This marks the completion of the Genocide Route, leading to the Soulless Pacifist Ending if the player attempts another True Pacifist run later. The destruction of Flowey in the Genocide Route signifies the complete corruption of Frisk and the absolute control of Chara.
The Omega Flowey Fight: A One-Time Event
A crucial thing to remember is that the Omega Flowey fight is only available once per save file. After defeating him once, resetting and reaching that point again will cause Flowey to skip the battle entirely, taking you straight to the end of the game. To fight him again, you’ll need to either complete a Pacifist or Genocide run or manually delete your save data.
Flowey’s Fate: Death or Absence
Depending on your choices, Flowey’s fate varies. In some Neutral endings, you can choose to kill him permanently, preventing him from interfering in future timelines. In other endings, he survives, disappearing until the next reset. His survival is contingent on your choices and your willingness to show mercy, even to such a malevolent character. The game constantly challenges players to consider the long-term consequences of their decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does killing Flowey ruin a Pacifist run?
No, killing Flowey at the end of a run does not ruin your chances for a Pacifist ending, so long as you have 0 EXP and meet the other requirements to get the true Pacifist ending. The important factor is whether you gained EXP/LOVE by killing other monsters earlier in the game. Flowey is a special case, as his death doesn’t contribute to your EXP.
2. Do I reset after beating Flowey?
If you’re aiming for the True Pacifist Ending and have 0 EXP, you don’t need to completely reset. The game reverts to your last SAVE point, giving you the opportunity to fulfill the remaining requirements. If you are not going for the true Pacifist, you must reset to start again.
3. What happens if I spare Flowey after his boss fight?
In some Neutral routes, you have the option to spare Flowey. If you do, he disappears, vowing to leave you alone. He’ll resurface in subsequent runs, but will generally avoid you, knowing your capacity for mercy.
4. Can I fight Flowey again after beating him?
Yes, you can fight Flowey again, but only once per SAVE file. After that, he skips the battle. To fight him again, you must complete a Pacifist or Genocide ending, or delete your save data.
5. Why is Flowey scared of Chara?
Flowey is scared of Chara because he mistakenly believed Chara would be proud of his “kill or be killed” philosophy. When he realized that Chara was a genocidal maniac who wouldn’t hesitate to kill him, he became terrified. He no longer believed that their ideology would keep him safe.
6. Is Flowey the real villain of Undertale?
Flowey is undoubtedly a major antagonist, but whether he’s the real villain is debatable. His actions stem from his lack of a soul and his inability to feel empathy. Ultimately, the game explores the complexities of morality and the consequences of choices, suggesting that the “villain” is a matter of perspective. He is a villain created by the players actions, rather than one in his own right.
7. Does Flowey remember previous timelines?
Yes, Flowey is one of the few characters who remembers previous timelines. This is due to his ability to SAVE and LOAD before the protagonist’s arrival. He loses this ability after the protagonist defeats Asriel in the Pacifist ending.
8. What determines which Neutral ending I get?
Your choices throughout the game determine the Neutral ending you receive. Factors include which monsters you killed, which characters you befriended, and whether you killed Asgore and Flowey.
9. How does EXP/LOVE affect the ending?
EXP (Execution Points) and LOVE (Level of Violence) are indicators of your actions. Gaining EXP/LOVE prevents you from achieving the True Pacifist Ending and influences the tone and consequences of the Neutral endings.
10. What is the “Soulless Pacifist” ending?
The Soulless Pacifist Ending occurs when you complete a Genocide run before attempting a True Pacifist run. After the True Pacifist ending, Chara takes control of Frisk’s body, resulting in a disturbing final scene, indicating that the consequences of your past actions still linger.
11. Is Flowey stronger than Sans?
In terms of raw attack power, Sans would lose the battle. However, Flowey would win because of his ability to save and reload timelines. He abuses his power and cannot permanently die.
12. What happens if you let Sans spare you?
If you try to exploit Sans’s “offer” of sparing you during his boss fight, he will immediately kill you. This demonstrates that the game acknowledges and punishes attempts to manipulate the rules.
13. Why does Flowey say “kill or be killed”?
Flowey’s “kill or be killed” philosophy stems from his lack of empathy and his experiences in the Underground after being revived without a soul. He views the world as a cruel place where only the strong survive.
14. How does the game track my actions?
The game tracks your actions through several hidden variables, including EXP/LOVE, kill counts for each area, and flags for befriending specific characters. These variables determine the path the narrative takes.
15. What is Games Learning Society, and how does it relate to Undertale?
The Games Learning Society (or GamesLearningSociety.org) explores the educational and social impacts of games. A game like Undertale provides rich material for examination due to its branching narrative, moral choices, and complex characters. Undertale is an important example of how games can tackle meaningful themes and encourage players to think critically about their actions.