Fleeing Your Way Through the Underground: A Pacifist’s Guide to Running in Undertale

So, you’re wondering what happens if you flee from every fight in Undertale? The answer is surprisingly simple: you can actually complete the game! Fleeing allows you to progress through Undertale without killing any monsters, paving the way for a Pacifist ending. However, running away from every encounter has its own set of consequences and nuances that you should be aware of, especially when aiming for the coveted True Pacifist ending. Let’s delve deep into the world of fleeing in Undertale and explore the intricacies of this non-violent approach.

The Basics: Fleeing and Pacifism

Undertale is renowned for its innovative combat system, where you can choose to fight, talk, or act your way out of encounters. The “Mercy” option offers two choices: Spare and Flee. While sparing requires you to pacify your enemies through specific actions, fleeing allows you to escape the battle immediately. Fleeing doesn’t contribute to your EXP or LV (Level of Violence), which are crucial factors in determining the game’s ending.

The primary advantage of fleeing is maintaining a zero-kill run. This means you avoid any bloodshed, keeping your conscience (and your character’s record) clean. However, this comes at a cost: you receive no gold. Gold is essential for purchasing valuable items like healing items and armor, which can significantly ease your journey through the Underground. This creates a unique challenge: navigating dangerous areas with limited resources, relying heavily on your dodging skills and strategic item usage.

True Pacifist Considerations

While fleeing ensures a Pacifist ending, it doesn’t automatically guarantee the True Pacifist ending. To achieve this, you must fulfill specific requirements in addition to not killing anyone. These typically involve:

• Befriending certain characters: This includes spending time with Papyrus on a date/hangout, Undyne, and Alphys. These interactions often require specific actions and dialogue choices.
• Completing side quests: Some side quests are integral to unlocking the True Pacifist route.
• Avoiding unnecessary fights: While fleeing is acceptable, minimizing encounters through clever puzzle-solving and strategic movement can make the game easier.

Successfully navigating these challenges while consistently fleeing requires careful planning and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics.

Strategy and Resource Management

Fleeing from every battle necessitates a different approach to gameplay. Here are some tips to help you survive:

• Master the dodging mechanic: Since you’ll have limited health and armor, dodging enemy attacks is paramount. Practice timing your movements and recognizing attack patterns.
• Utilize healing items strategically: Conserve your healing items for challenging encounters or boss fights. Identify the most effective and affordable healing items available.
• Explore thoroughly: Search every corner of the environment for hidden items and resources. Even small items can make a difference in a tight situation.
• Exploit enemy weaknesses: While you won’t be attacking, understanding enemy attack patterns and vulnerabilities can help you conserve resources.
• Understand the story: The narrative is essential. Make every choice count.

FAQs: Fleeing in Undertale

1. Does fleeing ruin a Pacifist run?

No, fleeing does not ruin a Pacifist run. As long as you don’t kill any enemies (and therefore don’t gain EXP), fleeing is a valid strategy for achieving a Pacifist ending.

2. Does fleeing prevent me from getting the True Pacifist ending?

Fleeing itself doesn’t prevent the True Pacifist ending, but you still need to complete all the required side objectives, such as dating Papyrus and befriending Undyne and Alphys.

3. Can I still get gold if I flee from every fight?

No, fleeing grants you no gold or EXP. This makes resource management much more challenging.

4. Is there a 100% success rate when fleeing in Undertale?

Yes, you always successfully flee in Undertale, unless a scripted event prevents it.

5. What happens if I flee from a boss fight?

You can usually flee from boss fights, but the fight will reset, and you’ll have to start from the beginning of the encounter. Some boss fights might have scripted sequences that temporarily prevent fleeing.

6. Does fleeing affect the storyline or character dialogue?

While fleeing doesn’t drastically alter the main storyline, it might affect minor character interactions. However, the core narrative remains largely the same.

7. What is the difference between “Spare” and “Flee” in Undertale?

“Spare” allows you to end the fight peacefully after fulfilling certain conditions (pacifying the enemy). “Flee” ends the fight immediately, regardless of your actions, but you receive no rewards.

8. Can I complete the game without attacking at all, only fleeing?

Yes, you can complete Undertale by exclusively fleeing from encounters, provided you fulfill the other requirements for your desired ending.

9. Does killing Flowey at the end negate a Pacifist run?

No, killing Flowey at the end does not ruin a Pacifist playthrough. It’s a scripted event that doesn’t count towards your kill count.

10. What happens if I accidentally kill an enemy?

If you accidentally kill an enemy, you’ll need to reset your game to maintain your Pacifist run. There’s no way to undo a kill.

11. Is it harder to play Undertale by fleeing from every fight?

Yes, playing Undertale by fleeing from every fight can be more challenging due to the lack of gold and resources. It requires greater skill in dodging and resource management.

12. Does destroying the Dummy ruin a Pacifist run?

Destroying the Dummy during the tutorial does not ruin a Pacifist run. It’s a tutorial sequence designed to introduce the combat system.

13. Can I spare Sans in a Genocide run?

No, you cannot spare Sans in a Genocide run. Mercy will result in an unavoidable death.

14. Does sparing an enemy ruin a Genocide run?

Yes, sparing a single enemy will abort the Genocide run. You must kill every enemy in each area to proceed with a Genocide route.

15. Why is Undertale considered to have a deep story?

Undertale is known for its creative video game with beautiful music and an intriguing story line, the game’s difficulty, complex themes. Find out more about Undertale and other games at GamesLearningSociety.org, a great organization to find information. You can find resources about video games and education. Games offer complex systems, and exploring their narratives and mechanics offers valuable insights into learning and engagement. Check out the Games Learning Society today.

Conclusion: The Art of Avoidance

Fleeing from every fight in Undertale is a testament to the game’s flexibility and the player’s freedom to choose their own path. While it presents a unique challenge, it’s entirely possible to complete the game and even achieve the True Pacifist ending using this method. It’s a strategy that demands patience, skill, and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. So, embrace the art of avoidance, lace up your running shoes, and embark on a journey through the Underground, leaving no monster harmed in your wake.