The Ultimate Genocide Armor Guide: Dominating Undertale’s Darkest Path

The best armor in Undertale’s Genocide Route is undeniably The Locket. Boasting a massive 99 DEF, it provides unparalleled protection against the onslaught of attacks you’ll face, turning even the most formidable foes into manageable threats. While obtaining the True Knife is tempting for its offensive power, The Locket’s defensive capabilities are far more valuable, ensuring survivability and making the final battles significantly easier. This guide dives deep into why The Locket reigns supreme and answers frequently asked questions to help you master the Genocide Route.

Why The Locket Is the Best Armor for Genocide

The Genocide Route in Undertale is all about unrelenting destruction, but even the most ruthless players need to survive long enough to carry it out. Here’s why The Locket is the key to that survival:

• Unrivaled Defense: A staggering 99 DEF is unmatched by any other armor in the game. This drastically reduces the damage you take from enemy attacks, allowing you to withstand even the toughest hits.
• Consistency: Unlike offensive strategies that rely on specific enemy weaknesses or attack patterns, defense is consistently effective. No matter what attacks are thrown your way, The Locket provides a reliable buffer.
• Final Boss Viability: The battles against Undyne the Undying and Sans are notoriously difficult. The Locket is particularly effective against Sans’s attacks, making a challenging fight more manageable. While still demanding skill and precision, the armor provides a crucial margin for error.
• Availability: While late in the game, The Locket is guaranteed to be found in New Home, making it readily accessible to those committed to completing the Genocide Route.

Optimizing Your Genocide Run Gear

While The Locket is paramount, pairing it with the right weapon and healing items can significantly enhance your effectiveness:

• Weapon Choice: The Burnt Pan is the generally accepted best weapon for the Genocide Route. Although the True Knife has a higher attack stat, it is found extremely late in the game and the Burnt Pan allows for healing during combat.
• Healing Items: Stock up on high-HP healing items like Butterscotch Pie (full heal), Instant Noodles (90 HP), and Face Steak (60 HP). These will be crucial for recovering from damage taken. Snowman Pieces are not ideal to rely on due to the moral implications, but could be useful.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Undertale Genocide

Here are 15 essential FAQs to help you navigate the complexities of Undertale’s Genocide Route:

1. What is the best weapon in the Genocide Route if not the True Knife?

The Burnt Pan is generally considered the best weapon for the Genocide Route, despite the True Knife having higher damage. The pan’s ability to heal during combat makes it far more valuable for sustained survivability, especially against challenging bosses like Undyne the Undying and Sans. The True Knife is very late in the game, making it difficult to get much value from it.

2. Is Temmie Armor viable for the Genocide Route?

While Temmie Armor offers strong defense, it’s ultimately outclassed by The Locket. The Temmie Armor is the second-best armor in the game, but the 99 defense provided by the Locket is much higher than any other armor. Additionally, acquiring Temmie Armor requires significant grinding for gold, time that could be better spent progressing through the route.

3. What are the best healing items to use during the Genocide Route?

Prioritize items that restore a significant amount of HP. Butterscotch Pie (full heal) is the best, followed by Instant Noodles (90 HP) and Face Steak (60 HP). These will help you survive tough encounters.

4. Is it possible to spare any monsters during the Genocide Route?

Sparing even a single monster typically aborts the Genocide Route, leading to a Neutral Route instead. However, Jerry is an exception. You can spare Jerry without breaking the Genocide Route.

5. How many kills are required to complete a Genocide Route in each area?

The required kills differ per area. In Ruins, it’s 20; in Snowdin, it’s 16; in Waterfall, it’s 18; and in Hotland/CORE, it’s 40. After meeting the quota, encounters will display the message “But nobody came.”

6. Does sparing Temmie ruin a Genocide Run?

No, sparing Temmie does not disrupt the Genocide Route. As long as you meet the kill quotas for each area, sparing Temmie will not affect your progress.

7. Is it possible to encounter Glyde during a Genocide Route?

Yes, but the encounter is rare and time-consuming. The higher your kill count, the longer it takes for Glyde to appear. The encounter must happen before the fight with Papyrus.

8. What happens if you spare Mettaton EX during a Genocide Route?

If you spare Mettaton EX, he will appear only as his torso and head in the overworld, even if the protagonist does not remove his limbs during battle.

9. Why does the screen turn black after the Genocide Route?

The black screen signifies the destruction of the world. You must wait 10 minutes for a dialogue to appear, offering you the chance to give your SOUL. Alternatively, you can delete the game’s save files to reset the state.

10. Can you find the Snowman Piece in the Genocide Route?

Yes, you can still acquire the Snowman Piece in Snowdin Forest. However, using it comes with certain moral implications, and the healing it provides (45 HP) is relatively low compared to other available options.

11. Is the Genocide Route more difficult than other routes?

The Genocide Route can be both emotionally devastating and strategically challenging. Certain boss battles, like Undyne the Undying and Sans, require precise timing and strategy. The Locket, paired with the right items, can mitigate some of the difficulty.

12. Does killing the Dummy impact the Genocide or Pacifist routes?

No, destroying the Dummy does not affect either the Genocide or True Pacifist routes. You can interact with it without consequence.

13. How do I obtain 9999 gold quickly in Undertale?

The fastest method is to exploit the Dog Residue glitch. Use Dog Residue, then sell the resulting Dog Residues to Tem Shop. Repeat the process until you reach 9999 gold. Also, always check the boxes outside the Tem Shop for free items.

14. What are the consequences of completing a Genocide Route?

Completing a Genocide Route permanently alters your game save, even for future playthroughs. After you complete the ending, Charra will offer you a deal, where you offer your soul and if you do, it destroys the universe.

15. Are there any alternate Genocide endings?

No, there is only one primary Genocide ending. However, your choices at the end of the route (whether to give Chara your SOUL or not) will impact subsequent playthroughs.

Beyond Gameplay: Learning Through Undertale

Undertale, even in its darkest Genocide Route, offers valuable lessons. The complexities of choice, consequence, and empathy are explored throughout the game. As demonstrated by the Games Learning Society, games can be powerful educational tools. They engage players in critical thinking and moral reasoning in a way that traditional learning methods often fail to achieve. Whether you’re striving for pacifism, embracing neutrality, or succumbing to the darkness of genocide, Undertale leaves a lasting impact. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about the power of game-based learning.

Final Thoughts

The Locket is, without a doubt, the best armor for conquering the Genocide Route in Undertale. Its unparalleled defense, combined with strategic weapon and item choices, provides the resilience needed to overcome the challenges that lie ahead. While the Genocide Route is emotionally taxing, understanding the mechanics and preparing effectively will allow you to complete this dark journey and explore the full spectrum of Undertale’s narrative possibilities.