Undertale is a critically-acclaimed roleplaying game, renowned for the creativity in its gameplay, excellent storytelling, and of course, the variety of possible endings. These endings have a lasting impact and will even affect future playthroughs, from little references to previous decisions to even more drastic changes in the adventure.
Although all endings are worth exploring, the True Pacifist ending is the most interesting and fulfilling for players to participate in. There are a few barriers to reaching this ending, so players can sometimes miss it. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to ensure this fantastic ending is achieved.
10 Do Not Kill Anyone
This is the most obvious tip for a pacifist run-through: It is vital not to kill anyone. One kill will lock off the True Pacifist ending.
Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives to violence. Players can flee battles, but the best approach is to use actions, which will allow them to spare the monsters. Each monster requires a specific action to be spared. For example, the Froggit can be shown mercy after being given a compliment. It can take a few trials and errors, but eventually, players can figure out the best way to appease everyone they meet, even during boss battles.
9 Explore Everywhere
Although Undertale is primarily a linear experience, there are still plenty of areas to explore. Doing so allows players to find interesting loot, and most importantly, fun characters to encounter and be kind to, further pursuing that pacifist agenda.
Without exploration, players could miss out on many secrets the game has to offer. For example, players can completely miss the bizarre Temmie Village unless they follow an invisible pathway near the waterfall region. The store in this village sells the Tem Armor (The best armor in the game), which is incredibly useful for surviving the more dangerous encounters during a pacifist playthrough. It is worth seeking out this location for the armor alone.
8 Seek Out Healing And Defence Items
There are many different shops to visit during the adventure, all of which offer valuable loot. Some items help with attacks, but since this is a pacifist playthrough, it is best not to waste gold on these.
Instead, focus on collecting plenty of healing and defense items. For example, Sans’ hotdogs at his stand in Hotland will regenerate 20 health, so they are worth the investment. Behind the waterfall, players can also find an old tutu that will provide ten defense. Since the player’s health will stay relatively low during a pacifist playthrough, these items are vital to collect.
7 Save Up Gold
There are moments during the adventure where it is beneficial to have gold at hand. For example, Muffett can be bribed during her battle to decrease her damage. Gold is also vital for purchasing various expensive equipment from the vendors. That Tem Armor isn’t cheap, after all.
Players can earn gold from sparing monsters rather than fleeing. It can be worth going through the same areas a few times to repeat encounters and earn more gold. Players can also sell items they don’t need at Temmie Village. A strange way to make gold is to get ahold of the dog residue from the piano room. This item will continually duplicate itself as long as one residue is left, allowing players to sell residue (and sometimes dog salad) indefinitely.
6 Some Items Are Worth Holding Onto
There are many unique items scattered around the Underground that might not seem significant at first. The donut (or cyder) purchased from the spider bake sale in the Ruins or the small stick provided at the very start are more valuable than they first seem.
Players can use the donut during the dangerous fight with Muffet to allow the player to spare her instantly. The stick can be used during the final stage of Mettaton’s battle. It is worth 1400 rating points, which helps reach that 10,000 rating goal to end the encounter peacefully. Sometimes it’s better to hold onto certain items to provide unique ways of settling disputes.
5 Go On A Date With Papyrus
As with every other boss battle in the game, it is crucial to spare Papyrus. The player needs to repeatedly dodge his attacks and choose to spare him over and over again. Eventually, he will launch into his (not so) special attack. Surviving this maneuver will end the encounter with a peaceful resolution.
But sparing Papyrus isn’t enough to ensure the True Pacifist ending. He will invite the player to his home in Snowdin for a date. It is essential to take him up on this offer. It is a hilarious encounter but will also ensure the player has another trusted friend to help them. Without Papyrus’ friendship, a True Pacifist ending is impossible.
4 Give Water To Undyne
After a challenging chase sequence, where players need to flee combat whenever their heart is red, Undyne will eventually collapse on the bridge, exhausted. Fortunately, there is a watercooler that players can use to quench Undyne’s thirst. Players must help her. If they ignore her and go off ahead, the pacifist route will be locked.
A refreshed Undyne will be more willing to interact with the player, as long as they haven’t killed anyone. As with Papyrus, it is vital to have a date with her to unlock True Pacifist. Players can head to her house, which is located in Waterfall near Napstablook’s home. Although she seems reluctant at first, Undyne can be befriended.
3 You Must Fight Asgore
Despite avoiding conflict with everyone else so far, when it comes to the showdown with King Asgore, players will have no choice but to fight. It is important to note that although fighting is necessary, there will still be an option to spare Asgore before it is too late. Keep an eye out for this option, as Asgore must be spared to move onto the True Pacifist ending.
The battle with Asgore can be quite a challenge, but there are some ways to make it easier. Remember the butterscotch pie Toriel baked at the very beginning? If this delicious pie is eaten (Surely it must be a little stale by this point?) in front of Asgore, the act will weaken his attack and defense. Talking to him a few times during the battle will also reduce these stats. The battle becomes far more manageable, and Asgore can swiftly be defeated.
2 Reload A Save After The Neutral Ending
Unfortunately, no matter how peaceful players are during their first playthrough, they must complete the Neutral Ending first. After finishing, players who have killed anyone will have to start from the very beginning to ensure they cut out their murderous ways. For players that have been good during the entire playthrough, they will be able to reload their save after the ending and head straight to the new content.
Players will need to backtrack to Snowdin to meet Undyne. She will ask the player to give a letter to Alphys at her laboratory, setting up yet another fantastic date encounter.
Alongside this, players must return to Alphys’ laboratory to uncover more secrets. The mysterious encounters here still require a no-killing policy. Once players know the truth, they can return to the castle for a very different meeting with Asgore.
1 Don’t Fight Back During The Final Battle
Although Flowey (In a final surprise form) is incredibly terrifying during his climactic encounter in the True Pacifist ending, there is very little to worry about. If the player is defeated, their little determined heart simply reforms, and the battle continues. There is no losing this battle. It just requires a lot of dodging and making use of the Dream and Hope actions to heal and defend.
It is important not to attack Flowey, staying true to the pacifist idealism portrayed throughout the game. Eventually (Spoilers), players will be able to save the souls of all of the friends they’ve made along the way. Focus on saving them by bringing back their memories, and eventually, this challenging battle will draw to a close, and the final ending can occur.
It is an incredibly satisfying conclusion to a fantastic game. The True Pacifist ending is the ultimate feel-good experience that every player should enjoy.
NEXT: 10 Anti-RPGs For Fans Of Undertale
