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 you to participate in. There are a few barriers to reaching this ending, so you can sometimes miss it. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to ensure this fantastic ending is achieved.
Updated on July 31, 2023 by Luke Ackroyd: Undertale has multiple endings that dramatically change your perspective on the story. The genocide route will leave you horrified at your actions. The neutral ending has you eager to dive in for another round of the captivating story. But the pacifist ending feels like the true ending to this incredible game. It can sometimes be challenging to take a peaceful approach, especially with some of the difficult boss battles throughout the adventure. So, how do you get the true pacifist ending in Undertale? This article has been updated with a few extra tips and warnings to ensure you get the good ending.
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 Undertale ending. So, this is one of the most crucial true pacifist requirements.
Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives to violence. You can flee battles, but the best approach is to use actions that will allow you to spare the monsters. Each monster requires a specific action to be spared. For example, Froggit can be shown mercy after being given a compliment. It can take a few trials and errors, but eventually, You can figure out the best way to appease everyone you meet.
Bosses must also be spared to achieve the pacifist ending.
9 Explore Everywhere
Although Undertale is primarily a linear experience, there are still plenty of areas to explore. Doing so allows you to find exciting loot and, most importantly, fun characters to encounter and be kind to, further pursuing that pacifist agenda.
Without exploration, you could miss out on many of the game's secrets. For example, you can completely miss the bizarre Temmie Village unless you 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.
Temmie Village is located between the Quiet Area and the Dark Room in the Waterfall zone. You must walk across an unlit path in the bottom right of the area.
8 Seek Out Healing And Defence Items
There are many different shops to visit during the adventure, all offering 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, you can also find an old tutu that will provide 10 defense. Since your 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 when having gold at hand is beneficial. For example, Muffett can be bribed during her battle to decrease her damage. Gold is also vital for purchasing various expensive equipment from vendors. That Tem Armor isn't cheap, after all.
You 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. You can also sell items you 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 you to sell residue (and sometimes dog salad) indefinitely.
The Piano Room is located in Waterfall. You must play the nearby statue's tune when it's given an umbrella. This will unlock the room where you'll acquire the Annoying Dog. Deploy the dog in this room, and you'll be given the Dog Residue.
6 Some Items Are Worth Holding Onto
Many unique items scattered around the Underground 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 initially seem. When figuring out how to get the true pacifist ending, you must use everything you can to get the peaceful upper hand in all situations.
You can use the donut during the dangerous fight with Muffet and instantly spare her. You can use the stick 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.
The butterscotch pie, spider donut/cider, and the stick are the items most worth keeping.
5 Go On A Date With Papyrus
As with every other boss battle in the game, it is crucial to spare Papyrus. You need to dodge his attacks and choose to spare him repeatedly. 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 you to his home in Snowdin for a date (The Undertale true pacifist route involves multiple silly dates). It is essential to take him up on this offer. It is a hilarious encounter, but it will also ensure you have another trusted friend to help you. Without Papyrus' friendship, a True Pacifist ending is impossible.
4 Give Water To Undyne
After a challenging chase sequence, where you'll need to flee combat whenever your heart is red, Undyne will eventually collapse on the bridge, exhausted. Fortunately, there is a water cooler that you can use to quench Undyne's thirst. You must help her. If you ignore her and go off ahead, the pacifist route will be locked. It is too late once you leave the area.
A refreshed Undyne will be more willing to interact with you as long as you haven't killed anyone. As with Papyrus, having a date with her is vital to unlock True Pacifist. You can head to her house, which is located in Waterfall near Napstablook's home. Although she seems reluctant at first, Undyne can be befriended.
Avoid the Challenge Act during the battle with Undyne, as this will increase her attack speed.
3 You Must Fight Asgore
Despite avoiding conflict with everyone else so far, when it comes to the showdown with King Asgore, you 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. Watch for this option, as Asgore must be spared to move on to the True Pacifist ending.
The battle with Asgore can be pretty challenging, 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.
You must click the cracked Mercy button after dealing enough damage to Asgore, or you will be unable to continue the pacifist route.
2 Reload A Save After The Neutral Ending
Unfortunately, no matter how peaceful you are during your first playthrough, you must complete the Neutral Ending first. After finishing, if you have killed anyone, you will have to start from the very beginning to ensure you cut out your murderous ways. But if you've been good during the entire playthrough, you can reload your save after the ending and head straight to the new content.
You will need to backtrack to Snowdin to meet Undyne. She will ask you to give a letter to Alphys at her laboratory, setting up yet another fantastic date encounter.
You must also return to Alphys' laboratory to uncover more secrets by following the directions in the note to the true laboratory. The mysterious encounters here still require a no-killing policy. Once you know the truth, you can return to the castle for a very different meeting with Asgore.
You must spare all the Amalgamates found in the True Laboratory.
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 you are defeated, your little determined heart simply reforms, and the battle continues. There is no losing this battle. It just requires a lot of dodging and using 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, you can save the souls of all the friends you'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 Undertale Pacifist ending is the ultimate feel-good experience you'll feel honored to experience.