Undertale True Pacifist And Genocide Routes What To Do Before You Finish

Undertale, the critically acclaimed RPG by Toby Fox, offers a unique gaming experience where your choices truly matter. The game features multiple endings, each determined by your actions throughout your journey. Two of the most significant and contrasting endings are the True Pacifist and Genocide routes. Before you commit to either of these paths, it's crucial to understand the implications and ensure you've taken the necessary steps. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to do before finishing the True Pacifist route or embarking on the challenging Genocide run.

Understanding the Endings: True Pacifist vs. Genocide

Before diving into the specifics, let's briefly discuss what each ending entails. This will help you make an informed decision about which path you want to pursue.

True Pacifist Route

The True Pacifist ending is considered the "best" ending in Undertale. It's achieved by completing the game without killing any monsters and befriending key characters. This route emphasizes the game's core theme of mercy and understanding. To reach the True Pacifist ending, you must:

• Never kill any monsters. This means choosing the "Spare" option in battles until the enemy is willing to give up.
• Complete a Neutral ending first. This involves beating the game without meeting the specific requirements for either the True Pacifist or Genocide routes.
• Befriend Papyrus, Undyne, and Alphys after completing the Neutral ending. This involves specific side quests and interactions.

The True Pacifist route offers a heartwarming conclusion to the story, where all the monsters are freed from the Underground and live peacefully on the surface. It's a rewarding experience for players who embrace the game's message of compassion.

Genocide Route

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Genocide route. This is the "worst" ending, achieved by intentionally killing every monster in each area of the game. This path explores the darker aspects of the game's world and the consequences of your actions. To initiate the Genocide route, you must:

• Kill every monster in each area (Ruins, Snowdin, Waterfall, Hotland/CORE) until you encounter random encounters. You'll know you've killed enough monsters when the encounter rate drops to zero and the save points display the message "But nobody came."
• Fight and defeat specific bosses under certain conditions. For example, you must fight Undyne the Undying and Sans, who are significantly more challenging than their normal counterparts.

The Genocide route is a disturbing and emotionally taxing experience. It permanently alters the game's world and characters, and the ending is far from happy. It's a path that should be approached with caution, as it can impact your subsequent playthroughs.

Before Finishing True Pacifist

If you're aiming for the True Pacifist ending, there are several things you should do before triggering the final events. These steps will ensure you achieve the best possible outcome and experience all the game has to offer.

1. Complete a Neutral Run

The first step towards True Pacifist is to complete a Neutral run. This means beating the game without fulfilling the specific requirements for either the True Pacifist or Genocide routes. During your Neutral run:

• Avoid killing every monster in each area, as this will lead to the Genocide route.
• Don't worry about sparing every monster, as you can still achieve a Neutral ending with some kills.
• Focus on progressing through the story and learning the game's mechanics.

Completing a Neutral run will unlock the necessary steps to proceed with the True Pacifist route. After the credits roll, you'll receive a phone call from Undyne, setting the stage for the next steps.

2. Befriend Papyrus

After completing the Neutral run, Undyne will call you and ask you to befriend Papyrus. If you haven't already, head back to Snowdin and visit Papyrus's house. He'll challenge you to a battle, but this time, you need to choose the "Spare" option repeatedly until he's spared. After the battle, you'll initiate a "hangout" with Papyrus, which involves some humorous dialogue and interactions.

Befriending Papyrus is a crucial step towards the True Pacifist ending. It not only progresses the story but also provides valuable insights into Papyrus's character and motivations. His unwavering optimism and belief in others are central to the game's themes.

3. Befriend Undyne

Once you've befriended Papyrus, Undyne will be waiting outside his house. She'll challenge you to a fight, but again, you need to choose the "Spare" option until she's spared. After the battle, Undyne will invite you to her house for a cooking lesson. This is where things get a bit chaotic, as Undyne's culinary skills are...questionable.

During the cooking lesson, you'll participate in a series of mini-games and dialogue choices. It's important to follow Undyne's instructions (sort of) and try to make the best of the situation. This sequence is filled with humorous moments and further develops Undyne's character, showcasing her fierce determination and loyalty.

4. Write the Letter to Alphys

After the cooking lesson, Undyne will accidentally write a letter to Alphys. Your task is to deliver this letter to Alphys at her lab in Hotland. This is a critical step in triggering the True Pacifist ending, as it sets in motion the events that lead to the revelation of Alphys's secrets and her character development.

When you deliver the letter, Alphys will mistake it for a love letter and invite you on a date. This date is a crucial part of Alphys's character arc, as she grapples with her insecurities and past mistakes. It's important to be supportive and understanding during this sequence, as it will ultimately lead to a positive outcome.

5. The True Lab

After the date with Alphys, she'll reveal the existence of the True Lab, a hidden facility beneath her lab. This is where Alphys conducted her experiments with SOULs and Determination, leading to the creation of the Amalgamates. The True Lab is a dark and unsettling area, filled with disturbing creatures and lore.

Exploring the True Lab is essential for understanding Alphys's backstory and the events that led to the current state of the Underground. It's also a necessary step for achieving the True Pacifist ending. You'll need to navigate the lab, solve puzzles, and interact with the Amalgamates, ultimately helping them find peace.

6. Prepare for the Final Boss

Once you've completed the True Lab, you'll be ready to face the final boss of the True Pacifist route. This boss is a formidable opponent, and you'll need to be well-prepared to defeat them. Make sure you have plenty of healing items and a good understanding of the battle mechanics.

This final battle is a culmination of everything you've learned and experienced throughout the game. It tests your skills, your compassion, and your determination to achieve the best possible outcome. Defeating this boss will unlock the True Pacifist ending and the heartwarming conclusion to the story.

7. Optional: Complete Side Quests and Explore

Before triggering the final events, it's worth exploring the Underground and completing any remaining side quests. This will allow you to fully appreciate the game's world and characters, and you may even discover hidden secrets and lore.

Some notable side quests include:

• The Mystery Man quest: This elusive character appears in certain areas of the game and offers cryptic clues about the game's lore.
• The Gerson's shop quest: This involves purchasing items from Gerson's shop in Waterfall and learning more about his backstory.
• The Nice Cream Guy quest: This involves buying Nice Cream from the Nice Cream Guy in various locations and witnessing his humorous encounters.

Before Starting Genocide

Embarking on the Genocide route is a significant decision, as it permanently alters the game's world and characters. Before you commit to this path, it's crucial to understand the implications and ensure you're prepared for the challenges ahead.

1. Understand the Consequences

The Genocide route is not for the faint of heart. It's a dark and disturbing path that explores the consequences of your actions. The characters will react differently to you, the music will change, and the overall atmosphere will be bleak and unsettling.

It's important to understand that the Genocide route is not just about killing monsters. It's about erasing the game's world and its inhabitants. The ending is far from happy, and it can leave a lasting impact on your perception of the game.

2. Prepare for Challenging Boss Fights

The Genocide route features two of the most challenging boss fights in the game: Undyne the Undying and Sans. These bosses are significantly stronger than their normal counterparts, and they require a high level of skill and strategy to defeat.

Undyne the Undying is a powerful warrior who fights with unwavering determination. Her attacks are fast and relentless, and you'll need to be quick on your feet to dodge them. Sans, on the other hand, is a master of deception and manipulation. His attacks are unpredictable and often come in rapid succession. Defeating these bosses will require patience, practice, and a deep understanding of their attack patterns.

3. Grind for Encounters

To initiate the Genocide route, you must kill every monster in each area until you encounter random encounters. This means walking around in each area until you no longer encounter any monsters. This can be a time-consuming and tedious process, but it's a necessary step for triggering the Genocide ending.

You'll know you've killed enough monsters when the encounter rate drops to zero and the save points display the message "But nobody came." This is your cue to move on to the next area and continue the grind.

4. Stock Up on Healing Items

During the Genocide route, you'll likely take a lot of damage, especially during the boss fights. It's essential to stock up on healing items to ensure you can survive the challenges ahead. Some useful healing items include:

• Cinnamon Buns: These can be purchased from the Snowdin Shop.
• Spider Cider/Donuts: These can be purchased from Muffet's bake sale in the Ruins.
• Sea Tea: This can be purchased from Gerson's shop in Waterfall.

5. Consider the Impact on Future Playthroughs

The Genocide route has a lasting impact on the game. Even if you reset the game after completing the Genocide route, the consequences will linger. The True Pacifist ending, in particular, will be permanently altered, and you may find it difficult to achieve the same sense of joy and satisfaction.

It's important to consider this before embarking on the Genocide route. If you're not prepared for the long-term consequences, it may be best to reconsider your decision.

Conclusion

Undertale is a game that rewards thoughtful choices and encourages players to consider the consequences of their actions. Whether you're aiming for the True Pacifist ending or contemplating the Genocide route, it's crucial to understand the implications and prepare accordingly. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure you have the best possible experience and achieve the ending that aligns with your values and desires. Remember, in Undertale, every choice matters, and the story you create is ultimately your own.