Sans/In Battle



Sans is the final boss of the Genocide Route. He is widely considered the most difficult enemy in the game among players, despite the fact that his CHECK claims that he is "the easiest enemy" (due to the fact he only has 1 HP, 1 Attack, and 1 Defense). He gets around these limitations by dodging attacks (thus negating the need for high defense or health) and denying the protagonist invincibility after being damaged, which can quickly accumulate a massive amount of damage to the protagonist. In addition, he has an effect known as Karmic Retribution, with the health bar emptying over time after the initial hit deals damage, similar to the Mother series; this effect can actually be helpful as it can allow the player to survive longer in battle. Much like his brother Papyrus, Sans uses bones in his attacks and uses blue mode. Sans, however, uses faster and trickier attacks, frequently switching the protagonist's SOUL between blue and red mode. He also uses straight beam projectiles that emerge from skeletal faces, known as "Gaster Blasters" in their sprite data.

Despite being considerably difficult, his dialogue implies he hasn't been going all out on the protagonist, after he reveals his knowledge about the protagonist's ability to SAVE and reset, going on for an extensive period of time between turns talking about it. He even goes as far to say that even going to the surface doesn't appeal to him anymore, since one day they will all be stuck in the underground again, with no memory whatsoever of the previous timeline.

Sans's method of fighting can be seen as an opposite to Photoshop Flowey's fighting style. Whereas Flowey fights the protagonist using bullet hell techniques, Sans utilizes gravity to make his attacks require platforming skills, such as making the protagonist jump through 'gaps' between bones, jumping onto platforms, and slamming the protagonist's SOUL against the walls of the bullet box.

Sans immediately starts off the battle with his "strongest attack"; an array of bones and beams. He is the only enemy in the game that has the first turn rather than the protagonist, which can catch the unwary off-guard. In addition, if the protagonist loses to Sans and re-fights him, he skips to the last part of his pre-fight dialogue.

Eventually, Sans will offer mercy, and if accepted, he uses an unavoidable bone attack until the protagonist's HP is drained to 0. The Game Over screen will then appear with a sped up version of Dogsong instead of the regular game over theme, and will read "geeettttttt dunked on!!! if we're really friends... you won't come back." in Sans's voice. This means Sans must be killed to continue past him in the Genocide Route.

Should the protagonist survive this (via cheating), Sans will eventually remove the bones from the box, but the player will be trapped in the box and nothing will happen after that, forcing the player to restart.

In order to progress with the fight, the protagonist must keep attacking Sans, as he "can't dodge forever." If the player does anything else but FIGHTing, then the battle will not progress, as his dialogue does not appear. After getting past his mercy offer, this part of the fight has Sans constantly flickering with the screen as he transitions his attacks, uses his beams more often, and even attacks the protagonist as they scroll through the menu.

Once the player survives his final attack, Sans will use his "special attack": literally nothing and not ending his turn, preventing the player from accessing the menu and hoping for the player to become bored as time flies. After several minutes and dialogue, Sans will eventually fall asleep, allowing the player to push the Bullet Board towards the fight button; Sans will wake up and dodge the first attack, however, the cursor is still on the FIGHT button and the protagonist automatically attacks, instantly finishing him off for good. Unlike most enemies, however, he starts to "bleed" (which is presumed to be ketchup) then limps offscreen before dying, raising the player's LOVE to 20.

Pre-Fight

 * heya.
 * you've been busy, huh?
 * ...
 * so, i've got a question for ya.
 * do you think even the worst person can change...?
 * that everyone can be a good person, if they just try?
 * heh heh heh heh...
 * all right.
 * well, here's a better question.
 * do you wanna have a bad time?
 * 'cause if you take another step forward...
 * you are REALLY not going to like what happens next.
 * welp.
 * sorry, old lady.
 * this is why i never make promises.

[Refight 1]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">heya.
 * <font face="comic sans ms">you look frustrated about something.
 * <font face="comic sans ms">guess i'm pretty good at my job, huh?

<p style="font-weight:normal;">[Refight 2]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">hmm. that expression...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">that's the expression of someone who's died twice in a row
 * <font face="comic sans ms">suffice to say, you look really... unsatisfied.
 * <font face="comic sans ms">all right.
 * <font face="comic sans ms">how 'bout we make it a third?

<p style="font-weight:normal;">[Refight 3]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">hmm. that expression...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">that's the expression of someone who's died thrice in a row
 * <font face="comic sans ms">...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">hey, what comes after "thrice," anyway?
 * <font face="comic sans ms">wanna help me find out?

<p style="font-weight:normal;">[Refight 4]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">hmm. that expression...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">that's the expression of someone who's died quice in a row
 * <font face="comic sans ms">quice? frice?
 * <font face="comic sans ms">welp, won't have to use it again anyways.

<p style="font-weight:normal;">[Refight 5]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">hmm. that expression...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">that's the expression of someone who's died five times in a row
 * <font face="comic sans ms">convenient, huh? that's one for each finger.
 * <font face="comic sans ms">but soon...

<p style="font-weight:normal;">[Refight 6]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">hmm. that expression...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">that's the expression of someone who's died six times in a row
 * <font face="comic sans ms">that's the number of fingers on a mutant hand.
 * <font face="comic sans ms">but soon...

<p style="font-weight:normal;">[Refight 7]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">hmm. that expression...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">that's the expression of someone who's died seven times in a row
 * <font face="comic sans ms">hey, that's good. seven's supposed to be a lucky number.
 * <font face="comic sans ms">who knows, maybe you'll hit the jackpot...

<p style="font-weight:normal;">[Refight 8]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">hmm. that expression...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">that's the expression of someone who's died eight times in a row
 * <font face="comic sans ms">that's the number of fingers on a spider.
 * <font face="comic sans ms">but soon...

<p style="font-weight:normal;">[Refight 9]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">hmm. that expression...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">that's the expression of someone who's died seven times in a row
 * <font face="comic sans ms">nope, wait, that's definitely nine, sorry.
 * <font face="comic sans ms">or was it ten?

<p style="font-weight:normal;">[Refight 10]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">hmm. that expression...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">that's the expression of someone who's died ten times in a row
 * <font face="comic sans ms">hey, congrats! the big one-oh!
 * <font face="comic sans ms">let's invite all your friends over for a big shindig.
 * <font face="comic sans ms">we can have pie, and hot dogs, and...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">hmmm... wait. something's not right.
 * <font face="comic sans ms">you don't have any friends.

<p style="font-weight:normal;">[Refight 11]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">hmm. that expression...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">that's the expression of someone who's died eleven times in a row
 * <font face="comic sans ms">well, give or take.
 * <font face="comic sans ms">there's nuance to this stuff.
 * <font face="comic sans ms">don't think i'll be able to count very well from here.
 * <font face="comic sans ms">count for me, ok?
 * <font face="comic sans ms">we'll start from 12.

<p style="font-weight:normal;">[Refight 12 and beyond]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">let's just get to the point.

<p style="font-weight:normal;">[Kill Sans, then reload the game without saving and refight him]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">that expression that you're wearing...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">well, i won't grace it with a description

<p style="font-weight:normal;">[Revival refight 2 and beyond]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">that expression that you're wearing...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">...
 * <font face="comic sans ms">you're really kind of a freak, huh?

Fight

 * <font face="comic sans ms">it's a beautiful day outside. birds are singing, flowers are blooming... on days like these, kids like you...
 * S h o u l d  b e   b u r n i n g   i n   h e l l . [Only until the player has survived the opening attack twice]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">ready? [If the opening dialogue was skipped in the previous fight]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">huh. always wondered why people never use their strongest attack first. [First time the player survives the opening attack]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">anyway, as i was saying, it's a nice day out. why not relax and take a load off? [If the player tries to skip the dialogue after surviving the opening attack]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">here we go. [Every other fight with Sans]


 * <font face="comic sans ms">what? you think i'm just gonna stand there and take it? [Attack]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">our reports showed a massive anomaly in the timespace continuum. timelines jumping left and right, stopping and starting... [Attack #2]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">until suddenly, everything ends. [Attack #3]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">heh heh heh... that's your fault isn't it? [Attack #4]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">you can't understand how this feels. [Attack #5]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">knowing that one day, without any warning... it's all going to be reset. [Attack #6]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">look. i gave up trying to go back a long time ago. [Attack #7]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">and getting to the surface doesn't really appeal anymore, either. [Attack #8]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">cause even if we do... we'll just end up right back here, without any memory of it, right? [Attack #9]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">to be blunt... it makes it kind of hard to give it my all. [Attack #10]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">... or is that just a poor excuse for being lazy...? hell if i know. [Attack #11]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">all i know is... seeing what comes next... i can't afford not to care anymore. [Attack #12]


 * <font face="comic sans ms">ugh... that being said... you, uh, really like swinging that thing around, huh? ... listen. [Attack #13]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">i know you didn't answer me before, but... somewhere in there. i can feel it. there's a glimmer of a good person inside of you. the memory of someone who once wanted to do the right thing. someone who, in another time, might have even been... a friend? c'mon, buddy. do you remember me? please, if you're listening... let's forget all of this, ok? just lay down your weapon, and... well, my job will be a lot easier. [Normal spare dialogue]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">friendship... it's really great, right? let's quit fighting. [Spare dialogue if the player has previously tried sparing Sans]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">... you're sparing me? finally. buddy. pal. i know how hard it must be... to make that choice. to go back on everything you've worked up to. i want you to know... i won't let it go to waste. ... c'mere, pal. [Spare]
 * geeettttttt dunked on!!! if we're really friends... you won't come back. [Game over screen after sparing Sans]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">welp, it was worth a shot. guess you like doing things the hard way, huh? [Attack #14]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">woah, you look REALLY pissed off... heheheh... did i getcha? well, if you came back anyway... i guess that means we never really WERE friends, huh? heh. don't tell that to the other sans-es, okay? [Attack #14 if the player previously tried sparing Sans]


 * <font face="comic sans ms">sounds strange, but before all this i was secretly hoping we could be friends. i always thought the anomaly was doing this cause they were unhappy. and when they got what they wanted, they would stop all this. [Attack #15]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">and maybe all they needed was... i dunno. some good food, some bad laughs, some nice friends. [Attack #16]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">but that's ridiculous, right? yeah, you're the type of person who won't EVER be happy. [Attack #17]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">you'll keep consuming timelines over and over, until... well. hey. take it from me, kid. someday... you gotta learn when to QUIT. [Attack #18]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">and that day's TODAY. [Attack #19]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">cause... y'see... all this fighting is really tiring me out. [Attack #20]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">and if you keep pushing me... then i'll be forced to use my special attack . [Attack #21]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">yeah, my special attack . sound familiar? well, get ready. cause after the next move, i'm going to use it . so, if you don't want to see it, now would be a good time to die. [Attack #22]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">well, here goes nothing... are you ready? survive THIS and i'll show you my special attack ! [Attack #23]


 * <font face="comic sans ms">huff... puff... all right. that's it. it's time for my special attack . are you ready? here goes nothing. [Attack #23]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">yep. that's right. it's literally nothing. and it's not going to be anything, either. heh heh heh... ya get it? i know i can't beat you. one of your turns... you're just gonna kill me. so, uh. i've decided... it's not gonna BE your turn. ever. i'm just gonna keep having MY turn until you give up. even if it means we have to stand here until the end of time. capiche? [Attack #23]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">you'll get bored here. if you haven't gotten bored already, i mean. and then, you'll finally quit. [Attack #23]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">i know your type. you're, uh, very determined, aren't you? you'll never give up, even if there's, uh... absolutely NO benefit to persevering whatsoever. if i can make that clear. no matter what, you'll just keep going. not out of any desire for good or evil... but just because you think you can. and because you "can"... ... you "have to". [Attack #23]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">but now, you've reached the end. there is nothing left for you now. so, uh, in my personal opinion... the most "determined" thing you can do here? is to, uh, completely give up. and... (yawn) do literally anything else. [Attack #23]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">heh, didja really think you would be able - [Attack #24]
 * <font face="comic sans ms">... ... ... so... guess that's it, huh? ... just... don't say i didn't warn you. welp. i'm going to grillby's. papyrus, do you want anything? [Attack #25]

Flavor Text

 * The easiest enemy. Can only deal 1 damage. [Check]
 * Can't keep dodging forever. Keep attacking. [Check, if attacked at least once]
 * You feel like you're going to have a bad time. [Neutral, at the beginning of the fight]
 * You felt your sins crawling on your back. [Neutral]
 * You felt your sins weighing on your neck. [Neutral]
 * The REAL battle finally begins. [Neutral, 2nd phase]
 * Reading this doesn't seem like the best use of your time. [Neutral, 2nd phase]
 * Sans is starting to look really tired. [Neutral, 2nd phase]
 * KARMA coursing through your veins. [Neutral]
 * Doomed to death of KARMA! [Neutral, 2nd phase]
 * Sans is preparing something. [Neutral, when he talks about his special attack]