UNDERTALE: Sans Battle Strategy

Sans' Strategy and Defeat Method

Learn Sans' Attack Patterns and How to Dodge

Sans' attacks are all predetermined. It may be difficult to get used to his attacks at first, but once you memorize them, he becomes just another boss. First, check his patterns and learn how to dodge each attack to minimize damage.

Taking Damage Causes Slip Damage

When you get hit by Sans' attacks, you also receive slip damage. Your HP decreases even while selecting commands. Progress through the turns quickly to minimize the HP lost to slip damage.

Heal When Your HP is Almost Depleted

Slip damage stops at 1 HP, so it's recommended to heal when your HP is almost depleted and slip damage is no longer a concern. On the other hand, healing too early will result in losing HP to slip damage. Additionally, there are opportunities to heal freely during the Sans battle. It's best to save healing for those moments.

Genocide Route Story Strategy

Sans Battle Preparation Guide

Equip the Burnt Pan

Attacks against Sans will never hit, except for the final attack. Therefore, the attack power of your weapon is irrelevant in the Sans battle. It is recommended to equip the Burnt Pan, which enhances the effects of recovery items. If you don't have it, go back to Hotland and retrieve it.

Equip the Cloudy Glasses

The damage you take from Sans' attacks remains the same regardless of the armor you wear. However, the Cloudy Glasses provide a slight increase in invincibility time, which can improve your survivability. While the benefits are not significant, other armors are ineffective, so it's recommended to equip the Cloudy Glasses.

Carry As Many Recovery Items As Possible

In the Sans battle, there is no invincibility time between hits, and you also suffer from slip damage. This means that a single mistake can significantly deplete your health. Therefore, fill your inventory with high-impact recovery items such as Butterscotch Pie, Instant Noodles, and Legendary Hero.

Recommended Items for Sans Battle

Sans First Half Attacks and Dodging

Turn 0

Sans will launch a preemptive attack. The attacks are intense, but as you retry, you will naturally get used to them. Aim to clear the section with as little damage as possible.

Turn 1

On the first turn, try to dodge the gaps between the bones by performing consecutive small jumps. The timing and height of the gaps are consistent, making it easier to clear without taking any damage.

Turn 2

On the second turn, blue bones and small bones will come at you together. The blue bone remains stationary, so once you pass through it, you can easily clear the section by jumping over the small bones with small jumps. However, the timing and the minimum jump height are tricky to master, so assume that you will take some damage and try to clear it.

Turn 3

On the third turn, perform the same bone dodging as the first turn. The height of the gaps and the speed at which they flow may vary, but the controls are simple. Try your best to avoid damage.

Turn 4

On the fourth turn, Sans unleashes an attack that looks like a platform crossing. If you jump and go to ride on the platforms as soon as they appear, it will be easier to avoid the bones. Ride on the platforms in the third and fourth positions.

Turn 5

On the fifth turn, Sans attacks with the same pattern, but the platform crossing comes from the opposite direction. Just like last time, there are attacks that cannot be avoided if you clear the platforms too slowly. Move quickly and early to avoid any damage.

Turn 6

On turn 6, you need to move across the three lanes and avoid Sans' attack. Landing on the platforms slows down your movement speed. It is recommended to jump and try to land on the first lane as much as possible.

Turn 7

On turn 7, start by jumping to pass through the first column of bones. After that, if you land on the right edge of the platform, you can avoid the attack without moving. Finally, perform a big jump between the 1st and 2nd columns to ignore the bones in the first column.

Turn 8

On turn 8, it is recommended to stay as low as possible to avoid Sans' beam attack. Being on the platforms slows down your movement speed, making it difficult to avoid the beams. When Sans uses consecutive lower beam attacks, try to stand on the middle tier platform.

Turn 9

On turn 9, it's another attack with small platforms and a gap. This time, if you land on the left edge of the platform, you can avoid the bones until the final big jump.

Turn 10

On turn 10, it's the same attack as turn 1. The tempo is slightly faster, but it actually makes it easier to find the rhythm and aim for no damage(even for first-time players).

Turn 11

Turn 12

On turn 12, it's the second random jump. Try to aim for no damage and be conscious of minimizing mistakes by jumping according to the gaps.

Sans' Random Attacks (From The 13th Turn Onwards)

No.1
No.2
No.3
No.4

From the 13th turn onwards, Sans will randomly choose one of the 4 attacks he already used. This pattern will continue until a total of 12 attacks have been made. If you have used a healing item once, you must avoid one attack, and if you have used it twice, you must avoid two attacks.

When A Specific Line Is Spoken, The Next Turn Will Always Be An Attack

When the line starting with "all I know is...seeing what comes next..." is spoken, the next turn will always be an attack. This line occurs after 11 attacks, so the first half of the battle will always end with the next attack.

Things to Do at the Midpoint of the Sans Battle

Using Sea Tea and Recovery Items

After attacking Sans 12 times and reaching the midpoint, he will not do anything until you attack him. This is a great opportunity to use items like Sea Tea or Legendary Hero without any risk. Preserve full recovery items and try to gain more HP and movement speed buffs.

Checking the Attacks From the Next Turn

Once you are prepared, check the attacks from the next turn. In the second half of the battle, attacks will also appear in the menu bar, and if you don't know how to avoid them, you will lose HP even during your turn.

Sparing Sans Brings Instant Death, But The Dialogue Changes

If you spare Sans at the midpoint, you will be instantly killed. It is absolutely not recommended for strategy purposes. Choose it once to see a slight change in Sans' dialogue in the next battle.

Sans Second Half Attack Patterns and Dodging Techniques

Turn 1

On the first turn, Sans will perform 5 random attacks. Although there are multiple types, remember to jump immediately for all attacks except one with the blue bones, and you will be able to pass through without taking any damage.

Bones Appear in the Menu

Between the first and third turns, bones will appear in the menu. If you touch them, you will take damage. Try to attack Sans or use healing items when the bones are at the edge of the menu.

Turn 2

On the second turn, Sans will continuously shoot beams. The interval between beams is short, so try to move while observing the next trajectory. Each beam is thin, so it is effective to aim for the gaps and dodge them.

Turn 3

On the third turn, the enemy will randomly perform 5 types of attacks. Each attack requires a different avoidance method, and you must make split-second decisions. Avoiding damage completely is difficult. Prepare yourself to take damage and challenge the enemy with enough HP to endure.

Bones Appear in the Menu Bar

After completing the third turn, multiple bones will appear in the menu bar at the bottom. Quickly select the commands in the order of "Action → Fight" and then move to the upper screen to check the next attack.

Turn 4

On the 4th turn, the enemy will attack by slamming bones from Up, Down, Left, and Right. The tempo of the attack is slow, making it easy to avoid. This attack will be used again in the future, so this turn is a good opportunity to learn how to avoid it.

Turn 5

On the 5th turn, the attack is the same as the 4th turn, but the tempo is slightly faster, leaving no time to think. Reflexively push in the opposite direction of the impact to avoid the attack.

Turn 6

On the 6th turn, thick beams are continuously fired. Compared to the 2nd turn, the beams are thicker but the firing rhythm is slower, making it easier to dodge. Aim for a no-damage clear by watching the next beam.

Bones Appear on Both the Menu and the Bar

After completing the 6th turn, bones will appear from both above and below. The way to dodge the bones remains the same, pressing "Move" and then "Fight" in order. Watch the movement of the bones and press the buttons at the right timing.

Turn 7

On the 7th turn, there is a lift attack. It is difficult to dodge perfectly, but it is also difficult for it to hit continuously. Rotate counterclockwise in rhythm to reduce the number of hits.

Turn 8

On turn 8, Sans will perform one of the random attacks from the 1st and 3rd turns consecutively. Since it is difficult to predict the next attack and there is no time to think, quickly determine which attack is coming and how to evade it as soon as the screen changes.

Turn 9

On turn 9, Sans will perform a gravity attack that is even faster and has increased bone height. It is difficult to avoid taking damage if your inputs are delayed even slightly. If you input correctly, you can reduce the damage to some extent. Don't give up and press the button even if you are late.

Sans Chooses Randomly (From Three Attacks) From Turn 10

No.1
No.2
No.3

From turn 10 onwards, Sans will perform either the beam, high-speed gravity, or random attack. If you struggle with a certain attack, endure while recovering and when you have enough HP (from dodging an attack you're familiar with), attack and progress the conversation.

Use a Full Recovery Item When a Specific Line is Spoken

When the line "then I'll be forced to use my special attack" is spoken, use a full recovery item. This is because the next attack will be the final turn of the Sans battle, and you want to have high HP beforehand.

Final Turn 1 (Gravity ~ Lift)

In the final turn, the enemy will first perform a high-speed gravity attack, followed by a lift attack. Since the number of attacks is not high, it is recommended to prepare for the actions and proceed with the conversation to minimize the damage.

Final Turn 2 (Side Scroll)

After the lift attack, the side scroll attack will begin. The only difficult part is the initial gap escape, so it is recommended to approach with the intention of taking some damage and calmly move up and down.

Final Turn 3 (Bone ~ Beam)

※Final attack

After the side-scrolling section, the screen will transition and bone attacks will come. The patterns of the bone attacks are predetermined, so it's easy to avoid them if you know them in advance.

After the bone attacks, the final attack will be a continuous rotating beam. The initial firing speed is slow. Avoid it by making a wide circle first, then gradually make it smaller as the speed increases. This way, you can avoid it neatly.

How to Attack Sans

Progress the Conversation Until Sans Falls Asleep

After overcoming the continuous rotating beams, Sans will use a secret move where he doesn't give you a turn. Until Sans falls asleep, you won't be able to do anything, so let the conversation finish and leave him alone until he falls asleep.

Move the Box to the Bottom Left and Press "Fight"

Once Sans falls asleep, you will be able to move the box to the left. When you reach the limit on the left, you will then be able to move it downwards. Finally, press "Fight" to defeat Sans.

List of Boss Guides
Toriel	Papyrus	Undyne
Mettaton EX	Asgore	Flowey
Asriel	Undyne the Undying	Sans

List of Boss Characters and Order of Battles