Mettaton EX is one of the most entertaining and challenging boss fights in Undertale, especially if you’re aiming for a Pacifist run. Unlike other battles where brute force might work, this fight requires strategy, timing, and a bit of showmanship. If you’re struggling to raise those ratings and spare Mettaton without a scratch, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from dodging attacks to boosting your audience appeal.
Before diving into strategies, it’s important to understand how this battle works. Unlike standard fights, you can’t just attack Mettaton EX until he’s defeated. Instead, you need to entertain his audience by increasing your ratings to at least 10,000. The higher your ratings, the sooner the fight ends peacefully.
Mettaton EX has a variety of flashy attacks, but none of them are instant kills. Most deal around 6-7 damage per hit, so as long as you stay alert and keep healing when necessary, you’ll survive. The key is balancing defense with actions that boost your ratings quickly.
Best Items to Bring
Since you can’t attack Mettaton EX directly, your success depends on smart item usage. Here’s what you should have in your inventory:
- Healing Items: Stock up on high-tier food like Glamburgers or the Steak in the Shape of Mettaton’s Face—these not only heal but also give a massive ratings boost. Avoid Junk Food, as it lowers your score.
- Armor: Equip stylish armor like the Manly Bandanna or Cloudy Glasses. Switching armor mid-fight gives a huge ratings spike, so bring multiple pieces if possible.
- The Stick: If you still have it, throwing the Stick at Mettaton gives a quick 700-point boost the first time.
Step-by-Step Battle Strategy
Phase 1: Surviving Mettaton’s Attacks
The fight starts with Mettaton in his box form. You’ll be in Yellow Mode, meaning you can shoot projectiles to interact with his attacks. Wait until Alphys calls and tells you to flip the switch on his back. Use the Turn Around command in the ACT menu, then Flip Switch to transform him into Mettaton EX.
Once transformed, the real battle begins. Here’s how to handle his attacks:
- Leg Attacks: His legs will slide across the screen. Shoot them to stop their movement and create safe gaps.
- Mini Mettatons: Small versions of him will drop from above. Shoot them before they throw hearts at you.
- Bombs: These explode in a cross pattern when shot. Detonate them early to clear space.
- Disco Ball: When the disco ball appears, shoot it to turn lasers blue, making them harmless.
- Heart Phase: Eventually, Mettaton’s heart emerges. Dodge lightning bolts and shoot the heart to end the attack early.
Phase 2: Maximizing Your Ratings
While dodging attacks, you need to keep boosting your ratings. Here are the best ways:
- Pose: The safest option. Posing gives a steady ratings increase based on your remaining HP. Lower HP means bigger boosts—so staying at 1 HP grants +600 points!
- Boast: High risk, high reward. Boasting gives a huge spike, but if you get hit, you lose points. Only use this if you’re confident in your dodging skills.
- Heel Turn: Increases ratings when you take damage. Useful if you’re struggling to avoid attacks.
- Eating Popular Food: Consuming MTT-brand items (like Glamburgers) gives a big ratings boost.
- Switching Armor: Changing equipment mid-fight gives a one-time 1,500-point boost per new piece.
Phase 3: Ending the Fight
Once your ratings hit 10,000 (or 12,000 if you haven’t disabled his limbs), Mettaton will receive fan calls and end the battle. If you’re going for True Pacifist, this is the only way to spare him.
Extra Tips for Success
- Stay at Low HP: If you can manage it, keeping your HP at 1 maximizes Pose rewards. Just be careful not to get hit!
- Use the Essay Prompt: Early in the fight, Mettaton asks for an essay. Writing “LEG” gives 350 points, while multiple compliments (like “HOTGORGEOUS”) can earn up to 360.
- Avoid Waiting: Ratings drop if you take too long to act, so make quick decisions.
