The Ruins

A complete walkthrough for Undertale's The Ruins. Learn how to solve puzzles, defeat monsters, and progress through the early game with Toriel's guidance.

The game begins with you, a human child, atop a bed of golden flowers. Move right into the next room.

In the next room, you'll meet Flowey, a talking flower who offers an introduction to the Underground. He will initiate your first encounter, explaining combat mechanics. Following his instructions and touching his "friendliness pellets" will reduce your HP to 1, and Flowey will mock you. Avoiding the pellets will cause him to become irritated. Regardless, he will attempt to kill you, but Toriel, a motherly goat, will intervene and save you.

Follow Toriel north through the large door to the Ruins' entrance. The game's first save point is located in front of the stairs. Continue north with Toriel.

In the next room, Toriel welcomes you and begins teaching you about the Ruins' puzzles. She demonstrates by stepping on switches to open a door. A sign on the left wall contains the solution to this puzzle.

Follow Toriel north again. She will give another lesson on puzzles. A sign in front of you reads "Press Z to read signs!". A sign on the wall advises staying on the path. Cross the bridge and use the clearly marked switch on the wall. Follow Toriel and use another marked switch. If you talk to Toriel, she will guide you to the correct switch. If you choose the wrong one, she will direct you to the other. After successfully activating the switches, proceed to the next room with her.

The next room contains a dummy for you to practice combat with. Toriel insists you practice fighting monsters. She suggests striking up a friendly conversation. You can talk to Toriel for conversation topic ideas. Examine the dummy to initiate an encounter. You can attack the dummy, but Toriel will scold you. Practicing sparing the dummy by talking to it will please Toriel. Fleeing the battle also works, though Toriel might find it odd.

Proceed to the next room for another puzzle. Follow Toriel right, where you will encounter a Froggit. Use any Act option, and Toriel will glare at the Froggit, stopping the fight. A sign ahead explains the puzzle, but Toriel will guide you across the spikes by holding your hand.

Toriel then challenges you to walk the length of the next room alone. This room is long, but upon reaching the end, Toriel reassures you that she is testing your independence. She gives you a cell phone to contact her and asks you to wait. If you wait for 5 minutes, Toriel will call, asking you to wait longer. If you continue to wait, you will witness a sequence where a dog steals her phone. You can call Toriel at any time in the Ruins for unique dialogue, including flirting.

Toriel will call you in the next room to warn you about more puzzles and to stay put. You can talk to a Froggit and use the Save Point. You may encounter your first actual battle here against a single Froggit. Head north to collect candy from a pedestal; you can take up to four pieces before they fall. Exit through the bottom right.

The next room features cracked ground that will cause you to fall if stepped on. You can return to the upper level by going through the door on the bottom right. This room serves to introduce floor breaking mechanics.

In the following room, you'll find a single rock and a switch. Push the rock onto the switch. Toriel will call to ask your preference between cinnamon and butterscotch pie, then call again to inquire about your dislike of the unchosen ingredient. Proceed over the downed spikes and into the next room.

The next room has a floor covered in broken tiles. Some tiles are safe to walk on. If you fall, the pathway through the leaves below will lead you across the tiles. Head left.