Why are there only nine weapons in Undertale?
In Undertale, you play as a child named Frisk who’s gotten stuck in an unfamiliar underground world. The game constantly subverts expectations when it comes to RPG games; this includes in-game battling and weaponry. To make it a bit easier to know what you’re doing, I’ve made a helpful little guide to the top 9 (and only!) weapons of Undertale.
9. Stick
The player character finding themself stuck in the Underground, the setting for Undertale
Undertale Top 9 Weapons. Start at: 0:00
This first weapon is the one you start the game with. Its description states ‘Its bark is worse than its bite’ and no truer words have ever been said. It has 0 attack effects to add to your base attack and once unequipped, it can’t be re-equipped!
That said, there are a few reasons to keep it around in your inventory (and not equipped as your weapon):
- If you use the Stick in battle against a dog enemy, Frisk throws it, and the dog enemy becomes immediately sparable
- If you use it against the character Papyrus, he’ll fetch it
- Using it against the character Madjick makes him think you’re a fellow wizard and he also becomes sparable
- Using it against Mettaton EX gives you extra rating points
Stick full stats: https://undertale.fandom.com/wiki/Stick
8. Toy Knife
The Toy Knife Description
Finding the Toy Knife in the Ruins
The Toy Knife can be found in the Ruins, the tutorial area. Its description says it’s ‘Made of plastic’, but it’s still a better weapon than the Stick. It’s also the first weapon you find in the game to replace the Stick with.
Here’s what makes the Toy Knife fun:
- It has 3 attack
- It’s free
- It’s one of a kind, meaning it can’t be found anywhere else in the game
- If you don’t want it, you can sell it for 100G
Toy Knife full stats: https://undertale.fandom.com/wiki/Toy_Knife
7. Torn Notebook
Shopkeeper Gerson's various wares, including the Torn Notebook
Undertale Top 9 Weapons-- Torn Notebook. Start at: 0:32
The Torn Notebook is found in Waterfall and sold by a shopkeeper named Gerson for 55G. It’s a better weapon than the Toy Knife and the Stick, but not quite as good as some of the other weapons you can find before it. In fact, it only has 2 attack!
Still, this is why you take note of the Torn Notebook:
- Unlike the Toy Knife and the Stick which have single-hit patterns, it has a 2-hit pattern– which means you have 2 chances to hit your enemy (dealing 2 damage each hit)
- It increases the number of invulnerability frames you have after being hit
Torn Notebook full stats: https://undertale.fandom.com/wiki/Torn_Notebook
6. Tough Glove
The Tough Glove description
Finding the Tough Glove in Snowdin Forest
The Tough Glove is found in a Dimensional Box in Snowdin Forest. It can also be bought by the Snowdin Shopkeeper for 50G. It’s the third weapon that can be found in Undertale.
Here’s why the Tough Glove is a solid 6:
- It boasts 5 attack
- You can find it for free but if you decide you want it again after getting rid of it you can still buy it back
- You can use it with Punch Cards to increase your attack during battle
Tough Glove full stats: https://undertale.fandom.com/wiki/Tough_Glove
5. Worn Dagger
The Worn Dagger description
Undertale Top 9 Weapons-- Worn Dagger. Start at: 0:55
The Worn Dagger is the last weapon you find in the game, in King Asgore’s Home in the New Home Area. It’s one of a kind and still in the packaging. As its description states, it’s ‘Perfect for cutting plants and vines’-- but not much else.
Here’s why it’s taken root at number 5:
- It has 15 attack (but only with a single hit pattern)
- There are only two battles left in the game
- It– and its defensive counterpart– have an important place in the story of the game
Worn Dagger full stats: https://undertale.fandom.com/wiki/Worn_Dagger
4. Ballet Shoes
The battle against Undyne the Undying
Finding the Ballet Shoes in Waterfall
The Ballet Shoes can be found in tall grass in Waterfall. Their description states ‘These used shoes make you feel incredibly dangerous’ and there’s a reason for that– these are one of the most useful weapons in the game. They’ll probably be your go-to weapon.
Here’s why the Ballet Shoes have their footing at number 4:
- They have +7 attack and a 3-hit pattern
- They’re found about halfway through the game, for free
- You don’t have to make precise hits in the attack screen, making them easier to use, though weaker, than the next 2 weapons
- These are the favored weapon against Undyne the Undying
Ballet Shoes full stats: https://undertale.fandom.com/wiki/Ballet_Shoes
3. Burnt Pan
The Green Soul (associated with the Burnt Pan) healing you during the Photoshop Flowey battle
Undertale Top 9 Weapons-- Burnt Pan. Start at: 1:12
The Burnt Pan is found in Hotland. It requires precise timing to deal the most damage, making it very useful for skilled players. Even without precise timing the Burnt Pan’s damage, as its description says, ‘is rather consistent’.
Here’s why the Burnt Pan is a palatable weapon:
- It deals +10 attack with a 4-hit pattern
- It’s free and can be sold for 100G if you don’t want it
- If you use a consumable item to heal during battle, it heals 4 more HP
Burnt Pan full stats: https://undertale.fandom.com/wiki/Burnt_Pan
2. Empty Gun
Bratty and Catty's shop in the alley beside MTT Resort, where you can find the Empty Gun
Undertale Top 9 Weapons-- Empty Gun. Start at: 1:19
The Empty Gun is the second to last weapon to be found, at MTT Resort with Bratty and Catty. You can buy it for 350G. Its description states ‘Must be used precisely, or damage will be low’ and that’s really the only drawback of the Empty Gun.
Here’s why the Empty Gun is your best shot:
- It deals +12 attack with a 4-hit pattern
- If you hit all four bars in the center of the attack screen damage is double than it would be if even one of the bars had just barely missed (so precision and speed are a must!)
Empty Gun full stats: https://undertale.fandom.com/wiki/Empty_Gun
1. Real Knife
The Sans battle, the only fight you can use the Real Knife
Undertale Top 9 Weapons-- Real Knife. Start at: 1:26
The Real Knife is also the last weapon to be found in the game, the same as the Worn Dagger. This is because the two are the same, found in the same place– just in two different ‘timelines’ of the game. It deals +99 damage, but can only be used in one fight.
Here’s why the Real Knife is the true G.O.A.T:
- To get the full story Undertale offers, you have to make the choices that lead to the Real Knife
Real Knife full stats: https://undertale.fandom.com/wiki/Real_Knife
Now, you may be wondering, “What’s the deal with this ‘different timelines’ stuff? Why is the Empty Gun my ‘best shot’, but the Real Knife is still rated number 1?”
Well, Undertale has a total of three different endings depending on the choices you make in the game. Commonly called the Pacifist Route, Neutral Route, and Genocide Route, the difference between them is how many NPCs you kill. In Pacifist you kill nobody, Neutral you can kill from nobody to just under everybody, and in Genocide, you kill everyone.
The Real Knife is the last weapon in the game, found only in the Genocide Route. Since the Genocide Route prioritizes violence, the Worn Dagger (called so in the Neutral and Pacifist Routes) becomes the Real Knife and deals the most damage. If you don’t go the Genocide Route, you can erase the Real Knife from the list and move everything up.
That part at the beginning about Undertale subverting expectations? Most RPGs use killing NPC enemies as a way to level up your character to make them stronger. It’s normal. In Undertale, killing an NPC is framed as, well, a horrible thing to do. You can go the entire game without killing anybody.
So actually using any of these weapons, narratively, is a bad idea… unless you want to get the absolute most of the story. So, go ahead! Use these weapons! Kill as many as you please and get whatever ending you want– this article tells you where to find every weapon you might need.
Just know you don’t have to.
