Character Overview
Asgore Dreemurr is one of the most complex and emotionally compelling characters in both Undertale and Deltarune. Known as the King of Monsters in Undertale, he represents the tragic weight of leadership and the moral complexities of war and survival.
Despite being positioned as the game's "final boss" in Undertale, Asgore is fundamentally a gentle soul forced into an impossible situation. His character embodies themes of redemption, parental love, loss, and the burden of difficult choices.
In Deltarune, we see a different side of Asgore - no longer a king, but a humble flower shop owner trying to reconnect with his family. This alternate version highlights what Asgore might have been without the trauma of war and loss.
What makes Asgore particularly compelling is his fundamental relatability despite extraordinary circumstances. Players recognize in him the universal struggle of trying to do right by those we care about while being constrained by forces beyond our control. This recognition has led to extensive community-generated content that explores not just his role in the games' narratives, but his significance as a representation of adult responsibility and moral complexity.
Character Gallery
Undertale: The Reluctant King
Deltarune: The Gentle Shopkeeper
Iconic Voice Lines
Tea Offer (Undertale)
"I so badly want to say, 'would you like a cup of tea?' But... You know how it is."
This quote perfectly encapsulates Asgore's internal conflict between his gentle nature and his royal duties.
Apology (Deltarune)
"I am sorry... for everything."
Asgore's frequent apologies in Deltarune reflect his guilt and desire for reconciliation with his family.
Character Profiles
Undertale Profile
The Tragic King
Deltarune Profile
The Gentle Shopkeeper
Key Differences Analysis
The contrast between these two versions of Asgore demonstrates how circumstances shape character development while core personality traits remain constant. In Undertale, external pressures and tragic loss transform his gentle nature into reluctant determination, while in Deltarune, the absence of such trauma allows his nurturing instincts to flourish in more mundane but equally meaningful ways. Both versions share the same fundamental desire to care for others, whether as a king protecting his people or a father trying to reconnect with his family.
Role in Undertale
In Undertale, Asgore serves as the final boss and represents the culmination of the game's central moral conflict. As the King of Monsters, he has sworn to destroy any human who falls into the Underground and collect their souls to break the barrier that traps his people.
The Weight of Kingship
Asgore's tragedy lies in the conflict between his gentle nature and his royal duties. After losing both of his children (Asriel and the adopted human child), he declared war on humanity in a moment of grief and rage. However, his compassionate nature makes it nearly impossible for him to actually carry out his threats.
The Barrier and Seven Souls
Asgore has collected six human souls over many years, needing just one more to gain the power to cross the barrier. However, when faced with the protagonist, his reluctance to kill becomes evident. He destroys the mercy button not out of cruelty, but because he knows that showing mercy would mean abandoning his people's hope for freedom.
Boss Fight Mechanics
The Asgore fight is unique in that it forces the player to engage in combat - there's no mercy option available. This mechanical choice reinforces the narrative weight: sometimes there are no easy answers, and even good people can be forced into impossible situations.
Role in Deltarune
Deltarune presents a completely different version of Asgore - one who never became a king, never lost his children to tragedy, but instead faces the more mundane yet equally painful challenges of a failing marriage and family separation.
The Flower Shop Owner
In this universe, Asgore runs a flower shop called "Flower King" - a humble business that reflects his gentle nature. The shop is struggling financially, mirroring his personal struggles with family relationships. His love for gardening and flowers shows his nurturing side without the burden of royal responsibility.
Former Police Chief
Asgore's background as the former police chief adds complexity to his character and has sparked numerous fan theories, particularly regarding Dess Holiday's disappearance. This role suggests he once held authority and responsibility, but something caused him to step down.
Family Dynamics
The relationship between Asgore and Toriel in Deltarune is strained but not irreparable. Their separation appears to be more about growing apart than any great tragedy. Asgore's attempts to reconnect - like bringing Toriel flowers or trying to be involved in Kris's life - show his desire to heal these relationships.
Key Differences Between Games
| Aspect | Undertale | Deltarune |
|---|---|---|
| Role | King of Monsters | Flower Shop Owner |
| Relationship Status | Separated from Toriel (after tragedy) | Divorced from Toriel (growing apart) |
| Children | Lost Asriel and adopted human | Kris (adopted, alive and well) |
| Authority | Absolute ruler of Underground | Former police chief, now civilian |
| Moral Burden | Must kill humans for his people | Dealing with personal/family issues |
| Living Situation | Royal castle in New Home | Separate home, visits family |
Personality & Character Traits
Core Personality
- ✓ Gentle and Kind: Despite his imposing appearance, Asgore is fundamentally peaceful and caring
- ✓ Paternal: Shows deep love for children and takes on father figure roles naturally
- ✓ Burdened by Duty: Struggles with responsibilities that conflict with his nature
- ✓ Emotionally Complex: Capable of both great love and necessary hardness
Notable Traits
- → Love of Gardening: Finds peace and purpose in growing things
- → Tea Enthusiast: Enjoys golden flower tea and sharing it with others
- → Apologetic Nature: Often apologizes, especially in Deltarune
- → Reluctant Fighter: Strong but prefers peaceful solutions
Character Relationships
Toriel
Asgore's former wife and the mother of their children. Their relationship is one of the most tragic elements of both games - torn apart by grief and differing philosophies about protecting vs. liberating their people. In Deltarune, they're divorced but the pain is less acute.
Asriel
Asgore's biological son, whose death (along with the human child) triggered the events of Undertale. Asriel represents Asgore's greatest loss and the innocence he once knew. In Deltarune, Asriel is alive but away at college.
Kris (Deltarune)
Asgore's adopted child in Deltarune. Their relationship shows Asgore's continuing paternal instincts and his desire to be a good father despite the family's separation. He clearly cares deeply for Kris and wants to be more involved in their life.
Undyne
In Undertale, Undyne serves as captain of the royal guard and deeply respects Asgore as both king and mentor. She represents the more aggressive approach to the human problem, seeing Asgore's gentleness as both admirable and potentially problematic.
Memorable Quotes & Voice Lines
The Tea Offer
"I so badly want to say, 'would you like a cup of tea?' But... You know how it is."
Context: Spoken before the final battle in Undertale
This quote perfectly encapsulates Asgore's internal conflict between his gentle, hospitable nature and the terrible duty he must fulfill as king. Even in this moment of inevitable confrontation, his first instinct is to offer comfort and hospitality, highlighting the fundamental kindness that makes his role as antagonist so tragic.
Recognition of Determination
"Haha... I just realized... You really ARE different from the others. The others never got this far... You must be very determined..."
Context: During the battle, recognizing the protagonist's unique nature
This moment reveals Asgore's awareness that the current confrontation is different from his previous encounters with humans. His recognition of the protagonist's determination shows both his wisdom as a leader and his growing reluctance to continue the fight, as he begins to see hope for a different resolution.
The Constant Apology
"I am sorry... for everything."
Context: Asgore's frequent apologies throughout Deltarune
In Deltarune, this phrase becomes almost a verbal tic for Asgore, reflecting his deep-seated guilt and desire for reconciliation. Unlike his Undertale counterpart who carries the weight of necessary evils, this Asgore apologizes for more mundane failures—his divorce, his inability to maintain family relationships, his perceived inadequacies as a father and husband.
The Reluctant Warrior
"Ah, do not be afraid, my child. I do not want to fight you. But... I cannot let you pass either."
Context: Asgore's attempt to comfort the protagonist before battle
This quote embodies the central tragedy of Asgore's character in Undertale. Even as he prepares for battle, his first instinct is to comfort and reassure his opponent. The contradiction between "I do not want to fight you" and "I cannot let you pass" perfectly captures his impossible position between personal morality and royal duty.
Linguistic Character Analysis
Asgore's dialogue patterns reveal crucial aspects of his personality across both games. In Undertale, his speech combines formal, regal language with moments of vulnerable honesty, reflecting his dual nature as both king and caring individual. His tendency to speak in longer, more contemplative sentences suggests someone who carefully considers his words, aware of their weight and impact. In Deltarune, his speech becomes more hesitant and apologetic, filled with self-deprecating humor and frequent apologies that reveal his diminished confidence and ongoing guilt about his family situation.
Fan Theories & Community Analysis
The Dess Holiday Theory
Viral Theory • High Community Interest
The most viral recent theory suggests that Asgore, during his time as police chief in Deltarune, was somehow responsible for Dess Holiday's disappearance. This theory gained massive popularity through the "Asgore truck" meme, transforming from serious speculation into internet phenomenon.
The Professional Failure Theory
Character Analysis • Moderate Interest
This theory proposes that Asgore and Toriel's divorce in Deltarune stems from his professional failures as police chief, particularly his inability to solve high-profile cases like Dess Holiday's disappearance, leading to family strain and eventual separation.
The Redemption Symbolism Theory
Symbolic Analysis • Literary Focus
Asgore's transition from police chief to flower shop owner represents a deliberate symbolic choice by Toby Fox to illustrate themes of redemption, nurturing, and the desire to create life after being associated with death or failure.