*Minor spoiler* Why can't I throw the Mettaton NEO fight?

[Splodey_Goat]

I was doing a Genocide run, about halfway through the core when I learned about one more thing I wanted to do on a Neutral run that a Genocide run would've locked me out of. Some other sources I've read say the Mettaton NEO fight is the last chance you have to switch off the Genocide path, either by not killing everything in the Hotlands before you fight him or by simply missing an attack. I already killed everything, so the first options out, but no matter how many attacks I miss the fight won't stop.

Help?

[Splodey_Goat]

I'll also say I know I can just reset my game, but I also know there's a specific ending for if you switch to the neutral path from this point and I figured as long as I got this far I should try to go for that one.

[Prince Silvermane]

Can't you just select attack and do nothing? He should say something like you pulled your punches and everyone is already evacuated.

[CyperAleksi]

Or rather attack him but do it as poorly as possible.

[Splodey_Goat]

The weakest attack I can possibly manage still kills him, and I've tried just hitting attack then missing but it doesn't do anything.

[Freaky Mutant Man]

If you get dialogue that doesn't mention a fanclub when you kill him, you're no longer on the Genocide route and will get a neutral ending.

[Strider VM]

Yes, Mettaton Neo is always one hit. But what did Mettaton say after you defeated it?

[Splodey_Goat]

"Guess you don't wanna join my fanclub" then he exploded. Is it possible that because I ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up and killed him once, me quitting and re-opening the game means I can't leave the genocide route?

[Soleil]

You can't do a "gentle attack." Or attack poorly. It's a myth.

If you fight Undyne the Undying, you'll always fight Mettaton NEO. The dialogue that implies that you "held back" occurs if you failed to kill enough enemies in Hotland/the CORE by the time you fight NEO. If you've killed the Royal Guards, Muffet, and cleared Hotland/the CORE of monster encounters, it's past the point of no return, and you're stuck on the Genocide route.

[Deejaynerate]

Did you try sparing? Mettaton NEO

if not working, look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axZ1r_duW0w

PS Read Description

[Soleil]

Originally posted by W.D. Gaster:

Did you try sparing? Mettaton NEO

if not working, look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axZ1r_duW0w

PS Read Description

The video uploader is completely wrong. He messed up by not killing enough enemies in the CORE. You can't throw the Mettaton NEO fight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmx-3cXzqSE

[NovaKnight]

[PREVIOUS COMMENT DELETED]
well then you're screwed!

H a v e f u n g e t t i n g d u n k e d o n .

[Pizzarugi]

From the looks of the other comments, OP is gonna have to reset if he wants to try neutral again.

[HighCD]

Good luck, not gonna spoil what happens next. but like the guy above me said
H a v e f u n g e t t i n g d u n k e d o n .

[Strider VM]

It seems to be misconception. If you did not genocide Hotland / Core then the events on the video happens. It seems that missing or not doesn't influence it actually.