Just got the game... something I don't understand...

[Killa Cam]

When I'm fighting monsters how do I defeat them the pacifist way? I mean do I just spare them? It seems like as soon as the fight starts I can go straight to spare and win the fight but i get nothing. Then I try to use actions on monsters, it gives a little texts saying like they cry or something then nothing happens. Then the only other option is attack and I don't want to do that. I don't understand this battle system I guess. Can i get some clarification.

[$tank pu$$y]

Sometimes certain things you do in the Act choice will allow you to spare them. However, you can always just flee, and you can still get the true pacifist end that way.

[lostsomething]

There's a couple enemies that start in right off in a sparable state but for most of them you have to do certain actions or combinations of actions to get them into that state. If an enemy is ready to stop fighting their name will be in yellow text.

[Kalir]

You won't get EXP for sparing monsters, if that matters to you.

[Pawkt]

That would eb spoiling the game for you but think use your pacifistic mind how would you FIGHT an enemy but not actually fight them? Without Talking or running away. Think.

[Killa Cam]

So the point is to get their name yellow then spare them?

[Senator Jim Death]

Basically, remember that you don't have to destroy anyone. There are some monsters you can spare right away, some you have to work at sparing.

When a monster's name is yellow, you can end the fight peacefully using Spare. The trick to winning battles peacefully is figuring out how to get to that point. The battle system is more of a puzzle system with bullet dodging to a pacifist.

It may be easier to picture the "spare" option in your mind as a "do nothing" option. If the monster doesn't want to fight you any longer, you are basically showing it that you don't want to fight it either. Sometimes you just need to be able to take no action, and "spare" is good for that. Don't feel pressured to use "fight" just because you think you have to do something. You can always do nothing and see if anything happens. And all else failing, as some cool dude just said, you can usually just run away and not have to hurt anyone.

And I think most important is this: when you win the fight without hurting anyone, you DO get something. It might not be evident to you what that is until you finish the game, though. Maybe until you finish it twice. Stay determined.