Doctor W.D. Gaster is an enigma shrouded in mystery, with very little known about him. Despite the scarce amount of information, this character is a popular topic for many fans who are desperate to know who he is. After the January 2016 patch, more “fun” events became available in regular gameplay, driving more people to look for answers as to who Gaster is.
The following is a breakdown of facts, circumstantial evidence, and unconfirmed theories on Gaster. All technical information mentioned below is based on v1.001 of the game.
Before Gaster is discussed, three important characters should be considered – the followers.
Facts about the followers:
There are three followers.
Their sprite names are spr_g_follower_1, spr_g_follower_2, and spr_g_follower_3.
Their object names in the code are obj_gaster_follower_b, obj_gaster_follower_a, and obj_gaster_follower_c.
Each follower has a very low chance of appearing.
Follower_1: fun value 62 and 50% chance = 0.5% chance
Follower_2: fun value 61 and 20% chance = 0.2% chance
Follower_3: fun value 63 and 50% chance = 0.5% chance
These are the only monsters that ever mention Gaster by name.
They share a monochrome gray color theme.
Two of them use the words “they say” in reference to what they know.
Frisk’s phone does not turn on in their presence.
Follower_2 disappears after speaking.
Since the followers are the only characters that mention Gaster by name, what is known as canon about Gaster is derived from their dialogue. However, because the followers speak in such a hearsay manner (e.g. “They say he created the Core.”), it’s hard to be sure how accurate this information is. With little else to go on, this information will be taken at face value.
Facts and hearsays about Gaster:
He was the previous Royal Scientist, before Alphys.
His brilliance was “irreplaceable”, which is why Asgore took so long to replace him.
He fell into his creation.
His experiments went wrong. (Yes, experiments is plural here).
He vanished without a trace.
He shattered across time and space.
A piece of him exists with Follower_2.
Outside of what the followers share, there are a few more things known by special events in the game and by examining the code and assets.
From the game’s code, assets, etc:
Entering Gaster’s name in the character name screen causes the game to restart – and it only happens with Gaster’s name.
The Sound Test Room in Snowdin has a 50% chance of being accessible at fun value 65 (after defeating Papyrus and before defeating Asriel in the pacifist route), and Gaster’s Theme can be played in this room. Once the song starts playing, you cannot change the music. Eventually, the song ends and then Frisk is automatically returned to the room with the fishing rod.
Despite not having a battle, Gaster’s monster type identifier in the code is 666, and his stats are composed using only 6. (ex. HP of 666666)
Sans’ attacks, which bear resemblance to animal skulls, use six sprites called spr_gasterblaster.
An unused NPC field sprite called spr_gb_npc looks like the spr_gasterblaster sprites, but without a face.
The gasterblasters are used in the code’s obj_gasterblaster, which is used in the code’s obj_gasterbl_gen.
By editing the game’s save files, ENTRY NUMBER SEVENTEEN can be found in an inaccessible room. The code for this room is called obj_gaster_room, confirming that the entry belongs to Gaster. The identifier for the text type is 666, and the game quits after the entry is fully read.
The following is a list of reasonable deductions based on clues provided in the game. Unlike the facts listed above, these theories are not confirmed directly. However, they have enough circumstantial evidence to make a strong case.
Gaster is the original creator of the DT Extraction Machine.
Alphys specifically mentioned “using the blueprints” in her lab entry 5.
Since Alphys used these rather than created them, it’s presumed to be from the previous Royal Scientist.
W.D. Gaster refers to Wing Dings and Aster (two fonts).
Wing Dings shares Gaster’s initials, W.D.
Because the room with ENTRY NUMBER SEVENTEEN is coded as obj_gaster_room, Gaster has a connection to Wing Dings.
A serif font that looks similar to Aster is seen only once in the game: Sans’ snoring Z’s at the end of his battle. However, the Z is a sprite, not text.
Because Sans and Papyrus are named after fonts and are skeletons, Gaster is assumed to be a skeleton.
The Core was built before New Home.
Considering New Home is built above the CORE, it’s reasonable to assume Gaster built the CORE before the Royal Family moved to New Home.
Gaster may have a connection to the monster that appears in a room behind a gray door in Waterfall – Mystery Man.
The sprites are called spr_mysteryman.
The object name in the code is obj_mysteryman.
At fun value 66, there is a 10% chance of this door appearing. That means there is a mere 0.1% chance of finding this door without hacking or cheating.
Frisk cannot collide with Mystery Man; they walk right through.
When interacted with, Mystery Man disappears, and the sound effect snd_mysterygo plays. It is the same one that plays for the disappearing Follower_2, who claims to be holding a piece of Gaster.
Unlike with the followers, the phone can be used, but there is no response.
Gaster may have a connection to the monster in an inaccessible room in Waterfall – Redacted A.
Its sprite is called spr_redacted_a_0.
Its object name in the code is obj_redacted_a.
The room can be accessed by editing the game’s save files.
The monster is solid and cannot be walked through.
It disappears if Frisk moves away from it, and reappears if Frisk moves towards it.
This is the only monster that speaks in Wing Dings, specifically all lowercase. Its only dialogue is “* [redacted]”.
The text sound used for Redacted A’s dialogue is the same one used for ENTRY NUMBER SEVENTEEN.
Gaster has a connection to Sans
Sans uses gasterblasters in his battle.
Sans has blueprints with unreadable symbols in his secret lab. The narration remarks that it may be just the handwriting that makes it illegible, perhaps implying it belongs to Alphys who’s handwriting is described as illegible chicken-scratch. However, unreadable symbols could also mean Wing Dings.
During his battle, when Sans sleeps, he snores in what looks like the Aster font, but it’s not quite the same.
Popular but Unconfirmed Theories
With how little information there is and how hard it is to find, it’s easy for “fanon” to become so popular that it is misrepresented as canon. The list below is made of popular theories that are commonly misquoted as fact. This was not written to diminish the theories in any way; in fact, the reason these ideas are so popular is that they make a lot of sense and are not directly contradicted by evidence in the game. However, it’s important to know fact from fun.
Because the followers, the Sound Room, and Gaster’s stats all share a pattern of 6′s, Mystery Man has an association with Gaster.
However, Gaster was said to have shattered. If this is the case, it doesn’t seem right for him to still be intact as the Mystery Man.
It is more plausible that Mystery Man is a “piece” of Gaster.
Redacted A is the only monster in the game to speak in Wing Dings, which makes it another candidate to being a piece of Gaster.
Dogbomber’s interpretation of Gaster was removed from the official tarot card merchandise, keeping his true identity a secret.
“Goner Kid is a follower of Gaster’s.”
Goner Kid is the gray monster kid that can be found in Waterfall.
Their sprites are called spr_mkid_goner – it does not include the word “follower.”
Their object name in the code is obj_mkid_goner.
They have a gray color scheme like the followers.
However, Goner Kid appears if the fun value is above 90 – not in the 60′s. This means there is a 10% chance of running into them.
Unlike the followers, the phone can be used in the room with Goner Kid to call Papyrus.
Goner Kid never mentions Gaster.
“Gaster was forgotten by everyone.”
Based on the idea that Gaster shattered across space and time somehow causes his existence to be forgotten. There is no mention of this, however.
There is also speculation that Gaster is talking through Goner Kid about how the world can be the same “except you don’t exist.” However, Goner Kid has no confirmed association with Gaster.
The word “forgotten” is never used to describe Gaster.
His followers remember him.
Nothing indicates that Asgore forgot him, especially considering he took so long looking for a replacement since Gaster’s genius was “irreplaceable.”
“Gaster wrote the true lab entries.”
Other than the ENTRY NUMBER SEVENTEEN that is written in Wing Dings, there is no evidence that Gaster wrote any of the entries found in the true lab.
Alphys explains to Frisk the experiment she carried out on the fallen monsters, which the true lab entries document.
Based on supporting evidence in the game, Alphys wrote all the true lab entries.
“The followers are Gaster’s assistants.”
Nothing indicates they ever worked with Gaster.
They mention information about Gaster, but in a hearsay manner.
The “follower” name makes them seem more like fans or cult members.
Sans has a photo album filled with photos of people Frisk does not recognize, which people believe is Gaster and the followers. However, Frisk can meet any one of them, even if the chances are extremely slim.
“Sans was Gaster’s assistant.”
Sans says “you’ll never see them again” in the Lost Souls battle as if speaking from experience.
ENTRY NUMBER SEVENTEEN addresses two people at the end, but nothing confirms who these people are.
Sans speaks about “our reports” and has a scientific background, but evidence supports that Sans may have worked with Alphys instead of Gaster.
“Gaster is Sans’ and Papyrus’ father.”
Gaster is speculated to be a skeleton, so it’s commonly assumed he would be their father. However, Sans and Papyrus make no mention of family outside of each other.
A poorly drawn picture of three people smiling can be found in Sans’ photo album under the right circumstances, but there is nothing to say who these three people are.
Shrouded in mystery and darkness, Gaster’s identity and story continue to elude the community. Filling the gaps with speculation is part of what makes Gaster theories so much fun. Hopefully, this comprehensive master post will aid with the guidance, testing, and formulation of fan theories. While conjecture and assumptions breed compelling speculation, it is always important to distinguish fanon from canon.
» view more: album of Gaster related content
