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Devil May Cry 5 abilities and upgrade costs: Time to level up

Devil May Cry 5 is out now and revolves around combat. As each of the abilities at the command of Nero, V and Dante need Red Orbs to unlock and upgrade, we thought a handy guide with all ability names, descriptions and upgrade costs would be helpful to players.

At our current count — and we’re checking to make sure we’ve factored in every single upgrade — players will need a whopping 11,204,300 Red Orbs for each and every item.

There are spoilers below in terms of weapon and ability names, so read at your own risk!

Nero

By our tally, all of Nero’s abilities and upgrades will cost you 3,656,100 Red Orbs.

Abilities

  • Speed (4,500): Keep holding LS in the same direction to build up speed into a full sprint.
  • Table Hopper (3,000): Evade an enemy attack with a slight movement of the body, allowing easier counter-attacks.
  • Table Hopper 2 (10,000):  Evade in any direction after a Table Hopper.
  • Table Hopper 3 (25,000): An even more effective evasive manoeuvre that expands upon what you have learned before.
  • Wire Snatch 2 (8,000): An upgrade to Wire Snatch with a longer reach.
  • Wire Snatch 3 (40,000) : The final Wire Snatch upgrade, extending the wire reach even farther.
  • Air Hike (20,000): Concentrate demonic power into the area under your feet to perform a double jump that can reach higher locations.
  • Trigger Heart (15,000): While Devil Trigger is active, the DT Gauge will deplete at a reduced rate.
  • Enemy Step (45,000): In mid-air, use an enemy as a stepping stone to execute a double jump.
  • Get More Orbs (50,000): Increase the range from which you can gather orbs.
  • Ex Provocation (3,000,000): A special taunt given only to those who paid a heavy price. Increases Stylish Rank more than a heavy taunt.

Blue Rose

  • Color Up 2 (1,800): Pack even more power into your Color Up shots. Hold X to fill up the Bullet Gauge, letting you fire three shots once the gauge is full.
  • Color Up 3 (35,000) : The final upgrade to Color Up, cramming explosive power into your special bullets. Hold X to fill up the Bullet Gauge, letting you fire three shots once the gauge is full.
  • Charge Shot (7,000): Channel the power from your body into the Blue Rose to fire powerful shots that send foes flying. Hold X while attacking to build up the charge.

Red Queen

  • Streak (800): A magnificent rushing attack that sweeps up surrounding enemies.
  • Streak 2 (8,000): An improved Streak attack with greatly extended range.
  • Split (1,200): A violent descending slash that slams through an enemy and splits them right down the middle.
  • Red Queen Combo B (2,500) : A series of heavy blows deal massive damage to anything unlucky enough to get in the way.
  • Red Queen Combo C (5,000): A flashy sword combo versatile enough to lay out unsuspecting fores over a wider area.
  • Red Queen Combo D (8,500): A brutal series of strikes culminating in a powerful final blow.
  • Roulette Spin (7,000): Spin the Red Queen’s blade in mid-air, cutting up enemies. This attack will allow you to gain a little altitude.
  • Shuffle (8,000): After avoiding an attack by backstepping, rush forward and counter with a fast, powrful blow.
  • Payline (15,000): A swift mid-air strike that exploits an enemy’s weak point. Brushes off enemy attacks when activated.
  • Hard Way (20,000): A swift strike that exploits an enemy’s weak point. Brushes off enemy attacks when activated.
  • Calibur (25,000): Streak towards your foe in mid-air and strike with a heavy blow.

Exceed

  • Exceed 2 (3,800): An upgrade to the Exceed system. Consume two stocks of the Ex-Gauge to use level 2 Exceed moves.
  • Exceed 3 (12,000): The final upgrade to the Exceed system. Consume three stocks of the Ex-Gauge to use level 3 Exceed moves.
  • MAX-Act (45,000): Right after an attack, activate Exceed with perfect timing to max out your Exceed gauge.

Devil Bringer

  • Showdown (25,000): An incredibly powerful series of strikes with the Red Queen and your demonic arms.
  • Maximum Bet (50,000): Demonic arms and the Red Queen combine to blow through enemies like a powerful wing. Holding then releasing Y + B will increase its attack strength.
  • Flat Top (50,000): Twist your body into the air and unfurl your demonic arms for a second jump. Hold A to extend your air time.

Devil Breaker

  • Breaker Plus (3,000): Up the size of your magazine, increasing the total number of Devil Breakers you can take on a mission to four.
  • Breaker Plus 2 (7,000): Up the size of your magazine again, increasing the total number of Devil Breakers you can take on a mission to five.
  • Breaker Plus 3 (15,000): Up the size of your magazine again, increasing the total number of Devil Breakers you can take on a mission to six.
  • Breaker Plus 4 (30,000): Up the size of your magazine again, increasing the total number of Devil Breakers you can take on a mission to seven.
  • Breaker Plus 5 (50,000): Up the size of your magazine for a final time, increasing the total number of Devil Breakers you can take on a mission to eight.

V

Our tally puts all of V’s abilities and upgrades at a cost of 3,512,200 Red Orbs.

Abilities

  • Quickplay (4,500): Utilize Shadow’s celerity for high-speed movement. Cannot be activated in battle, or while Shadow is stalemated.
  • Promotion (20,000): Ride atop the demonic beast Nightmare.
  • Enemy Step (45,000): In mid-air, use an enemy as a stepping stone to execute a double jump.
  • Trigger Heart (15,000): While Nightmare is active, the DT Gauge will deplete at a reduced rate.
  • Green Gamer (18,000): More likely to receive green orbs from enemies while Nightmare is active.
  • White Gamer (18,000): More likely to receive white orbs from enemies while Nightmare is active.
  • Get More Orbs (50,000): Increase the range from which you can gather orbs.
  • Ex Provocation (3,000,000): A special taunt given only to those who paid a heavy price. Increases Stylish Rank more than a heavy taunt.

Cane

  • Royal Fork (50,000): Rain down demonic canes from on high, finishing off all dying enemies in the area at once. Expends the DT Gauge.

Griffon

  • Blockade 2 (2,500): Power up Blockade to summon three pillars of lightning at once.
  • Blockade 3 (15,000): The strongest version of Blockade, calling five pillars of lightning onto the battlefield.
  • Round Robin 2 (2,500): This Round Robin upgrade rains even more electric strikes on foes in the area.
  • Round Robin 3 (15,000): The strongest version of Round Robin, pouring on even more electric strikes.
  • Flank Attack (7,500): Griffon charges at enemies, launching them into the air.
  • Double Check (5,000): Use Griffon’s power to fire an electric shock that slams into enemies.
  • Double Check 2 (12,000): Power up Double Check to shoot two electric shocks in a row.
  • Double Check 3 (40,000): The strongest version of Double check, firing three electric shocks in a row.
  • Griffon Vim (8,500): Reduce the time needed for Griffon to recover after getting stalemated.
  • Griffon Vigor (20,000): Increase Griffon’s defense, allowing him to take more hits taken before getting stalemated.

Shadow

  • Shadow Combo B (12,000): An extra combo for Shadow, knocking away enemies with a swing of his tail and rending them with enormous fangs.
  • Shadow Combo C (3,500): A combo to follow up Shadow’s claw attack, changing his neck into a whip to flay nearby foes.
  • Breakthrough (1,200): Shadow dives into the ground and dashes ahead, attacking with tentacles as it moves.
  • Hedgehog (5,000): Shadow transforms into spikes that jut out in all directions to attack.
  • Hedgehog 2 (12,000): This upgrade to Hedgehog adds needles that erupt from the ground behind Shadow.
  • Guillotine (7,500): A spinning charge attack that transforms Shadow’s body. Press RB + LS forward for a diving charge, or RB + LS back for a drop attack.
  • Skewer (35,000): Shadow transforms his head into a needle to stab at enemies. V can even stand on the needly during this attack.
  • Shadow Vim (8,500): Reduce the time needed for Shadow to recover after getting stalemated.
  • Shadow Vigor (20,000): Increase Shadow’s defense, allowing him to take more hits taken before getting stalemated.

Nightmare

  • Nightmare Combo B (9,000): A new combo for Nightmare, spreading his powerful blows across a wider area.
  • Domination (50,000): Nightmare fires a thick laser straight ahead. Use LS to adjust the angle slightly.

Dante

Finally, all of Dante’s abilities and upgrades will set you back 4,036,000 Red Orbs.

Abilities

  • Speed (4,500): Keep holding LS in the same direction to build up speed into a full sprint.
  • Air Hike (20,000): Focus your demonic power into a temporary mid-air platform, allowing you to double jump.
  • Trigger Heart (15,000): While Devil Trigger is active, the DT Gauge will deplete at a reduced rate.
  • Enemy Step (45,000): In mid-air, use an enemy as a stepping stone to execute a double jump.
  • Get More Orbs (50,000): Increase the range from which you can gather orbs.
  • Ex Provocation (3,000,000): A special taunt given only to those who paid a heavy price. Increases Stylish Rank more than a heavy taunt.

Rebellion/Devil Sword Sparda/Devil Sword Dante

  • Stinger (1,500): A high-speed lunge attack toward the enemy that skewers them through the middle. While Devil Trigger is active, the attack is more powerful, but expends the DT Gauge.
  • Stinger 2 (8,000): A powered-up version of the classic piercing attack. Has longer range than the original.
  • Million Stab (4,000): Rush in to stab the enemy with blinding speed. Repeatedly tap Y for more stabs.
  • Drive (10,000): This blistering sword swing creates a shockwave that damages distant enemies. Hold Y to make it hit harder.
  • Overdrive (35,000): A follow-up strike to Drive that lets fly two more shockwaves in rapid succession.
  • Swords Formation (5,000): Conjures four swords that automatically attack, evade, and block on your behalf. Swords disappear after a set time. Consumes 2 units of the DT Gauge.
  • Swords Formation 2 (18,000): An upgrade to Swords Formation. Extends time swords can be summoned for, and shortens cooldown until they can be summoned once more.
  • Swords Formation 3 (40,000): The ultimate evolution of Swords Formation. The swords can be summoned for a much longer time, and have a much shorter cooldown until they can be summoned once more.

Balrog

  • Bantam Revenge (5,000): Execute a counter in the direction you dodged with Welter Move. Slip through enemy attacks and lay on the pain.
  • Fly Dragon (7,000): After charging forward with Heavy Jolt, send out your left fist to pound enemies into the air.
  • Updraft (3,000): A high-flying kick that lauches enemies upward. Great for intercepting airborne foes.
  • Rolling Blaze (15,000): Jumping discharges a blast wave that damages nearby enemies.
  • Ignition 2 (10,000): Upgraded version of the Ignition attack buff technique. Effect remain active for longer.
  • Ignition 3 (40,000): Ultimate evolution of the Ignition attack buff technique. Dramatically lengthens effect duration.

Cavaliere

  • Cross Line (3,500): Cross over your twin Cavaliere for a devastating slam attack. Activates Gear Wheel.
  • Slipstream (8,000): Ride your momentum forward and cross over your twin Cavaliere for a devastating slam attack. Activates Gear Wheel. Can chain into Cavaliere Combo A or Cavaliere Combo B’s second step.
  • Highside (9,000): This high-velocity attack ramps you skyward after the enemy you hit. Activates Gear Wheel.
  • Braking (10,000): Drag airborne enemies into the spinning wheels and dive into a backbreaking ground impact. Activates Gear Wheel.
  • Idiling (35,000): Send enemies flying with blows from your twin Cavaliere.

King Cerberus

  • Revolver (3,500): Spin violently in mid-air before crashing into the enemy, dealing major impact damage. While Devil Trigger is active, the attack is more powerful, but expends the DT Gauge.
  • Revolver 2 (15,000): An improved version of the Revolver combo. Longer distance, and a more violent spin.
  • Crystal (8,000): Slam a chain into the ground, thrusting a massive global blade upward into enemies.
  • Ice Age (35,000): Conjure a skin of rock-hard ice, protecting you from enemy attacks.
  • Long Revolver (9,000): Your weapon crackles with lightning as it stretches to full length, turning mid-air spins into violent attacks.
  • Thunder Clap (25,000): Launches four lightning orbs that slowly chase down their targets.

Ebony & Ivory

  • Charge Shot (2,000): Infuse a shot with demonic power to deal greater damage. Charges automatically in Gunslinger style.
  • Charge Shot 2 (5,000): An upgrade to Charge Shot. Longer duration.
  • Charge Shot 3 (18,000): The ultimate evolution of Charge Shot. Even longer duration.

Coyote-A

  • Charge Shell (2,000): Channel your demonic power into a solid slug shot.
  • Charge Shell 2 (5,000): An upgrade to Charge Shell. Faster infusion of power into the shot.
  • Charge Shell 3 (18,000): The ultimate evolution of the Charge Shell. Fastest infusion of power into the shot.

Kalina Ann

  • High Explosive (3,000): Launch a powered-up missile packed with high explosive.

Dr. Faust

  • Main in the Red (8,000): Carpet the area around you with countless Red Orbs that damage enemies on contact. Expends the Red Orbs you’ve collected.
  • Hat Trick (20,000): Inflict damage on all enemies hit by Set Hat while absorbing Red Orbs.
  • Dr. Faust 2 (10,000): Increases the Orbs earned and Orbs expended while Dr. Faust is equipped. Uses more Orbs for more attack power.
  • Dr. Faust 3 (45,000): Further increases the Orbs earned and Orbs expended while Dr. Faust is equipped.

Trickster

  • TS Style Level 2 (3,500): Learn Level 2 Trickster skills: Flipper, Mustang.
  • TS Style Level 3 (10,000): Learn Level 3 Trickster skills: Mustang Air, Air Trick.
  • TS Style Level 4 (40,000): Learn the Level 4 Trickster skill: Ground Trick.

Swordmaster

  • SM Style Level 2 (4,000): Learn Level 2 Swordmaster skills: Shredder (Rebellion), Rising Dragon & Flint Wheel (Balrog).
  • SM Style Level 3 (18,000): Learn Level 3 Swordmaster skills: Round Trip (Rebellion), Divine Dragon (Balrog).
  • SM Style Level 4 (50,000): Learn Level 4 Swordmaster skills: Dance Macabre (Rebellion, Devil Sword Sparda, Devil Sword Dante), Real Impact, Pyromania (Balrog), Hot Stuff 2, Percussion 2 (King Cerberus), Wheelie Jump 2 (Cavaliere).

Gunslinger

  • GS Style Level 2 (4,000): Learn Level 2 Gunslinger skills: Rainstorm (Ebony & Ivory), Backslide (Coyote-A).
  • GS Style Level 3 (18,000): Learn Level 3 Gunslinger skills: Twosome Time (Ebony & Ivory), Gun Stinger (Coyote-A).
  • GS Style Level 4 (50,000): Learn Level 4 Gunslinger skills: Honeycomb Fire (Ebony & Ivory), Cut-in Front, Cut-in Back, Cut-in Side (Coyote-A).

Royal Guard

  • RG Style Level 2 (3,500): Learn the Level 2 Royalguard skill: Air Block.
  • RG Style Level 3 (10,000): Learn Level 3 Royalguard skill: Air Release, Increases Royal Gauge (+3).
  • RG Style Level 4 (40,000): Learn Level 4 Royalguard skill: Air Release, Increases Royal Gauge (+3).

Sin Devil Trigger

  • Sin Stinger (9,000): Charge into the enemy surrounded by the whirlwind of Swords Formation. Tears through any enemy, leaving tattered shreds in your wake. Hold Y to keep the attack going.
  • Sin Inferno (18,000): Slam a thunderous punch into the ground, making the fires of hell erupt around you and launch nearby enemies into the air.
  • Demolition (35,000): Grab an enemy and trigger a blast from within, shattering the enemy with raw explosive power.
  • The Luce (40,000): Focus energy into your outstretched wings and raze the earth with a laser barrage. Hold RT to keep the attack going.
  • Quadruple S (50,000): When transformed into Sin Devil Trigger with Stylish Rank SSS: Press LB while the SDT Gauge is glowing to disengage your transformation. This allows you to unleash your Sin Devil Trigger power for a moment and attack.

Devil May Cry 5 is available now on Windows PC, Xbox One and PS4.

Devil May Cry 5 guides


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Steve Wright

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