Devil May Cry Walkthrough: Complete Guide & Tips
Introduction
If you picked up Devil May Cry and felt equal parts exhilarated and overwhelmed, this devil may cry walkthrough is for you. Whether you’re new to Dante’s stylish combat or you’re returning to hunt S-ranks, this guide breaks down the game into clear, manageable steps. You’ll find mission-by-mission advice, boss strategies, weapon recommendations, and practical combo tips that help you progress, farm red orbs, and unlock secret missions and hidden items.
Getting Started: Controls, Difficulty, and Playstyles
Before diving into a complete walkthrough, set up the basics. Devil May Cry rewards experimentation with playstyles: Trickster for mobility, Royalguard for defense, and Gunslinger for ranged flair. Choose a difficulty that lets you learn without burning out—Classic mode is great for experienced players, while Normal gives room to master combos and ranking mechanics.
- Controls: Practice light and heavy attacks, dodge, and the unique Devil Trigger mechanics. Map your most-used actions to comfortable buttons.
- Playstyles: Combine melee combos with Gunslinger shots. Royalguard parries and counterattacks can change tough fights.
- Progression: Prioritize weapons you enjoy: melee moves open stylish combos while guns help manage crowds and extend juggle chains for higher ranks.
Tip: Spend time in early missions learning to switch smoothly between Trickster, Royalguard, and Gunslinger. That flexibility is key against Devil May Cry bosses.
Mission Walkthrough: Early to Mid-Game (Mission List & Examples)
This section gives a mission-by-mission framework that works for most entries in the series. The exact mission names vary by game, but the structure—exploration, combat rooms, puzzle rooms, and boss encounters—remains consistent. Use this as your roadmap.
Start Strong: Missions 1–5
- Focus on mastering dodge timing and weapon switches.
- Learn to juggle enemies with light attacks and finishers to build up combo chains.
- Collect red orbs and upgrade one weapon early (usually the melee sword) for more reliable damage.
Mid-Game: Missions 6–15
- Expect tougher Devil May Cry bosses and multi-phase fights. Conserve Devil Trigger for when bosses change behavior.
- Explore side rooms for secret missions and hidden items that often boost your arsenal or offer extra orbs.
- Complete optional puzzles to unlock shortcuts—these save time on reruns for S-rank attempts.
Late-Game: Final Missions and Boss Gauntlets
- By now you should have a clear combo guide in your head and favorite weapon set. Use those strengths to tackle enemy swarms.
- Study boss patterns: many fights repeat telegraphed moves. Learning these patterns is how you beat the hardest bosses.
- Use the tutorial-like earlier missions to refine timing for Royalguard counters against big attacks.
Boss Strategies: How to Beat Tough Foes
Boss fights are the highlight. This section covers general approaches and specific tips for common Devil May Cry bosses and multi-phase encounters.
General Boss Tips
- Watch patterns: Most bosses give a moment of recovery after major moves. Use that window to land heavy combos.
- Manage space: If a boss likes to fly or teleport, keep mobility tricks on hand (Trickster) to close or create distance.
- Use Devil Trigger: Activate at the right time—either to finish a phase quickly or to survive heavy damage windows.
Example Boss: Aerial/Phantom-Type
These bosses use ranged magics and aerial maneuvers. Prioritize ranged attacks or gunslinger shots to interrupt them. When grounded, chain long juggle combos to push them into a staggered state.
Example Boss: Heavy Melee/Shielded Foe
Use Royalguard and precise parries. Block and counter to break their guard, then unleash a flurry of melee and high-damage finishers. If they have an enraged phase, retreat and use Devil Trigger to sustain damage output.
Weapons, Upgrades, and Combo Guide
Choosing the right weapons and learning a few reliable combos is the fastest path to consistent S-ranks and easier boss encounters.
Best Weapons & When to Use Them
- Swords: Best for close-range damage and stylish melee combos. Upgrade for increased juggle potential.
- Guns: Excellent for extending aerial combos and interrupting flying enemies. Gunslinger combos help control crowds.
- Special Weapons: Some entries include unique arms—experiment to find one that complements your playstyle.
Core Combos to Practice
- Light x3 > Heavy > Dodge-cancel > Aerial gun shots: consistent starter for juggling enemies.
- Light > Light > Trickster dash > Heavy > Devil Trigger finisher: great for burst damage.
- Royalguard parry > Counter heavy > Launch > Aerial arsenal: ideal for shielded bosses.
Tip: Practice combos in areas with normal enemies before attempting ranked missions. The smoother your transitions, the higher your stylish rank will be.
Secrets, Side Missions, and Red Orb Farming
Hidden items and secret missions are key to powering up. This section covers where to look and how to get the most out of exploration.
- Secret Missions: Often unlocked by exploring off the main path or solving a minor puzzle. Completing them rewards orbs, weapons, or upgrades.
- Hidden Items: Check suspicious walls, destructible objects, and alternate routes. Hidden items can include rare upgrade parts or lore pieces.
- Red Orb Farming: Replay rooms with dense enemy spawn patterns. Combine area attacks and DoT effects to clear fast and maximize orb gain.
Bonus tip: Use the mission list to identify high-yield rooms and mark them for repeat runs when farming orbs for a trophy guide or full upgrade path.
Ranking, Style, and Trophy Guide
To consistently earn S-ranks and trophies, focus on stylish combat, low damage taken, and fast completion times.
- Stylish Rank: Mix up moves, avoid taking damage, and maintain long combos. Variety increases the style meter faster than repeating the same attack.
- Time and Damage: Speed and survivability matter. Learn routes to skip unnecessary fights and practice boss patterns to minimize hits.
- Trophies and Achievements: Some are tied to secret missions, total orbs collected, or specific weapon usage. Use the complete walkthrough to track missed objectives.
Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes
Here are typical pitfalls and how to avoid them when following a Devil May Cry walkthrough.
- Relying on one mechanic: Players who only use guns or only melee often struggle with bosses designed to punish single strategies. Mix Trickster, Royalguard, and Gunslinger techniques.
- Ignoring upgrades: Skipping weapon upgrades delays progress. Prioritize a main weapon and upgrade it early.
- Poor orb management: Save orbs for meaningful upgrades and know when to farm for the final tier of skills.
FAQ
Q1: Is this walkthrough suitable for all Devil May Cry games?
A: This devil may cry walkthrough focuses on core strategies and mission structure that apply across most entries. Specific boss names and level layouts change by title, but the combat systems—combo chaining, Devil Trigger use, and style ranks—are consistent. For title-specific details, pair this guide with an in-game mission list.
Q2: How do I farm red orbs quickly?
A: Identify replayable sections with dense enemy waves and short respawn times. Use area-of-effect moves, extend combos with gunshots, and clear rooms quickly. Save 1–2 side missions for repeat runs when you need a large orb haul for upgrades.
Q3: What are the best characters to use for a new player?
A: Dante is the most balanced and beginner-friendly with a wide arsenal. If available, starting with a balanced character helps you learn combos and style mechanics before trying harder characters like Vergil or mission-only DLC fighters.
Q4: How can I improve my stylish rank?
A: Variety is key—avoid repeating the same attack. Mix light, heavy, guns, Trickster moves, and aerial attacks. Maintain momentum, avoid being hit, and use Devil Trigger strategically to extend combos.
Q5: Are there must-have upgrades or weapons?
A: Upgrade at least one melee weapon for juggle potential and one gun for combo extension. Prioritize upgrades that increase combo window or add elemental effects. Specific must-haves depend on the game version, but these general upgrades always help.
Conclusion
Use this devil may cry walkthrough as your playbook: start with comfortable controls, master a few core combos, and learn boss patterns. Explore for secret missions and hidden items, farm red orbs to enhance your favorite weapons, and mix playstyles to boost your stylish rank. With practice and patience, you’ll move from messy runs to polished S-ranks and trophy-complete playthroughs. Now load the game, experiment with Trickster and Royalguard, and enjoy the rush of stylish combat.

