Capcom shipped Devil May Cry 5 on 8 March 2019 on the RE Engine, eleven years after Devil May Cry 4. The campaign is a prologue plus 20 missions that rotate between three playable characters: Nero with the Red Queen and single-use Devil Breaker arms, the physically useless summoner V, and Dante with four switchable styles and six Devil Arms. Vergil came to the PC version as a separate 4.99 dollar character on 15 December 2020, playable in story missions, the Void and Bloody Palace.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nero | A | Balanced | Best available |
| V | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Dante | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Vergil | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Dante's four combat styles | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our Devil May Cry 5 tier list.
A-Tier: Nero
Nero is a top-performing option in Devil May Cry 5.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Red Queen | Nero's sword carries the Exceed system, a motorcycle-style throttle that injects fuel into the blade. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Style rank from D to SSS | The meter climbs from Dismal through Crazy, Blast, Alright, Sweet, Savage and Smokin Sexy Style as you land varied attacks, and it drops if you repeat one move or take a hit. |
How to Play Nero
Nero focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Red Queen does the damage and Style rank from D to SSS keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: V
V is a strong option in Devil May Cry 5.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Gerbera | A Devil Breaker that fires a shockwave and, more usefully, dashes Nero through the air in any direction. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Nero's Exceed and Devil Breakers | Tapping the Exceed trigger at the instant a Red Queen swing connects fills a rev tank and adds fire damage to the next attack, and a three-tank MAX-Act is what separates a competent Nero from a good one. |
How to Play V
V focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Pair Gerbera with Nero's Exceed and Devil Breakers and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Dante
Dante is a strong option in Devil May Cry 5.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Balrog | Dante's gauntlets and greaves, split into Blow mode for fast punches and Kick mode for heavier kicks, with a heat gauge that builds while you attack. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Dante's four switchable styles | Trickster, Swordmaster, Gunslinger and Royalguard sit on the d-pad and swap mid combo. |
How to Play Dante
Dante focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Dante's four switchable styles covers the gap Balrog leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Vergil
Vergil is a specialized option in Devil May Cry 5.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Dr. Faust | A hat that spends Red Orbs as ammunition and returns far more Red Orbs than it costs when its attacks land. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | V fighting through familiars | V never deals meaningful damage himself. |
How to Play Vergil
Vergil focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: This one leans on V fighting through familiars rather than raw numbers, and Dr. Faust is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Dante's four combat styles
Dante's four combat styles is a specialized option in Devil May Cry 5.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Yamato | Vergil's katana, which cuts through space and drives his Judgement Cut and Judgement Cut End. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Devil Trigger and Sin Devil Trigger | Devil Trigger burns gauge for damage, speed and health regeneration on hit. |
How to Play Dante's four combat styles
Dante's four combat styles focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Yamato and Devil Trigger and Sin Devil Trigger pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with V: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Nero once you understand core mechanics and have access to Red Queen
- Keep a Dante setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Dante's four combat styles for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary weapon first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Learn MAX-Act rather than settling for single revs. Tapping Exceed at the exact frame the Red Queen connects banks a rev, and hitting three in a row triggers MAX-Act, which roughly triples the damage on the following attack. It is the largest free damage increase available to Nero and costs no Red Orbs.
- Break Away your Devil Breakers deliberately. Breakers shatter automatically when Nero takes a hit, wasting them, but manually breaking one releases its Break Age effect and immediately swaps to the next arm. Spending an arm you were about to lose is strictly better than losing it.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More Devil May Cry 5 Guides
- Devil May Cry 5 Devil May Cry 5 Overview
- Devil May Cry 5 Tier List
- Devil May Cry 5 Walkthrough
- Devil May Cry 5 Beginner's Guide
- Devil May Cry 5 Tips & Tricks
- Devil May Cry 5 Weapons Guide
- Devil May Cry 5 Combat Guide
- Devil May Cry 5 Boss Guide
- Devil May Cry 5 Maps & Locations
- Devil May Cry 5 Crafting Guide
- Devil May Cry 5 Classes & Characters
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