,'
____________________________________     They will see,                  / |
B E R S E R K E R  P R E S E N T S: \       we'll fight until eternity  /| |
---------------------------------------------------------------------- //| | --
____  _______     _____ _      __  __    _ __   __ ____ ______   __  // | |
\  _ \| ____\ \   / /_ _| |    |  \/  |  / \\ \ / // ___|  _ \ \ / / //  | |
| | | |  _|  \ \ / / | || |    | |\/| | / _ \\ V /| |   | |_) \ V /,'/___| ,__
| |_| | |___  \ V /  | || |___ | |  | |/ ___ \| | | |.__|  _ < | | \_____   _,'
/____/|_____\  \_/  |___|_____\|_|  |_/_/   \_\_|  \____|_| |_\|_|       | |
| |
---------------------------------- |\ ---------------------------------- |/ ---
Come with me,                       \\   Through our strength,           |
we'll stand and fight together    \\     we'll make a better day tomorrow
{}
DEVIL MAY CRY 4                 '\     \\                       FAQ/WALKTHROUGH
| ',   ' '.,
,/    \.,_;  .}
VERSION 1.5                  (             \,'"               STARTED: 02/06/08
'.          / .,'
\_,.      \
RELEASED: 03/03/08                  \  ,.  `.                 UPDATED: 01/26/09
/ /  ` ,'
/ /  ,'/
------------------ -              ,.'   '/                  - -----------------
We shall never surrender
--------------------------------- - D M C - -----------------------------------
X                                     4                                       X
(covers Xbox 360 release)
Authored by: Berserker
Email: berserker_kev(at)yahoo.com
Homepage: http://www.berserkersblog.blogspot.com
---
This document Copyright 2008 Kevin Hall (Berserker)
Devil May Cry 4 Copyright 2008 Capcom Ltd.
X                                   D M C                                     X
----------------------------------- - 4 - -------------------------------------
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- - T A B L E  O F  C O N T E N T S - -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Section I:  Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [IN00]
Section II:  Basics  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [BS00]
- Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [BS01]
- Items  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [BS02]
- Jumping  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [BS03]
- Rolling  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [BS04]
- The Style Meter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [BS05]
- Nero Move List and Abilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [NE00]
-- Blue Rose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [NE01]
-- Red Queen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [NE02]
-- Yamato  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [NE03]
-- Devil Bringer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [NE04]
-- Abilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [NE05]
-- Advanced Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [NE06]
- Dante Move List and Abilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA00]
-- Rebellion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA01]
-- Gilgamesh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA02]
-- Lucifer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA03]
-- Yamato  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA04]
-- Ebony & Ivory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA05]
-- Coyote-A  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA06]
-- Pandora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA07]
-- Abilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA08]
-- Trickster Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA09]
-- Swordmaster Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA10]
-- Gunslinger Style  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA11]
-- Royal Guard Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA12]
-- Dark Slayer Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA13]
-- Devil Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA14]
-- Advanced Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [DA15]
Section III:  Walkthrough . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [WT00]
- Mission 01 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN01]
- Mission 02 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN02]
- Mission 03 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN03]
- Mission 04 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN04]
- Mission 05 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN05]
- Mission 06 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN06]
- Mission 07 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN07]
- Mission 08 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN08]
- Mission 09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN09]
- Mission 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN10]
- Mission 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN11]
- Mission 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN12]
- Mission 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN13]
- Mission 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN14]
- Mission 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN15]
- Mission 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN16]
- Mission 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN17]
- Mission 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN18]
- Mission 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN19]
- Mission 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [MN20]
Section IV:  Blue Orb Fragment Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [BL00]
Section V:  Red Orb Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [RE00]
Section VI:  Enemies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [EN00]
- Normal Enemies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [EN01]
- Boss Enemies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [EN02]
Section VII:  Bloody Palace Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [BP00]
Section VIII:  Unlockables & Extras  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [UN00]
Section IX:  Frequently Asked Questions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [FA00]
Section X:  Everything Else . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [EE00]
- Copyright  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [CO00]
- Special Thanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [ST00]
- Version History  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [VH00]
- Contact Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [CI00]
- About Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [AM00]
- Cheat Happens Featured Guides  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [CH00]
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
[IN00]
===============================================================================
___         _
|_ _| _ __  | |_  _ __  ___
| | | '_ \ | __|| '__|/ _ \
| | | | | || |_ | |  | (_) |
|___||_| |_| \__||__\  \___/
I N T R O D U C T I O N
===============================================================================
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - I N T R O - =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Welcome to my Devil May Cry 4 guide, fellow Devil Hunter!           - Berserker
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This Devil May Cry 4 guide marks my 27th guide for a video game, 12th guide for
a Capcom game, and 2nd guide for a Devil May Cry!  Got all that?  Good!  If you
are expecting more of the same kind of writing that I previously published in
my Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition guide then, well, I hate break it to you,
but you will be somewhat disappointed... You see, once this Devil May Cry 4
guide is finished it is going to run circles around that previous DMC3:SE guide
of mine, and thereby, completely own it!  So, with that disclaimer in mind,
feel free to read on.
Within this guide, you will find a full detailed walkthrough that tears through
every mission and boss with extreme detail.  In short, if you attempt to print
a copy of this document then your printer may cry from lack of ink and trees
everywhere will hate you.  With that said, please enjoy this guide and email me
if you have any questions, comments, or anything else that you want to contact
me about.
--> For updates to this guide, visit this post on my blog:
http://berserkersblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/dmc4-guide.html
--> For an extra take on strategies, you can check out VampireHorde's guide:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps3/file/928376/51697
--> And for Blue Orb Fragment Locations with links to videos check out
Sephirosuy's Blue Orb/Secret Mission Locations guide:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps3/file/928376/51685
[BS00]
===============================================================================
____               /\
| __ )   __ _  ___  \/  ___  ___
|  _ \  / _` |/ __|| | / __|/ __|
| |_) || (_| |\__ \| || (__ \__ \
|____/  \__,_||___/|_| \___||___/
G E T T I N G   S T A R T E D
===============================================================================
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- - B A S I C S - -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This section contains all the basic information to help a beginning player out
with the basic controls for DMC4.  It also contains a full move list for each
character along with advanced techniques.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
[BS01]
===============================================================================
Default Control Setups
===============================================================================
-- Nero
X            - Gun Attack
Y            - Melee Attack
B            - Devil Bringer
A            - Jump
RB           - Lock-on
LB           - * Devil Trigger
RT           - N/A
LT           - Exceed
LS           - Change target
RS           - Center Camera
Start        - Pause menu
Back         - Taunt
Left Analog  - Move character
Right Analog - Rotate camera
D-pad up     - N/A
D-pad down   - N/A
D-pad right  - N/A
D-pad left   - N/A
* Devil Trigger must be acquired later in the game with Nero (Mission 6)
-- Dante
X            - Gun Attack
Y            - Melee Attack
B            - Style Action
A            - Jump
RB           - Lock-on
LB           - Devil Trigger
RT           - Switch Devil Arm
LT           - Switch gun
LS           - Change target
RS           - Center Camera
Start        - Pause menu
Back         - Taunt
Left Analog  - Move character
Right Analog - Rotate camera
D-pad up     - Trickster
D-pad down   - Royal Guard
D-pad right  - Swordmaster
D-pad left   - Gunslinger
NOTE: When Dark Slayer style is acquired tap in any direction twice with the D-
pad to change to that style.
** To save on a few emails, LS = push in on the left analog, RS = push
in on the right analog and D-pad = Directional pad.
*** When an enemy is locked-on to, that enemy's health is displayed by the
bluish circle that is displayed on them.
[BS02]
===============================================================================
Items
===============================================================================
________________
UPGRADING ITEMS \______________________________________________________________
-------
Red Orb
-------
The red orb is your basic source of currency in order to buy items.  Destroy
breakable objects, stand in certain locations, reach a certain style rank at a
combat adjudicator, look for them out in the open or defeat enemies in order to
gain red orbs.  The higher the style gauge when an enemy is defeated, the more
red orbs your characters will receive.
-----------
Proud Souls
-----------
New to the Devil May Cry series, these souls filled with the pride of noble
blood may be used to upgrade skills such as weapon or gun skills along with a
character's normal abilities or Devil Trigger abilities.
How to obtain:
Proud Souls are collected based on your characters rank at the end of each
mission.  Exiting out of mission will cause the game to fork over the amount of
proud souls that your character has earned prior to your withdrawal from that
particular mission.
--------
Blue Orb
--------
These orbs will extend your character's life gauge by one unit.  Only six of
these may be bought - the rest must be found.  Blue orb fragments are hidden
throughout the game and four of them may be pieced together to form a blue orb
in order to extend the life gauge.
How to obtain:
A full blue orb may be purchased before a mission or from a Divinity Statue for
a certain amount of red orbs.  Blue orb fragments may be hidden in the
environment, can be received as a prize for a secret mission, or may be
collected as a prize from a combat adjudicator once a certain style rank is
reached while hitting one.
Rising Prices at Divinity Statues:
3000 - 5000 - 10000 - 15000 - 30000 - 50000
----------
Purple Orb
----------
Purple orbs will increase your character's Devil Trigger gauge.  The Devil
Trigger gauge starts with three units but it may be extended up to ten units.
Only seven of these orbs may be bought.  These may only be purchased once the
Devil Trigger is gained in Mission 6.
How to obtain:
These orbs may be bought at the beginning of a mission or from a Divinity
Statue.
Rising Prices at Divinity Statues:
2500 - 4500 - 8000 - 13000 - 20000 - 30000 - 50000
___________________
REPLINISHING ITEMS \___________________________________________________________
---------
Green Orb
---------
The green orbs will replenish any lost life to your life gauge or substitute as
another red orb pickup if the life gauge is filled.  These orbs can be found by
destroying certain objects, lying in the environment and they can also be
obtained from defeating enemies.  Much like red orbs from defeated enemies, a
high style gauge will lead to bigger green orb pickups from defeated enemies.
---------
White Orb
---------
White orbs will replenish any lost Devil Trigger power.  If the Devil Trigger
is completely filled then they will substitute as a red orb.  White Orbs can be
found in the environment, from breaking objects, and from some enemies.  They
are very rare!
--------
Gold Orb
--------
A Gold Orb will allow your characters to instantly revive himself once the
character dies from too much damage.  The option to use one of these will
appear if one is in the current inventory.  Using these will invoke a penalty
(take a certain amount of points away) in your overall score at the end of the
mission it is used in.
How to obtain:
These may be found in the environment or purchased before a mission or from any
Divinity Statue for a certain price.  The starting price is 10000 red orbs.
Rising Prices at Divinity Statues:
10000 - 15000 - 20000
------------
Vital Star S
------------
A Vital Star S will replenish a small amount (one quarter) of your character's
overall health.
How to obtain:
It can be found in some environments or may be purchased before a mission or
from a Divinity Statue.
Rising Prices at Divinity Statues:
1000 - 1500 - 2000 - 2500 - 3000 - 4000 - 5000
------------
Vital Star M
------------
A Vital Star M will replenish half of your character's life gauge.
How to obtain:
It can be found in some environments (rarely) and may be purchased before
mission or from a Divinity Statue.
Rising Prices at Divinity Statues:
2000 - 3000 - 4000 - 5000 - 6000 - 8000 - 10000
------------
Vital Star L
------------
A Vital Star L will replenish a great amount of your character's life gauge.
How to obtain:
It may be purchased before a mission or from a Divinity Statue.
Rising Prices at Divinity Statues:
3500 - 5000 - 7500 - 13500 - 20000
------------
Devil Star S
------------
A Devil Star S will replenish a small amount of your character's Devil Trigger
gauge.  These may only be purchased once the Devil Trigger is gained in Mission
6.
How to obtain:
It may be found in some environments and may be purchased before a mission or
from a Divinity Statue.
Rising Prices at Divinity Statues:
2000 - 2800 - 4300 - 7800 - 15000
------------
Devil Star L
------------
A Devil Star L will greatly replenish your character's Devil Trigger gauge.
These may only be purchased once the Devil Trigger is gained in Mission 6.
How to obtain:
It may only be purchased before a mission or from a Divinity Statue.
Rising Prices at Divinity Statues:
3500 - 5000 - 7500 - 13500 - 20000
________________
ATTACKING ITEMS \______________________________________________________________
----------
Holy Water
----------
When used, a Holy Water will create a flash of blue light and instantly defeat
all on-screen normal enemies.  It will also take a chunk of a bosses health
gauge per use.
How to obtain:
These items may be found in some environments or may be purchased before a
mission or from a Divinity Statue.
Rising Prices at Divinity Statues:
10000 - 15000 - 20000
[BS03]
===============================================================================
Jumping
===============================================================================
Tapping the jump button will make a character leap into the air.
==> The effects of jumping
Jumping will allow each character to reach high places.
==> Jumping during battles
Jumping is can allow a character to avoid an oncoming attack while that
characters in on the ground.  If you happen to see an attack coming while
you're attacking yourself then jump immediately to cancel your animation from
of that attack and avoid the oncoming enemy attack.
==> Hovering in the air during a jump
Certain moves will allow a character to stay up in the air a bit longer than
normal.  For instance, while playing with Dante, jumping and firing his
handguns will allow him to hover in the air for a few brief seconds thereby
allowing you to avoid ground based attacks and damage enemies while Dante is
suspended in the air.
==> Jumping raises Style
Perform a single jump to dodge an enemy attack that can be avoided with a jump
and this act will slightly raise the style meter.
[BS04]
===============================================================================
Rolling
===============================================================================
While holding the lock-on button, press to the character's right or left then
tap the jump button to perform a roll.
==> The effects of rolling
Rolling will help you to dodge attacks as you see them coming.  Each enemy
gives off a warning before each of their attacks whether it be sound or a
specific motion.  Rolling can be used to immediately end the frames of
animation for a ground based attack thereby allowing you to instantly stop one
of your attacks and roll from a possible incoming enemy attack.
==> The slight window of invincibility
During the middle of roll Nero and Dante are both completely invincible for a
split second, thereby causing any instantaneous enemy attack to pass right
through them.  They are only invincible during the single second they have
tucked down on the ground - not before and not after.  Learning to time a roll
the instant that an enemy attack connects can sometimes be a crucial part of
rolling.
==> Rolling raises style when timed correctly
Rolling to dodge an enemy attack will raise the style meter much like an attack
or other type of dodge.  Learn to roll effectively from enemy attacks and this
will help to increase your overall style ranking.
[BS05]
===============================================================================
The Style Meter
===============================================================================
==> Where does the Style Meter appear?
The style meter will appear on the right side of the screen during combat once
your controlled characters begins to attack enemies or dodge enemy attacks.
==> What exactly is the Style Meter?
The style meter measures the actions performed by the controlled character
during combat and the amount of variety in attacks or other actions that are
performed in each battle.  Perform attacks to increase the style meter gauge.
The style meter will rise depending on the variety of attacks that are
unleashed or dodges that are performed.
==> Why build the Style Meter?
By increasing the style meter, enemies will begin to drop more orbs once they
have been defeated and this will also help to increase your "Style" ranking at
the end of each level.
==> What are the different levels of the Style Meter?
+------------------------------------+
| STYLE LEVEL         |     RANK     |
|====================================|
| Deadly!             | --> D-rank   |
|------------------------------------|
| Carnage!            | --> C-rank   |
|------------------------------------|
| Brutal!             | --> B-rank   |
|------------------------------------|
| Atomic!             | --> A-rank   |
|------------------------------------|
| Smokin'!            | --> S-rank   |
|------------------------------------|
| Smokin' Style!      | --> SS-rank  |
|------------------------------------|
| Smokin' Sick Style! | --> SSS-rank |
+------------------------------------+
==> How do I increase the Style Meter?
Increase the style meter by mixing up your attacks and dodges as well as adding
taunts in between them.
==> What happens if any enemy hits my character during my Stylish attempts?
Any time that a character is hit the style meter will instantly fall by two
style ranks per hit and you'll need to build it back up by performing attacks,
dodges, and taunts.  It doesn't fall completely like it used to, but it will
fall from an A-rank back to a C-rank just from a single hit.
==> What happens if the style meter disappears?
Well, the style meter is not completely gone yet even if it has disappeared
fully.  The style meter decreases rapidly once it disappears, though you can't
actually see it.  If you can manage to attack, dodge or taunt fast enough then
the style meter will reappear around the style level it was on once it
disappeared.
==> How does taunting increase the Style Meter?
A taunt by itself is much like an attack in that it will raise the style meter
some but it must be performed near an enemy for results.  Taunts are best
performed after a variety of attacks or dodges.  Taunts will usually increase
the style meter by a certain amount based on the current style meter ranking
before each taunt and taunts will also increase your Devil Trigger gauge.
The animation of each taunt will differ based on the current style rank and the
style meter will rise during certain frames of animation per taunt.  This means
that some taunts must be held longer than others and cannot be interrupted if
you want to get the extra style added to the style meter.  Both Nero and Dante
have a certain range of taunts that will occur randomly during a certain style
rank range.  The further the style meter rises, the longer and more flashy the
taunt will be.
Don't taunt too often or the taunt will become ineffective at raising the gauge
much like any repeated attack or dodge.  Taunts should be performed while Nero
or Dante are out of harm's way (ie. after dodging an attack, after knocking
down an enemy).
==> Is there any way to tell how many style points I have gained during a
mission?
Once a mission has been completed, the style points during a battle in that
mission will be displayed below the current style rank while attacking any
group of enemies during a replay of that mission.  This will make a great help
for an S-rank in style.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
_   _                                                                   [NE00]
| \ | |
|  \| |  ___  _ __  ___
| . ` | / _ \| '__|/ _ \   M O V E  L I S T
| |\  ||  __/| |  | (_) |                    &
|_| \_| \___||__\  \___/                         A B I L I T I E S
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
___________________                         [NE01]
____________________________/ B L U E   R O S E \______________________________
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > v < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <  <
-- Normal Shot (X)
Nero fires off a shot from his double-barrel Blue Rose.
-- Charge Shot (Hold X, release)
Nero fires off a charged blast from his Blue Rose so powerful that he has to
hold the gun with both hands to stabilize the recoil.
There are three levels of charge.  Nero's Devil Bringer will glow a different
color for each level:
Blue   = Level 1
Purple = Level 2
Red    = Level 3
->  Level 1 Charge Shot
Level 1 is simply a more powerful Blue Rose shot that will knock some
enemies down upon impact.
-> Level 2 Charge Shot
Level 2 is slightly more powerful than Level 1 and the fire produced from
the shot can burn nearby enemies that are next to the targeted foe.
-> Level 3 Charge Shot
Level 3 takes off quite a bit of damage and causes another powerful
explosion to go off on the enemy seconds after the first that will damage
that enemy and any surrounding enemies.
Comments: The potential of Nero's charge shot is not fully realized until level
3 is used.  Level 3 will cause cloaks to fall from Mephistos and Fausts very
quickly and take quite a pleasing amount of damage from some bosses.
TIP: Try changing your button setup to have LB or RT fire off Blue Rose so you
can fight while charging it.  It's really, really worth it!  Learn to fight
while charging a charge shot and, as long as you know how to deal with bosses
and Blitzes, Bloody Palace will be yours for the taking with Nero - charge shot
level 3 IS that powerful.
___________________                         [NE02]
____________________________/ R E D   Q U E E N \______________________________
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > v < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <
-- Red Queen Combo A (Y, Y, Y, Y)
Nero performs two downward slashes, a side slash, then finishes the combo off
with an overhead slash as he pounds the ground with Red Queen.
-- Red Queen Combo B (Y, pause, Y, tap Y)
Nero performs a single slash then hits the ground in front of him with Red
Queen.  After hitting the ground the first time, he continues to hit the round
rapidly then finally plunges the sword into the ground and jerks it back out
while slashing the enemy with the back end of Red Queen.
-- Red Queen Combo C (Y, Y, pause, Y, Y, Y, Y)
Nero performs the first two slashes of Combo A then adds in two quick slashes
followed by three turning slashes.  The third Y press actually performs two
slashes.
Comments: This combo is my personal favorite since Nero goes through a bunch of
slashes before reaching the end and all of these slashes except for the final
can be cancelled by rolling or jumping.
-- Red Queen Combo D (Y, Y, Y, pause, Y)
Nero performs basically the same Red Queen Combo A except the overhead slash at
the end is slightly charged for more damage.
Comments: The final charged hit of this combo will knock the enemy straight to
the ground unlike the Red Queen Combo A that knocks the enemy away from Nero,
so you could follow the final hit up with any other attack that you wanted to,
such as a Buster or High Roller.
-- Aerial Combo (Jump, then Y, Y, Y)
Nero performs three slashes in the air with Red Queen.
-- Roulette Spin (Jump, then Y, Y, pause, Y)
Nero performs two slashes then ends the combination with a spinning slash that
hits multiple times.
Comments: The Roulette Spin is really Nero's better air combo - it allows for
more hits on any big enemy and also allows more air time.
-- High Roller (Hold RB, Back + Y or Hold RB, Back + Hold Y)
Nero performs an uppercut slash that sends his enemy into the air.  Hold down
the Y button to follow the enemy into the air.
Comments: Following an enemy into the air with a High Roller is the best way to
single out an enemy from a crowd and set him up for an Air Buster.
-- EX High Roller (With Exceed, hold RB, Back + Y)
Nero performs a more powerful version of High Roller that will hit with fire
behind it and the spinning upward slashes may hit multiple times in the air
depending on the current level of Exceed charged.
-- Streak (Hold RB, Forward + Y)
Nero dashes forward and unleashes a strong horizontal slash from Red Queen.
Comments: Much like Dante with his Stinger, this is a good move for getting
across the battlefield quickly and its good for knocking an enemy down.
-- EX Streak (With Exceed, hold RB, Forward + Y)
Nero dashes forward and spins with his Red Queen stretched outward as the
propellant inside the blade ignites and spreads fire all around him.  The
number of spins depends on the current level of the Exceed gauge.
Comments: The level 3 version of EX Streak is one of the best moves for Nero to
build up his style gauge.  Dash into a crowd of Scarecrows with a level 3 EX
Streak and you'll likely get an SSS-rank in no time.
-- Split (Jump, then hold RB, Forward + Y)
Nero performs a downward slash as he falls to the ground.
Comments: This is Nero's Helmet Breaker.  It can hit multiple times on some
fallen opponents.
-- Double Down [aka. EX Split) (With Exceed, jump, then hold RB, Forward + Y)
Nero performs a downward stab as the propellant inside his Red Queen ignites
while he is falling.
-- Calibur (Jump, then hold RB, Back, Forward + Y)
Nero dashes forward while in the air then performs a powerful horizontal slash.
Comments: This is a good move for reaching hard to reach places.  There are a
few items in the game that can be obtained with this.
-- EX Calibur (With Exceed, jump, then hold RB, Back, Forward + Y)
Nero dashes forward while in the air then slashes horizontally as the
propellant in Red Queen ignites.
-- Shuffle (Hold RB, then Back, Forward + Y)
Nero dashes backward then lunges forward with a powerful upward slash.
Comments: This powerful move can help Nero to step back then rush forward to
knock an enemy out of an attack.  It works wonder for the Mission 8 boss.
-- EX Shuffle (With Exceed, hold RB, then Back, Forward + Y)
Nero dashes backward then lunges forward with an upward slash while igniting
Red Queen and follows this slash up with another slash that knocks the enemy
away from him.  The first slash of this combination will hit more depending on
the current level of Exceed.
_____________                            [NE03]
_______________________________/ Y A M A T O \_________________________________
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > v < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <
-- Devil Trigger (LB)
Nero unleashes the power of the Yamato blade and a knight familiar appears
behind him that will attack along with Nero.  Nero must have at least three
bars of Devil Trigger power in order to Devil Trigger.
Pic: http://tinyurl.com/yv477p
NOTE: The moment that Nero Devil Triggers, the knight familiar will hit an
enemy and pop them into the air if the enemy is close to Nero (for a normal
enemy) and Nero is also completely invincible the moment that he first Devil
Triggers.
-- Summoned Swords (X during Devil Trigger)
Energy blades form around Nero and are shot toward the enemy as Nero fires Blue
Rose.
TIP: These magical blades can be fired at the enemy to take off extra damage
during a Devil Buster (a Buster during a Devil Trigger)!
-- Maximum Bet (Hold RB, Back + Y + B during Devil Trigger)
Nero leans back then steps forward with a slash from Red Queen as the familiar
joins him with its own slash
-- Showdown (Hold RB, Forward + Y + B during Devil Trigger)
Nero charges his Red Queen then steps forward with a powerful slash.  If the
slash connects then Nero and his familiar perform a series of powerful slashes
to the enemy.
Comments: Nero is completely open to attack at the beginning of this move, so
make sure there is no oncoming attack headed his way before charging this.
___________________________                     [NE04]
________________________/ D E V I L   B R I N G E R \__________________________
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > v < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <
-- Buster (B near an enemy)
Nero grabs the closest enemy with his Devil Arm.  The actual grab animation
will vary depending on the enemy type.
-- Devil Buster (While Devil Trigger is activated, B near an enemy)
Nero grabs the closes enemy with his Devil Arm while Devil Triggered.  The
actual grab animation will vary depending on the enemy type.  The Devil Buster
will perform a more powerful attack when compared to a normal Buster.
-- Snatch (In the air or on the ground, hold RB then press B)
Nero sends forth his Devil Bringer to grab an enemy then pull it toward him.
-- Devil Snatch (In the air or on the ground, hold RB then press B while Devil
Trigger is activated)
Nero sends forth his Devil Bringer to grab an enemy then pull it toward him.
-- Hell Bound (Lock-On to an unsnatchable enemy or Grim Grip then hold RB and
press B)
Nero grabs the distant object or enemy locked-on to then pulls himself toward
it.
-- Hold (During a Buster, hold B)
(* requires Aegis Shield key item, obtained from Mission 8 boss battle)
Nero holds the snatched enemy in his grasp as a shield.  Nero is free to move
while the enemy is held.  This can only be performed on enemies that may be
Snatched.
___________________                         [NE05]
____________________________/ A B I L I T I E S \______________________________
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > v < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <
-- Side Roll (RB + sideways on left analogy + A)
Nero rolls to the side to avoid an enemy attack.
-- Table Hopper (RB + sideways on left analog + A just before an enemy attack)
Nero dashes to the side to avoid an enemy attack with lightening speed.
-- Kick Jump (Jump then press A near a wall for a second jump)
While in the air and near a wall, Nero will kick off the wall for an extra
jump.
Comments: The Kick Jump actually has a bit more height than an Air Hike.
-- Speed (Hold left analog in same direction for a few seconds)
Nero's footspeed increases as he breaks out into a dash while moving forward.
-- MAX-Act (Press LT just before an attack.  The timing must be absolutely
perfect)
Nero maxes out his Exceed gauge.
Comments: The timing for this is much more precise than a normal instant rev.
You only have a split second during an attack animation frame to press the A
button to initiate a MAX-Act or the button press will be recognized as a normal
Instant Rev, giving you only one level of Exceed.
-- Rainbow (During a Speed, press "Back")
Nero ends his run with a forward dropkick.
-- Enemy Step (While in the air, press the A button while landing on an enemy)
Nero kicks off of the closest enemy and performs a jump.
-- Air Hike (Jump then press A again)
Nero concentrates magical energy under his feet to perform a second jump while
in the air.
_______________________________________              [NE06]
___________________/ A D V A N C E D   T E C H N I Q U E S \___________________
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > v < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <
===============================================================================
Nero's Exceed System
===============================================================================
The Exceed system allows Nero to rev up his Red Queen blade via the fuel
injection system.  This causes the blade to ignite as a special propellant
powers up the blades next attack.  The blade will glow red and the next attack
will be more powerful than normal.
The Exceed gauge is located in the upper left corner of the screen.  As Nero
powers up the Red Queen, one level (or bar) will appear as the gauge on the
left side of the screen pumps up with enough power.
The Red Queen starts out with only the option of using Level 1 moves even if
more than one level is saved up but by purchasing Exceed 2 and Exceed 3, Nero
will automatically use two or three levels respectively for an even more
powerful version (EX) of special moves.
_______________________________
HOW TO CHARGE THE EXCEED GAUGE \_______________________________________________
There are two ways to charge the Exceed Gauge:
A) Press and hold down on the LT button then tap and hold it again.  A certain
momentum must be used to rev up the blade while tapping and holding the button.
The blade should be able to receive a 40% charge with a correct press of the LT
button allowing the gauge to be fully charged with three presses of LT.  This
method can be used to power up the Exceed gauge to level 3.
B) Use the Instant Rev or EX-Act to get one full charge per attack.  Press the
LT button near the end of any Red Queen attack with the correct timing and one
full bar will be gained.  Even a full combo (such as Red Queen Combo A) can be
fully Instant Revved to make each attack hit with a stronger force.  This
method is what makes the Exceed system extremely useful.  It is not as hard as
it sounds and I will break down each attack for you below to help you
understand the proper timing.
___________________
INSTANT REV TIMING \___________________________________________________________
Let's make an example of Nero's full Red Queen Combo A first of all.
The full combo is: Y, Y, Y, Y
While instant revving, you should enter the commands this way:
(- = the amount of time in between button presses. Basically, a fraction of a
second.)
Y--LT, Y-LT, Y-LT, Y---LT
While performing this combo the first LT command must be entered very close to
the end of the first slash in order to get an instant rev.  The second and
third Y presses require an almost immediate - but not simultaneous - press of
the LT button.  The LT press is just following the press of Y but not at the
same time.  The final Y press causes a very delayed final hit that must be
instant revved as the blade hits the ground, so the LT press is delayed like
the first press in this combination but slightly more delayed.  It's all about
timing and becoming familiar with a certain momentum that each combination of
slashes require.
Now let's look at a single attack such as High Roller.
The input is: Lock-on, back + Y
While instant revving, the commands should be entered as follows:
Lock-on, back + Y---LT
In this example, the LT press is inputted at the extreme end of the High Roller
attack.  Basically, you have to press the LT button right when Nero holds his
blade downward as the air slash ends.
I'll get more deep into the Instant Revving in a bit.
______________________________________
ATTACKS THAT ARE POWERED UP BY EXCEED \________________________________________
Every attack from Nero's Red Queen can be powered up through the use of the
Exceed system but only a few of the attacks actually look more powered.
For instance, the following attacks all have some very noticeable changes when
performed with at least a Level 1 Exceed unit:
Streak      - * EX Streak
High Roller - EX High Roller
Shuffle     - EX Shuffle
Split       - EX Split (Double Down)
Calibur     - EX Calibur
(* may be charged)
Just a normal slash in a combination of slashes will hit harder (more likely to
knock down a powerful enemy) and slightly faster while the blade glows, but the
effects are minimal for a normal slash.
NOTE: While charging an EX Streak, the blade can be revved up by tapping and
holding the LT button much like when standing.  It sports a cool little
animation with Nero laughing as the blade is revved up.
_______________________________
THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF EXCEED \_______________________________________________
Even though Nero can always build his Exceed Gauge up to level 3, he cannot use
all three levels at one time with only Exceed 1, which he begins the game with.
By purchasing Exceed 2 and 3 this will allow Nero to instantly unleash a Level
2 or 3 Exceed attack depending on how much the Exceed Gauge is filled.
____________________
THE MAX-ACT ABILITY \__________________________________________________________
MAX-Act will charge the Red Queen fully if the button is tapped at a precise
time during an attack.  MAX-Act is very similar to the Instant Rev but this
requires some extremely precise - EXACT - button pressing.  If the press is not
timed absolutely perfect then a normal instant rev will be initiated to charge
the EX gauge by only one level.
Learning the Instant Rev system very well will allow one to get the timing down
for a MAX-Act press sometimes.  The timing is so very precise that mastering
the MAX-Act is the most complicated part of mastering Nero.  If the timing can
be mastered then you will be able to release Level 3 Exceed attacks one after
the other, especially since a MAX-Act can be initiated during a Level 3 Exceed
attack!
________________________________
PRECISE TIMING FOR INSTANT REVS \______________________________________________
As already mentioned, Instant Revving an attack requires some well-placed
timing with an LT press near the end of the move.  The following information
will help you to learn more about the instant in which to press the LT button
to instant rev each of the Red Queen's attacks and combination slashes.  I am
not going to get EXTREMELY detailed with the precise timing since a lot of it
depends on the player learning the flow of each move along with the frame of
animation or exact fraction of a second in which to press the LT button.  The
information below should be enough to give a player an idea of how to approach
each LT tap during a command.
And one final thing, Instant Revving is NOT hard.  You just have to learn the
proper timing and practice that proper timing against an enemy.  Hitting an
enemy while instant revving feels a bit different than slashing normally while
instant revving.  Learn this technique and Nero will be much more interesting
and fun to control.
-----
Here's the way to read this portion:
-- Name of Move
Line 1 - Normal Command Input
Line 2 - Command input with LT (Instant Rev) presses
Line 3 - Command with LT presses broken into sections for each individual slash
(letters are used so I can describe each attack below it).  This line is only
available for combination attacks.
Rest of the Lines - Each LT button press broken down with a word explanation of
when to tap it after pressing Y.
-----
_______________________________________
FULL MOVE LIST WITH INSTANT REV TIMING \_______________________________________
(- = the amount of time in between button presses. Basically, a fraction of a
second.)
-- Red Queen Combo A
Normal Input: Y, Y, Y, Y
Input with Instant Rev: Y--LT, Y-LT, Y-LT, Y---LT
A) Y---LT, B) Y-LT, C) Y-LT, D) Y---LT
A) Press the LT button the fraction of a second before Nero's blade can be seen
on the screen when he holds it downward with his left hand after swinging.
B) Press the LT button the fraction of a second just before Nero's hand appears
behind him while he holds the handle the sword.
C) Press the LT button the fraction of a second before the slash of the third
slice can be seen in front of Nero.
D) Press the LT button the exact moment that Nero's blade hits the ground.
-- Red Queen Combo B
Normal Input: Y, pause, Y, Y, Y, Y, Y, Y, Y, Y, Y, Y
Input with Instant Rev: Y--LT, pause, Y---LT, Y-LT, Y, Y, Y, Y, Y, Y,
Y, Y---LT
A) Y--LT, pause, B) Y---LT, C) Y-LT, D) Y---LT
A) Press the LT button the fraction of a second before Nero's blade can be seen
on the screen when he holds it downward with his left hand after swinging.
B) Press the LT button right when Nero's blade hits the ground.
C) Press the LT button right when Nero's blade hits the ground.
D) Press the LT button the fraction of a second directly after Nero pulls the
blade out of the ground.  You should be able to see the blade behind him as it
charges.
Extra Notes: From what I have seen only the first three attacks and the final
attack can be Instant Revved.  I have tried the rapid strikes but can't ever
get an Instant Rev from them.
-- Red Queen Combo C
Normal Input: Y, Y, pause, Y, Y, Y, Y
Input with Instant Rev: Y---LT, Y-LT, pause, Y---LT, Y-LT, Y-LT, Y--LT
A) Y---LT, B) Y-LT, pause, C) Y---LT, D) Y-LT, E) Y-LT, F) Y--LT
A) Press the LT button the fraction of a second before Nero's blade can be seen
on the screen when he holds it downward with his left hand after swinging.
B) Press the LT button the fraction of a second just before Nero's hand appears
behind him while he holds the handle the sword.
C) Press the LT button at the very end of both slashes when Nero holds the
blade behind his back with his left hand.
D) Press the LT button right before Nero holds his left hand behind him after
the slash.
E) Nero will spin with this slash.  Press the LT button right before the blade
spins to his right side.
F) When Nero holds the blade to his right while it is in the back of him after
the final slash, press the LT button as the move ends.
Extra Notes: The hardest part of instant revving this combo is the third hit.
The third hit instant rev LT press is so extremely delayed that it can mess up
the timing for the rest of the combo.  The instant rev and timing for the next
Y presses are extremely close together.  Practice!
-- Red Queen Combo D
Normal Input: Y, Y, Y, pause, Y
Input with Instant Rev: Y--LT, Y-LT, Y-LT, pause, Y---LT
A) Y---LT, B) Y-LT, C) Y-LT, pause, D) Y---LT
A) Press the LT button the fraction of a second before Nero's blade can be seen
on the screen when he holds it downward with his left hand after swinging.
B) Press the LT button the fraction of a second just before Nero's hand appears
behind him while he holds the handle of the sword.
C) Press the LT button the fraction of a second before the slash of the third
slice can be seen in front of Nero.
D) Press the LT button the exact moment that Nero's blade hits the ground.
Extra Note: This combo is instant revved the exact same as Combo A, the pause
at the end is the only difference, but the instant rev for the final move still
has the exact same timing as Combo A.
-- Aerial Combo
Normal Input: (in air) Y, Y, Y
Input with Instant Rev: Y--LT, Y-LT, Y---LT