At least three runes must be filled in order to enter Devil Trigger. The amount of time the user can stay in Devil Trigger is determined by the length of the Devil Trigger Gauge. The primary purpose of the DT Gauge let the player know how much Devil Trigger is available for use. The player can extend the DT Gauge by buying Purple Orbs, allowing them to maintain their form for a longer period of time. Most of the time, the player starts with only the necessary three runes to power their demonic form, though at least one exception does exist.
In all games the gauge appears as separate symbols, except for Devil May Cry 2 where it is represented as a bar. The Devil Trigger Gauge can be seen below the Vitality Gauge, and is represented as a line of runes. It acts as a power bank, storing demonic energy to be released later. The Devil Trigger Gauge, often abbreviated as DT Gauge, shows how much demonic energy the character has with each character having unique gauge designs. In Devil May Cry 5, Super characters gain a red glow in their eyes. This allows the character to stay in Devil form indefinitely, taking advantage of the power, defense, and speed boosts, but negates the Devil Trigger's ability to regenerate (an exception being to Super Dante in the original game, Super Legendary Dark Knight and Super Corrupt Vergil, which still retains all devil trigger abilities without losing any runes.) In Devil May Cry 4 and 5, the Super costume also reduces the mission rating by a certain percentage when used. In all but the second game, it is possible to unlock "Super" costumes for the playable characters, whose most prominent feature is their unlimited Devil Trigger. Purple Orbs are used to expand the Devil Trigger Gauge. This also serves a defensive purpose as Nero is granted i-frames during the attack.Ĭommon items that affect Devil Trigger Īcross most games, Devil Trigger can be replenished by using a Devil Star or picking up a White Orb. Nero has a similar ability in Devil May Cry 4, although it cannot be charged and it only stuns or staggers enemies. The explosion is charged by holding the DT button until the chosen number of Devil Trigger runes glow. Dante and Vergil can concentrate their Devil Trigger and release large amounts at once during transformation, dealing high damage to nearby enemies.
Also featured in this game is the Devil Trigger Explosion. In Devil May Cry 3, the Doppelganger and Quicksliver styles are powered by Devil Trigger. Dante uses Devil Trigger to create sword formations with Devil Sword Dante and Vergil can conjure a large number of Summoned Swords at once, both expending a portion of Devil Trigger to do so. They do not, however, regenerate health.ĭevil Trigger can be used outside of demon form for attacks. In this state they deal more damage, take less damage, and have increased resistance to flinching from hits and being knocked down or launched. When they enter Devil Trigger, they exude a dark fiery aura and their eyes turn red. Usually, they do so after a fixed amount of time. On the hardest mode in all games, Dante Must Die, enemies can use Devil Trigger. Several other characters, specifically Arkham, Credo, Agnus and Sanctus have abilities resembling Devil Trigger, though it is not known if it is actually the same ability. It is a basic feature of Dante's Devil Trigger in Devil May Cry 5, called Glider.ĭevil Trigger is confirmed to be available to Dante, Sparda, Lucia, Trish, Vergil and Nero. For example, Dante will usually gain the ability to hover while in Devil Trigger with this ability usually called Air Raid, but this is only obtained by equipping the Alastor in Devil May Cry, the Aerial Heart in Devil May Cry 2, and Nevan in Devil May Cry 3. Additional effects are apparent, though these vary between games, and are usually determined by the equipped weapons or items of the character. Characters also gain deeper and distorted voices. Most characters use Devil Trigger to transform into a demon, boosting the characters' various stats, such as speed and strength, while they continuously recuperate vitality.