V's Gameplay

Learn how to effectively use V's companions Griffon, Shadow, and Nightmare in Devil May Cry 5. Master their unique attacks, upgrades, and combat strategies for stylish demon slaying.

V's gameplay in Devil May Cry 5 revolves around his three demonic companions: Griffon, Shadow, and Nightmare. Each offers a distinct combat style, allowing for versatile strategies.

Griffon

Griffon is V's ranged companion. His basic attack fires projectiles, while holding the attack button unleashes a pillar of lightning. The Blockade upgrade allows for more powerful lightning attacks with longer holds. Round Robin has Griffon teleport near V and create a surrounding electric ball, which can be upgraded for increased size and multi-hit capabilities. The Flank Attack skill provides a decent distance cover and can launch enemies, while Double Check creates two closing lasers, useful for combo starters. Griffon can also assist in evasion through backward dodges, double jumps, and gliding.

Shadow

Shadow is V's melee companion, possessing slightly more health than Griffon due to his close-quarters combat role. He has three combos: Combo A is the basic attack, which differs for airborne enemies. Combo B features a delayed second hit and a powerful sweeping attack. Combo C has a delayed third press, offering crowd control by flailing at the target. Key skills include Breakthrough for closing distance and hitting multiple enemies, and Hedgehog, a charge-up skill where Shadow transforms into spikes for an area-of-effect attack, with an upgraded version summoning ground spikes. Arbiter is used to knock enemies into the air for aerial combos with Bayonet and Guillotine. Skewer is a high-damage move that can be slow to execute but is viable with other pets providing distractions. Shadow's dodge maneuver, performed by holding R1/RB and moving the left analog stick with X/A, is crucial for V's survival, offering near invulnerability when executed repeatedly.

Nightmare

Nightmare is V's Devil Trigger summon. Initially, he acts independently, performing melee attacks and ground-shattering laser explosions. The Promotion skill allows V to ride and directly control Nightmare. Nightmare has a basic three-hit combo, with a delayed third press causing him to spin. Strongpoint fires a laser, followed by Critical Position for another. In the air, Desperado causes Nightmare to crash down, and Illegal Move helps reposition him towards enemies. While not controlled by V, Nightmare is invulnerable and can revive stalemated companions. Both companions are also impervious to damage while Nightmare is active. However, when riding Nightmare using Promotion, taking damage depletes the Devil Trigger gauge instead of V's health.