Checkmate is one of V's moves for his cane in Devil May Cry 5. It is almost like Nero's Buster. The Checkmate move is where he finishes off the enemy or boss where his Familiars left off.
Useful tips
Checkmate animations in Devil May Cry 5
Lesser Demons
Empusa, Green Empusa & Red Empusa
Empusa Queen
Hell Caina, Hell Antenora & Hell Judecca
Death Scissors
Riot, Chaos & Fury
Proto Angelo & Scudo Angelo
Baphomet & Lusachia
Behemoth
Nobody
V picks up one of the Nobody's exploding eyeballs with his cane and throws it right back at them.
Bosses
Nidhogg
- "The cut worm forgives the plow." What do you say?"
- ―V quoting William Blake's "Proverbs of Hell" finishing off Nidhogg[src]
V pierces Nidhogg's head with his cane as the parasite tries to shake him off until pierced into the tree. V teleports himself and brings his cane back until Nidhogg disintergrates.
Elder Geryon Knight
- "The hours of folly are measur’d by the clock, but of wisdom: no clock can measure." Die!"
- ―V quoting William Blake's "The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom" delivering the final blow of Elder Geryon Knight[src]
V stabs the Elder Geryon leaving only Cavaliere Angelo remaining as the demon is thrown off his horse.
Cavaliere Angelo (Miraggio Angelo)
Cavaliere Angelo stabs V, but it was an illusion as he teleports behind to finish him.
Artemis (Mirage Artemis)
Goliath (Mirage Goliath)
V strikes Goliath. But as the giant almost smashes V with his fist, Nightmare appears before him as V teleports beside the golem. Both giants duke it out until V lands on Nightmare's fist to deal with the finishing blow.
Vergil
V only faces Vergil in Bloody Palace. After his Familiars weaken Vergil, V impales Vergil reuniting with him, except in Mission 17 with Urizen, V impales Urizen to return as Vergil.