Yamato is the signature blade of Vergil and appears in DmC: Devil May Cry. It was handed down to him by his father, Sparda.[1] Vergil is able to alter the abilities of the sword by imbuing it with either Angel or Demon energy from his Nephilim soul.[2][3] Despite its demonic nature, the sword can be seen outside of Limbo.
Description[]
Yamato is a silver katana with a long and slightly curved blade, although it is slightly shorter than the classic Yamato and the straightness of its blade is more in line with a chokutō. Both the grip and scabbard are predominantly black, but unlike the original Yamato, the scabbard does not have a sageo attached. When in Angel Mode or Demon Mode, both the sword and scabbard become wreathed in the respective aura.
Vergil wields the Yamato with a style similar to iaidou/iaijutsu, but when not in battle, Vergil keeps the Yamato in its scabbard and uses it as a walking cane.
Yamato is far sharper than ordinary blades, and is imbued with tremendous demonic power. The sword is said to be able to cut through anything, even the very fabric of space itself. This ability is shown primarily through the sword's ability to create portals for its wielder to travel through.
Vergil using Yamato to open a portal.
Also, like its original counterpart, this Yamato is able to create portals. However, while the portals from the original series were cross-shaped with a black haze inside, the reboot version portals instead look like blue circles that emit a blue haze before closing.
Gameplay[]
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The Yamato techniques are more deliberate than the flashy-and-sloppy moves used by Dante's weapons, and embody Vergil's discipline and style.
Yamato is Vergil's only melee weapon, and its style varies depending on Vergil's mode. In default mode, the Yamato unleashes speedy combos, while in Angel Mode, it can attack multiple demons at once, and in Demon Mode, it becomes slower but more powerful. Yamato can be switched to Angel Mode by pressing 
/
/
, and to Demon Mode by pressing 
/
/
. Many of Vergil's techniques can be upgraded to an "Embed" version that leaves a phantom copy of the Yamato within the enemy. Furthermore, although each of his three chargeable attacks can be Just Charged, a specific technique must be purchased to enable this for each of them. The aforementioned attacks also provide invincibility frames for the instant when the weapon is Just Charged.
Movesets[]
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Slasher | PS3:  ,, (ground)XBOX:  ,, (ground)PC:  ,, (ground) |
A succession of two slashes and a powerful final strike. Level 2 is more damaging. Slasher Embed leaves a sword embedded in the enemy. |
| Crosscut | PS3: ,,—,,, (ground) XBOX: ,,—,,, (ground)PC: ,,—,,, (ground) |
A set of multiple striking attacks with a powerful finishing strike. Level 2 is more damaging. |
| Upperslash | PS3:  (ground)XBOX:  (ground)PC:  (ground) |
A powerful upward strike that launches enemies skyward. Hold // to follow the enemy into the air.
|
| Judgment Cut | PS3: (hold) XBOX: (hold)PC: (hold) |
Vergil strikes an enemy into a slash vortex. Judgment Cut Charge makes the vortex larger. Perfect Slice makes the vortex massive and inflicts great damage; to execute, release // at the exact moment Vergil's sword is charged.
|
| Aerial Rave | PS3: ,, (midair) XBOX: ,, (midair)PC: ,, (midair) |
A multistrike combo that juggles airborne enemies. Level 2 is more damaging. Aerial Rave Embed leaves a sword embedded in the enemy. |
| Helm Breaker | PS3: (midair) XBOX: (midair)PC: (midair) |
A devastating overhead strike that slams an enemy into the ground. |
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid Slash | PS3: + (ground) XBOX: + (ground)PC: + (ground) |
A dashing move that allows Vergil to pass through enemies leaving a trail of strike behind. Level 2 is more damaging. |
| Flare | PS3: + (ground) XBOX: + (ground)PC: + (ground) |
A spiraling attack that strikes all enemies surrounding Vergil. Level 2 is more damaging. |
| Rising Star | PS3: + (hold, ground) XBOX: + (hold, ground)PC: + (hold, ground) |
A charge move that launches Vergil and surrounding small enemies into the air. Level 2 is more damaging. Solar Flare makes the damage devastating and launches all enemy types; to execute, release // at the exact moment Vergil's sword is charged.
|
| Orbit | PS3: + (midair) XBOX: + (midair)PC: + (midair) |
Vergil juggles enemies in the air before striking them into the ground below. Level 2 is more damaging. Orbit Embed leaves a sword embedded in the enemy. |
| Aerial Flush | PS3: + (midair) XBOX: + (midair)PC: + (midair) |
Vergil launches a heavy sword at nearby enemies. Level 2 is more damaging. Aerial Flush Embed leaves a sword embedded in the enemy. |
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce | PS3: +,, (ground) XBOX: +,, (ground)PC: +,, (ground) |
A heavy succession of slashes. Level 2 is devastating. |
| Volcano | PS3: + (ground) XBOX: + (ground)PC: + (ground) |
Vergil strikes the ground pushing enemies away. Volcano Charge makes the ground erupt small enemies into the air; to execute, hold and release //. Atomic makes the ground launch all enemies into the air; to execute, release // at the exact moment Vergil's sword is charged.
|
| Killer Bee | PS3: + (midair) XBOX: + (midair)PC: + (midair) |
With Demon energy Vergil launches down towards enemies. Level 2 causes greater damage. |
| Drive | PS3: + (midair) XBOX: + (midair)PC: + (midair) |
Vergil slashes down sending an enemy slamming into the ground. Drive Embed causes greater damage. |
| Stomp | PS3: + (Drive, midair) XBOX: + (Drive, midair)PC: + (Drive, midair) |
Following a Drive attack, Vergil charges his sword and crashes down on top of the fallen enemy. This move is more powerful from greater heights. Level 2 is even more powerful. |
Etymology[]
The "Enma" within the literal meaning of the weapon's name as Enma Katana (閻魔刀 Enmatō?) is a reference to "Enma Ō", the Japanese name for the Hindu judge of the afterlife, "Yama", so that the Devil Arm's name is idiomatically read in the same manner as Yamato (大和?).
大和 is a Japanese term referring to the people and traditional nationalistic spirit of Japan, and in the past to the nation itself. Thus, it is appropriate as the name of the weapon symbolizing Vergil's aesthetic and commitment to tradition and power, as opposed to Dante's personality of resistance symbolized by the Rebellion.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ DmC: Devil May Cry, Upgrade — Yamato: "Vergil's sword handed down to him by his father, Sparda."
- ↑ DmC: Devil May Cry, Upgrade — Yamato (Angel Mode): Vergil's Nephilim soul imbues the Yamato to perform unique attacks.
- ↑ DmC: Devil May Cry, Upgrade — Yamato (Demon Mode): Vergil's Nephilim soul imbues the Yamato to perform unique attacks.