Royalguard Style

Dante in Dreadnaught form.

The Royalguard Style is one of Dante's styles in Devil May Cry 3, Devil May Cry 4, and Devil May Cry 5. It emphasizes minimization and countering of enemy attacks.

Gameplay

The Royalguard Style is one of the most difficult styles to master but potentially one of the strongest. When the Rage meter is full, Release and Just Release are two of the most powerful known moves in the third and fourth games. The moves' power are enough to kill almost all kinds of lesser demons in the two games, and inflict major damage to the bosses. Though it is time-consuming to fill up the meter, the usage of Super Costumes can help (which provides infinite Rage meter in Devil May Cry 4). Furthermore, in Devil May Cry 4, a maxed-out Release can remove the electrical shield of a Blitz without even absorbing any backfire damage.

In Devil May Cry 3, the amount of stored power is signified by the jewel-like green lights on the Style emblem which are part of the display bar. They will first blink, then light on continuously as Dante collects Rage. Dante's maximum stored Rage amount is increased along with the Royalguard Style level. Dante's next Release strike will be increased in power by about 2% for every gem lit up. Effective for the next blow only, once per charge, acting similarly to Nero's Exceed system.

Dante can block lesser demons without breaking his 'blocking' stance. But larger demons with stronger attack can break his guard. This can be dangerous because of long recovery times, and Dante is open to any attack. In Devil May Cry 4, Dante's recovery time can be cancelled by immediately performing Trickster's Dash. However, if mistimed, the strongest of the enemy attacks will crush right thorugh the Block, ignoring it completely and causing Dante to suffer full damage despite the effort.

Interesingly, Block will also deny grab attempts, such as Nevan's kiss attack or Soul Eater's abduction. It may also protect against aura-based threats, e.g. Agnus' life-siphoning or Pandora's Omen form.

In Devil May Cry 4, when Dante chooses this style he will lower his alignment, showing his left leg is lowered as well with both his arms pointing backwards and shouts "Royal Guard!". He also has an electrical aura along with it.

Royalguard in Devil May Cry 5 is much less punishing than the previous game. Block now will consume DT gauge instead of health and will not Break no matter how strong the attack is provided that the character still has DT gauge. This make the Royalguard is favored style against bosses even to the beginner player.

Movesets

• Devil May Cry 3
• Devil May Cry 4
• Devil May Cry 5

Action	Command	Description
Level 1
Block & Charge	(ground)	Block incoming attacks, slowly building up your anger and adrenaline.
Royal Block		Block 1/10th of a second before an enemy attack. Negate the damage of the attack and charges the Royal Gauge more than usual.
Release	++ (ground)	Release pent-up anger charged from blocked enemy attacks to do major damage.
Royal Release	++	Release 1/10th of a second before an enemy attacks. Deals significantly more damage than a normal Release.
Level 2
Air Block	(mid-air)	Block in mid-air. Can Royal Block.
Air Release	++ (mid-air)	Perform a release in mid-air. Can Royal Release.
Level 3
Ultimate	++	Block enemy attacks and convert the block energy into life power for yourself. Cannot Royal Block. Anything which breaks a normal Block will break Ultimate.

Action	Command	Description
Block	/ (ground)	Minimize the damage taken from an enemy's attack, while at the same time accumulating power within the Royal Gauge.
Air Block	/ (mid-air)	Minimize the damage taken from an enemy's mid-air attack, while at the same time accumulating power within the Royal Gauge.
Royal Block	Just Block	Block an enemy's attack at the last second to negate all damage and greatly increase the angry energy stored within the Royal Gauge.
Release	++/++ (ground)	Release all the energy stored in the Royal Gauge, and lash out at your enemies with an explosion of dreadful power.
Air Release	++/++ (mid-air)	Release all the energy stored in the Royal Gauge, and lash out at airborne enemies with an explosion of dreadful power.
Royal Release	Just Release	Release all the anger stored within you as a violent, damaging counter-attack against those unfortunate enough to provoke you.
Dreadnaught	++/++	A mysterious technique that transforms the body into a seemingly metallic shell impervious to enemy assault. The duration of the technique is linked to the amount of energy stored within the Royal Gauge.

Action	Command	Description
Block	/ (ground)	Blocks enemy attacks and neutralizes damage while also filling the Royal Gauge. This technique expends the DT Gauge each time it is activated. While blocking, you can move around.
Air Block	/ (mid-air)	Activates a mid-air version of Block, neutralizing damage and filling the Royal Gauge. This technique expends the DT Gauge each time it is activated.
Royal Block	/	Block an enemy attack as close as possible to defend without expending the DT Gauge. Fills the Royal Gauge more than a standard Block.
Release	++/++ (ground)	Release the energy built up in your Royal Gauge, dealing massive damage to enemies.
Air Release	++/++ (mid-air)	Release the energy built up in your Royal Gauge in mid-air, dealing massive damage to enemies.
Royal Release	++/++	Draw in an enemy attack before releasing the energy built up in your Royal Gauge to deliver a tremendous blast of damage.
Royal Revenge	++/++ (ground)	Use one stock of Royal Gauge to nullify enemy attacks and perform a counterattack. Hold the button to maintain readiness.

Dreadnaught Glitch

A small visual glitch involving the Dreadnaught Form allows the player to use the Dreadnaught model and its audio clips while being able to move normally and taking damage as usual. In order to utilize this glitch, the player must switch their weapons precisely at the moment when Dante changes back from using it. However, this glitch was fixed on the PC release.

Gallery

Dreadnaught concept art.

Trivia

• While using "Dreadnaught", Dante's voice noticeably is higher-pitched than in Devil Trigger state.
• Dante's "Block" stance is similar to that of Fei Long from the Street Fighter series.
• Dante's release in DMC 4 has different effects based on the meter. For example, an empty meter will release a rather small and weak light. A filled meter will have stronger light, where a 3/4 or full meter will have strongest light with vibrating screen. And a full gauge royal release will cause some extra electric-like sound.
• In Devil May Cry 4, when Dante swaps to Royalguard style, he will shout "Royalguard!" when stationary or shout "Guardian!" when he is on the move.
• In general, the Royalguard effect can be speculated to be a barrier-net of sorts that Dante raises to capture and contain the harmful energy coming his way. Although his Block can overcome exotic energies projected by the demons, it cannot defend against more unusual abilities that are not directly offensive, such as: Leviathan's Red Orb or Devil Trigger drain, or Geryon's time-distorting attacks.

External links

• Advanced Technique Guide Royal Guard