(If it doesnt make sense, fix the wording.) |
(→Trivia) |
||
Line 336: | Line 336: | ||
*The awakened Sparda bears some resemblance to the demonic sword [[w:c:soulcalibur:Soul Edge|Soul Edge]] from Namco's ''Soul'' series. |
*The awakened Sparda bears some resemblance to the demonic sword [[w:c:soulcalibur:Soul Edge|Soul Edge]] from Namco's ''Soul'' series. |
||
*In the epilogue scene of ''[[Devil May Cry]]'' Trish is shown witih Sparda on her back as she walks out of "Devil Never Cry," while Dante has Force Edge on his, something that should not be possible. In the animations that play behind the credits afterwards, Dante has switched to Alastor. This only happens if one of the Dante costumes (normal or Super) is used - in the Legendary Dark Knight costume, Sparda wields [[Yamato]]. |
*In the epilogue scene of ''[[Devil May Cry]]'' Trish is shown witih Sparda on her back as she walks out of "Devil Never Cry," while Dante has Force Edge on his, something that should not be possible. In the animations that play behind the credits afterwards, Dante has switched to Alastor. This only happens if one of the Dante costumes (normal or Super) is used - in the Legendary Dark Knight costume, Sparda wields [[Yamato]]. |
||
− | *In first trailers, Force Edge has a more curved guard |
+ | *In first trailers, Force Edge has a more curved guard. |
+ | **In [[Modeus|Modeus']] flashback on the "The Last Promise", Sparda wields a sword that is similar in appearancd to the trailer version. |
||
*In ''[[Devil May Cry 4#Special Edition|Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition]]'', the move Drive for this sword is more unique because it has two colors. As Force Edge (Vergil's weapon), the Drive shown up as a black aura that spikes outwards in all directions, similar to a heatwave. However, for Sparda's Drive (Trish's weapon), the aura is a deep red color that was darker than the Rebellion shockwave. |
*In ''[[Devil May Cry 4#Special Edition|Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition]]'', the move Drive for this sword is more unique because it has two colors. As Force Edge (Vergil's weapon), the Drive shown up as a black aura that spikes outwards in all directions, similar to a heatwave. However, for Sparda's Drive (Trish's weapon), the aura is a deep red color that was darker than the Rebellion shockwave. |
||
*In the original ''[[Devil May Cry]]'', if one looks closely to the Sparda sword or gets the camera close, the guard is not a W-like shape as shown on the menu, but a small, downward-facing V. |
*In the original ''[[Devil May Cry]]'', if one looks closely to the Sparda sword or gets the camera close, the guard is not a W-like shape as shown on the menu, but a small, downward-facing V. |
Revision as of 07:11, 7 June 2019
The Devil Sword Sparda and its unawakened form, Force Edge,[2] is the beloved demon-forged sword[3] wielded by the Dark Knight Sparda himself,[4] and magically imbued with his power.[5] Throughout the series, the sword is recognized as a source of god-like power, and in both Devil May Cry 3 and Devil May Cry 4, it was the main objective of the villains. It is Dante's default weapon in Devil May Cry, and Trish's in Devil May Cry 2 and 4 Special Edition. In addition, Vergil is able to summon spectral versions of the Force Edge as his Summoned Swords.
Appearance
Devil Sword Sparda has two forms: Force Edge and Sparda.
Force Edge, the unawakened form, is an ornate but fairly unremarkable sword. The guard takes a "W" shape, vaguely resembling Sparda's horns. It has a spiral handle that leads to four skulls on the pommel with a spike at the top.
In its awakened state, Sparda keeps the grip and crossguard, but the spike on the skulls is split in half, with the frontward, more elaborate half forming a small blade that curves around the bottom of Sparda's blade (in Devil May Cry, the front half is a simple hook). Force Edge's blade is replaced with a spine-like structure attached to two curved blades via an organic looking substance. Together the blades form one long blade when in sword mode. The top portion has a large glowing red gem-like object in the center. The other side has two significantly smaller gems, glowing orange and pink. Sparda's blades can reorient themselves to give Sparda various shapes to suit its needs. Dante and Trish shift the halves to create a scythe for Round Trip and point both blades forward as a spear for Stinger.
In Devil May Cry 5, Sparda has gone through major design changes, but still kept some of its old appearance, including a thick organic hide, the curved blade and the color scheme of its guard. However, the sword now has an organic-looking spinal column instead of the one that appeared mechanical, with some bony covers below its guard. Its larger red jewel has moved to the side and a green one is now below it, and the grip is darker than before.
Story
The demon sword Sparda was originally wielded by the Dark Knight Sparda himself, but when he separated the Underworld from the human realm and put a seal on it to prevent it from consuming the Human World, he also sealed his demonic power inside his beloved sword in order to ensure the strength of the seal[6]. Sparda also took the Perfect Amulet, causing the sword to enter its dormant state, the Force Edge.
Many centuries later, however, Arkham conspired to obtain the sword, and through it, Sparda's power, which he would use to rule the world. He manages to manipulate Dante, Vergil, and Lady into allowing him to obtain the Perfect Amulet and opening the gate to the Netherworld for him, thus allowing him to travel to the Demon World, acquire the sword and awaken its power, weakening the seal cast by Sparda on the Underworld and threatening to allow it to merge with the Human World.[7][8] :After drawing the sword, he takes the form of Sparda, but because it does not resonate with him like it later did with Dante and Sanctus, and his inhumanity, he was unable to control its immense power and mutates into a hideous, blob-like form,[9] which is quickly slain by Dante and Vergil. As Arkham's demonic form dissolves, the Force Edge and Perfect Amulet fall further into the Netherworld, and both Dante and Vergil dive after them. They fight over the weapon, and though Vergil is defeated, he retains his half of the amulet. Dante then returns to the Human World with the Force Edge. Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening
Dante takes up the Force Edge as his own sword, and takes it with him to the castle on Mallet Island in Rebellion's stead. Throughout his mission there, he periodically encounters the dark knight Nelo Angelo, who is mysteriously shaken when he notices Dante's part of the amulet. After Nelo Angelo is finally defeated and revealed as Vergil, Dante obtains the other half of the amulet and Sparda is reawakened. It later allows him to take his father's form in the final battle with Mundus. Afterward, he plants the sword as a memorial to the seemingly dead Trish, but when Trish is later revealed to be alive and carrying the sword, he allows her to keep it. Devil May Cry
When not in use, Trish leaves the Sparda hanging on the wall of Devil May Cry. After Lady explains the problems she is having with the Order of the Sword to Dante and Trish, Trish takes the sword and leaves without asking Dante's permission. Disguised as Gloria, she gives Sparda to Sanctus in order to win his trust and infiltrate the Order, since they need the sword in order to empower their greatest tool, The Savior. Sanctus later resonates with the weapon and uses it against Nero, though his inhumanity does not allow him to fully control it. After Nero defeats Sanctus and rescues Kyrie from being used as the core of The Savior, he gives Sparda back to its rightful owner, Dante. Devil May Cry 4
During Urizen's attack on the human world Dante, Trish, Lady, and Nero are all defeated by the Demon King's overwhelming power. Rebellion is destroyed in the conflict and Dante briefly takes up Sparda once he reawakens a month later. Upon returning to his childhood home, Dante ponders the nature of Rebellion and why his father gave it to him. He wordlessly comes to the conclusion that if Vergil used Yamato to separate himself into two beings then Rebellion's purpose must be to unite. With this revelation Dante plunges the broken remains of Rebellion into his chest triggering a fusion of it and Sparda, transforming into his Sin Devil Trigger form. Upon facing Urizen, he calls a new demonic sword, Devil Sword Dante, into being. Devil May Cry 5
Gameplay
In Devil May Cry, Force Edge is Dante's starting sword and is the weakest weapon in the game. It also has the most limited moveset, which consists of basic combos and attacks available at the start of the game and lacks a Devil Trigger due to its dormant nature. No attacks purchased for Alastor transfer to Force Edge.
As Sparda, the sword has the longest reach of all of Dante’s melee weapons and is the strongest of the swords while not in Devil Trigger. It gains the ability to change forms by shifting its parts into different positions, changing into either a spear for stabbing attacks or scythe for Round Trip. Sparda’s moveset is adapted from Alastor’s non-DT combo list, with the exception of Air Hike. Combo 2 is finished with a Stinger-like thrust instead of a slash.
Devil Trigger is only available during the Mundus boss fight. During phase one, Dante is permanently in an Air Raid-like flight, firing energy balls and can perform a Vortex-like spin. Dante’s strongest technique during phase one is to unleash a dragon formed from demonic energy, which is done by pressing the button for Devil Trigger. The Devil Trigger gauge is used to measure how strong the attack is. It will break through Mundus’ shield and stop whatever attack he may be performing. Dante is immune to any attacks launched at him for the duration of the attack animation.
During the second phase, Sparda’s Devil Trigger greatly enhances his normal abilities. His gunshots are replaced by hurling demonic energy bolts from his hands, while all of Sparda’s swing animations gain an enormous trail of demonic energy which makes the sword's hitbox about three times longer. It also gives Dante access to Ifrit's Meteor.
In Devil May Cry 2, Force Edge replaces Rebellion as a standard sword for Dante's Devil May Cry costume, however, being just a cosmetic re-skin it will operate in the same manner. Trish uses Sparda as her melee weapon and functions the same as it did in Devil May Cry, though she doesn't have its Devil Trigger. During Round Trip, Sparda will move to whatever enemy is being targeted after Trish throws it and she can also plant Sparda in the ground so that she can use hand to hand combat.
In Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition, Force Edge is a reskin of Rebellion in Dante's Devil May Cry and "Legendary Dark Knight" costumes. Vergil uses Force Edge in conjunction with Yamato. While using Force Edge, Vergil possesses a similar attack style to Dante's, albeit with a smaller moveset. He does, however, have access to Round Trip.
In Devil May Cry 4, Sanctus Diabolica uses Sparda in a crude manner. He will occasionally swipe the sword once or twice after his energy shield is taken down. He will also use the sword as a physical shield, which can be Bustered to break this guard. When low on health, Sanctus will use a Stinger-like sword thrust that can be countered with a well-timed Buster.
In Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition, Vergil utilizes Force Edge much as he did in his Devil May Cry 3 incarnation, but he has more attacks, like Million Stab, Drive and Overdrive. His Drive is a mid-range attack that requires no charge time and will double swipe on execution. Overdrive can be charged and coats Force Edge in energy before launching a slow-moving but powerful wave of energy. His Million Stab is accessible via Combo A or Stinger. Stinger itself has a shorter range than Dante’s but can also be used midair and overall has more power. Round Trip can be used on the ground and midair, but is used as a mid-range attack, and will only travel a set distance away from Vergil with no tracking. This requires better positioning to be used effectively. Despite its travel distance, it creates a vacuum-like vortex that pulls nearby enemies in. Having a higher level on the Concentration Gauge gives Force Edge multi-hit properties and expands the area of effect of Round Trip. Combo A is much like its original attack. Combo B is an extended combo, similar to a Crazy Combo, in which Vergil chases down the targeted enemy, swinging both Force Edge and Yamato. It can be steered while not locked on and will not negatively affect the Concentration Gauge until the final strike. The Concentration Gauge adds a multi-hit effect to all of Force Edge's attacks.
Trish uses Sparda as its own melee weapon and in conjunction with Bare Knuckle, her hand to hand techniques. It has combos and attacks similar to Force Edge and Rebellion with a few differences. Sparda Combo A, High Time, and Aerial Rave are all the same as Dante’s Rebellion. The second strike of Combo B hits enemies all around Trish and is followed up by a two Drive like swings, however, they don’t have any long-distance properties. The final strike is a stab, which can be followed up by transforming Sparda into its spear form for a secondary stab. Bare Knuckle Combo A ends with up to three Drive strikes. It can be charged into Maximum Overdrive and strike up to eleven times before the end. Sparda is used to finish off Bare Knuckle Combo B with a flurry of strikes similar to Dance Macabre. The final strike is a golf club-like swing on the enemy but has a long start-up and recovery animation so it should not be used when too many enemies are near-by. Sparda’s greatest asset is Round Trip. It has the longest range and longest active time of any iteration seen in the series so far. Unlike previous entries, it is activated by a Lock-On++Sparda prompt, allowing for the fastest execution of the technique followed by a quick start-up. It has a wide range and is capable of constantly stunning most enemies caught in its area of effect. While they are stunned Trish can attack the enemy at that same time with an alternate Bare Knuckle moveset. Upon its return, depending on what part of the combo Trish is in, it will reset and begin her default Bare Knuckle combo. It has a gauge to mark how long it will be before the sword makes its way back to Trish, but can be recalled manually by pressing the Sparda attack button. V Divider can be used pull in enemies and can be executed mid-air, during the short time that Sparda is away, Trish has access to her alternate Bare Knuckle moveset.
In Devil May Cry 5, Dante switches from using Rebellion to Sparda after the former is destroyed during his first mission, but only has access to it for two missions before it is replaced by Devil Sword Dante. It is identical to Rebellion in moveset. Post-game, the player can elect to swap Devil Sword Dante for either Sparda or Rebellion in the store's equip menu: once chosen, the selected sword cannot be swapped out for one of the others in-mission. On completing Son of Sparda difficulty, Dante will unlock a skill called "Irregular Full Custom" which allows him to equip all three swords at once.
Like Rebellion, Sparda has a smaller moveset than Devil Sword Dante, lacking its special "Swords Formation" moves and ability to use Drive or Overdrive. However, it does deal higher damage or have longer reach on certain moves that uses the weapon's transformed states (whereas Rebellion and Devil Sword Dante both share the same damage and hit-box for the same attacks). Dante can still access the Sin Devil Trigger while using Sparda after completing the game.
Movesets
Action | Command | Description | |
---|---|---|---|
Sparda Combo I | ,, | A quick 3-hit combo. | |
Sparda Combo II | ,,-,, | Four-part combo which knocks back nearby foes before slashing down on those directly in front of you. Once the Sparda is awakened, the combo finishes with a forward thrust. | |
Sparda Combo III | ,,—, (rapid) | Quickly stab the enemy with blinding speed creating enough momentum to blast them backward. | |
High Time | ++ | Swing the sword in an upward rising motion, bashing up enemies into the air. Continue holding to jump, and again to slash down. | |
Round Trip | (hold and release) | Throw the sword like a boomerang. | |
Thrust Kick | , , (Round Trip) | Tri-level attack that ends by kicking the enemy into the air. | |
Stinger | ++ | With lightning speed, plunge the sword into enemies. Level 2 plunges the sword from an even further distance. | |
Flight | Automatic | Become airborne and be capable of performing aerial attacks. Press / to shoot fireballs. | |
Vortex | while flying | Damage enemies with an intense spinning body attack. | |
Meteor | (ground, Devil Trigger) | Shoot fireballs from the fists. Holding increases the power of the attack. | |
Dragon | while flying | Emit a giant dragon. This attack consumes all of your DT Gauge and its power varies depending on how much the gauge was filled when summoned. |
Action | Command | Description |
---|---|---|
3-hit Combo | Direction+,, | Dante slashes twice, follow by a sweeping slash that hits all enemies around him. |
4-hit Combo | ,,, | Dante slashes forward four times. |
5-hit Combo | ,,,Direction+, | Dante slashes forward three times, follow by a helm-breaker style slash and an upward slash, sending enemies flying. |
6-hit Combo | ,,Direction+,,, | Dante slashes forward five times, follow by a sweeping slash that hits all enemies around him. Also moves Dante forward significantly. |
High Time | ++ | Slash an enemy up into the air. |
Stinger | ++ | Powerful thrust unleashed after stepping forward. |
Helm Breaker | (mid-air) | Overhead slash down on top of an enemy below. |
Aerial Combo | ++ (mid-air) | Kicks twice mid-air, followed by a helm-breaker. |
DT Million Stab | ,,Direction+ (Devil Trigger) | Quickly stabs the enemy with blinding speed. The longer the last attack button is held, the longer it last. Drains DT gauge faster, but deals incredible damage. |
Air Raid | (mid-air, Devil Trigger) | Become airborne and be capable of performing aerial attacks. |
DT Aerial Round Trip | (Air Raid) | Spins the sword like a boomerang around Dante, damaging all enemies near Dante at his altitude. |
Action | Command | Description |
---|---|---|
Sparda Combo A | ,, | A quick 3-hit combo. (not available in DT) |
Sparda Combo B | ,,-,, (in DT) ,,, |
5-hit combo ending with a heavy downward slash. |
Sparda Combo C | ,,-,,-, (in DT) ,,,-, |
5-hit combo ending with a thrust. |
Sparda Combo D | ,,—, (in DT) ,,-, (continue to press button to prolong the attack) |
Two slashes, followed by series of stabs ending with a thrust. |
Helm Breaker | (mid-air) |
A powerful overhead swing which returns the player character to the ground. |
High Time | ++ (hold to launch) |
Slash an enemy up into the air. |
Stinger | ++ | Powerful thrust unleashed after stepping forward. |
Round Trip | (hold and release) to call the sword back |
Throw the sword at enemies. During that switch to bare hands combat. |
Plant Sparda in the ground | + (hold and release) to call the sword back (press again to hasten) |
Plant the sword in the ground. Switch to bare hands combat. |
Round Trip II | (Air Raid or DT underwater) | Throw your sword like a boomerang while in the air. |
Slash | , (Underwater non-DT) | Slash the opponent with a sword |
Other appearances
Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
The awakened Sparda is used by Trish and the dormant form is used at the same time by Vergil and by Dante in his alternate costume.
Sengoku Basara
Sanada Yukimura's sixth weapon is two Sparda swords. Along with the Sparda, Yukimura is equipped with the Ifrit as arm guards.
Devil May Cry Volume One
The Force Edge is Tony Redgrave's primary weapon.
MONSTER HUNTER: WORLD
The Force Edge can be crafted by the player by using 2 red orbs (and other materials) that can be obtained during one of the events named "Code Red". In the game the weapon bears the name "Dante's Devil Sword" and it can transform during the fight into Alastor, Ifrit as well as Nightmare-β & Nightmare-γ.
Trivia
- In the English manual of the original Devil May Cry, it is stated by Enzo Ferino that Dante calls Force Edge "Woozy." This is, however, a mistranslation of the original Japanese text, which states that Dante used it to take on a dozen men with Uzis.
- When Hideki Kamiya was asked on Twitter if the DT Dragon Dante uses during the Mundus phase 1 sequence in Devil May Cry had a name, he gave the answer "Puff,"[10] likely a reference to the popular 1960s song "Puff the Magic Dragon."
- The red gem on the awakened Sparda bears strong resemblance to Perfect Amulet's gem.
- If the Sparda Devil Trigger in the first game is obtained via gameshark or similar device, the damage output will make short work of every boss and enemy in the game except Mundus.
- The awakened Sparda bears some resemblance to the demonic sword Soul Edge from Namco's Soul series.
- In the epilogue scene of Devil May Cry Trish is shown witih Sparda on her back as she walks out of "Devil Never Cry," while Dante has Force Edge on his, something that should not be possible. In the animations that play behind the credits afterwards, Dante has switched to Alastor. This only happens if one of the Dante costumes (normal or Super) is used - in the Legendary Dark Knight costume, Sparda wields Yamato.
- In first trailers, Force Edge has a more curved guard.
- In Modeus' flashback on the "The Last Promise", Sparda wields a sword that is similar in appearancd to the trailer version.
- In Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition, the move Drive for this sword is more unique because it has two colors. As Force Edge (Vergil's weapon), the Drive shown up as a black aura that spikes outwards in all directions, similar to a heatwave. However, for Sparda's Drive (Trish's weapon), the aura is a deep red color that was darker than the Rebellion shockwave.
- In the original Devil May Cry, if one looks closely to the Sparda sword or gets the camera close, the guard is not a W-like shape as shown on the menu, but a small, downward-facing V.
- The same PS2 model was used from Devil May Cry to Devil May Cry 4, the weapon was re-made for Devil May Cry 5.[11]
Notes and references
- ↑ Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition, Combat Adjudicator — Force Edge: "I am the combat adjudicator. Only a demon-forged blade can move me."
- ↑ Devil May Cry, Devil Arms — Force Edge: "A memento of Dante's father, Sparda."
- ↑ Devil May Cry 2, Weapon File — Sparda: "The Dark Knight's beloved sword."
- ↑ Devil May Cry, Devil Arms — Sparda: "It's the true form of the Force Edge, the sword wielded by the Legendary Dark Knight, Sparda."
- ↑ Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition, Devil Arms File — Force Edge: "A sword magically imbued with Sparda's power. A powerful sword with great hidden potential."
- ↑ Devil May Cry 5: History of DMC
- ↑ History of DMC: “Arkham, a man bent on obtaining demonic power, knew that unlocking Sparda’s power would weaken the seal on the underworld.”
- ↑ Devil May Cry 3 manga - Vergil "With my hands, I shall open the link to the Demon World. This world shall be consumed by the demonic realm."
- ↑ Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening, Vergil: "You should come to realize you cannot control the power of Sparda."
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ New York Comic-Con - Devil May Cry 5 panel
Devil May Cry | |
---|---|
Characters | Dante - Eva - Mundus - Sparda - Trish |
Bosses | Griffon - Nelo Angelo (Greatsword, Summoned Swords) - Nightmare - Phantom |
Lesser Demons | Beelzebub - Blade - Fetish - Frost - Kyklops - Marionette - Nobody - Plasma - Sargasso - Shadow - Sin Scissors & Scythe |
Devil Arms | Alastor - Force Edge & Sparda - Ifrit - Yamato |
Guns | Ebony & Ivory - Grenadegun - Luce & Ombra - Needlegun - Nightmare-β - Shotgun |
Techniques | Charged Shot - Devil Trigger - Jump Cancel - Slash Cancelling |
Items | Bangle of Time - Key Items - Perfect Amulet |
Objects | Karnival - Red Orb Cache (Locations) - Red Orb Crystals |
Locations | Dante's Office - Mallet Island (Broken Bridge) - Mirror World - Underworld |
Music | Dante's Selection - Seeds of Love |
Concepts | Devil Hunter - Jackpot |
Miscellaneous | Clear Bonus Art - HD Awards - Transcript - Walkthrough |
Related Media | 3142 Graphic Arts - Comic - Memorial Album "Precious Tears" - Sound DVD Book - The Sacred Heart - Trial Edition |
This box: view • talk • edit |