If you just started Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition on Switch 2, the first impression is usually the same:
“This game is amazing… but I have no idea what I’m supposed to focus on.”
That’s not a difficulty problem — it’s a design expectation problem.
Most older guides assume you already understand how Devil May Cry works.
This one doesn’t.
🧭 Why DMC5 Feels Confusing on Switch 2 (Vergil, Difficulty & System Explained)
In this version, confusion comes from three major shifts:
- Vergil is available immediately from the start
- Difficulty is simplified into Human / Devil Hunter
- Multiple playable characters appear very early
But there’s a deeper issue most guides ignore:
⚠️ DMC5 is NOT a fully “explained” game
Even in the original release:
- Story order is not clearly explained
- Prior series knowledge is assumed
- Mechanics are introduced without deep tutorials
🧠 Community reality check
Many new players describe it like:
“I kept switching characters before I even understood one of them.”
👉 This is normal. The game teaches through repetition, not explanation.
⚠️ Hidden Story + System Reality (Important for Beginners)
DMC5 is built on a fragmented narrative structure:
- You switch perspectives frequently
- Characters are introduced out of order for pacing
- Lore assumes familiarity with older games
👉 This is intentional — not missing content.
The story becomes clearer only after gameplay familiarity builds up.
⚖️ Human vs Devil Hunter — Which Difficulty Should You Choose in 2026?
You only see two starting options:
🟢 Human Mode
- Very forgiving
- Lower enemy aggression
- Best for absolute beginners to action games
🔴 Devil Hunter Mode
- Intended baseline experience
- Balanced combat difficulty
- Best long-term learning curve
✔ Recommended choice:
👉 Devil Hunter
Human mode is only needed if you are completely new to action combat games.
🧠 Pro Tip — Hidden Difficulty Unlock System (Urizen Secret Mechanic)
DMC5 includes a secret progression trigger system:
If a player defeats the Prologue Urizen boss, they can:
- instantly unlock higher difficulty tiers early
- skip normal progression path entirely
⚠️ Important clarification:
The Prologue Urizen fight is designed to be unwinnable for most players.
But it is possible to defeat it.
👉 This is an advanced challenge mechanic, NOT a beginner goal.
🧩 Full difficulty progression (for context)
After completion, the game unlocks:
- Son of Sparda (Hard)
- Dante Must Die (Very Hard)
- Heaven or Hell (one-hit mode)
- Hell and Hell (advanced challenge mode)
📌 Source logic: standard progression system confirmed across DMC5 difficulty structure
⚠️ The Vergil Trap — Why You Should NOT Start With Him in 2026
Vergil being available immediately is one of the biggest beginner mistakes.
Why beginners struggle:
- completely different combat system
- requires advanced timing awareness
- skips natural learning progression
✔ Correct play order:
- Nero (movement + basics)
- V (spacing + indirect control)
- Dante (system complexity)
- Vergil (mastery reward)
👉 Vergil is NOT a tutorial character — he is a final mastery test.
🎯 The REAL First-Playthrough Goal (Mindset Fix)
Most beginners fail because they try to:
- learn combos immediately
- chase high ranks too early
✔ Your actual goal:
- understand movement
- learn enemy timing
- survive consistently
- adapt to switching characters
👉 Combos come AFTER control, not before it.
🔁 The Hidden Core System That Drives DMC5’s Gameplay
🎮 DMC5 is a replay-driven game
You are NOT expected to:
- master missions on first attempt
- achieve perfect rankings immediately
- understand everything on first run
Instead, the game loop is:
Play → Learn → Replay → Improve → Repeat
✔ Mission replay system
- missions unlock sequentially
- you can replay any mission after completion
- style rank improves through repetition
🔥 Bloody Palace (endgame system)
A 101-floor survival mode:
- increasing enemy waves
- escalating difficulty
- boss fights at intervals
- unlocks after campaign completion
👉 This is the game’s true skill test mode, not the story.
💥 Why Beginners Burn Out Early
Most players don’t quit because it’s hard.
They quit because:
- too many systems appear too fast
- character switching feels overwhelming
- they expect linear progression (it isn’t)
- they try to master instead of adapt
💡 Correct mindset shift:
You are not learning combos first.
You are learning control first.
Once this clicks, the game becomes dramatically easier.
🧠 Beginner Combat Rules (Ignore Combo Lists Early)
🟡 1. Keep moving constantly
Standing still = high damage risk
🟡 2. Vary your attacks
Avoid repeating identical patterns
🟡 3. Don’t chase high ranks early
Style rank improves naturally over time
🎮 Switch 2 Reality Check — How DMC5 Actually Plays in 2026
The Switch 2 version encourages:
- shorter play sessions
- handheld-first gameplay
- repeated mission runs
👉 That means consistency matters more than complexity.
You are not playing for perfection — you are playing for flow.
🧩 Handheld Optimization Tip (Important)
DMC5 uses heavy shoulder input mechanics:
- Nero’s Exceed timing
- V summon control
- Dante weapon switching
👉 On handheld play:
- prioritize comfortable bumper mapping
- avoid thumb overreach during combat chains
This reduces input mistakes in fast fights.
🛑 First Purchases (Red Orb Priority Guide)
A major beginner mistake is wasting early currency.
✔ Priority upgrade:
- Air Hike (Double Jump) for Nero and Dante
Why it matters:
- escape tool during boss pressure
- mobility upgrade for survival
- improves combo flexibility later
❗ Do NOT prioritize:
- cosmetic unlocks
- continues (Gold Orbs)
🗺️ First 5 Missions Roadmap (Simple Progression)
Missions 1–2:
- movement basics
- no ranking pressure
Missions 3–4:
- weapon switching introduction
- enemy timing awareness
Mission 5:
- identify preferred character
- start replaying missions casually
🧩 Hidden Difficulty Reality (Urizen System Clarification)
⚠️ Prologue Urizen behavior
- first encounter is designed as a loss scenario
- defeating it is optional and extremely difficult
- victory triggers special outcomes
📌 Even when possible, it is not intended for early progression.
🔥 Why DMC5 Hooks Players Long-Term
Even confused beginners eventually hit the same realization:
“It didn’t make sense at first… but now I can’t stop playing it.”
Because:
- combat is layered, not linear
- mastery develops over time
- replaying missions changes understanding
- system depth rewards patience
👑 Final Verdict (Beginner Summary)
If you're starting DMC5 on Switch 2:
- don’t rush Vergil
- don’t overthink difficulty
- don’t chase combos early
- don’t expect full explanations
✔ Instead follow this order:
Learn control → learn combat → learn mastery
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What difficulty should I choose as a beginner in DMC5 Switch 2?
Start with Devil Hunter mode. It is the intended baseline and gives you the best balance for learning combat without making the game too easy.
Should I start with Vergil in Devil May Cry 5?
No. Vergil is a powerful bonus character but not designed for beginners. Start with Nero, then move to V and Dante before trying Vergil.
What should my first goal be in combat?
Focus on movement and survival first, not combos. Learn enemy patterns, dodging, and switching attacks naturally before chasing high ranks.
Do I need to learn long combo strings to play DMC5?
No. Combos come naturally over time. Beginners should focus on basic attacks, timing, and weapon switching instead of memorizing complex inputs.
What should I buy first with Red Orbs?
Prioritize Air Hike (Double Jump) as soon as it becomes available. It is one of the most important survival and mobility skills in the game.
Is Devil May Cry 5 beginner-friendly on Switch 2?
Yes. Despite its depth, the Switch 2 version is very accessible if you follow a gradual learning approach and avoid rushing into advanced systems.
Can I replay missions to improve?
Yes. The game is built around replaying missions to improve rank, learn mechanics, and gradually master combat.
🛒 Still haven’t bought the game? Read our full breakdown of whether it’s worth it:
Is Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition Worth It? The Truth About the Switch 2 Version
👉 Next recommended reads:
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