Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition styles guide: Trickster, Swordmaster, Gunslinger and Royalguard
Choose Dante’s original Special Edition style and understand when it can be changed.
Edition covered
The original Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition for PS2/PC. Original PC storefront pictures are used. Dante selects one style at customization screens or Divinity Statues; Nintendo Switch Free Style is excluded.
Choose a style before the encounter
The original PS2/PC Special Edition equips one style at a time. Change it through customization or a Divinity Statue. Advice that tells Dante to swap styles instantly during a combo refers to a different release or a modification.
| Style | Focus | Good first practice |
|---|---|---|
| Trickster | Evasive movement | Dash away from a known attack |
| Swordmaster | Melee techniques | Add one weapon-specific style move |
| Gunslinger | Firearm techniques | Use range without standing still |
| Royalguard | Blocking and counterattack | Time a predictable strike |
Match the style to your current goal
Trickster expands evasive movement, Swordmaster adds melee actions, Gunslinger adds firearm techniques, and Royalguard rewards precise defense. A beginner can learn the enemy while using a movement-focused style, then explore more specialized options.
| Situation | Choice to consider | Caution |
|---|---|---|
| Learning a boss | Trickster | Dodging into a wall still limits space |
| Exploring melee combos | Swordmaster | Moves depend on the equipped weapon |
| Practising gun variety | Gunslinger | Gunfire does not solve every defense |
| Mastering a familiar attack | Royalguard | Mistimed guards can cost health |
Level the equipped style through victories
Defeating enemies and bosses awards experience to the equipped starting style; repeating its style-button moves is not the leveling requirement. Newly unlocked actions change the move list, so check the style level when following a combo demonstration.
Keep defense in every loadout
A style adds options rather than removing the need to jump, dodge and watch enemies. Royalguard is powerful but asks for timing, while Trickster still needs a safe direction. Practise one defensive response before extending a long combo.
A style adds options rather than removing the need to jump, dodge and watch enemies.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition publisher/storefront | store.steampowered.com |
| Original Special Edition PC manual transcription | manuals.plus |
| Special Edition campaign reference | gamefaqs.gamespot.com |