Vergil DMC5SE. (Unfinished).

Judgment Cut System

Mechanics and techniques (at least what's known to this date) have changed quite a bit from 4SE.

They aren't based on any glitch that happens regardless of the lapse of time holding melee anymore. This time techniques are based precisely on buffered charges, and all of them are subject to what I call for simplicity the Jackpot rule.

In DMC5SE Vergil can perform up to 4 judgment cuts in a row (without any action in-between):

[1 normal Judgment Cut + 3 Instant Judgment Cuts]

Usually, after 3 Instant Judgment Cuts (with or without the normal one before), Vergil will say Jackpot, hence the name of the rule. But what does the rule mean?

Speaking about aerial Judgment cuts, as long as a Jackpot is avoided, Vergil can intercalate a ground trick, air trick, trick up or air taunt between further series of Judgment Cuts (which will usually start with a normal one).

For example, 1 ground trick Judgment Cut and 1 Instant Judgment Cut -> trick up -> Normal Judgment Cut and Instant Judgment Cut -> ground trick -> Normal Judgment Cut...:

video1

If a Jackpot was completed somewhere in this sequence though, then the charging time would start later and a fast (early) additional judgement cut after ground trick or trick up wouldn't be possible.

A judgment cut is still possible, but you would have to wait much longer. For example, if it was after a trick up, I would have to wait for the entire animation of trick up+maybe a few more frames to start another sequence. After a Ground Trick, obviously Vergil would land.

The only exception to this may be the S taunt with Yamato/Force Edge in the air.

Video2

You can also do judgment cuts after non Yamato moves. You simply need to switch to Yamato and trick up. It's also possible to do another trick action before or after trick up.

Video3

Judgment Cuts can have momentum after air trick and jump (ground or enemy step), but even without these, you can simply use the left stick to direct Vergil forwards and sideways while performing Judgment Cuts.

Video4

The Judgment Cut System has more nuances, like the possibility to do a ground Judgment Cut after a non Yamato move and a dash (lock-off+trick), but overall this is the base.

Imperessions.

While the Judgment Cut system in 4 is more complex and versatile, the hardest variations are significantly more inconsistent than the variations in 5.

5's system has some unique positive aspects to it as well, like the manually directed momentum, ground jugment cuts backwards, trick up judgment cut for re-positioning, etc.

There is a trade-off: more stability regarding execution and some new unique options for the high versatility of Judgment Cut Cancel and Weapon Switch Judgment Cut in 4 (as long as no new variations are found or modded for PC).

Doppelganger.

This is probably the major highlight from DMC5 Vergil.

The clone uses only Yamato and his moves are executed with the same inputs, but from his own perspective. Thus, backwards and melee from Vergil's perspective is Upper Slash 2, but if the clone is on the other side of the enemy, he will perform rapid slash instead.

The clone has 3 different levels of synchornization with Vergil: totally synchronized, slight delay, significant delay. 

Pressing again the same option teleports the clone next to Vergil, and if Vergil is moving, you can use it for subtle repositions, like calling the clone in the middle of a long range move, like Star Fall or Stinger. You can even call him right after air trick, which means Vergil will teleport to the enemy, while the clone will teleport to Vergil's original location before air trick.

Video5

The clone isn't affected by trick up and groud trick (backwards-forwards variation), and can't jump cancel.

Impressions.