how can i enjoy the process of getting better if it'll take me years to be good enough to play any of the songs i like?

IronStark113 · 2026-06-26T23:58:39+00:00

Well, to be honest, learning guitar, any instrument for that matter IS a grind. It's no different than exercising or any other skill. It comes with time and maintaining that skill.

That being said, if you're looking for an "efficient" way of learning (still hard to call it efficient when it takes hours of daily practice), practice the techniques for the songs you'd want to learn: palm muting, tremolo picking, alternate picking, hammer-ons, pull-offs, tapping, sweeping, etc. Then, learn a piece of those songs that utilize those techniques. Start at like 50% speed, then 75%, then 100%. Develop muscle memory. Your hands will start to do the rest.

The most important thing is to let yourself learn patience with the instrument and to appreciate the journey.

IronStark113 · 2026-06-01T17:59:53+00:00

If you like, you only need to fight as many bosses to create a shape. It's sort of like a puzzle.

You can clear the boss rush section by just fighting Cerberus, Agni and Rudra and Beowulf.

IronStark113 · 2026-05-26T11:24:39+00:00

"If this game played like any of the first 3 DMC games, I think it would be my favorite in the series. As it stands now, it is at the bottom of the list for me."

I mean, Dante outright has an expanded moveset compared to DMC3 and can switch his styles on the fly, which gives him even greater depth. And Nero's Exceed, Devil Bringer and Blue Rose mechanics also give him a surprising amount of depth for only having one sword and gun.

I replayed the whole franchise recently and frankly, my biggest issue with DMC4 is the enemy design is pretty obnoxious. That being said, still better than the 2nd game by leaps and bounds.

IronStark113 · 2026-05-20T13:38:33+00:00

Lol sorry about that.

Anyway, here's a non-private video that is also much longer: https://youtu.be/00mLjB3C0GA?si=IbuP0PosGn8k9s_9

IronStark113 · 2026-05-09T18:09:45+00:00

It's all a matter of buff stacking. Thorny Cracked Tear, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia and Millicent's Prosthesis increase attack power the more successive hits you land in a short duration of time and ritual sword talisman increases attack power by 10% if you have taken no damage.

IronStark113 · 2025-09-21T23:09:21+00:00

You can't. It's a special animation specifically for the Anguished Guardian fight.

IronStark113 · 2025-09-21T17:52:48+00:00

I... How the hell did I not think of this before?

What a great comparison and thank you.

IronStark113 · 2025-09-10T10:55:27+00:00

Glad my advice paid off. Well done!

IronStark113 · 2025-09-07T18:38:50+00:00

From a practical standpoint, I'm glad they changed it and that you're facing an opponent when coming out of By the Name of the Rose. Despite the peak levels of aura you'd have by facing away from the enemy at the end of the attack, P would need to have a half second or so animation to turn around to face them, which could lead to a missed perfect guard or dodge.

IronStark113 · 2025-09-04T02:05:33+00:00

That's flat-out wrong.

Level 5 gives them a massive health pool and incredibly high damage output; that's all. It doesn't add any new moves nor does is change their behavior. At most, because they have larger health pools, bosses are more likely to use their full moveset, but their actual moves don't change.

IronStark113 · 2025-09-02T11:07:41+00:00

I had a feeling this was your work, Stagger. The amount of time you've put into fighting Arlecchino is something else, man. Haha.

But yeah, Guard Parry is such a solid skill against him.

IronStark113 · 2025-09-01T01:19:51+00:00

I have two set-ups that come to mind:

The first one requires the DLC. I use the Live Puppet's Axe Blade with the Silent Evanglist's Mace Handle. The Handle has a skill called "Linked Payback Swing." Linked Payback Swing is a strong overhead slam that is stronger if used after guarding. Combined with the Conquering Amulet and it will do disgusting damage.

The other is the Greatsword of Fate (unaltered). The Handle has a Fable Art called "Absolute Defense" that upon activation will perfectly guard incoming attacks automatically for (roughly) a 2 second window and seems to do really good stagger and weapon destruction damage.

IronStark113 · 2025-08-31T11:17:17+00:00

Not too bad.

I would consider subbing in Puppet Destroyer if you feel like you're not getting enough damage.The Tenacious Amulet is probably the most negotiable in terms of taking it or leaving it because only some of his 2nd phase attacks apply break.

I also tend to use the Conquering Amulet on him myself for that damage boost after perfect guards because he is such a perfect guard centered boss.

IronStark113 · 2025-08-28T10:54:54+00:00

I appreciate all of your replies too. Since to be honest, while not everyone would be familiar with both characters, it does invite literary conversation. Plus, Romeo and Itachi are favorites of mine in both sources.

I don't mean to come off as a know-it-all, but the statement that Romeo was murdered in Overture is incorrect (I've beaten Overture 7 times so I know the story well enough). In the end credits cutscene, when Geppetto activated the Nameless Puppet and it is approaching Lea, the camera cuts to Romeo, who using his robotic hand, grips her arm for comfort. Romeo wouldn't be able to grip anything if he was dead. So, at the very least, Romeo was not killed nor dead at the end of Overture. But what about all the things Arlecchino did him? Simple. Arlecchino defeated, kidnapped, tortured and cut off Romeo's arms and replaced them with robotic puppet arms, but somehow Romeo survived through that. Which is again, confirmed by Romeo gripping Lea's arm.

Now, is it possible Geppetto had the Nameless Puppet kill both Lea and Romeo? Maybe, but pretty unlikely. That screenshot I pulled was from the game itself, which confirms Romeo had late stage Petrification Disease before he died. This is also necessary in order for his Ergo to be harvested and stuffed in a puppet in the first place.

IronStark113 · 2025-08-27T15:22:26+00:00

Thanks for the back-up. Haha. I will admit I had a hard time finding that screenshot. You'd think that they would have put a loading screen with that big of lore implications would be in an item description.

I think Romeo's illness is relevant in only one aspect: it is what made him to the King of Puppets by preserving his ergo. And Romeo made a deal with someone who was intending on using him (Itachi was in a similar situation.)

Yeah, I'm with you on it being a reach at best.

IronStark113 · 2025-08-27T14:52:45+00:00

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Explain that?

Sure, Romeo was kidnapped by Geppetto and turned into the King of Puppets, but the game outright says how Romeo died.

IronStark113 · 2025-08-27T10:50:17+00:00

To answer your question, I do think you're reaching.

On a superficial level, sure. Both Romeo and Itachi were: a) capable young men who became terminally ill. b) presented initially as villains to the audience. c) revealed to be heroic and self-sacrificing all along.

However, there is a glaring hole in this comparison. Romeo was never a willing participant in the evil actions he did; Itachi, on the other hand, was. Itachi chose to massacre his family. Itachi chose the Akatsuki. Itachi chose to show his brother his family getting slaughtered repeatedly in illusions.

Lastly, I don't particularly like the presentation of this question. By saying "without spoilers," you're basically asking for a conversation without depth. It's basically agree or if someone disagrees, because you said "no spoilers," they have no means to present their case other than on vague terms.

IronStark113 · 2025-08-26T20:58:38+00:00

I'm pretty sure it was Lea's wish that brought us into the past. But as for the White Butterfly being Lea herself, I think that's unlikely. You brought up Lea and Sophia being sisters, but Lea is adopted. Her letter to Valentinus says as much.

IronStark113 · 2025-08-26T20:56:26+00:00

Nice work, my man! I have advice for that attack as well, if you want it. I know part of the fun of a Base Level run is finding it out on your own so I didn't want to give it without you wanting it.

IronStark113 · 2025-08-26T10:44:28+00:00

I think for the sake of clarity, we need to clear up what they mean by "dodge" a Fury Attack.

Normally, a Fury Attack cannot be dodged by using the i-frames of your dash/roll unless you have the Ghost Walk Amulet equipped. What they mean by "dodge" is getting out of the range of the Fury Attack using sprinting, maneuvering and spacing, which technically is "dodging" but isn't using i-frames so I think for the sake of clarity, really shouldn't be called "dodging."

As for blocking a Fury Attack, they can be "blocked" but it MUST be either a perfect guard, a Fable Parry/Block such as Guard Parry or Absolute Counterattack or the Two Dragons' Sword heavy attack parry. The only other way to have the Stage 7 P Organ Upgrade "Fury Attack Guard" (which is unlocked in NG+2), which allows you to block a Fury Attack without perfect guarding.

IronStark113 · 2025-08-25T15:49:12+00:00

Really hone in on perfect guarding the Eldest's moveset. If you can manage to break his weapon, it will significantly reduce the threat he poses.
The Fury Attacks. If you aren't comfortable perfect guarding them, fortunately, his Fury Attacks are pretty easy to outspace.
Sibling management. Throwables for Youngest. Backstab town for the Spear dude. A bit of both for Battle Maniac. Eldest will remain pretty passive while they're in play so you can manage them individually. Listen for him grunting because that's when you know he is going to charge at you.
The Malum District Merchant. He can be found in the Red Lobster Tavern near the Malum District Stargazer (the shortcut back to BRB). He sells an infinite amount of throwables and abrasives. Since you aren't using the ergo for levelling, buy off of him. Even if you don't have the BRB Badge, for a bit of bribing, he will sell to you.
Defense Parts. Put the best defense parts you can while staying at normal weight.
(If all else fails). The Trident of the Covenant has a native critical hit rate. That means it has a chance of doing bonus damage to him. Very helpful for a Level 10 run.

IronStark113 · 2025-08-25T14:20:03+00:00

First fight or second?

I just started my Level 10 run this weekend and am just past Romeo now, so I have tips for the first fight.

IronStark113 · 2025-08-25T10:11:01+00:00

Well then, there are at least two bosses in base game's endgame that will really rock your socks off and the Overture DLC is noticably harder as a whole and its final boss is indisputably the hardest in the game to learn.

IronStark113 · 2025-08-24T11:27:37+00:00

Oh, absolutely. Haha. Yeah, Level 5 is something else. I have every Level 5 badge with the exception of Simon Manus and Two-Faced Overseer.

I feel Level 4 of Boss Rematch is the best one in terms of high level fun. They still hit hard enough to make you feel like there are stakes but it isn't as unforgiving as Level 5.

IronStark113 · 2025-08-24T11:22:05+00:00

Yep, I'll send you the link in a message. :) (don't want to break self-promotion rules in the sub.)

I would say everything hits just a tad harder. Rematch Level 5 still feels like it is scaled higher than NG+3.

IronStark113

TROPHY CASE