DMC: Lore Explanations Outside Gameplay Mechanics

[InZodwetrust]

Good
What are demons?
What we know

• Monstrous creatures, usually originating from another dimension (underworld)
• Possess superhuman strength, agility, durability and/or healing
• Are immortal or at least long lived
• Arrogant and aggressive
• Hunt humans (or just sapient creatures) for a type of energy which they store in their blood (red orbs)
• They can also harvest this energy from some objects
• Possess an energy (demonic energy) that grants them supernatural abilities eg elemental control, teleportation, intangibility, flight etc
• Demonic energy has an empowering, but corrupting influence on humans and can turn them into demons
• Have varying levels of spatial manipulation which they use to travel to the human world, create hammer spaces for storing objects, create folded spaces to hide in order to set up an ambush
• Stronger demons weaken the dimensional barrier around them, making it easier for weaker demons to portal into the Human World within their vicinity
• Low level demons are feral and guided by instinct, but develop minds the older and more powerful they get
• Stronger demons can command weaker demons (Alto Angelo and Bianco Angelos, Proto Angelo and Scudo Angelos, Hell Judecca and Hell Cainas/ Hell Anetoras)
• Have limited shape shifting/evolution ability (Assaults evolved into Frosts and Furies). In the anime, even low level demons could disguise as humans
• Have a 'super mode' (devil trigger) they can go into

Looking at these facts, DMC demons are very similar to hollows in Bleach.

My own take on DMC demons is

• Feed on the essence/potential (spiritual energy if you use Bleach terminology) produced by sapient creatures
• This essence is naturally released in small amounts through emotions or in larger amounts when casting magic or upon death, but dissipates quickly
• Emotions add 'flavour' to this essence, with negative emotions being more palatable to demons. This gives rise to the legend of demons being associated with sin
• Over time, objects can absorb this essence (explain why sentimental or ancient objects produce red orbs when destroyed)
• Demons store this essence in their blood, forming red orbs
• Some demons can directly drain the life force and/or spirit of their victims and and store in their bodies (as green and white orbs respectively) for later use
• Over time, this stolen life force and spirit becomes infused with demonic power and mutates to a more potent from (blue and purple orbs respectively)
• Demons can process essence (red orbs) for an emergency boost to health (green orbs) or stamina (white orbs), though it is very cost inefficient
• When tainted with a demon's life force or soul over time, stored essence (red orbs) can be used by demons to gain a permanent increase in their ability (blue or purple orbs). This explains how demons get stronger over time

 

[InZodwetrust]

Divinity Statue/ Watcher of Time

Spoiler: Divinity statue

What we know

• It's in the form of a lion-headed woman carrying an hour glass
• Is said to be a conduit for an omniscient god of time and space
• Trades different items and skills for red orb

My own explanation

• It is a conduit for a powerful and elusive demon with spatial and temporal abilities
• Can connect others to alternate timelines of themselves in order to teach them a skill they would have learnt in the future or would have learnt if they made a different decision in the past
• It can't actually make someone more powerful (that is why you can never buy DT from a divinity statue

 

[InZodwetrust]

What we know
A hybrid describes an individual with both demonic and human ancestry, usually born from the result of a demon and human relationship, but also those whose relations can be traced to a demon within their lineage. Because of this, these hybrids innately exhibit enhanced physical prowess and unique abilities thanks to the demon blood within them. Every hybrid has enhanced physical attributes, as well as the ability to infuse almost anything with the demonic energy that they possess. With this blood, they can transform into their demon state via an ability called the Devil Trigger. However, Dante and Vergil also possesses an ability called Sin Devil Trigger. This ability now allows them to harness the full totality of their powers though they cannot stay in the form for long.
Quoted from https://devilmaycry.fandom.com/wiki/Demon#Hybrids

My own addition
What makes hybrid special is that they are a combination of demons and sapient beings. This means that their human half can produce the essence that their demon half needs to grow stronger.

This means that hybrids can become stronger just through training and living a fulfilling life. It also makes their growth rate and potential high.

Unfortunately, as most demons look down on humans, hybrids are usually perceived as abominations to demons.

 

[InZodwetrust]

What we know
DevilArms are demonic, variably sentient weapons that are commonly the manifestation of a defeated Demon's soul or power. In the Devil May Cry series, Devil Arms are considered to be the characters' most powerful weapons. When wielded, Devil Arms often convey their power to the wielder, provided they have been subdued first.
Quoted from devilmaycry.fandom.com


Devil arms...

• Are created from the weaponized souls of demons that either submitted (Balrog) or were defeated (King Cerberus)
• Can also simply be weapons crafted through demonic magic (Artemis), the souls of demons (Dr Faust) or just from body parts of demons
• Have their names and abilities derived from the demon they originate from
• Feed on the magic or demonic energy of their users
• Can corrupt a user who lacks either their allegiance, sufficient strength (in body and/or mind), or both in order to resurrect (Artemis)

My own explanation

• Devil arms are created either from the crystalized souls of powerful demons or from weapons infused with souls (either demons or humans) through demonic alchemy
• As a result, all devil arms possess a degree of sentience
• They feed on magic or demonic energy from the souls of their users. Because of it this, anyone with weak body, will and/or soul can be consumed by a devil arms. This can explain why Lady never uses a devil arm in the series as she's a pure human that doesn't use magic or any means to strengthen her soul.
• Additionally, they absorb essence from beings they are used to kill to grow stronger (implied by Balrog)
• Devil arms can be a means of escaping death as DMC demons haven't shown the ability to reform in hell when killed. When they absorb enough essence from either their users or their victims they can resurrect themselves

 

[InZodwetrust]

Spoiler: Image

What we know
The Devil Bringer was Nero's demonic right arm, and the physical manifestation of his demonic power. The arm possesses superhuman strength, which it can also manifest through a larger, spectral arm. It is also capable of absorbing items of power, such as the Yamato or Evil Legacy, and manifesting their power

Quoted from http://devilmaycry.fandom.com/Devil_Bringer​

My own explanation
It is the demonic right hand of Nero. It was an incomplete DT that covered Nero's right hand after it was mutilated in a demon attack. It is more durable and stronger (common feature of a typical DT) than the rest of his body. It's primary ability is to create a spectral copy of itself that mimics the movement of the Devil Bringer. Because it seeks to complete itself, it can absorb power from external sources. Nero gains abilities if a powerful artifact is absorbed. The artifacts absorbed are

• Evil Legacy: It is a skull shaped crystal containing an ancient spirit. From this artifact, Nero gains the ability of astral projection which is responsible for his move "Snatch". With this ability, he can project the astral arm produced by the Devil Bringer to manifest at a distance from himself.
  Spoiler: Snatch

  
• Rusalka Corpse: This is one of the feelers of the demon Bael shaped like a nude woman which he uses to lure his victims. From this artifact Nero gains the ability "Lure". This makes the DB's absorption power a passive ability. Whenever the ambient demonic energy in the area is high (b/c a demon is nearby) the energy accumulates in the DB and causes it to glow
• Sephiroth Fruit: This is a seed produced by the demon Echidna. Remember, these seeds are parasitic and connects to a host to form chimeras. This artifact gives Nero to absorb energy directly from living things (fatal to the victim if enough energy is absorbed). Unfortunately, the victim can resist it. This limits the ability to plants that have little to no willpower to resist.
• Yamato: The sword wielded by his father. Because it is a powerful artifact and resonates with him well. It gives him the ability to unlock a false DT.
• Aegis Shield: The left hand of Angelo Credo formed into a shield. From this artifact, Nero gains the ability "Reinforce". This greatly increases the durability of the DB. It helps Nero to reinforce anything. The apex of this ability is reinforcing space. Though this is costly to Nero's energy reserves, he can bypass the cost by using the energy absorbed from a subdued enemy (giving rise to the skill "Hold")

With his fully unlocked DT, the DB has turned to spectral wing arms and enables Nero the ability to use his obtained abilities with his body (Nero turning his arm to a spectral form in order to wear a Devil Breaker can be related to the astral projection ability gained from the Evil Legacy)