There's no denying that Devil May Cry 4 is a difficult and complex action game, so I have created this guide to assist players that are having trouble mastering the techniques that they see in combo videos created by high level players.

Think of this guide as a reference sheet. Each section of the guide will include a technique/skill and will go into detail on how to execute it. I can only show you how to preform the techniques, adding it to your gameplay is something that will only come with time and practice.

Devil May Cry 4 is a game that I've been playing for about 3 years now and to this day, I still have trouble with this character in some areas. Don't worry if you have a tough time executing any of these things right off the bat.

Dante is without a doubt the most complicated character in this genre of video games and will require a lot of time and practice. If you have trouble with one of the techniques in any of the following chapters, just skip it for now and practice another. Keep in mind that the chapters aren't in any particular order.

You should have a solid understanding of Dante's movelist and abilities before learning most of these techniques before attempting to learn anything this guide shows you. As long as you know the basics to Dante, you'll have no problem learning advanced techniques for this character.

I'm sure everyone reading this guide already is already familiar with the controls, but I will write them here so that you can come back to it incase you've forgotten something.

Devil May Cry 4 allows you to create any control scheme you'd like. Experiment around with different controls and see what works best for you. I would also like to point out that everything in this guide was done with the default controls. I have listed the controls for both the Dualshock 3 and the Xbox 360 controller.

If you've checked through the game settings menu, you may have noticed an option named "Turbo" which can be shut on or off. Turbo Mode is a setting that is exclusive to the PC version of Devil May Cry 4 and will increase the speed of the game by 20% creating faster and more fluid gameplay.

I would recommend having this setting turned off if you're having trouble learning the techniques that this guide will teach you. As you play the game, it may start to feel like it's slow motion, and that is when you know you're ready to turn Turbo on. Feel free to try it out if you haven't already.


Because Turbo Mode increases the speed of the game, timers in game will also increase in speed

Devil May Cry 4 has no Training Mode available so practicing by simply playing the game can be difficult since enemies will eventually die. To avoid this, we'll use Debug Mode to turn on certain settings that are inaccessible without the Debug Mode patch.



With Debug Mode, you can stop the Bloody Palace timer, slow down time, use Dante in Nero's missions, and much more. I will not list everything since there are 7 pages of settings and options within Debug Mode's menu.



I would highly recommend downloading this patch. It's an incredibly useful menu and will make it much easier to train in DMC4. All of the instructions for it's installation are listed within the forum post so I will not be showing how to install it.

http://s1.zetaboards.com/InfernalWorks/topic/3739265/1/

Due to the movelist being a bit cumbersome and very unorganized, I have decided to list all of Dante's attacks and abilities in one section. You do not have to read through this section, this is only here for those who are looking for a specific attack/move.

Use the guide index (located on the right side of the page) to skip straight to "Chapter 1 - Royal Guard Canceling" (Guide beings there).

• Side Roll
  - Lock on + Left/Right on the analog stick + Jump
  
• Kick Jump
  - Press the jump button near a wall after jumping once
  
• Speed
  - Continue holding the analog stick in the same direction to begin sprinting (10 steps req)
  
• Enemy Step
  - Press jump in mid air while near an enemy to use him/her as a stepping stone
  
• Air Hike
  - Create a circular platform below your feet that can be used to double jump (After having pressed the jump button, press it again).

• Rebellion Combo A:
  Triangle / Y - Triangle / Y - Triangle / Y
  
  
• Rebellion Combo B:
  Triangle / Y - Slight Pause - Triangle / Y - Triangle / Y
  
  
• Stinger:
  Lock on + Forward (hold) + Triangle / Y
  
  
• Million Stab:
  Lock on + Forward + Triangle / Y
  
  
• Round Trip:
  Triangle / Y (Hold until Rebellion glows red and makes a distinct noise)
  
  
• High Time:
  Lock on + Back + Triangle / Y (Holding Triangle / Y will have Dante follow the enemy)
  
  
• Helm Breaker:
  Triangle / Y (Mid air)
  
  
• Prop / Swordmaster:
  Circle / B
  
  
• Shredder / Swordmaster:
  Circle / B after Prop (Hold Circle / B to add hits)
  
  
• Drive / Swordmaster:
  Lock on + Back + Circle / B (Can charged up two more levels)
  
  
• Quick Drive / Swordmaster:
  Triangle / Y + Circle / B
  
  
• Overdrive / Swordmaster:
  Press Circle / B immediately after Drive
  
  
• Dance Macabre / Swordmaster:
  Lock on + Forward + Circle / B x10 (Can be stopped at Million Stab and it can be mashed for additional hits)
  
  
  
  
• Gilgamesh Combo A:
  Triangle / Y - Triangle / Y - Triangle / Y - Triangle / Y
  
  
• Gilgamesh Combo B:
  Triangle / Y - Triangle / Y - Slight Pause - Triangle / Y - Triangle / Y
  
  
• Draw:
  Lock On + Back + Triangle / Y
  
  
• Straight:
  Lock on + Back + Triangle / Y (Hold, can be charged up two more levels)
  
  
• Kick 13:
  Lock On + Forward + Triangle (Activate Devil Trigger for additional hits that end with Vergil's Rising Sun attack from Devil May Cry 3)
  
  
• Flush:
  Jump (Transforms jumps into kicks that deal damage)
  
  
• Shock / Swordmaster:
  Circle / B (Can be charged up two more levels)
  
  
• Shocking / Swordmaster:
  Circle / B (In mid air, cannot be charged)
  
  
• Beast Uppercut / Swordmaster:
  Lock On + Forward + Circle / B (Can be charged up two more levels)
  
  
• Rising Dragon / Swordmaster:
  Lock On + Forward + Circle / B (Hold untill Gilgamesh successfully charges once)
  
  
• Divine Dragon / Swordmaster:
  Lock On + Forward + Circle / B (Hold untill Gilgamesh successfully charges Twice)
  
  
• Real Impact / Swordmaster:
  Lock On + Back + Circle / B
  
  
  
  
• Lucifer Combo A:
  Triangle / Y - Triangle / Y - Triangle / Y - Triangle / Y... (This is the only combo/string in the game that does not end. Press the attack button as many times as you desire)

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Lucifer Combo B:

Triangle / Y - Slight Pause - Triangle / Y (Mash until Dante places 6 pins in front of him)

Lucifer Combo C:

Triangle / Y - Slight Pause - Triangle / Y (Mash till Dante places the final pin, the last one will be placed at an angle and will cause a knockback)

Lucifer Combo D:

Triangle / Y - Triangle / Y - Slight Pause - Triangle / Y

Lucifer Combo E:

Triangle / Y - Triangle / YTriangle / Y - Triangle / Y - Slight Pause - Triangle / Y (Mash untill Dante uses his final pin)

Ecstacy:

Lock On + Back + Triangle / Y

Pin Up:

Lock On + Forward + Triangle / Y (Preform 3 times in a row to place the maximum amount of pins on the field, 15)

Discipline / Swordmaster:

Lock On + Circle / B (Repositions all pins currently on the field around Dante's body)

Climax / Swordmaster:

Lock On + Back + Circle / B (Repositions all pins currently on the field around Dante's body to create a protective barrier)

Bondage / Swordmaster:

Lock On + Forward + Circle / B (Repositions all pins currently on the field around the enemy you've locked on to.

Shoot:

Square / X

Charged Shot

Square / X (Hold untill Dante's forearms glow red, effect last for 3 seconds)

Twosometime / Gunslinger

Circle / B (Pressing the Style button once will only fire 4 bullets and mashing will continuously fire, use the left analog stick to change the direction Dante is firing)

Honeycomb Fire / Gunslinger

Circle / B (Mash untill dante flips Ebony and Ivory around. Ebony and Ivory will fire much faster in Honeycomb fire. You cannot control the direction in which Dante fires)

Rainstorm / Gunslinger

Circle / B (Mid air, tap once for a few shots, hold down to continuously fire.

Shoot:

Square / X

Charged Shot

Square / X (Hold untill Dante's forearms glow red, effect last for 3 seconds)

Fireworks / Gunslinger

Circle / B

Fireworks Air/ Gunslinger

Circle / B (Mid Air)

Backslide / Gunslinger

Lock On + Back + Circle / B

Gun Stinger / Gunslinger

Lock On + Forward + Circle / B

PF013 Epidemic

Square / X (Can be aimed either up or down using the left analog stick)

PF124 Hatred

Square / X (Rotate the left analog stick in a full 360 motion, only a 180 in Devil Trigger)

PF398 Revenge

Square / X (Rotate the left analog stick in full 360 motion twice, only a 360 in Devil Trigger

PF262 Jealousy

Square / X (Mid air)

PF594 Argument / Gunslinger

Circle / B (Mid air, uses up the meter you've built up even when not firing. Press Square / X to fire 1 missile, and Circle / B to fire multiple.

PF422 Grief

Lock On + Back + Circle / B (Tap style to throw for a short period of time, hold the style button to increase the attacks duration)

PF666 Omen

Lock On + Forward + Circle / B (Omen damage output is determined by how much meter you've built up in your Disaster Gauge)

Note:

PF Stands for "Pandora Form". All non style based Pandora attacks will fill up your Disaster Gauge, Maximizing the damage and usefulness of style based attacks with Pandora. The Disaster Gauge is the Pink bar below your first health bar.

• Yamato Combo S
  - Circle / B, Circle / B, Circle / B (If you allow Dante to resheath the Katana back into it's scabbard, you will be rewarded with a full D.T Rune, and some style points)
  
  
• Slash Dimension F
  Lock On + Forward + Circle / B
  
  
• Slash Dimension C
  Lock On + Back + Circle / B
  
  
• Aerial Rave V
  Circle / B, Circle / B
  
  
  
• Dash
  Point the left analog stick in any direction and press Circle / B (Keeping the Left Stick in a neutral position will Dash Dante Forwards. Dashing while in Devil Trigger allows for consecutive dashes.)
  
  
• Sky Star
  Circle / B (Mid air, Aerial version of the ground dash. While in Devil Trigger, you are allowed two consecutive Sky Stars)
  
  
• Mustang
  Circle / B (press and hold, must be in direction of enemy)
  
  
• Flipper
  Circle / B (Press the style button when you are hit to execute an air recorvery)
  
  
• Air Trick
  Lock On + Forward + Circle / B (Teleport, You are allowed one on the ground, and one in the air. That rule changes to one on the ground, two in the air when In Devil Trigger)
  
  
  
  
• Block
  Circle / B (Fighting game styled block. You will still receive damage for blocking)
  
  
• Air Block
  Circle / B (Mid Air, Fighting game styled block. You will still receive damage for blocking)
  
  
• Royal Block
  Circle / B (Perfectly timed block, you will receive no damage by using Royal Block)
  
  
• Air Royal Block
  Lock On + Forward + Circle / B (Mid Air, Preform just before you're hit by an enemy)
  
  
• Release
  Lock On + Forward + Circle / B
  
  
• Air Release
  Lock On + Forward + Circle / B (Mid Air)
  
  
• Royal Release
  Lock On + Forward + Circle / B (Preform just before you're hit by an enemy)
  
  
• Air Royal Release
  Lock On + Forward + Circle / B (Mid Air, Preform just before you're hit by an enemy)
  
  
  Note:
  As you block, you will fill up the "Rage Meter" located below Royal Guard on your HUD. The amount of meter you built up from blocking will determine the amount of time you can remain in Dreadnaught form and the amount of damage you deal with Royal Release. Royal Blocks build much more meter then standard blocks, but requires precice timing.
  
  
  
• Dreadnaught
  Lock On + Back + Circle / B (The Dreadnaught cannot be hit/stunned. The amount of time you spend in Dreadnaught form is dependent on the amount of meter you've built up from blocking. Using Royal Release while in Dreadnaught form will use all of your Rage Meter.)

At first glance, Royal Guard seems like just a block but there is a lot more to this style then just blocking/guarding. Royal Guard allows you to cancel many of the attacks that are available to Dante.

To avoid any confusion, I have placed the captions/descriptions to the images you are about to see, above the in-game screenshots.

Here is an example of an attack being canceled with Royal Guard:







If you did it correctly, the animation would have ended early, and Dante would not have done the final stab. After the animation has ended, you can follow up with any attack you'd like. This is just one of the many things that can be done with Royal Guard. I can't list all of the combinations and possibilities because there are too many, but don't be afraid to experiment with Royal Guard. Some attacks can be canceled earlier then others and some later then others.

This technique doesn't only apply to attacks on the ground, but Dante's aerial movelist as well.

Here is another example of Royal Guard canceling:









You get the idea by now, use Royal Guard to cancel attacks early and open up new options for combos.

You can cancel attacks the same way using

"Jump Canceling" is possibly the most difficult technique to fully master in Devil May Cry 4 but it is easily the most rewarding. Jump Canceling is exactly what it sounds like, you are canceling something with a jump, in this case it's attacks.

Enemy Step is required for Jump Canceling. Enemy step is one of the universal abilities (meaning it is available to both Nero and Dante) and can be purchased at the a Divinity Statue under "Abilities".



Enemy Step will reset all of your aerial attacks, allowing you to repeat them and extend your combos.

Normally, you are only allowed one Air Hike but with Enemy Step, you can use it as many times as you'd like to.







So now that you understand what Jump Canceling does, let's try it out with some attacks.










Here is another example of a combo that involves Jump Canceling:









I won't list every combination and possibility since there are hundreds of combos that can be put together with Jump Canceling so start experimenting.

Keep in mind that every enemy is different, certain enemies will require different timing and positioning. Another thing you should remember is that certain enemies stay in the air with Dante, and others with fall to the ground as you hit them. For example, Frost's stay in the air with Dante while the Cutlass's move away from him. You'll need different combo's for every enemy, don't expect to put together one combo and automatically assume your set for the rest of the game.

Guard Flying is one of the most effective and most fun techniques you can learn with Dante. Guard Flying pretty much let's you zip around the level at a very fast speed and opens up a countless amount of options for new and interesting combos.

Understanding how to Jump Cancel is a necessity for this technique. To execute a Flying Guard, you're going to need an attack that has plenty of movement, preferably one of these two skills:

• Sky Star (Trickster -> Jump -> Style)
• Killer Bee(Gilgamesh -> Jump -> Triangle/Y)

We will begin with Sky Star.

Guard Flying Example with Sky Star:









If done correctly, Dante will fly in whatever direction that the analog stick was facing.

If the analog stick is in a Neutral position, Dante will fly forwards.

Because the jump is what causes Dante to fly, you can use an Air Hike/Double Jump to add distance to your Flying Guard, or change the direction of Dante without losing speed.

If you want to preform a second Flying Guard, input the FG as if you were Jump Canceling it (slide your thumb aross Jump then Style), don't just jump and guard. Faliure to do this will cancel the Flying Guard with just a regular guard, losing your momentum in the process.

Remember that this can also be done with Full House. You may even find it easier to execute using this method.

Guard Flying example using








Make sure Full House hits the target before canceling it with Royal Guard. If you cancel it too early, you won't fly anywhere.

Dante can change into his demonic form by pressing L1 / LB. You must have the first three Devil Trigger runes on the HUD filled in order to activate it. In Devil Trigger, Dante has access to certain abilities that are not possible outside of DT.

• Dante's health will regenerate at a steady pace
  
  
• Dante will deal more damage
  
  
• Gain a speed boost
  
  
• Gain access to attacks and skills that are not available outside of Devil Trigger
  
  
• Will not be affected by attacks that knock back but will still receive damage
  
  
• Allows you to preform two Air Hikes / Double Jumps (three jumps total)
  
  
• All normal shots from Ebony and Ivory and Coyote - A, become charged shots automatically
  
  
• Sprint will only require 5 steps instead of 10
  
  
• String together consecutive Dashes
  
  
• Teleport twice in the air
  
  
• Sky Star twice in a row

[/i]
[/list]

If you don't already own it, I recommend purchasing the "Trigger Heart" skill from the Divinity Statue. With it, the depletion of the D.T. Gauge will be reduced allowing you to spend much more time in Devil Trigger.


Stinger

Stinger hits only once


Stinger will drill through enemies and hit multiple times

Kick 13

5 kicks ending in a launcher


Buffed version of Kick 13, additional kicks with a launcher that ends in the air

Pin Up

Dante will place pins 5 on the field at once. Repeat two more times to place the maximum amount of pins (15).


Identical to the standard Pin Up however in Devil Trigger, Dante will follow up with another set of Pins.



Devil Trigger Distortion Is a technique that add's a colossal amount of damage to your attacks. I will briefly cover the "Distorted Real Impact" in this guide but I encourage you to experiment around with other attacks / strings.

Normally, Real Impact only hits 3 times but activating Devil Trigger before the third hit connects will add and extra hit + damage.


I personally practice this on The Savior (Mission 18) since the blue orbs on his body are easy to hit, and because he has a health bar which allows you to see the damage you've dealt better then the lock on's hp display.

Attacks aren't the only moves in Dante's arsenal that can deal tons of damage when distorted. Remember that you can also distort Royal Release. Distorted Royal Releases can do an insane amount of damage, try it out for yourself!

Devil Trigger Distortion can also be mixed with Just Frame Gilgamesh attacks also deal a massive amount of damage. This can kill many of the lesser demons in 1 hit even on harder difficulties.

The Star Rave is a flashy way of staying in the air while constantly hitting the enemy. To execute a Star Rave, simply combine a Sky Star and one hit from Aerial Rave and repeat the process as many times as you like/can.This is of course easier said then done. You will be using one action from two different styles while trying to stay in the air, all at the same time.









This can also be done on enemies in the air, and it is done the exact same way.

I strongly recommend practicing this on Berial since he is one of the largest enemies in the game and is great for practicing Jump Canceling.

This is technique is named "Star Rave" because it mixes Dante's Sky Star and Aerial Rave but that does not mean you can't apply it to other attacks. After a Sky Star you can JC into any other aerial attack you'd like to use.

I've listed a couple of combo's below for you to try out. They're short, practical, and will help you practice placing the Sky Star skill in your combos with different attacks. Remember that these are just examples, feel free to change up the attacks in them, use them as tempates.

Combo #1

High Time - Aerial Rave (x1) - Sky Star - Aerial Rave (x1) - Full House - Shocking!

Combo #2

High Time - Aerial Rave (x1) - Sky Star - DarkSlayer Aerial Rave(x1) - Aerial Rave (x1) - Full House - Shocking!

Double Weapon Switching Is exactly what it sounds like, switching/cycling through your weapons twice. With as simple as it may sound, it can actually be pretty difficult to do consistently and is even more difficult to fully master. Having the ability to cycle through your weapons efficiently is a skill that is well worth learning because It opens up a countless amount of opitons and combos.

Here is an example of Double Weapon Switching:











This is a technique that requires a lot of patience, and practice (like anything else really). Don't overlook this, double weapon switching really pays off, and you'll be glad you learned it.

With this you can switch from:

Rebellion --> Lucifer
Gilgamesh --> Rebellion
Lucifer --> Gilgamesh

This also applies to your guns.


Ebony and Ivory --> Pandora
Coyote A --> Ebony and Ivory
Pandora --> Coyote A

Get practicing!

Using Ebony and Ivory and Aerial Rave together are very useful for keeping enemies in the air.

Mixing the two together will look something like this:









Repeat this untill you hit the ground. By doing this, Dante slowly descends while the enemy stays in the air. You can then follow up with any attack. I personally like to follow up with Ecstasy (Lock on + Back + Triange/Y) to relaunch the enemy and continue the combo in the air. The timing on this can seem tricky but it's actually much easier then it looks. I slide my thumb from the shoot button to the style button.

Ebony and Ivory are very weak in DMC4 and will not keep heavier enemies in the air without DT or charged shots. Scarecrows and Assaults are very light however enemies like Bianco Angelos and Frosts are heavy.

Doing this with Ebony and Ivory is a great way to keep enemies in the air but it dosen't do too much damage, so let's try it with the shotgun instead. The same technique applies to Coyote - A however the timing is slightly different. Keep in mind that shooting enemies with Coyote - A at short ranges will cause a knockback so this cannot be done on Scarecrows.

Since this cannot be done on light enemies. select a level with Bianco Angelos. Remember to break it's shield first, if you don't, he will break out of your combos.









Practice this untill you get the rhythm down. This technique should not be disregarded.

Just Frame attacks are simply perfectly timed charged attacks from Gilgamesh that deal a substantial amount damage in comparison to the normal charged attacks.





Obviously there is a resounding difference between the two images, but this is something you might overlook in game because the animation of the spark does not stay on the screen for very long.


Gilgamesh attack Level - 1 (No Charge)
Gilgamesh attack Level - 2 (Normal Charge)
Gilgamesh attack Level - 3 (Just Frame Charge)

"Just Frames" apply to all Gilgamesh attacks excluding those that cannot be charged.

• Full House (Jump -> Triangle/Y in mid air)
  
• Draw (Lock on + Back + Triangle/Y)
  
• Kick 13 (Lock on + Forward + Triangle/Y)
  
• Flush (Jump with Gilgamesh equipped)

• Gilgamesh Combo 1 (Triangle/Y x4 , all hits can be charged)
  
• Gilgamesh Combo 2 (Triangle/Y x2 - Slight Pause Triangle/Y x2, all hits can be charged)
  
• Straight (Lock On + Back + Triangle/Y *hold*)

• Shocking! (Jump -> Circle/B in mid air)
  
• Real Impact (Lock on + Back + Circle/B)

• Shock! (Circle/B)
  
• Beast Uppercut (Lock on + Forward + Circle/B)
  
• Divine Dragon (Lock on + Forward + Circle/B)

Just Frame attacks combined with Devil Trigger Distortion are devastating and deal an absurd amount of damage. This technique isn't particularly difficult and is very useful so there is no excuse to not learn this and add it to your repertoire.

The Lucifer Glitch is a technique that I am not entirely familiar with, so I can only give so much information on it. While I'm am still not entirely sure on how to add this to my gameplay, I do understand how to do the glitch.



Special thanks to my friend ★Star Platinum★ for recording the video for the guide.

• Launch the enemy
  
  
• Use Ecstacy
  
  
• Jump cancel a Sky Star just as the Rose hits
  
  
• Shoot the enemy 16 times with your guns (Do not switch your melee weapon or attack with melee, DarkSlayer/Yamato is the only exception)
  
  
• Make Dante's head collide with the target
  
  
• The enemy will pop up without throwing a flower

[/i]
[/list]

"You have the cancel Lucifer's Ecstasy move at a certain frame in order to activate it. A hitbox becomes active on Dante's head which is basically the rose hit effect. After that you need to make sure (after you hit the enemy with Dante's head hitbox) that you hit the enemy 16 times with any attack without switching through weapons (only guns)" -ChaserTech

Reversing attacks can seem impractical, but it actually has it uses. It can even make attacks like Backslide practical/useful (Lock on + Back + Style in Gunslinger with Coyote-A). The timing is tricky at first, but with some practice it will become as easy as preforming the attacks normally.











Keep in mind that the timing is different for every attack. If you can't reverse attacks using High Time, try it with any other attack. It's all a matter of practice. I can only tell you how execute this technique, applying it to your gameplay is something that you have to practice and learn on your own. Experiment with different attacks and see what you can come up with!

Thanks for reading my guide to Dante in Devil May Cry 4! I hope it helped you in some way. If there is anything that I missed or anything that you think I should add, please let me know and I'll be sure to include it in the guide.

Remember that this guide was intended for average players, not high level players. Since the information that's included in it describes techniques that they are already familiar with, it probably won't be of much use to them.

It took me roughly and month and a half to write and edit everything you will see in this guide, and to this day it is still a work in progress. Keep checking back for updates, changes, and new sections within the guide!

The reason I wrote this guide is because I was really disappointed with the "Devil May Cry 4 Prima Strategy Guide". Not only is it dated, but it doesn't really teach you much and it only shows you how to get through the levels. What good is a guide that dosn't teach you how to play?

I've been collecting these Strategy Guides for years now and I've read through more guides then I can count, so I figured it's time I wrote my self. I used those books as a template and that's part of the reason why you see more images then videos.

My objective when writing this guide was to create something reminiscent of a strategy guide, but just for the combat. Since I've been playing DMC4 for 3 years now, I'm able to provide more information then the Prima Guide ever could on this character.

For those of you who we're wondering, I will be creating a guide for Vergil once Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition gets released on Steam, and we're not too far away! An updated version of this guide will also be available on the "community guides" page the day the Special Edition gets released.

Thanks again to everyone who read through this guide! It took me more then a week to write but it was worth it.

Dante (Myself) - Wrote the guide, took the screenshots, and created the images for each chapter

Hyatt Excell - Recorded the videos in "The Lucifer Glitch" and "Devil Trigger" chapters (Chapters 4 and 9) and also helped me with any questions I had.


Hydris - Read this guide and helped me correct some parts that were incorrect.

Everyone who read this!