Devil May Cry 5 has no balance changes changes from Vanilla to Special Edition. However, the game's performance is significantly better because Special Edition is specifically made for PS5/Xbox Series console:
DMC5 uses Stylish Point to rank up from 7 stages: (1)
The differences starts from Son of Sparda where:
DMC5 introduces two types of resurrection: Gold Orb and Red Orbs (3)
Like every DMC games, DT is an essential part of characters arsenal, mostly because it's a universal part of their abilities. You can use it at anytime, and DT enhancements are unique for each characters. Damage is reduced drastically during in DT mode, and enemy attacks that cause a Regular hit stun no longer affect the characters in DT mode. Although, the DT drain varies. (4)
Super-Costumes offers some changes in gameplay not just the usual the 0-vitality recovery, infinite DT and apperances. It also adds character ability of recovering DT-Gauge while in human which no other game did that. Each character also receives their own unique ability upgrade.
Bloody Palace is similar to DMC4 which has a count down timer during the battle. If the timer reaches zero, the game is over. Defeating enemies adds a small amount of time to the timer. Timer bonuses are also gained for clearing a stage while suffering no damage and by killing enemies when the Stylish rank is high. Bosses appear in Stages 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100. Stage 101 is a battle against Vergil.
Bloody Palace has a floor practice feature which is known as “WARMING UP” It should be noted that you cannot gain any Red Orbs while that feature is enabled. That feature also allows usage of Dr. Faust without losing any Red Orbs. (5)