Elden Ring: Nightreign - Ironeye Preview - IGN First

While the bow has always held its own as a versatile weapon in *Elden Ring*, it's typically seen more as a support tool—ideal for pulling aggro, softening enemies before melee engagement, or farming runes from that one easily knocked-off ledge bird. But with the introduction of the Ironeye class in *Nightreign*, the bow transforms into the core mechanic of the character’s entire playstyle. This makes the Ironeye stand out among the nine available classes, offering a gameplay experience that leans closer to a dedicated support role than any other.

One of the first things you’ll notice when playing as the Ironeye is their fragility. While they can technically wield any weapon, the class is clearly designed around ranged combat, encouraging players to stay at a safe distance. Close-quarters combat is risky, especially early on, so keeping your bow equipped becomes essential. Fortunately, the Ironeye starts with a solid bow that features the Mighty Shot ability—an attack that not only deals strong damage from extreme range but also adds bonus poise damage, making it effective against even the toughest foes.

Bows have undergone significant improvements in *Nightreign*. They fire faster and allow for smoother movement while locked onto enemies. Gone are the days of managing arrow supplies—players no longer need to carry separate ammunition, though this means you’re limited to the arrow type your bow provides. Additional quality-of-life changes include new animations like shooting mid-roll, wall-running acrobatics, faster aiming movement without switching to first-person, and a charged attack that fires three arrows at once. You can even perform backstabs or visceral attacks on downed enemies using your bow. These enhancements make the bow feel more powerful and viable as a primary weapon compared to the base game.

The Ironeye’s signature skill is Marking—a fast, dash-based dagger strike that passes through enemies, leaving behind a damaging debuff. This effect boosts damage dealt by all allies, and thanks to its short cooldown, it can be maintained consistently on bosses. Beyond its utility, Marking also doubles as an excellent mobility tool, letting you weave through enemy groups to reposition safely.

For their ultimate ability, Ironeye wields Single Shot—a high-damage, fully invulnerable attack that pierces through multiple enemies in a straight line. Essentially an upgraded version of Mighty Shot, it’s perfect for clearing groups or delivering a decisive blow to a boss after charging up safely from afar.

Where the Ironeye truly shines in a squad setting is their unique ability to revive fallen allies from a distance. In *Nightreign*, ally revival works by filling a segmented circle above downed characters. By attacking them, you gradually deplete the segments until the ally revives. Most classes must risk getting close or spend resources to revive from range, but the Ironeye can do so safely and without mana cost. This makes them incredibly valuable in team play, often turning the tide between success and failure.

That said, each time an ally falls, another segment is added to the revival bar. While the Ironeye handles single or double faints well, reviving someone who’s been downed three times becomes difficult without using their ultimate ability. Still, their overall utility remains unmatched. From boosting item discovery rates and enhancing team damage through marking, to efficient crowd control and reliable long-range revives, the Ironeye brings a level of strategic depth and support power that few other classes can match.