Elden Ring: Nightreign - Ironeye Hands-On Preview - IGN

While the bow has long been a reliable tool in *Elden Ring*, it’s typically played second fiddle to melee weapons—used for kiting, drawing aggro, or landing that perfect snipe to trigger a fall damage kill for easy rune farming. But in *Nightreign*, the Ironeye class flips the script entirely. Here, the bow isn’t just a side option; it’s the core of your combat identity. Playing as the Ironeye offers a unique, ranged-focused experience unlike any of the other eight classes, positioning itself as the closest thing to a dedicated support class the game has to offer. Check out the exclusive gameplay video below to see the Ironeye in action.

One of the first things you’ll notice when stepping into the Ironeye’s boots is their fragility. This class isn’t built to tank hits—just a few enemy strikes can take you down, especially in the early game. That makes staying at a distance not just a playstyle choice, but a survival necessity. Fortunately, your starting bow is more than up to the task. It delivers solid damage and comes equipped with Mighty Shot, a powerful skill that lets you strike from extreme range, deal bonus damage, and even chip away at enemy poise—making it a versatile tool for controlling the battlefield.

Bows in *Nightreign* have undergone a major overhaul, making them far more dynamic and viable as primary weapons. They fire faster, allow for smoother movement while locked on, and—best of all—no longer require arrow ammo. You won’t need to manage inventory space or fear running dry during a boss fight. The trade-off is that you’re locked into the arrow type your bow provides, but the freedom of unlimited shots more than compensates. New quality-of-life improvements elevate the archery experience: you can fire an arrow mid-roll for quick repositioning, perform stylish acrobatics like wall-running and leaping into a mid-air shot, aim manually without switching to first-person, and move faster while aiming. The heavy attack fires a spread of three arrows, perfect for hitting multiple foes, and yes—you can now perform backstabs or visceral attacks with an arrow on downed enemies. Every limitation that once held bows back in base *Elden Ring* has been addressed, making archery a fully fleshed-out combat system in *Nightreign*.

The Ironeye’s signature ability, Marking, is a swift dashing dagger strike that pierces through enemies, leaving behind a mark that amplifies damage from all sources. With a very short cooldown, this skill can be maintained almost constantly on bosses, turning the Ironeye into a force multiplier. It’s also a fantastic mobility tool, letting you dash through enemies to escape danger or reposition safely.

The Ironeye’s ultimate, Single Shot, lives up to its name. A charged, high-impact arrow that renders you invulnerable during the animation, it fires a devastating projectile that pierces through enemies in a straight line—ideal for clearing groups or finishing off a tough foe. It’s essentially Mighty Shot cranked up to eleven.

Where the Ironeye truly shines, however, is in team play. Their ability to revive downed allies from a safe distance is a game-changer. In *Nightreign*, reviving a fallen teammate involves depleting a segmented revival meter above their body by attacking it. Most classes must risk exposure by closing in, or spend precious mana on spells. The Ironeye, however, can chip away at this meter with ranged attacks—no cost, no risk. This makes them an invaluable asset in high-pressure situations. The only caveat? Each time an ally falls, an additional segment is added to the meter. While the Ironeye handles single or double faints with ease, reviving someone on their third collapse becomes a challenge due to limited burst damage—unless you’re willing to use your ultimate for the job.

Though the Ironeye may not top the damage charts, their battlefield presence is undeniable. Between the damage-boosting Mark ability, a passive that increases loot drops for the entire squad, area-clearing ultimate potential, and unmatched safe revival mechanics, the Ironeye brings a level of utility that few other Nightfarers can match. In the right hands, this class doesn’t just support the team—it empowers it.