While the bow has always been a formidable weapon in *Elden Ring*, it’s typically viewed as a support tool—ideal for pulling aggro, weakening enemies from afar, or even farming runes by repeatedly shooting down that one unfortunate bird. However, in *Nightreign*, the Ironeye class redefines the bow’s role, transforming it from a secondary option into the core of the character’s entire playstyle. This makes the Ironeye one of the most unique classes available, and arguably the closest thing to a dedicated support class within *Nightreign*. You can get a closer look at the Ironeye in action in the exclusive gameplay video below.
One of the first things you’ll notice when playing as the Ironeye is their fragility. While they are capable of wielding any weapon, the class is clearly designed around ranged combat. Staying out of harm’s way with a bow becomes essential, especially early on, as the Ironeye can’t take many hits before going down. Fortunately, their starting bow is more than up to the task—it delivers solid damage and comes equipped with the Mighty Shot skill, allowing you to strike enemies from an extreme distance while also dealing bonus damage and poise disruption.
It's also worth noting that bows have undergone significant improvements in *Nightreign*. They now fire faster and allow for much smoother movement while targeting locked enemies. Gone are the days of managing arrow supplies—you no longer need to carry separate ammunition. While this means you’re limited to the arrow type your weapon provides, it eliminates the risk of running out of arrows mid-boss fight. Additional quality-of-life enhancements include a stylish new roll-shot animation, acrobatic movements like wall-leaping while firing, improved aiming mechanics without the need for first-person mode, and a strong attack that releases a spread of three arrows—perfect for hitting multiple foes at once. Even better, you can perform backstabs or visceral attacks on downed enemies using your bow. All these changes make the bow a far more viable primary weapon compared to the base *Elden Ring* experience.
Ironeye’s Core Abilities
The Ironeye’s signature ability is Marking—a fast, dash-based dagger attack that pierces through enemies and applies a debuff. This mark increases the damage dealt by all sources, making it an invaluable tool for both solo and group play. With a short cooldown, you can keep the effect active on bosses almost constantly, provided you stay mindful of its uptime. Beyond its offensive utility, Marking also doubles as a mobility asset, letting you weave through enemy clusters to escape danger.
The Ironeye’s ultimate, Single Shot, lives up to its name: a single, high-damage arrow strike that pierces everything in its path. Charging the shot grants full invulnerability during the animation, making it safe to use even in dangerous situations. Once released, it can clear groups of enemies in one fell swoop—think of it as Mighty Shot taken to the next level.
A Support Powerhouse in Co-op
Where the Ironeye truly shines is in co-op scenarios, particularly in their ability to revive fallen allies from a safe distance. In *Nightreign*, when a teammate falls, a segmented revival gauge appears above them. By attacking the downed ally, players gradually fill the gauge until they respawn. Most classes must either get dangerously close or expend mana to cast a spell or use an ultimate ability. The Ironeye, however, can perform this vital task from range—and without consuming any resources. This makes them an indispensable squad member, often turning the tide between victory and defeat.
That said, each time an ally falls, another segment is added to their revival gauge. While the Ironeye excels at reviving allies who’ve only gone down once or twice, they struggle to complete a full three-part revival without using their ultimate. Still, their overall utility far outweighs this limitation.
Though the Ironeye may not match the raw damage output of other classes, their value to a team is undeniable. From the Marking ability that boosts party damage, to a passive that increases loot drops, to their crowd-control ultimate and crucial long-range revival skills—the Ironeye brings a level of support and flexibility unmatched by other *Nightreign* classes. Whether you're diving into challenging co-op content or just want to be the glue that holds your squad together, the Ironeye is a standout choice.
