Elden Ring: Nightreign - Ironeye Preview - IGN First

In Elden Ring, the bow typically serves as a support weapon, useful for pulling enemy attention, weakening foes from a distance, or farming runes by causing specific enemies like birds to fall to their doom. However, in Nightreign, playing as the Ironeye class transforms the bow into the core of your gameplay, offering a unique experience distinct from the other eight classes. The Ironeye class is the closest Nightreign has to a support role. Dive deeper into the Ironeye experience with the exclusive gameplay video below.

One of the first things you'll notice about the Ironeye class is its fragility. While they can wield any weapon they find, sticking to the bow is advisable to keep a safe distance from combat, as they can't withstand many hits, especially in the early stages of the game. Thankfully, the starting bow is reliable, offering solid damage and the Mighty Shot skill, which enables you to attack from an impressive range, deal additional damage, and inflict extra poise damage.

Nightreign has significantly revamped how bows function. They now shoot faster, and you can move more quickly while targeting locked-on enemies. A key change is the removal of the need for arrow supplies; however, this means you're limited to the arrow type your bow comes equipped with. This change alleviates the worry of running out of arrows, especially during intense boss fights. Other enhancements include a new animation for shooting arrows during rolls, the ability to perform acrobatic maneuvers like running up walls and shooting mid-leap, the option to aim in third-person mode with increased mobility, a strong attack that fires a spread of three arrows capable of hitting multiple enemies, and the ability to execute backstabs or visceral attacks on downed enemies with arrows. These improvements make the bow a viable primary weapon in Nightreign, unlike in the base Elden Ring.

As an Ironeye in Nightreign, the bow isn't just a tool; it's your lifeline. The class's main skill, Marking, is a swift dashing dagger attack that pierces through enemies and leaves a mark that amplifies damage from all sources. With a short cooldown, you can keep this debuff active on a boss if you're attentive. It also serves as an excellent mobility tool, allowing you to pass through enemies to escape dangerous situations.

The Ironeye's ultimate, Single Shot, is a powerful, concentrated attack. It's essentially a supercharged version of Mighty Shot. While it takes time to charge, you're invulnerable during the animation, and once fired, it delivers significant damage, penetrating through multiple enemies, making it ideal for clearing groups.

The Ironeye truly excels in team play due to their unique ability to revive allies safely from a distance. In Nightreign, reviving an ally involves clearing a partitioned circle above their downed character. While most classes must risk close combat or use precious resources like mana or their ultimate to revive, the Ironeye can do so safely without expending any resources. This ability can be the deciding factor in the success or failure of a run. The challenge arises when an ally needs all three parts of the circle cleared, as the Ironeye's ranged damage may not suffice unless their ultimate is used specifically for revival.

Although the Ironeye may not match the raw damage output of other classes, their utility is unparalleled. From enhancing team damage with Marking, boosting item drops with their passive, clearing mobs with their ultimate, to their unique revival capabilities, the Ironeye is a vital asset to any squad in Nightreign.