In the world of Elden Ring, bows have traditionally served as support weapons, useful for pulling aggro, weakening enemies from a distance, or even farming runes by knocking down unsuspecting birds. However, when you take on the role of the Ironeye in Nightreign, the bow transforms into the core of your gameplay, offering a unique experience distinct from the other eight classes. The Ironeye class is perhaps the closest Nightreign has to a support role, and you can see it in action in the exclusive gameplay video below.
One of the first things you'll notice about the Ironeye is their fragility. While they can wield any weapon, sticking with a bow is crucial to keep a safe distance from combat, as they can't withstand many hits, particularly in the early stages. Thankfully, your starting bow is reliable, delivering solid damage with the Mighty Shot skill, which allows for long-range attacks, increased damage, and additional poise damage.
Bows in Nightreign have undergone significant changes. They now fire faster, and you can move more swiftly while targeting locked-on enemies. Another key improvement is the elimination of the need for arrows, although this means you're limited to the arrow type your bow comes with. This change is particularly beneficial in boss fights, removing the worry of running out of ammunition. Additional enhancements include a new animation for shooting arrows mid-roll, the ability to perform acrobatic maneuvers like running up walls and shooting arrows for style, and the option to aim without switching to first-person mode, all while moving faster. The strong attack now fires a spread of three arrows, capable of hitting multiple enemies, and you can even backstab or perform visceral attacks on downed foes with an arrow. These updates make the bow a formidable primary weapon, addressing the gaps that made it less viable in base Elden Ring.
The Ironeye's primary skill, Marking, is a swift dagger dash that pierces through enemies, leaving them marked for increased damage from all sources. With a short cooldown, this skill can be consistently applied to bosses, enhancing your team's effectiveness. It also serves as a valuable mobility tool, allowing you to escape dangerous situations by passing through enemies.
The Ironeye's ultimate, Single Shot, is a potent, single-arrow attack. While it requires some time to charge, you're invulnerable during the animation, and the shot can deal massive damage, penetrating through multiple enemies, making it ideal for clearing groups.
What truly sets the Ironeye apart in a team setting is their ability to revive allies from a distance. In Nightreign, reviving an ally involves clearing a partitioned circle above their downed character by attacking them. While most classes must risk getting close or use valuable resources to revive, the Ironeye can do so safely and without expending any resources. This capability can be crucial in determining the success of a run. However, reviving becomes more challenging as the number of partitions increases with each ally's death, and the Ironeye struggles to clear all three parts without using their ultimate.
Though the Ironeye may not match the damage output of other classes, their impact on a squad is undeniable. From their marking ability that boosts team damage, to their passive that enhances item discovery, to their effective crowd-clearing ultimate and unique revival method, the Ironeye offers unmatched utility among Nightreign's nightfarers.
