While the bow has always held its ground as a versatile weapon in *Elden Ring*, it's traditionally seen as a support tool—used to pull aggro, weaken enemies from range, or even farm runes by knocking that one annoying bird off a cliff repeatedly. However, with the introduction of the Ironeye class in *Nightreign*, the bow takes center stage and becomes the defining feature of the playstyle. This makes the Ironeye stand out among the other eight classes, offering a gameplay experience that leans more into utility and ranged support than any other.
The first thing you'll notice when playing as the Ironeye is their lack of survivability. While they can technically wield any weapon, the optimal strategy is to stay at a distance and avoid taking hits altogether—especially early on, where just a few blows can quickly end your run. Fortunately, the Ironeye starts with a solid bow that offers decent damage output and comes equipped with the Mighty Shot skill. This allows for long-range attacks with added damage and poise-breaking effects, giving you a strong foundation to work from without ever stepping too close to danger.
It’s also worth noting that bows have undergone significant changes in *Nightreign*. They now fire faster and allow greater mobility while locked onto an enemy. Gone are the days of managing limited arrow supplies—now, arrows are infinite, though you’re bound to the arrow type your bow provides. Additional enhancements include new animations like shooting mid-roll, stylish acrobatics such as wall-jumps followed by shots, improved manual aiming speed without switching to first-person view, spread shots via heavy attack for multi-target engagement, and the ability to perform backstabs or visceral attacks on downed foes using arrows. These updates make the bow a far more viable primary weapon than it was in the base game.
At the core of the Ironeye’s abilities lies Marking—a quick dash attack executed with a dagger that pierces through enemies and applies a debuff. This mark increases damage from all sources on the affected target. With a short cooldown, this skill can be maintained consistently on bosses, provided you're mindful of its duration. It also doubles as a useful escape mechanism, letting you slip through enemies to avoid tight situations.
The Ironeye’s ultimate, Single Shot, delivers a high-damage arrow that pierces straight through enemies. Similar to Mighty Shot but significantly stronger, it requires a brief charge time during which the character remains invulnerable. Once released, it clears out multiple enemies in a line, making it ideal for crowd control and boss fights alike.
Where the Ironeye truly shines is in co-op scenarios, particularly with their unique ability to revive allies from a safe distance. In *Nightreign*, when an ally falls, a segmented revival circle appears above them. By attacking the fallen ally, the circle gradually depletes until they respawn. Most classes must either risk getting close or use mana-heavy spells to revive someone. The Ironeye, however, can perform these revives safely and without resource cost, making them an invaluable team asset. That said, each time an ally falls, an additional segment is added to the revival bar. While the Ironeye can easily handle reviving allies once or twice, bringing someone back after their third fall becomes difficult unless the ultimate is used specifically for that purpose.
Though the Ironeye may not match the raw DPS of other classes, their impact on a squad is undeniable. From the Marking ability that boosts overall team damage, to the passive bonus that increases loot drops, and the powerful area-clearing potential of their ultimate, the Ironeye brings a level of utility that sets them apart. Their standout ability to revive teammates from afar further cements them as one of the most supportive and strategically valuable classes in *Nightreign*.
