In the expansive world of Elden Ring, the bow typically serves as a supportive tool, used for drawing enemy attention or softening them up before engaging with a primary weapon. However, when you take on the role of the Ironeye in Nightreign, the bow transforms into the central element of your gameplay, offering a unique playstyle that distinguishes itself from the other eight classes in the game. This class embodies the essence of a support role in Nightreign. To witness the Ironeye in action, check out the exclusive gameplay video below.
Playing as the Ironeye, you'll quickly notice that this class is particularly vulnerable. While they can wield any weapon they come across, sticking with a bow is crucial for maintaining distance and avoiding direct combat, as Ironeye can't withstand many hits, especially in the early stages of the game. Fortunately, the starting bow is robust, dealing solid damage and featuring the Mighty Shot skill, which allows you to strike from an impressive distance, inflict additional damage, and apply extra poise damage.
It's important to highlight that the mechanics of bows have been significantly enhanced in Nightreign. Bows now fire at a faster rate, and you can move more swiftly while targeting locked-on enemies. Additionally, the need for a constant supply of arrows has been eliminated, though this means you're limited to the arrow type your weapon is equipped with. This change is a significant advantage, as you no longer have to worry about running out of arrows during critical moments like boss fights. Other enhancements include a new animation for shooting arrows mid-roll, the ability to perform acrobatic moves like wall-running and shooting, and the option to remain in third-person view while aiming, which increases your movement speed. The strong attack now releases a spread of three arrows, capable of hitting multiple enemies, and you can even execute backstabs or visceral attacks on downed foes with an arrow. These improvements make the bow a formidable primary weapon in Nightreign, addressing the shortcomings it had in base Elden Ring.
As the Ironeye, your primary skill is Marking, a swift dagger dash that pierces through enemies, leaving a mark that amplifies damage from all sources. With a short cooldown, this skill can be continuously applied to bosses, provided you monitor the debuff's duration. It also serves as an excellent mobility tool, allowing you to evade danger by passing through enemies.
The Ironeye's ultimate ability, Single Shot, is a powerful, single-arrow attack that significantly enhances the Mighty Shot's capabilities. It requires time to charge, but you're invulnerable during this period. Once fired, it delivers massive damage and can penetrate through multiple enemies, making it ideal for clearing groups.
What truly sets the Ironeye apart in team scenarios is their ability to revive allies from a safe distance. In Nightreign, reviving a fallen teammate involves depleting a segmented circle above their character by attacking them. While most classes must risk close combat or expend resources to revive, the Ironeye can do so safely and resource-free from afar. This ability can be crucial for a team's success, though it becomes challenging when multiple segments need to be cleared, as the Ironeye's ranged damage may not suffice unless their ultimate is used specifically for revival.
Despite not being the highest damage dealers, Ironeye's presence in a squad is invaluable. Their marking skill enhances team damage, their passive increases item drops for all, their ultimate clears mobs efficiently, and their unique revival method offers unmatched utility among Nightreign's classes.
