If you’ve ever tried using a bow in a FromSoftware game, you probably know the pain: bows can feel underwhelming or situational at best. But in Elden Ring Nightreign, the newest “Nightfarer” revealed—The Iron Eye—might just change that perception. Armed with a bow and dexterity-based weapons, the Iron Eye promises devastating ranged firepower and a fresh way to support your party as you take on Nightreign’s deadly runs.
The Archer You Didn’t See in the Beta
Unlike the full-on open world of Elden Ring, Nightreign adopts a more streamlined roguelite approach. You pick a class (or “Nightfarer”) each session and level them up on the fly. The Iron Eye was conspicuously absent in the beta, but this new trailer shows us exactly what the archer can do—ranging from stealthy ambushes to staggering bosses from afar, buying your teammates precious seconds to deal massive damage up close.
Powerful Crits and Tactical Utility
One highlight is the Iron Eye’s ability to score big damage through perfectly timed backshots, effectively performing a backstab with a bow. Quick movements, plus these surprise hit-and-run tactics, help the Iron Eye maintain a safe distance while still landing impactful crits. The class even has an ultimate skill that fires a colossal arrow, piercing multiple targets and leaving a whirlwind effect to mop up stragglers—an especially handy trick when mobs line up or cluster together.
If enemies spread out, though, don’t worry: the Iron Eye has wide-angle arrow attacks to cover multiple foes in an arc. And while each class can technically wield any weapon in Nightreign, it’s clear this one is all about the bow.
Flaming Arrows and Elemental Effects
We also see the Iron Eye shooting flaming arrows—because, really, who doesn’t love setting things on fire? This suggests you’ll be able to apply additional elemental or status effects to your shots as you progress.
Rethinking Your Weapon Choices
All of this might tempt even die-hard fans of big swords and heavy hammers to give archery a spin. Traditional FromSoftware games—Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro, and the base Elden Ring—are rarely kind to bow enthusiasts, but Nightreign finally offers a reason to hang back and pick off foes from distance. Whether you’re a longtime ranger aficionado or just want to try a new combat style, the Iron Eye class looks poised to shine in co-op runs and boss battles alike.
Thinking about joining the archer ranks? Bows have never looked this good in a Souls-like universe. It just might be time to retire that greatsword—or at least give it a rest—in favor of a quiver full of arrows and some Legolas-worthy acrobatics. For more information head on over to the Nightreign official website.
