Iron Knuckle

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Iron Knuckle is a type of enemy in The Legend of Zelda video game series. A massive armored foe, they are often confused with the similar Darknut and Armos. Although they wielded swords and shields in the earlier games they now typically appear armed with a large double-sided labrys.

[edit] Zelda II: Adventure of Link

The Iron Knuckle first appeared in Adventure of Link in three colors - orange, red, and blue, in order of difficulty. Each is armed with a sword and shield, and able to block attacks. They are often considered the toughest non-boss enemy in the game, since their swords are quite powerful and their shields are capable of blocking Link's sword from almost any position he can swing from. Additionally, their helmets can successfully deflect most attacks from above.

The stronger Blue Iron Knuckles could fire sword bolts much like the hero of the Zelda series Link. In some instances, they entered battle on a floating metal horse, wielding a lance. After dehorsed, they would behave as slightly stronger versions of the normal Blue Iron Knuckles. Mounted Blue Iron Knuckles were treated as bosses or mini-bosses.

[edit] Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask

See also: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time enemies

In both Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, Iron Knuckles attacked with a monstrous axe that did massive damage to Link. His swings would also destroy stone pillars in the rooms where he was encountered, which would in turn drop hearts for Link. After several blows, the Iron Knuckle's armor would partially fall off and, as a result of losing some of the added weight, give the Knuckle greater mobility.

Link fought a total of five Iron Knuckles as sub-bosses in Ocarina of Time.

• The first was encountered in the Spirit Temple while Link was a child.
• The second Iron Knuckle watches over the Mirror Shield, also kept within the Spirit Temple.
• The third was Nabooru, a female Gerudo who despised the wicked Ganondorf. After being brainwashed by Twinrova, she was encased in an enchanted suit of armor to act as a loyal minion of the King of Evil. Once defeated, the armor falls away and the witches' spell on Nabooru was broken. In a humorous moment, when the Knuckle wakes up, the battle music starts, but it suddenly stops when the Knuckle realizes its axe is missing. She then summons the axe by snapping her fingers causing the axe to materialize in her hand from smoke. After summoning the axe, the Knuckle resumes its attack and the music starts up again.
• The last two are obstacles in Ganon's Castle, one in white and the other in black.

In the alternative version of Ocarina of Time known as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest, another Iron Knuckle is fought inside the Fire Temple.

In Majora's Mask, the Iron Knuckles return, with two guarding separate graves in Ikana's Graveyard and another in the Link Hide-and-Seek Dungeon. Also what appears to be a gold Iron Knuckle's armor is behind the Curiosity Shop's counter.

[edit] Familiar Faces

Iron Knuckles seem to share similarities with several other enemies seen in the Zelda series. The most noticeable are the Darknuts. Both Iron Knuckles and Darknuts are knight-like enemies that wear heavy armor and are incredibly strong and durable. Also, in the 3D Zelda games, players are able to strip the armor off of both enemies (Iron Knuckles shed their armor as they take damage, while Darknut armor can be removed by executing different kinds of parry attacks or attacking from the rear). A key difference between the two enemies (in later Zelda titles) is that Iron Knuckles are often referred to as animated suits of armor, whereas Darknuts, under their armor, are humanoid dogs which resemble the Dobermann Pinscher.

Iron Knuckles also resemble the Armos. Armos are living statues that resemble knight-like creatures, Armos also have a stronger relative known as the Armos Knights. Further building on this comparison are the Dark Knights in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, who wear heavy coats of armor that can be knocked off with carefully-placed attacks.

In addition, the villain Onox is very similar in appearance to an Iron Knuckle.

Enemies in The Legend of Zelda series v • d • e
	Armos · Deku Baba · Floormaster · Iron Knuckle · Keese · Moblin · Octorok · ReDead · Stalfos · Wallmaster · Wizzrobe