Ball and Chain

The Ball and Chain is a heavy duty weapon that appears in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Hyrule Warriors and its reissues. The Ball and Chain consists of a heavy metal ball attached to a long chain, similar to a. Ball and Chain Troopers carry a generic ball and chain, and use it as their weapon.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, the Ball and Chain is the main item found at Snowpeak Ruins. The Ball and Chain is at first used by Darkhammer, who uses it to fight Link. It is the only other weapon besides the Gale Boomerang to first be used by a mini-boss before Link obtains it. During the battle, Darkhammer rapidly swings around the Ball and Chain and tries to smash Link with it. Each time Link is hit by the Ball and Chain, he loses a heart of his health. Each time Darkhammer throws the Ball and Chain, he takes a short pause, giving Link a chance to strike him. Once Darkhammer is defeated, his Ball and Chain is dropped behind, and Link obtains it.

When using the Ball and Chain, Link rapidly swings it around, and he can throw it in front of him. This way, Link can shatter ice blocks and boulders in his path. The Ball and Chain can also knock down chandeliers, allowing Link to use them as temporary platforms to reach higher areas. The Ball and Chain can defeat most enemies, even Redead Knights, Freezards, and Chilfos. Like the Iron Boots, the Ball and Chain's weight causes Link to move slow, although it can allow him to withstand strong winds. The Ball and Chain is used in the boss fight against Blizetta. Much later, at Hyrule Castle, Link can destroy the Bulblins' watchtowers with either the Ball and Chain or by charging into them with a Bullbo.

Hyrule Warriors
In Hyrule Warriors and its reissues, the Ball and Chain is one of Link's weapons. It is used in conjunction with the Silver Gauntlets as Link's default Level 1 Gauntlets. The Level 2 Gauntlets feature a spiked golden Ball and Chain in conjunction with the Golden Gauntlets. His Level 3 Gauntlets feature a Chain Chomp being used like a Ball and Chain in conjunction with the Power Gloves. His 8-Bit Gauntlets feature an 8-Bit Raft being used as a Ball & Chain in conjunction with the 8-Bit Power Bracelets.

By combining the heavy Ball and Chain with his strength enhancing Gauntlets, many of the weapon's drawbacks are removed and its weight does not hinder Link's movement.