Iron Knuckle

This article is about the enemy. For the boss from The Adventure of Link, see Ironknuckle (Boss).

The Iron Knuckle is a recurring enemy in the series. They are most notable for being one of the most challenging enemies.

Appearances

The Adventure of Link

Iron Knuckles come in three variations in The Adventure of Link. The orange variation is encountered as early as the first dungeon and is a fairly difficult enemy at that point.

Later, red Iron Knuckles replace the orange ones. They are the same as orange Iron Knuckles except they have more health and are more aggressive; they also appear when you stab certain Iron Knuckle statues.

The Blue Iron Knuckle is the most difficult variation; it has the most health, is the most aggressive, and shoots sword beams much like Link can when he has full health, but health has no affect with these enemies' sword beams. A blue Iron Knuckle on horseback later appears as a boss then a mini boss.

Ocarina of Time

		Iron Knuckle Watch out for its ax attack! It hurts a lot! Strike when it drops its guard!

These behemoth warriors clad in armor are quite the force to be reckoned with. Their powerful ax can take a good chunk out of your life in a single swing. The best method is to lure them to attack, then rush in and get a hit between strikes. Bombs and Bombchus can damage them too, but it's harder for the second part of the fight. Halfway through the battle, they lose a layer of armor and run faster, but it also makes them more vulnerable to your sword.

If you can time it well, lure them to attack, jump back, and just as they are finishing their attack, use a Jump Attack to deal lots of damage before they can retaliate. Use the Deku Stick + Jump Attack combo or the Biggoron's Sword to deal with these enemies quickly. If you're having trouble with them, use Nayru's Love to become invincible for a short period of time; unfortunately they still knock you over when you get hit, but you will not lose any life this way.

Nabooru as an Iron Knuckle

		Iron Knuckle Something's strange... This is not an ordinary enemy!

The Iron Knuckle just before the boss of the Spirit Temple is actually Nabooru, after the Twinrova have brainwashed her.

Majora's Mask

		You know about the Iron Knuckle, right? Stay away from its ax attack, then look for a chance to retaliate.

There are only two Iron Knuckles in Majora's Mask. The first can be found Beneath the Graveyard, guarding Flat's tomb. There, Link can learn the Song of Storms. The second is on the Moon, after Link speaks with the Moon Child that is wearing Twinmold's Remains. The Iron Knuckles in this game look and behave almost exactly as they do in Ocarina of Time,

Being Young Link, another way to defeat them is to get right next to one and attack while defending (doesn't work if Z-targeting). when doing this, it's horizontal slashes should go right over Link's head; when it swings straight down, just simply take a few steps around it, guard, and keep attacking. Once you knock off a piece of it's armor and it starts charging at you, just stay where you're at and keep attacking while defended in it's direction (you should hit it right as it goes to attack). The Bunny Hood is recommended, but not necessary.

Gallery

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  Iron Knuckle Artwork (Nintendo Power) from The Adventure of Link

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  Orange Iron Knuckle Sprite from The Adventure of Link

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  Red Iron Knuckle Sprite from The Adventure of Link

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  Blue Iron Knuckle Sprite from The Adventure of Link

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  Iron Knuckle Artwork from Ocarina of Time