Iron Knuckle
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An Iron Knuckle (アイアンナック Aiannakku?) is an 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 labrys.
[edit] Zelda II: Adventure of Link
The Iron Knuckle first appeared in The 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 throw swords. 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. These mounted Blue Iron Knuckles were also known as Rebo Knuckles or Rebonacks (from the Japanese rebonakku, whereas Iron Knuckle is aiannakku), and were treated as bosses or mini-bosses.
[edit] Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask
In both Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, Iron Knuckles attacked with a monstrous axe that did massive damage to Link (four hearts worth to be exact). This axe, however, is fairly slow and can sometimes get stuck in the ground for a few seconds, giving Link a better chance at a counterattack. His swings would also destroy stone pillars in the rooms where he was encountered, which would in turn drop hearts for Link. However, if Link has full hearts, three green rupees will drop, which is of much lesser worth. 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. After losing its armor, the Iron Knuckle would become vulnerable to arrows, which would simply bounce off it before.
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. It guarded the Silver Gauntlets.
- 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 her 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 her attack and the music starts up again.
- The last two are obstacles in Ganon's Castle, one in white and the other in black. One can wake both at the same time, or each separately.
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, and at the entrance to Ganon's Castle.
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 armour, whereas Darknuts are some type of creature (depicted as man or beast, depending on the game) wearing a suit of armor. In addition Onox is very similar in appearance to Iron Knuckles.
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