Ball & Chain Trooper

Ball & Chain Troopers are recurring enemies in the Legend of Zelda series. They are heavily armored soldiers, equipped with large, spiked balls with a durable chain attached, hence their name. They attack by swinging their weapons around, causing substantial damage to Link should he be hit. Due to the massive amount of damage they cause, Ball & Chain Troopers are infamous and feared enemies in the series.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
A Ball & Chain Trooper acts as the guardian of Princess Zelda's cell in Hyrule Castle. It can be defeated either by being stunned with the Boomerang and struck with Link's sword, or with the pots found in a nearby cell.

Ball and Chain Troopers appear as regular enemies after this. Both regular and golden armored Ball and Chain Troopers are encountered in Hyrule Castle Tower.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Only one Ball and Chain Trooper can be found. It guards a Golden Leaf in Kanalet Castle.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
Ball & Chain Troopers look and act the same as they do in Link's Awakening. They appear more frequently, but they are still quite rare. Also, they are drawn in by the Magnetic Gloves, allowing for an easy kill if they can be pulled toward a pit.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords
Ball & Chain Troopers reappear once again. Link must dodge their huge ball and chains that they swing around in an attempt to hit him.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures
There are two types of Ball & Chain Trooper. The first type simply swings its weapon in a circle, while the second throws its ball & chain directly at Link. Both types are much larger than their previous incarnations. Sometimes, the ball of the ball & chain is lit on fire, drawing a circle of fire around the trooper. If Link is hit by their weapon, he is sent flying across the screen and takes immense damage. A single Ball & Chain trooper is first encountered in Hyrule Castle and others are seen occasionally throughout the game.

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Ball & Chain Troopers can be found in the Palace of Winds and in Dark Hyrule Castle. Again, they are one of the most dangerous enemies in the game. To defeat them, Link must dodge their whirling artillery and strike their bodies. Performing a Downward Thrust with the Roc's Cape is also effective. Link takes one heart damage every time he is hit by the ball.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past manga
In the A Link to the Past manga, Link kills a Ball & Chain trooper by throwing a pot at it and knocking its helmet off, releasing the evil energies inside.