Iron Knuckle (Boss)

This page is about the Boss named "Iron Knuckle". For the enemy of the same name, see Iron Knuckle. Also not to be confused with Rebonack, the Iron Knuckle Boss in The Adventure of Link.

Iron Knuckles are recurring Sub-Bosses in The Legend of Zelda series.^[1]

Characteristics

Iron Knuckles are large, heavily armored knights, equipped with huge axes capable of dealing 4 Hearts of damage to Link, making them among the most dangerous enemies in the Zelda series. Iron Knuckles wear a cloth tunic bearing Gerudo symbols in both Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. Though quite similar to Darknuts, Iron Knuckles are less common across the series, and usually play the role of stoic guardians as opposed to the more aggressive behavior of a Darknut. The main difference, however, is that they do not share a Darknut's traditional weakness to attacks from behind. These foes are dueling elites, incorporating much of the same swordplay techniques that Link does during battle to great effect. These knights are also known for their unmatched defensive capabilities and long vitality. Their armor allows them to take many hits, but their slow attacks leave them open to retaliation.^[2] The armor of Iron Knuckles can be damaged and removed with Sword swings, Bombs, Bombchus, or the Megaton Hammer. Once part of their armor is removed, they become enraged and move quicker, but are then weak to Arrows, opening up the opportunity long-range attacks.

Ocarina of Time

Navi's Comment:

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

Navi's Comment:

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

Iron Knuckles appear in the Spirit Temple and Ganon's Castle in Ocarina of Time. They are Gerudo warriors covered in armor.^[3] The first one that Link encounters is found at the end of the Spirit Temple when Link is a child. After defeating the Iron Knuckle, Link can proceed outside to receive the Silver Gauntlets from a Treasure Chest. Once Link returns to the Spirit Temple as an adult, he will again encounter an Iron Knuckle in an identical room on the opposite side of the Spirit Temple. Once defeated, Link can proceed outside to receive the Mirror Shield from a Treasure Chest. A special Iron Knuckle also appears directly before the fight against Twinrova. However, this Iron Knuckle is actually Nabooru brainwashed by Twinrova to fight Link in Iron Knuckle armor.^[4] It has the ability to instantly counterattack in the event Link hits it from behind. After defeating Nabooru as an Iron Knuckle, Link can walk directly into the boss room. Link also encounters a pair of Iron Knuckles while ascending the tower of Ganon's Castle.

An Iron Knuckle also appears in the Fire Temple and the Gerudo Training Ground in Master Quest.

Majora's Mask

Tatl's Comment:

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

It's an Iron Knuckle. Stay away from its axe attack, then look for a chance to retaliate. ^(MM3D)"

Three Iron Knuckles appear in Majora's Mask. Two of them are found within tombs of the Ikana Graveyard, with one on the First Day and one on the Second Day. One is guarding the resting place of Flat and the other is guarding a Piece of Heart. The third Iron Knuckle can be found in the Link Dungeon inside the Moon during the hide-and-seek game played by Link while in his normal Hylian form. They are more aggressive than they are in Ocarina of Time.

In addition, a gold suit of Iron Knuckle armor can be seen on display in the Curiosity Shop. This armor is used as a peep hole from the back room where Kafei spies on the Curiosity Shop's dealings. This armor wields a sword instead of an ax.

Other Appearances

The Wand of Gamelon

Non-Canon Information

An Iron Knuckle appears as the second Boss. He is located in Tykogi Tower, where he had imprisoned the residents of Sakado, including Mayor Cravendish and Harbanno the baker.^[5] After freeing Harbanno, Princess Zelda confronts the Iron Knuckle atop the Tower. Upon his defeat, he breaks apart and reveals a beating Life Heart. Two Armos witness his death and quickly decide to leave. Princess Zelda then rescues Mayor Cravendish shortly after. The Iron Knuckle's sole weakness is to the Power Glove, which defeats him in a single strike.

-

An Iron Knuckle appears as one of Ganondorf's minions after Stalllord the Stalfos reports to the King of Evil that Link has the Master Sword. Later, it tries to execute Ingo for failing to give Epona, but he is brainwashed by the Twinrova witches instead.

Trivia

When taking the camera into the helmet of one of the Iron Knuckles in both Majora's Mask and Ocarina of Time, you will find the head of a Gerudo. This is actually a leftover of what was the head of Nabooru until it was changed later in development. The head was removed from the models in the 3DS remakes in-game, but still lies in their model files.

Nomenclature

Names in Other Regions
Language		Name	Meaning
	Japanese	アイアンナック (Aian Nakku)	Iron Nakku
	Chinese^SI	铁甲武士 (Tiějiǎ Wǔshì)	Armored Warrior
	French	Hache-Viande	Meat Grinder
	French^CA	Poing de fer ^{(OoT3D \| MM3D)}
	German	Eisenprinz ^{(OoT \| MM)}	Iron Prince
	Italian	Guerriero d'acciaio ^{(OoT \| OoT3D \| MM \| MM3D)}	Iron Warrior
	Spanish	Nudillo de Hierro
	Spanish^LA	Nudillo de hierro ^{(OoT3D \| MM3D)}

Gallery

Artwork of Nabooru as an Iron Knuckle from Ocarina of Time
An early design of an Iron Knuckle from Ocarina of Time
The Iron Knuckle from the Link Dungeon after losing its first layer of armor from Majora's Mask 3D
The armor of an Iron Knuckle in the Curiosity Shop from Majora's Mask
An Iron Knuckle about to execute Ingo for his failure to give Epona to Ganondorf in the The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Himekawa)

References

↑ Encyclopedia (Dark Horse Books) pg. 186 ^{(OoT | MM)}
↑ "You know about the Iron Knuckle, right? Stay away from its ax attack, then look for a chance to retaliate." — Tatl (Majora's Mask)
↑ Encyclopedia (Dark Horse Books) pg. 214
↑ "By the way... I really messed up... I was brainwashed by those old witches and used by Ganondorf to do his evil will..." — Nabooru (Ocarina of Time)
↑ "Oh dear! It looks like everyone has been taken to Tykogi Tower!" — Impa (The Wand of Gamelon)