Ball and Chain

The Ball and Chain is found in Snowpeak Ruins, the fifth dungeon in Twilight Princess. It is basically a heavy iron ball linked to a chain that Link can use to break his way through icy barriers or inflict heavy damage on tough enemies. The ball and chain is the main weapon of the Darkhammer. Link receives it after he defeats the Darkhammer to obtain the Ordon Goat Cheese for Yeta.

The Ball and Chain is very effective against certain enemies. If Link continues to swing the ball and chain when he is swarmed by Bokoblins, they will simply run into the ball and take heavy damage. Swinging the Ball and Chain does not necessarily stop enemies from attacking Link. Some attacks are timed so they will hit Link instead of the ball. Also, the Ball and Chain can wipe out Stalfos skeletons in a single swing, saving your supply of bombs, blows through the defenses of some monsters, and can kill ReDeads or Chilfos with a throw attack. An additional factor of the Ball and Chain is that when Link holds the ball in his arms, he can point the ball in the direction of enemy attacks to deflect them.

Trivia

 * The Ball and Chain is the only item used to defeat the boss of the Snowpeak Ruins, Blizzeta.
 * The Ball and Chain is an item seen many times before in the The Legend of Zelda series, but Twilight Princess is the first game in which Link can use one. Enemies in past games, called Ball and Chain Troopers, use such a weapon and were usually very difficult to defeat.