Ball and Chain
The Ball & Chain is one of the essential items Link can acquire during his quest after defeating the armor come to life Darkhammer.
This item is incredibly strong and is often associated with completely shattering ice and is the only usable item to defeat Freezard, Blizzeta and one of Zant's mimic forms though in Snowpeak Ruins Freezards can be killed using the cannons featured in the dungeon.
Aside from destroying ice this item acts similarly to a 
Bomb that it can destroy boulders, defeat Beamos, remove wooden bars and is incredibly heavy which if held onto can be used to activate switches often associated with
Iron Boots.
The most unique properties of this item is the fact that it can be used as a shield and that it is on a chain so it acts somewhat of a ranged bomb although it pales in comparison to the 
Gale Boomerang's range or bomb arrow combo achieved from the 
Hero's Bow.
The biggest drawback to the item is its range being fairly small however with precise aim it is possible to destroy some obstactles including some underwater.
Trivia
- Although it is incredibly heavy it is possible to hold onto the ball while falling directly down which will make Link sink underwater much more than usual.
Pieces of Heart are considered solid objects the ball can interact with and if the ball collides with the heart it will actually be collected by Link.
- If the ball hits a spider web the web will burn away much like if a bomb were used.
- There is a hidden rat in a suit of armor in Hyrule Castle found in the first room with a Darknut.