While Game of Thrones built its reputation as one of the greatest television shows of all-time through its meticulous plotting, planning, and portrayal of politics, the show remained very much about the violence that spurs these politics forward and the various warriors behind the bloodshed.
From early seasons entries such as Ned Stark and Khal Drogo to late season warriors such as Beric Dondarrion and Zombie Mountain, these are all the greatest fighters of Westeros, ranked.
Given the sheer number of characters, the rankings have been divided into three tiers — the first two in no particular order, with the final tier being ranked in order.
(Disagree with our selections? Yell at us on Twitter!)
Editor’s Note: Ser Arthur Dayne, despite his legend, is not included on this list, as the only time we saw him in combat, he lost.
Tier 3 – Better Than You (No particular order)
HBOJaime Lannister (one hand)
Gendry Baratheon
Euron Greyjoy
Ramsay Bolton
Daario Naharis
Podrick Payne
Stannis Baratheon
Thoros of Myr
Loras Tyrell
Tier 2 – Baddd MFs (No particular order)
HBOGrey Worm
Oberyn Martell
Beric Dondarrion
Jorah Mormont
Robb Stark
Ned Stark
Robert Baratheon
Jaqen H’ghar
Barristan Selmy
Khal Drogo
Tormund Giantsbane
Tier 1 – God Tier (Ordered)
HBO7. Bronn
HBO
Perpetually one of the most underrated warriors on the show, Bronn has always lowkey been one of the baddest dudes in Westeros.
Easily dispatching Ser Vardis Egen (who was, like, House Arryn’s #1 warrior) during Tyrion’s first trial-by-combat, Bronn was also more than ready to shoot the ones with The Hound just prior to the Battle of Blackwater Bay.
Combine that with the fact that he shot a dragon, told Ser Meryn Trant essentially “shut up or I’ll kill you”, and racked up countless bodies during his sellsword past, and you have one of the most subtly dangerous men in Westeros.
6. Jaime Lannister (with two hands)
HBO
Prior to having his hand chopped off for attempting to defend Brienne of Tarth, Jaime Lannister was considered to be one of the most dangerous men and skilled swordsman in the realm.
A member of the Kingsguard for a majority of his life, there was not a single challenger that Jaime would back down from when he was at full strength.
5. Jon Snow
HBO
As Ramsey Bolton tells Jon during their pre-Battle of the Bastards negotiations, word on the street is that Jon Snow is the “greatest swordsman who ever walked”.
And while that may not necessarily be the case, Jon not only has the pedigree of House Stark and Night’s Watch training but the in-battle experience and body count (not to mention a White Walker kill) to legitimize a place in the top 5.
4. The Mountain (Dead or Alive)
HBO
Whether he was dead or alive, the Mountain remained arguably the most-feared figure in all of the Seven Kingdoms. And while he was ultimately undone by poison (a weapon reserved for “women, cravens, and eunuch’s”), he remained as threatening, if not more so, in the afterlife.
3. The Hound
HBO
The Hound killed the Mountain even though he was already dead. Nuff said.
2. Brienne of Tarth
HBO
By the transitive property, Brienne trumps the Mountain and the Hound as she bested the latter in one-on-one combat while he was at the peak of his powers. Not to mention subduing a two-handed Jaime Lannister and countless other dead knights, and various other soldiers under her belt, Brienne of Tarth is the most fearsome warrior in the realm … except for…
1. Arya Stark
HBO
She G-checked Brienne during a training session in season seven. She killed the Waif, the entirety of House Fray, and countless others on her hit list with relative ease. Oh, and she also killed the Night King, who was essentially the emissary of death.
With her combination of quickness, stealth, and sheer technical fighting skill, you’d be hard pressed to find a more well-rounded and dangerous warrior in the realm than Arya Stark.
