To survive in the harsh world of Game of Thrones, one should be able to defend oneself well. For example, with a sword. In this list, we reveal who masters this art the best.
What was the ranking based on? In Westeros and Essos, there are numerous good fighters. Especially in the books, legendary warriors are sometimes only mentioned in passing. To make a selection, we limit this ranking to characters who:
- are seen in the series.
- primarily fight with a sword.
As a result, characters like Robert Baratheon, Khal Drogo, Oberyn Martell, Gerold Dayne, or Garlan Tyrell unfortunately did not make it into this list.
Many characters also experience development during the series. To compare strength, we refer to the peak of their abilities under optimal circumstances.
Spoiler warning: To explain the ranking, some events from the books and the series will be spoiled.
Place 10: Bronn
Bronn did not receive the combat training of a lord. Nevertheless, he is an opponent who should not be underestimated. As a mercenary, he has learned to assert himself and survive in the harsh world. In duels, he does not shy away from dishonorable tricks as long as it brings him victory. He is also very nimble and prefers to fight without heavy armor and shield to remain agile.
Especially iconic is his duel against the knight Ser Vardis Egen in the “Trial by Combat”, where he proves his skill and saves Tyrion from a conviction.
He is also knighted, receives the title “Lord of Highgarden” along with a castle, and becomes Master of Coin – not bad for a mercenary without noble heritage.
Place 9: Arya Stark
Arya has always preferred to be a knight rather than a fine lady. Although she does not achieve it directly, she still learns incredibly impressive skills. Especially with her sword “Needle”, one of the few and very valuable swords made of Valyrian steel, she knows how to handle.
Through her training as a Faceless One, she learned to act from the shadows. Her strengths are agility, flexibility, and cunning. She could potentially kill any candidate on this list – but not in a fair duel. She mainly lacks strength and combat experience due to her young age.
Place 8: Loras Tyrell
Ser Loras Tyrell is also known as the “Knight of Flowers”. However, one should not be deceived by this nice title. With a sword in hand, he can be extremely deadly.
Especially in the books, it becomes clear how great his skill in battle really is. It is even rumored that he is a better swordsman than Jaime Lannister and Gregor Clegane. However, this is never confirmed. He does defeat Jaime once – but it is during a joust.
Another testament to Loras’ skills is his position as a member of the Kingsguard. Only seven knights are honored with the privilege of wearing the white cloak. And of course, only the best and most capable warriors of the realm are chosen for this.
