Summary

  • Oberyn Martell, The Red Viper, was a skilled spearman who outpaced The Mountain but fell due to one misstep.
  • The Mountain, a ruthless knight with immense strength, transformed into an undead monster after facing Oberyn Martell.
  • Arya Stark, from a little girl seeking vengeance, became a skilled fighter capable of taking on hordes of undead.

Game of Thrones is one of the most incredible fantasy series ever made, telling the fantastical story of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. The winding scope of the Seven Kingdoms is a vast story that crosses over between mystery, horror, and action. As crowns change hands and swords swing freely, violence envelopes the realm. Game of Thrones is a bloody and brutal series that never fails to entertain.

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The series is littered with mighty warriors who are said to be the strongest in the land. While many knights and sellswords claim the title, only a small few have names that are remembered in the series. Here are some of the best fighters in Game of Thrones, ranked by their skill and strength.

8 Oberyn Martell

The Red Viper Of Dorne

oberyn-martell-spear-game-of-thrones Cropped
  • First Appearance: Season 4 Episode 1

Oberyn Martell was a calm and collected man who carried himself with all the dignity and class that Dorne had to offer, which eclipsed the arrogant nobles of King's Landing. First appearing in Game of Thrones season four, Oberyn had his time to shine in the fourth episode of the season while serving as Tyrian Lannister's champion and facing off against the Mountain.

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Known as the Red Viper, Oberyn was an expert spearman with incredible speed, reflexes, and agility. In his fight with The Mountain, he outpaced the behemoth and brought him to his knees. Had it not been for one misstep, he would have walked away as the victor and with his head.

7 Sir Gregor Mountain

The Monster Of King's Landing

The Mountain and Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones
  • First Appearance: Season 1 Episode 4

The Mountain served as an ominous presence, stomping around the roads of King's Landing as a brutal and ruthless knight with unimaginable strength in the beginning seasons of Game of Thrones. Sir Gregor was known for his colossal size and possessing the strength of fifty men, who could cleave a tree in half wth a single swing. While lacking expertise, The Mountain was a master of violence, becoming fluent as a child.

Throughout the series, The Mountain started as a man but finished as a monster after being grievously wounded by Oberyn Martell. Undergoing a transformation that turned him into a decaying husk who could no longer feel pain or speak, he was an unstoppable undead creature.

6 Sandor Celgane The Hound

Equal Portions Of Bite And Bark

Game of Thrones, The Hound
  • First Appearance: Season 1 Episode 1

Sir Sandor Clegane was the younger brother of The Mountain and an equally dangerous and ruthless fighter. While much smaller and much more reserved than his brother, Sandor was not to be trifled with as he could cut a room full of men down bare-handed and starved.

The Hound's presence seemed to be to keep his brother in check from time to time, but as the situation grew more dire in King's Landing, he abandoned his post and escaped with Arya Stark. The Hound has had numerous bouts throughout the series, proving that his skill with a sword is a cut above the rest.

5 Jon Snow

The White Wolf Of Winterfell

Game of Thrones Season 6 Jon Snow
  • First Appearance: Season 1 Episode 1

Jon Snow could be considered the main character of Game of Thrones. Starting as a Thane to Ned Stark and his children, Jon was initially revealed to be a bastard from Ned Stark's past, but in truth, he was a Targaryen born of royal blood. In Game of Thrones, Jon's story takes place mostly beyond the Wall as a member of the Night's Watch.

While he was always a capable fighter, Jon would be forged through combat into an expert leader and swordsman as a member of the Knights Watch. Having faced the undead, dragons, and entire armies, Jon Snow has more than proved his mettle as one of the best fighters in the show.

4 Arya Stark

The Little Wolf

GoT Arya Stark
  • First Appearance: Season 1 Episode 1

Arya Stark started as a little girl caught in the middle of a slaughter as she was forced to watch the Lannisters tear her family apart. Escaping with The Hound, Arya held on close to her vengeance, and doing so led her to experience the world and grow up fast.

Eventually finding her way to the faceless men, Arya underwent extensive training that turned her from a girl to a dagger in the dark. Arya proved herself a capable fighter during the long night, facing off hordes of undead and even taking on the Night King himself.

3 Brienne Of Tarth

The Mightiest Blade In The Seven Kingdoms

Arya fights Brienne in Game of Thrones
  • First Appearance: Season 2 Episode 3

Brienne of Tarth is one of the most unrelenting fighters in Game of Thrones. From her first appearance, it was proven that she was more than capable of facing any man brave enough to pick up a sword and know no fear but of disrespecting her vows as a knight.

Brienne served many lords during her time, including Caitlyn Stark, when she was charged with finding her daughter. This vow pushed her to clash swords with Sandor Clegane, whom she defeated in single combat. Outside of a few veteran swordsmen, no one could hold a candle to Brienne's strength, skill, or drive.

2 Sir Barristan Selmy

The Gold Standard For Every Knight In The Seven Kingdoms

Ser Barristan Selmy in Game of Thrones
  • First Appearance: Season 1 Episode 3

Sir Barristan started as the seasoned leader of the Kingsguard during Robert Baratheon's reign in the early seasons of Game of Thrones. Throughout the entire kingdom, Barristan is known as one of the greatest knights to ever live, so much so that even Jamie Lannister was unsure he could beat him when he had two hands.

Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon and Jon Snow in Game of Thrones.
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Having earned his knighthood during the Targaryens' rule, Sir Barristan served proudly as a knight for over forty years, seeing hundreds of duels and battles with barely a scratch to show for it.

1 Sir Arthur Dayne

The Greatest Swordsman To Ever Live

Ser Arthur Dayne in Game of Thrones.
  • First Appearance: Season 6 Episode 3

Sir Arthur Dayne was a noble and honorable knight who served under Aerys Targaryen, one of the only Dornish men to do so. As the pride of the house of Dane, Arthur shone brightly on and off the battlefield. Having inherited his house's hopes and the ancestral sword Dawn, he was known as the Sword of Morning.

Unmatched in swordsmanship, Arthur Dane cut down dozens of men who thought themselves capable of taking his head. With a unique dual sword style, Arthur could completely overwhelm his opponents with speed and a flurry of strikes.

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First TV Show
Game Of Thrones
Latest TV Show
House of the Dragon
First Episode Air Date
April 17, 2011
Where to watch
HBO Max
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