Update (July 2026): Since the conclusion of the television series, I have gone back and reworked all of the “Top 10 Warriors of Westeros” posts. What began as a Top 10 has now expanded to a full Top 20 in light of additional material and perspective we gained.
This original Top 10-20 list stays as is for historical purposes, as it has been superseded by the overall new and updated Top 20 ranking. The core arguments and personal opinions remain largely unchanged. With George R.R. Martin’s remaining books still unwritten, these rankings are still a mix of book canon and informed speculation. I’ve simply improved formatting, clarity, spelling, and flow so the series reads better and holds up as a proper archive piece.
The original Top 11-20 is as follows:
I realize that any list put forth is going to be tough and not everyone will agree, but as I stated with my first post in this series about Brynden Tully: that's the fun! There are so many warriors here that I shuffled around my list a number of times before deciding on who I did. So without further delay: warriors #11-20.
#11- Victarion Greyjoy. I actually had him listed in the Top 10, but he didn't survive the final cut-down to 10. He is certainly the most deadly warrior of the Iron Islands. One can easily make the case of Victarion being somewhere between #6 and 10 in the Top Ten. Every time I've read the series I've gotten the feeling that there are not to many people that would want to cross swords with him. He is surprisingly a thinking warrior and not a hulking brute like The Mountain calm off the battlefield and deadly on it.
#12- Ser Garlan Tyrell- Unfortunately I can't place him higher. He is widely acknowledged as one of the finest swordsmen living in the Seven Kingdoms, but we have nothing more to go on. Even his brother, Loras (in talking to Sansa) admits that Garlan is the better swordsman.
#13- Prince Rhaegar Targaryen- Admittedly I had a hard time with him. Prince Rhaegar was apparently a splendid jouster, but when he took the field against Robert on the Trident it was Robert that prevailed; to me looking at this point there is nothing wrong in that combat: Robert in his prime was just that good. Rhaegar represents the unfulfilled promise of many characters in the book (least of all his own) from Cersei, to Lynna Stark to his younger brother Viserys. He is the sum of all of those characters "what might have beens."
#14- The Knight of Flowers- Probably controversial being placed this low, but here's why: if the list was for best jouster and showman then he vaults to the top of the list bar none. But it's not. Loras plays at war and his Grandmother the Queen of Thorns says as much. Despite his bezerk fury at Renly's death Loras can't really be placed higher in my honest opinion. He has flashes of brilliance, but interestingly enough when it comes time to lead in battle he utterly fails a the Siege at Dragonstone.
#15- Qhorin Halfhand- he leads off the "bottle-neck" of northerns on my list. He is probably the best warrior living north of the Neck. Certainly he is the greatest warrior the Black Watch. GRRM loves to parallel characters and stories in the book so it will be interesting to see if Jaime's switch to his opposite hand parallels Qhorin's.
#16- Greatjon Umber- every time I think of Greatjon Umber I get the impression of bezerk fury! At the Red Wedding it takes 8 men to subdue him!
#17- Eddard Stark- Eddard never engages in combat in the series, but he somehow managed to walk out of the Tower of Joy alive one of only two men to do so out of 10 in that epic battle. However, until the details of that fateful encounter are fully known then he's in limbo. He also falls further because GRRM has stated that his brother Brandon was the better warrior.
#18- Brienne of Tarth- well, the warrior maiden is massive and bigger then Jaime, but not quite as large as Ser Gregor. At over 6 feet tall she is worthy of a spot on this list as she has taken out a few bad guys in the series. She does fight Jaime, but then again Jaime wasn't really trying to hurt her either. She almost gets killed by Biter of all characters... that actually hurts her standing in my opinion.
#19- Jon Snow. Like Robb we get the sense that he is good, but we are never sure just how good, at least not yet... Obviously he has outstanding leadership qualities and if this list were for that alone he would be in the top 10. He leads the Black Watch ably, but he is one of those characters that there is more to come namely in A Dance of Dragons.
#20- Robb Stark. We never get a sense of just how good of a warrior he is with a sword, but it's obvious that he is an outstanding leader on the battlefield, too bad his promise is cut short.
Update (July 2026):(Since the conclusion of the television series, I have gone back and reworked all of the “Top Warriors of Westeros” posts. What began as a Top 10 has now expanded to a full Top 20 in light of the additional material and perspective we gained.
With George R.R. Martin’s remaining books still unwritten, these rankings remain a mix of book canon and informed speculation. The core arguments and personal opinions are unchanged, I’ve simply improved formatting, clarity, spelling, and flow so the series reads better and holds up as a proper archive piece.)
The overall Top 20 Greatest Warriors of the Westeros can be found here.
We’ve made it from #10 down to #1 on the list of Greatest Warriors of Westeros, and only one warrior remains. And that one warrior is only told through recollections via the main characters, and interestingly enough, by two of the main antagonists. It is also interesting further still that for different reasons, both come to the same conclusion.
But, as a movie once said, in the end “There can only be one,” and that choice is Ser Arthur Dayne, The Sword of the Morning.
The Sword of the Morningis by consensus the greatest knight that ever lived. It’s not just one person saying this, it’s everyone in the whole damn series. The main problem is that as of now we know precious little about him. So how can he be number one? Easy. Read on.
#1- Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning
Ser Arthur was a member of the Kingsguard and is widely considered one of the greatest knights of that order. Now that is saying something when you consider some of the men that have worn the white: Gerold Hightower, Duncan the Tall, (read the Dunk and Egg stories for more info), Ser Ryam Redwyne, Ser Serwyn of the Mirror Shield, amongst others. When one can mention the Sword of the Morning in the same breath as these legendary fighters…you know you are talking about someone special.
Ser Arthur was instrumental in defeating the Kingswood Brotherhood as well as slaying the Smiling Knight. While fighting the Smiling Knight, the man’s sword broke. Ever the chivalrous knight, Ser Arthur let him retrieve another before recommencing combat.
Jaime Lannister was made a knight at that point and was deeply impressed by Ser Arthur. So is it simple hero worship on Jaime’s part? Doubtful? Hero worship? Consider Jamie's own words:
"That boy had wanted to be Ser Arthur Dayne, but someplace along the way he had become the Smiling Knight instead."
It was Ser Arthur who brought the grievances of the smallfolk to Aerys II during the time of the Kingswood Brotherhood. Because of this, he became beloved by the smallfolk, and they turned their support away from the Brotherhood. Couple this with his actions against the Smiling Knight. Would anyone let The Mountain that Rides get another sword if he broke it? Again, doubtful.
In short, Ser Arthur was the real deal when it came to living and breathing what a knight should do and be. Martin loves contrast, so he uses Ser Arthur as the epitome of knighthood, then casts this against the events of the books.
Now from here it takes a bit of reading and then deductive reasoning on the part of… well, everyone everywhere. Look at the list so far: Is there anyone on the list that Ser Arthur couldn’t beat? Ser Arthur is one of those warriors that comes along once every thousand years. He is designed to be legend. The fact that he was one in his own time just makes everything add up. There is no one listed so far that he would fear and have a better than everage chance of beating outright. Think about those that I haven’t listed — is there anyone there who could beat him? I say no. Those I have listed? No again.
If for no other reason, Ser Arthur Dayne gets the top spot when you consider the words from none other than the Kingslayer himself, when he says this to Ser Loras Tyrell about Ser Arthur in A Feast for Crows:
“I served with Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, who could have slain all six of you with his left hand while taking a piss with his right.”
Now Jaime is no slouch himself when it comes to a blade (He was #3 on this list) and this is pretty high praise from someone who is about as arrogant as they come prior to his sword hand being lopped off.
The Praise would be off putting if it was from just Jaime, but once again Eddard Stark saves the day by taking the same stabce as Jaime about Ser Arthur on a different occasion:
"He was the finest knight I've ever seen and he would have killed me if it were not for Howland Reed."
Strong stuff and coming from Eddard and it's hardly open to interpretation. Think about who Eddard has seen in his lifetime: Ser Barristan Selmy, Bronze Yohn Royce, Robert Baratheon, Prince Rhegar and many more. Yet Eddard gives him the compliment that he does. A way to honor a foe who is insanely heroic? A trick of sorts? Highly unlikely as it's Eddard saying this, a man famous throughout the kingdom for his honor.
Oh and we got to see The Sword of the Morning in action in the television version of Game of Thrones.
No boasting, no threats, simply the quiet confidence of knowing hes about to slay multiple people despite the odds.
Another unusual thing about Ser Arthur is that he is the only character in the series having a mighty blade, but one that is wholly unique: it’s not Valyrian steel.. Now, this could just be an odd coincidence, but GRRM rarely does things for happenstance in the series. Ser Arthur’s sword, Dawn, is actually made from the metal of a fallen meteor and is featured in the house’s coat of arms as a result. Again, this may mean nothing, but then again it could be an interesting angle considering the whole "Prince who was promised" prophecy (although the leading candidate is Daenerys).
More interesting is the fact that after the Tower of Joy (see below), Ned brings his sword to Ser Arthur’s heir. This heir is Edric Dayne, who is wet-nursed along with Jon Snow. That’s interesting… very interesting. Why would Eddard bring Jon Snow to a family to be wet-nursed when said family is one that he just killed its most famous scion? In short, you don’t — at least not without a reason. Even Eddard is not going to do something like this for no reason. It could be Eddard’s famous honor, but I’m doubting that is the reason. In short, Ser Arthur’s story is not done yet, I’m guessing, and it is very much tied up in Jon Snow and Eddard.
Another point is that Ned’s statement about Ser Arthur begs the question: What exactly happened at the Tower of Joy in Dorne? We know (or are pretty certain) that Jon Snow is the son of Lyanna Stark and Prince Rhaegar. Why else would three of the Kingsguard (including its Lord Commander, Gerold Hightower) be guarding it and Lyanna while a war for the crown of the Seven Kingdoms was being waged? Either way, it’s apparent that you don’t send your best warriors and their commander to the end of the kingdom for no reason.
So again — just what happened there? One gets the feeling that it wasn’t your average sword fight. It could turn out that it was nothing like we expected. Howland Reed poisoning Ser Arthur, or any number of other possible explanations? Apparently it was Eddard who killed Ser Arthur Dayne, but to me that seems a bit too tidy. We do know that it was seven against three. Ten men in the fight, and only two walked out alive, with neither ever talking about what happened. With the only one now left alive being Howland Reed…
Obviously, as of the video clip above noted above we know what happened in the television show — but not in the books.
So unless some new characters get introduced in the series, it’s Ser Arthur Dayne that stands as the Greatest Warrior of the Word of Ice and Fire.
That’s right — we know little about him, and none of it directly. But from what we do know, we know this: the Sword of the Morning stands head and shoulders above the rest. How is this so? Two of the main characters of the books, Jaime and Eddard, have the same opinion. That alone is saying something…
Ser Arthur is a mystery with some holes poked through the shroud of his character. He is not a deep history character, and his exploits are well known to the Seven Kingdoms — just not to the reader as of yet.
And there it is. I don’t expect that people will totally agree with my selections, but as I stated, that’s the fun. Something like this makes it impossible to ever reach consensus. But if you don't like my conclusion? Take the word of the man who wrote the books:
If both men had equivalent weaponry, it might be a toss-up.
In the end I wanted to get this done before A Dance of Dragons is out, and I made it with eight days to spare.
My next post will contain my list of warriors #11–20 — i.e. those that didn’t make the top 10. It was tough to get to 10, so there are some excellent warriors that have nothing to be ashamed about being where they are.
Update (July 2026):(Since the conclusion of the television series, I have gone back and reworked all of the “Top Warriors of Westeros” posts. What began as a Top 10 has now expanded to a full Top 20 in light of the additional material and perspective we gained.
With George R.R. Martin’s remaining books still unwritten, these rankings remain a mix of book canon and informed speculation. The core arguments and personal opinions are unchanged, I’ve simply improved formatting, clarity, spelling, and flow so the series reads better and holds up as a proper archive piece.)
The overall Top 20 Greatest Warriors of the Westeros can be found here.
I'm now up to #8 on the list of Greatest Warriors of the Westeros and its getting tougher and tougher to rank them as I go. It's with some trepidation that I place this next warrior at #8. But, when you consider who is on the list at spots from #1-7 you'll see why Sandor Clegane is here. Its not that he is a "bad" warrior far from it, simply the list is getting tougher with those above him.
The Hound, or simply Dog as Joffrey refers to him is Sandor Clegane. Sandor is the younger brother of the Mountain that Rides. Has there ever been a family with such cool nicknames? The problem is that the Cleganes are far from a happy family. Sandor was burned horrifically by his older brother Gregor for playing with a unused toy of Gregor's. The result was that Sandor's face was burned, lost an ear and has no hair on the section of scalp where he was burned. With his innocence shattered Sandor grew to despise knights (which he has previously idolized) and harbor a great rage for his brother.
#8-Sandor Clegane
As a warrior, the Hound is one of the finest fighters in the current time frame of the Seven Kingdoms. His fearsome size and abilities make him an intimidating foe. He has no real fear other than fire—which, given the circumstances of his childhood, is entirely understandable.
Sandor distinguishes himself repeatedly during the War of the Five Kings. At the Battle of the Blackwater he fights ferociously, cutting through Renly’s (and later Stannis’) host. Reports of his prowess appear before and after that clash, though he would have been a bit too young to fight in Robert’s Rebellion. He killed his first man at twelve and later slew Beric Dondarrion in single combat after the assault on King’s Landing. In short, crossing swords with Sandor is a risky proposition for any opponent—and one likely to prove fatal.
The Reluctant Kingsguard
Sandor holds a deep contempt for knights and the hypocrisy he sees in them. It is rather amusing, then, that he is appointed to the Kingsguard without ever becoming a knight. He simply refuses the title, as his goals in life revolve around one thing: slaying his brother Gregor.
For all his gruff exterior and disdain for knightly ideals, the Hound reveals curious “soft spots” that set him apart from many true knights. As a member of the Kingsguard, he is often called upon to guard Sansa Stark while she is betrothed to Joffrey. While other Kingsguard members obey Joffrey and strike her without hesitation, the Hound does not. He deflects and shields her from the boy-king’s wrath.
During the riot in A Clash of Kings, when the mob turns on the noble party fleeing to the Red Keep, chaos reigns. Several members of the party are dragged off—some killed, others (like Lollys) raped. Sansa goes missing initially, as does the Hound. Where Ser Preston Greenfield, Ser Aron Santagar, and others fall, it is the Hound who comes through, saving Sansa’s life and protecting her from violation. Later, after the Battle of the Blackwater, he comes to her room and could have taken advantage of her, but he does not. For all his mocking attitude, genuine affection and protectiveness shine through. Perhaps he sees in her the innocence he himself once possessed.
Another notable act comes during the tourney at King’s Landing for the Hand. Sandor saves the life of the Knight of the Flowers (Loras Tyrell) from his brother the Mountain. Whether he did so purely out of a desire to finally get to grips with Gregor, or for other reasons, we may never know—but no one else stepped in.
Toughness and Conscience
The Hound is exceptionally tough. After taking serious wounds that became infected, he still managed to cross significant distances before his fate became uncertain in A Storm of Swords. It is worth noting he was fighting three men at once during that encounter—no small feat.
He is also implied to have led forces, at least in part, at the Battle of the Blackwater and survived, which says something. That said, we see little direct evidence of his abilities as a commander, so in this ranking I give him only middling marks for leadership. What elevates him is his raw warrior skill.
Of special note, Sandor is a warrior with something of a conscience. Make no mistake—he has his flaws (killing Mycah under orders, an act that clearly haunts his reputation and arguably himself). Yet there is more to the Hound than meets the eye:
He protects Sansa during the Riot in King’s Landing, almost certainly saving her from gang rape and death.
He repeatedly places himself between her and danger.
He attempts to shield her from Joffrey’s malice.
He never exploits her, despite having multiple opportunities.
In the television adaptation, Sansa clearly understands him; when drunk and ranting at the Battle of the Blackwater she tells him you won't hurt me," and he visibly softens.
He treats vows with more seriousness than many anointed knights, even if he refuses to take them.
He has a clear moral line when it comes to children.
Unlike many other warriors and knights, we do not see Sandor taking any women to his bed—in a way upholding knightly vows of chastity.
But make no mistake, when it comes time to kill, he doesn't mince words. Case in point when at the Crossroads Inn in A Storm of Swords:
In closing, Sandor Clegane is one of the best warriors of his generation. The only thing missing from his legend is slaying Gregor—though given the Mountain’s demise at the hands of the Red Viper of Dorne ("Frankengregor" notwithstanding), that possibility may yet remain. I feel comfortable placing him high on this list. He keeps mighty company and is arguably the greatest warrior in the series who is not a knight, outside of the Red Viper himself.
Update (July 2026):(Since the conclusion of the television series, I have gone back and reworked all of the “Top Warriors of Westeros” posts. What began as a Top 10 has now expanded to a full Top 20 in light of the additional material and perspective we gained.
With George R.R. Martin’s remaining books still unwritten, these rankings remain a mix of book canon and informed speculation. The core arguments and personal opinions are unchanged, I’ve simply improved formatting, clarity, spelling, and flow so the series reads better and holds up as a proper archive piece.)
Syrio deserves special consideration as originally he was #6 on the list of Greatest Warriors. Since then I have removed him entirely as new information has come out about the World of Ice and Fire or in the case of Syrio a lack of it.
While cool that he throws out the line: "what do we say to the god of Death? Not today"- we really do not have much to go on with him.
Further still, is the First Sword of Bravos simply a glorified bodyguard? We don't really know at least how he tells it.
With all this said we don't know enough about him to say where he would land. My current revision has him somewhere around maybe #30. And even that is just a guess.
Her is the original posting of when I had him ranked at #6 only updated for spelling and consistency.
Now we turn to one of the most enigmatic figures in A Song of Ice and Fire: Syrio Forel
(And yes, many readers doubt that is his real name.)
No character thus far has inspired as much speculation, debate, and outright affection as the former First Sword of Braavos. To call him widely loved would be a massive understatement. From his stylish water-dancing philosophy to his memorable mentorship of Arya Stark, Syrio quickly became a fan favorite—and one of the most theorized characters in the entire series.
Syrio Forel
Few characters in A Song of Ice and Fire spark as much speculation and affection as Syrio Forel—the enigmatic Braavosi swordsman who becomes Arya Stark’s tutor.
We first meet him in King’s Landing when Ned Stark grants Arya unusual latitude. In a society where highborn daughters are groomed for political marriages, Arya’s tomboy nature sets her apart from Sansa. Ned allows her to train with Syrio rather than confining her to more “ladylike” pursuits. The First Sword of Braavos takes the young girl under his wing and begins teaching her the water dance—a light, agile fencing style far removed from the heavy plate armor and brute force common in the Seven Kingdoms.
More Than He Appears
From the start, Syrio feels like an enigma. He wields a slender blade and emphasizes balance, perception, and adaptability over raw strength. His training goes beyond swordplay; he is essentially preparing Arya to become an assassin. There is constant commentary on his prowess, yet the reader never quite gets the sense that he is exactly what he claims to be.
One potential mark against him is the lack of demonstrated battlefield leadership. However, if theories connecting him to the Faceless Men of Braavos hold weight, “leadership” could mean something far more subtle and deadly.
The Enduring Mystery
Syrio’s fate during the Lannister coup in King’s Landing is one of the series’ great question marks. He faces off against multiple Lannister guards and Ser Meryn Trant of the Kingsguard—a seemingly suicidal stand. George R.R. Martin has stated (paraphrasing) that fans should accept Syrio is dead and that he is not invincible. Yet many readers—including this one—remain skeptical. Martin has been known to push back against fan theories when annoyed, only to later lean into them. The “too good to be true” exit, combined with Arya’s later training in Braavos, makes it hard not to suspect Syrio (or someone connected to him) is still influencing events. Jaqen H’ghar is another popular candidate, but Syrio feels like the most elegant solution.
This “Boba Fett effect”—the mysterious, quasi-anti-hero who says little but does much—explains much of his popularity. Even if he truly fell in the Red Keep, his impact on Arya (and the reader) is undeniable.
Ranking Rationale
Syrio landed at #6 on this list previously. Now? No idea where ut we can't easily say Top 20. We never see him in a prolonged, high-stakes fight against a legendary opponent, so his placement relies heavily on implication and reputation. Like one or two others ranked even higher, it is the off-screen sense of mastery and the way he transcends conventional Westerosi fighting that earns him this spot. The water dance, his calm confidence against overwhelming odds, and his lasting influence on Arya all speak volumes.
Whether he is truly gone or not, Syrio Forel remains one of the most compelling and mysterious warriors in the series.
Update (July 2026):(Since the conclusion of the television series, I have gone back and reworked all of the “Top Warriors of Westeros” posts. What began as a Top 10 has now expanded to a full Top 20 in light of the additional material and perspective we gained.
With George R.R. Martin’s remaining books still unwritten, these rankings remain a mix of book canon and informed speculation. The core arguments and personal opinions are unchanged, I’ve simply improved formatting, clarity, spelling, and flow so the series reads better and holds up as a proper archive piece.)
The overall Top 20 Greatest Warriors of the Westeros can be found here.
Wait, what’s this I hear you say? The Mountain That Rides is at #9 of the countdown of the Greatest Warriors of Westeros? Preposterous! How can this be? He is a monster of a man, freakishly strong and cruel!
I’m glad you asked, because when looked at from just the surface, how could anyone beat out the Mountain right? Well, if nothing else, I'm sure the Red Viper of Dorne might have some thoughts on the matter.
#9-Gregor Clegane, The Mountain that Rides
Few names inspire more dread in Westeros than Gregor Clegane. Standing nearly seven feet tall and weighing over three hundred pounds, the Mountain is a massive, ill-tempered brute wrapped in black armor and wielding an enormous greatsword. He is ruthless in the purest sense of the word: the kind of man who gives ruthlessness a bad name.
His atrocities speak for themselves. After the Sack of King’s Landing, he raped Elia of Dorne and murdered her infant son by smashing the child against a wall. He burned his younger brother Sandor’s face as a child simply for playing with one of his toys. Rumors persist that he murdered several members of his own family to consolidate power. Gregor is not merely violent; he is a monster.
Weapon of Fear
Gregor’s greatest advantage is terror. Opponents often know they are doomed before the first blow lands. Encased in heavy plate and driven by unrelenting rage, he is difficult to stop on the battlefield. It is telling that the few who show no fear of him stand out—most notably Prince Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper of Dorne. Before their fateful duel, Oberyn calmly told his lover, “No, I’m going to kill that,” underscoring both his confidence and Gregor’s reputation.
When the fear and brute strength are stripped away, what remains is a man reputed to be the strongest in the Seven Kingdoms and a formidable (if lumbering) warrior. Oberyn exploited that very lack of agility in their duel, using speed and precision to deadly effect despite Gregor’s raw power.
Battlefield Role and Temperament
During the War of the Five Kings, Gregor led brutal raids across the Riverlands and the Trident. While these campaigns bordered on outright brigandage, they demonstrated his effectiveness as a field commander under Tywin Lannister’s direction.
His band of followers known as the Mountain's Men aren't much better than thier foul-tempered master. More on them in a future series of posts.
He is vengeful to a fault: at the Tourney of the Hand, he attempted to kill Knight of Flowers for besting him in the joust, only stopped by the intervention of his brother, the Hound.
Gregor is said to fear nothing and to be consumed by nothing but rage. He serves a clear narrative purpose in the story: the embodiment of the monster that even noble lords sometimes require. As Tywin Lannister himself might acknowledge, “Every great house needs its monster.”
A curious aspect of Gregor’s condition is that it may not be entirely his fault. From the onset of his abnormal growth, he has suffered massive headaches to the point where he has to rely on the milk of the poppy to dull the pain. One wonders whether this unrelenting pain, combined with a body that never stopped growing—fuels the malice and rage that define him. While this does not excuse his behavior in the slightest, it at least offers a partial explanation for the monster he became.
Final Ranking Thoughts
There he stands, the Mountain That Rides at #9 on the list. The competition from here on out only gets fiercer, and Gregor’s combination of sheer physical dominance and unrelenting brutality earns him a hard-won place among Westeros’ most feared warriors.
But at the same time the warriors above show way more skill than his sheer brutality. The question is does skill win more than brawn, it likely does, if for no other reason than the Red Viper.
(Since the conclusion of the television series, I have gone back and reworked all of the “Top Warriors of Westeros” posts. What began as a Top 10 has now expanded to a full Top 20 in light of the additional material and perspective we gained.
With George R.R. Martin’s remaining books still unwritten, these rankings remain a mix of book canon and informed speculation. The core arguments and personal opinions are unchanged, I’ve simply improved formatting, clarity, spelling, and flow so the series reads better and holds up as a proper archive piece.)
The overall Top 20 Greatest Warriors of the Westeros can be found here.
Before diving in, I know there’s a large faction of readers who consider Bronn the greatest warrior in the entire series. I respectfully disagree, and the reasons are laid out below. Much of his popularity stems from the classic anti-hero appeal that dominates modern storytelling. Yes, he’s a sharp-tongued sellsword with undeniable charisma—but that doesn’t automatically make him the best.
As we move higher up this countdown, it becomes clear that Bronn would truly struggle against the elite tier (#1–4) and have a chance at the rest of the Top 10. That said, there are also readers who argue he doesn’t belong in the Top 20 at all. Read on and you’ll see why I believe he earns his place.
#12-Bronn
The lean, mean, two-fisted sellsword of Westeros earns his spot on this list—and he earns it well.
We first meet Bronn in A Game of Thrones during Caetlyn Stark’s journey, when she brings Tyrion Lannister to the Eyrie for judgment. Ever the opportunist, Tyrion demands trial by combat. Bronn steps forward to champion him against Ser Vardis Egen, the captain of the Vale’s guard. In a display of practicality over chivalry, Bronn easily dispatches the heavily armored knight and wins Tyrion’s freedom. Later, he helps repel an assault by the Mountain Clans in the Mountains of the Moon, further proving his worth.
His sell-sword mentality is succinctly summed up after dispatching Ser Vardis.
Strengths of a Survivor
Bronn is not the strongest warrior in the series, nor is he necessarily the quickest. What sets him apart is his intelligence. He is one of the smartest fighters we meet—perhaps the smartest—because above all else, he survives. Bronn knows when to fight, how to fight, and—most importantly—when not to fight.
Only he and Oberyn Martell (the Red Viper) show no visible intimidation in the face of Gregor Clegane. Bronn even explains to Tyrion exactly how the Mountain could be beaten. Tellingly, he refuses to champion Tyrion a second time when the opponent is Gregor—leaving that honor (and the risk) to Oberyn. It’s not fear; there’s simply nothing in it for him. That mercenary calculus is Bronn’s greatest strength: he fights only when there is something tangible to gain.
Style and Practicality
As a sellsword, Bronn fights light and agile, often in less armor than his opponents. He is comfortable with two weapons and is not above dirty tricks or pragmatism. Formality and knightly honor mean nothing to him. In that sense, he is the polar opposite of someone like Loras Tyrell, The Knight of Flowers.
So far in the books, Bronn has not faced truly dangerous opponents in single combat—foes who would truly test his limits. He is too smart for that. He picks his battles carefully, only engaging when the odds favor him and the reward is worth the risk.
At the same time he can be cocky when he knows he can beat someone. Case in point with the look he gives Meryn Trant (a composite of him and Ser Boros Blunt) in the the television series:
Tyrion: "Bronn, the next time Ser Meryn speaks, kill him."
Battlefield Courage
Bronn is undeniably brave, yet his powerful survival instinct makes him a fascinating case. At the Battle Blackwater (for which he would eventually be knighted) he could easily have slipped away. Instead, he fought well, leading sorties alongside the Hound. That decision speaks volumes about his loyalty when it suits him—and his ability to thrive in chaos.
Adding to the overall idea of the series of command experience being useful? Bronn replaces Janos Slynt as the Captain of the Gold Cloaks in King's Landing and does a good enough job under Tyrion when he was acting Hand.
Final Thoughts
I have nothing against Bronn. He is not the greatest warrior in Westeros, but he is almost certainly #1 or #2 when it comes to battlefield intelligence. He possesses a keen eye for an opponent’s weaknesses and the ruthlessness to exploit them. That combination is why he makes the Top 20. Against the absolute elite higher on this list, however, his smarts alone might not be enough to save him.
He's not the toughest warrior on the list, but the case can surely be made for being the smartest when it comes to combat.
Update (July 2026):(Since the conclusion of the television series, I have gone back and reworked all of the “Top Warriors of Westeros” posts. What began as a Top 10 has now expanded to a full Top 20 in light of the additional material and perspective we gained.
With George R.R. Martin’s remaining books still unwritten, these rankings remain a mix of book canon and informed speculation. The core arguments and personal opinions are unchanged, I’ve simply improved formatting, clarity, spelling, and flow so the series reads better and holds up as a proper archive piece.)
The overall Top 20 Greatest Warriors of the Westeros can be found here.
Continuing, it’s time to add another warrior on the Top 20 countdown of the Greatest Warriors of Westeros in the Song of Ice and Fire. At #7 is Robert Baratheon: King, drunkard, and warrior. An absolute beast with his warhammer, and a monster on the Trident.
Let’s get something straight beforehand: it’s obvious that Robert Baratheon is ing Henry VIII I of England turned up to 11. It’s hardly a revelation. But one important note here: we are talking about Robert at his prime, not when he was the later king, grown down by years of kingship and warring with his wife Cersei.
Robert himself understood it best when talking to Ned in A Game of Thrones, about how he (paraphrasing) wishes he and Ned should become sellswords, drinking, whoring, and fighting across Essos.
“If I may be so bold, it was a mistake for you to accept promotion. Commanding a starship is your first, best destiny. Anything else is a waste of material.”
And so it was with Robert.
#7-Robert Baratheon
While other knights use sword and lance, Robert uses a hammer to utterly smash his foes into submission, or death, or both. This is no understatement. His hammer is massive and hard to wield for other men, yet in his prime he does it with ease. Presumably he’s trained in the others, but he really doesn’t need them. Want proof? Prince Rhaegar on the Trident — where Robert wrests the crown from the Targaryens — lies smashed to pieces at his feet.
While others might shrink from danger, he tackles it head on to the point of rash foolishness.
Living up to his family’s words “Ours is the Fury” is just part of his character. He’s as tempestuous as they come as the Lord of Storm’s End. Probably fitting that he should wed Cersei Lannister, who is as volatile as he. Anyone who can stand up to that… woman… is pretty damn tough.
The series of books that Martin writes all hinge on the The War of the Usurper, or Robert’s Rebellion as it is also known. It’s the focal point of “before” and “after.” It is the fact that many of the lords rise up in rebellion against the Mad King Aerys after his many atrocities — the leading noble lords and their sons (including Ned’s father and brother Brandon) — sets the stage for the events of the current timeline, culminating with Robert’s rise to king.
The fact that Robert is past his prime by the time of A Game of Thrones is doubly sad, as we see him as the hollow shell of what he once was and greatly unhappy for it. For him, striving for the crown was more of a challenge and more rewarding. Actually governing bores him, so he tells Ned as much in that “that damned chair will rub your ass raw.”
Of all the warriors in the book, Robert has probably fallen the farthest from what he once was. When he fought Prince Rhaegar he crushed his chest and armor, smashing the very ornamentation off of the Prince’s armor as well. And by all accounts Prince Rhaegar was a stout warrior. By the time of A Game of Thrones instead, we get a worn and spent Robert. So much so that Eddard can poke fun at him for getting fat, and Robert at himself telling Lancel Lannister to fetch the "breastplate stretcher" at the Tourney of the Hand.
Just like every character in Martin’s pantheon, Robert is flawed — but in his case, magnified. He is a drunk and above all a womanizer, sleeping with any woman around it seems. His bastards are numerous, his appetites legendary, but it’s clear that Robert was never cut out to be king. His kingship shows how far he has fallen, and it’s Robert’s death in A Game of Thrones that leads to the War of the Five Kings.
Robert makes the list at #7 as a powerful warrior in his prime and for being such a catalyst to the overall story. Robert was relentless. His power faded to the shell that we see him in before his untimely death. But in his prime? Robert was as fearsome as they come.
Of special note is his leadership. Throughout the list it serves as bonus and a tiebreaker of sorts. In that regard he rises to the top. He won a kingdom — hard to beat that.
Update (July 2026):(Since the conclusion of the television series, I have gone back and reworked all of the “Top Warriors of Westeros” posts. What began as a Top 10 has now expanded to a full Top 20 in light of the additional material and perspective we gained.
With George R.R. Martin’s remaining books still unwritten, these rankings remain a mix of book canon and informed speculation. The core arguments and personal opinions are unchanged, I’ve simply improved formatting, clarity, spelling, and flow so the series reads better and holds up as a proper archive piece.)
Previous he had ranked #10 but as I expanded the list I revised him to his current position.
The overall Top 20 Greatest Warriors of the Westeros can be found here.
#13- Brynden Tully, "The Blackfish"
Few knights in Westeros embody stubborn honor and quiet competence quite like Ser Brynden Tully—the Blackfish.
The name originated as an insult from his older brother, Hoster Tully. Brynden turned the slight into a badge of pride, adopting the black fish as his personal sigil. By the time we meet him in A Game of Thrones, he has left the Riverlands and entered the service of House Arryn in the Vale.
Defender of Riverrun
Brynden earns his place on this list not only for a lifetime of exploits, but for one standout moment: when Lannister forces besiege Riverrun, it is the Blackfish who holds the castle while his brother Lord Hoster lies dying in his bed.
In A Feast for Crows, Jaime Lannister rides out to parley. The Blackfish meets him coolly, largely unimpressed by the famous Kingslayer. While Jaime engages in banter, Brynden calmly sizes him up with barely a flicker of concern. That composure alone marks him as a badass. The Kingslayer—widely regarded as one of the finest swords in the realm—fails to intimidate him in the slightest. It is also worth noting that a young Jaime was inspired to become a knight after witnessing Brynden’s prowess in the War of the Ninepenny Kings.
The Blackfish is willing to let his nephew Edmure hang rather than yield, calmly calling the Lannisters’ bluff. In short, he bends the knee to no one.
The overall impression you get from Brynden is that he's the type of guy that if you ever get into a fight? You want him on your side because you know he isn't going to quit.
Reputation and Resolve
We see relatively few direct battle scenes featuring the Blackfish (here’s hoping for more in future books), yet everyone who speaks of him reaches the same conclusion: he is one of the finest knights and warriors in the Seven Kingdoms. His reputation stands alongside that of Ser Barristan Selmy.
Even after Robb Stark’s murder at the Red Wedding, Brynden refuses to surrender. He continues the fight long after many others would have yielded. When Riverrun is finally handed over, he makes a daring escape by swimming through the Water Gate rather than submit. If you looked up “uncompromising” in a dictionary, you would likely find the Blackfish’s face staring back at you.
Final Ranking Thoughts
Ser Brynden Tully ranks at #13 on this list. He may be the most well-rounded knight in the series—skilled, respected, and utterly resolute. In a world full of larger-than-life warriors, the Blackfish proves that quiet competence and unbreakable will can be just as formidable.
#11- Victarion Greyjoy. I actually had him listed in the Top 10, but he didn't survive the final cut-down to 10. He is certainly the most deadly warrior of the Iron Islands. One can easily make the case of Victarion being somewhere between #6 and 10 in the Top Ten. Every time I've read the series I've gotten the feeling that there are not to many people that would want to cross swords with him. He is surprisingly a thinking warrior and not a hulking brute like The Mountain calm off the battlefield and deadly on it.
#18- Brienne of Tarth- well, the warrior maiden is massive and bigger then Jaime, but not quite as large as Ser Gregor. At over 6 feet tall she is worthy of a spot on this list as she has taken out a few bad guys in the series. She does fight Jaime, but then again Jaime wasn't really trying to hurt her either. She almost gets killed by Biter of all characters... that actually hurts her standing in my opinion.
