Starting off the series as one of Eren's fellow Scouts in the Survey Corps, Reiner Braun was eventually revealed to be one of the main antagonists in the early acts of Attack On Titan. Over several years, he has gradually transformed from an enemy of Paradis into one of humanity's saviors.
With the might of the Armored Titan at his command, Reiner has stood against imposing opponents like Eren, Mikasa, and even Levi Ackerman. His many accolades suggest how powerful he actually is, especially given that he survived to see the end of the series.
10 Reiner Is Loyal To His Allies
Reiner was even more loyal to his allies than he was to the Marleyan state. He had a particular allegiance to Annie and Bertholdt, especially after Marcel got eaten by Ymir. His loyalty was seen when attempting to prioritize Annie's liberation over capturing Eren.
Though fighting valiantly, he did not manage to defeat Zeke. Therefore, the second battle for Shiganshina was fought under Marley's terms, not Reiner's. Nonetheless, his attempt proved that he was as loyal to his friends as the heroes of Paradis were to theirs.
9 Reiner Is Incredibly Resilient
Reiner is perhaps the most tenacious Warrior that Marley ever recruited. In addition to being one of the few soldiers to escape Paradis, he overcame the immense trauma associated with living through the horrors of war and betrayal.
Though once contemplating taking his own life, Reiner rejoined Marley in hopes of stopping Eren from rampaging in Liberio. Despite needing further convincing, he even agreed to fight alongside the allied coalition when staving off the Rumbling. In the end, Reiner mustered the courage to face Bertholdt's spirit and even contend with many of his former friends once they'd been turned into pure titans.
8 Reiner Is Powerful In Both Human & Titan Forms
Regardless of the form he takes, Reiner is a physical powerhouse. In titan form, he had enough strength to launch Eren hundreds of feet in the air with a single punch and threw an enemy tank as if it were a toy.
He is just as mighty in human form. Not only was Reiner Eren's superior during the cadet corps' combat training, but he was also the only character to lift a pure titan over his head and throw it. Reiner's versatility ensures that it's difficult to catch him off-guard.
7 Reiner Is Compassionate & Reflective
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Despite betraying Paradis, Reiner is surprisingly compassionate and reflective. He did not become a Warrior to glorify himself. Instead, he wanted to lift his family from poverty and honor them through his sacrifice.
Eventually, Reiner was even apologetic toward the Scouts, having finally come to terms with his dual sense of identity. Furthermore, he felt deep remorse and personal responsibility for Bertholdt's death despite the fact that his friend knew the risks and became a Warrior candidate on his own accord. Based on Reiner's reaction, his big heart is both a blessing and a curse.
6 Reiner's Durability Makes Him A Dependable Friend
Reiner's durability has come in handy time and again. It made him completely immune to Scout blades, typical munitions, and even the attacks of most pure titans. He has often put it to use, whether protecting Zeke at Fort Slava or shielding Annie during the battle for the Yeagerist port.
While certain attacks, like crystallized fists and thunder spears, make Reiner's armor obsolete, he is still in a much better position to withstand abuse than any of his colleagues. As a result, he earned his title as the Shield of Marley.
5 Reiner Is Flexible When Working Alongside Former Enemies
Eren's Rumbling put Reiner in an awkward position. It forced him to work with the Scouts, as they were his only possible chance of saving his homeland. However, his former allies did not forget his many crimes, especially after Reiner brought them up himself.
Eventually, the tension climaxed when Jean beat Reiner to a bloody pulp. Though Reiner easily could have resisted and killed his opponent, he knew he deserved what was happening to him. Due to his flexibility, the coalition was able to continue working together and eventually saved humanity.
4 Reiner Is An Exceptional Actor In Most Instances
Although brawn was certainly a prerequisite, Reiner's ability to hide his intentions proved equally important in the Paradis operation. He spent years withholding his identity from the Eldians in spite of the fact he viewed them to be subhuman.
Reiner's performance was so convincing that no one suspected him until Annie got caught. Nonetheless, he ultimately revealed himself on his own terms, hoping that by catching the Scouts off guard, they wouldn't be able to recover Eren.
3 Reiner Is Courageous & Willing To Face Stronger Opponents
Reiner's willingness to face off against stronger opponents helps him make use of his armor. For example, he fought Eren at the battle for Liberio despite having already lost to him in a weaker state. Although failing once again, Reiner's interference prevented Eren from devouring Porco and obtaining the power of yet another titan.
Reiner was similarly brave when facing off against the entire Scout regiment at the second battle for Shiganshina. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, he did not back down until his titan body got completely destroyed.
2 Reiner Is A Selfless Person
Despite debuting as a villain, Reiner has always been selfless. He spent his childhood attempting to reunite his parents and much of his adolescence doing what he thought would save humanity.
Reiner has risked his life time and again for the sake of his allies even when his actions defied the orders of the Marleyan state. Moreover, he was even apologetic to Eren when encountering him again at Liberio. If Reiner had been born under different circumstances, he would have made for a charismatic hero.
1 Reiner Puts The Armored Titan To Good Use
Technically, the Armored Titan should never have belonged to Reiner. Marleyan officials were convinced that Porco would have been a better candidate, only choosing Reiner instead based on Marcel's recommendation. Nonetheless, Reiner has made excellent usage of his titan.
In addition to its intended purpose as a shield for his allies, he demonstrated an ability to keep calm under overwhelming circumstances. For example, he did not lose control when tackled by dozens of pure titans and flanked by Scouts on all sides. Moreover, he refused to feed Hange information when briefly detained by them.