While some fans abandoned Game of Thrones entirely in the aftermath of season 8, others turned to George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels in search of a more satisfying version of the story. The books differ from the show in several ways, including the relative skills of the main cast.

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While Game of Thrones fans might have their own impressions of who the strongest fighters are in Westeros, the books tell a different story. Part of this is due to the books providing more background on some lesser-known characters, along with there simply being less big battles altogether. There are also a lot of moments that were dropped from the show which helped illustrate just how strong these characters truly were in the books.

10 Victarion Greyjoy Is As Strong As He Is Dumb

Art of Victarion Greyjoy in his Kraken helm from the A Song of Ice and Fire Miniatures game

George R.R. Martin described Victarion Greyjoy as being "dumb as a stump," but that doesn't stop him from being one of the strongest warriors in the realm. The current war in the A Song of Ice and Fire books is the third Victarion has fought in, and he has still yet to meet an enemy that he can't defeat.

Readers have seen Victarion capture trading vessels, successfully take Moat Cailin, and defeat a knight in a duel while capturing the Shield Islands. Throughout his many victories, the only injury he sustains is one to his hand. Victarion is a fierce fighter, and he is more likely to be defeated by his tendency to wear heavy armor on the open seas than on the battlefield.

9 Jon Snow Helps Train The Watch

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When Jon Snow first joins the Night's Watch, he easily defeats all the other recruits while sparring. This is due to his formal training from his time growing up in Winterfell. However, the true mark of Jon's skill isn't in defeating his fellow recruits, but in what he manages to teach them.

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One of the best ways to improve one's own skill at something is to teach it to others. After some initial tension, Jon makes friends with the other recruits and begins teaching them what he knows. Not only is Jon able to survive the Free Folk's siege of the Wall, but the friends he trained, Grenn and Pyp, also made it through the fight unscathed. Jon is such a skilled fighter he is able to pass his skills along to others.

8 Loras Tyrell Is A Legend In The Making

Loras Tyrell looking on in Game of Thrones

Ser Loras Tyrell has not proven himself in as many battles as more experienced fighters, but he is already recognized for his fighting skills. His fighting prowess has earned him spots in the Kingsguard of both Renly Baratheon and Joffrey Baratheon.

Even Jaime Lannister, who's usually stingy with his compliments, recognizes Loras' skill when he sees him training with the Kingsguard. Loras goes on to prove his abilities by leading the successful capture of Dragonstone. Although he was grievously injured in the attack, Loras could easily go on to be one of the realm's most revered fighters if he survives.

7 Barristan Selmy Has Cut Through Countless Foes Across The Years

Barristan Selmy talking to King Robert Baratheon in Game of Thrones

Barristan Selmy has been proving his fighting skill in Westeros for years and has left many a skilled opponent slain in his wake. Selmy defeated the last of the Blackfyre Pretenders, cut down dozens of men during Robert's Rebellion, and even stood on his own against the legendary Ser Arthur Dayne.

Barristan the Bold's strength isn't just in his ability to defeat opponents, but also in his ability to keep fighting after so many years. At the Battle of the Trident, Selmy was wounded by sword, arrow, and spear and nearly killed. He managed to recover and continued to serve under King Robert and most recently fought in Esos for Daenerys Targaryen.

6 Eddard Stark Helped Win Robert's Rebellion

Ned Stark orders Beric Dondarrion to hunt down the Mountain

The rebellion against the mad king Aerys may be named after Robert, but it wouldn't have been possible without the help of Ned Stark. Not only did Ned manage to survive the rebellion, he took down some of the realm's strongest knights in the aftermath.

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After the war was essentially won, Ned rode with several allies to go and free his sister Lyanna. In order to free Lyanna, Ned and his companions had to defeat three of King Aerys' most skilled Kingsguard members. Everyone present was slain in the ensuing battle except Ned and his friend Howland Reed. Clearly, Ned had to be a pretty skilled fighter to overcome some of Westeros's strongest knights.

5 Brienne of Tarth's Strength Is Enhanced By Her Spirit

Brienne of Tarth prepares to kill Stannis Baratheon in Game of Thrones.

The first impression readers get of Brienne of Tarth is of her beating Loras Tyrell in a fair fight. It's clear that Martin wanted to send a message to readers that Brienne was a strong and skilled fighter by introducing her in this way.

Brienne is more than just a skilled fighter, however. She is driven by a strong loyalty to her allies. This drive translates into her fighting, making her a fierce opponent, leading Jaime Lannister to compare her favorably to the Hound in that regard. This, combined with her strength and skill with a blade, makes Brienne a great ally and a dangerous foe.

4 Jaime Lannister's Skill With A Sword Is Unmatched

Cersei threatens to have the Mountain kill Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones

Jaime Lannister is regarded by many as the realm's greatest swordsman. While he may not have the same raw strength as some other warriors, he makes up for it with his skill. Though readers don't get to see Jaime fight much at top form, they're told about his skill from some reliable sources.

When trying to escape capture by Brienne of Tarth, Jaime fights her with his hands bound and weakened from his imprisonment. Later, Brienne remarks that she would not have stood a chance against him at full strength. In A Dance With Dragons, Barristan Selmy remarks on Jaime's natural talent for swordsmanship. Both Brienne and Selmy are honest characters, so it's safe to say they can be trusted about Jaime.

3 Arthur Dayne Was A Living Legend

Arthur Dayne in his armor from Game of Thrones

Ser Arthur Dayne, also known as The Sword of the Morning, is described as the deadliest of King Aerys II Targaryen's Kingsguard. He is widely respected by many characters as a great fighter and has proved his strength in a variety of ways, such as defeating The Smiling Knight of the Kingswood Brotherhood and besting Rhaegar Targaryen in a tournament​​​​​​.

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Ser Arthur Dayne was eventually defeated by Ned Stark, but even Ned admits he would not have been able to do so without the help of Howland Reed. Dayne left such an impact on those who knew him that both Ned and Jaime Lannister dream of the man. Part of this impact came from him being very widely loved, but it is also due to his skill as a warrior.

2 Robert Baratheon Was Unstoppable In His Prime

Robert Baratheon discussing his rebellion in Game of Thrones.

By the time readers meet Robert Baratheon, he has put down his warhammer in exchange for copious amounts of alcohol. If the tales told about him are to be believed, Robert was one of the most powerful warriors of his day.

Readers are told about Robert's ability to cave in the breastplates of enemies with his massive hammer and his feats of strength during his and Ned's rebellion. When he came face-to-face with the legendary Rhaegar Targaryen at the battle of the trident, Robert came out victorious proving himself one of the greatest fighters in Westeros.

1 Gregor Clegane's Strength Earned Him His Nickname

The Mountain wields his greatsword in Game of Thrones.

Gregor Clegane is better known as The Mountain Who Rides, often shortened to just The Mountain. He earned this nickname with his massive frame and immense strength. The Mountain is essentially made up of two things: muscles and cruelty. This makes him a very tough opponent to beat.

The closest Gregor Clegane comes to losing a fight in the A Song of Ice and Fire novels is against Oberyn Martell. However, even bloodied and with veins full of Martell's poison, Clegane not only has enough strength to stay in the fight but crushes Oberyn's skull in his bare hands.

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