Game of Thrones is far greater than the sum of its parts. The show spends as much time in council chambers and bedrooms as it does on the battlefield. Politics, conspiracy, and melodrama are all integral elements in Game of Thrones. Nevertheless, there is an undercurrent of violence throughout the story, as characters jockey for authority and use every means at their disposal to attain their goals.
As such, Westeros' fate is often decided by the most vicious killer, rather than the most respected leader or the most accomplished commander. Violence is central to the power struggle at the heart of Game of Thrones. As such, a few characters radiate a deadly aura — it could be a sword drawn before them, a knife behind their backs, or something completely unpredictable.
Updated on November 29th, 2022 by Ajay Aravind: Love and loyalty are exceptional motivators. House Stark remains unbroken because its members stick together, whereas House Lannister relies almost exclusively on the promise of familial legacy. Fear forces people to either face their problems or flee. That said, not everyone in Game of Thrones is capable of instilling fear in others. Some characters are just inherently menacing.
25 Melisandre Does Terrible Things With Faith And Magic
Despite starting at a major disadvantage relative to the other claimants, Stannis Baratheon becomes one of the longest-lasting contenders in the War of the Five Kings. Although a large part of this is due to his skill as a commander, another reason is the aid of the Shadowbinder Melisandre.
At her full power, Melisandre of Asshai accomplishes feats that others can't even imagine. She has unbelievers burned at the stake, kills Renly Baratheon with a shadow assassin, and ignites the swords of an entire Khalasar. She may not always have access to these abilities, but there's no question as to her potency.
24 Jaime Lannister Is A Capable Swordsman Even After Losing A Hand
In the early seasons, Jaime Lannister serves as an antagonist, highlighting his incredible swordsmanship. Even those who despise him can't deny that he's one of the finest warriors in Westeros. However, his actual achievements with respect to winning battles are limited.
Jaime spends much of his life as a member of the Kingsguard during a time of peace, and even before then, he was prevented from fighting at Tywin's behest. His main victories come from casual tournaments. Jaime's deadliness factor takes a severe hit when he loses his hand. Although he becomes an effective swordsman once more, he never regains his former flair.
23 Jorah Mormont Shows Surprising Endurance, Despite His Age
Jorah Mormont is not one of the most prestigious or iconic fighters in Game of Thrones, but he racks up a surprising list of achievements. He's past his prime by the time he enters the narrative and therefore has plenty of experience to lean on.
Jorah demonstrates his deadliness both in his backstory and in Game of Thrones' timeline. He was the second man through the walls of Pyke during the Greyjoy Rebellion, surviving one of the deadliest battles of Robert's reign. In the show itself, he fights Dothraki bloodriders, Braavosi water dancers, and wights, coming out on top nearly every time.
22 Daario Naharis Is One Of Daenerys' Most Talented Champions
During her time in Essos, Daenerys surrounds herself with several champions, bodyguards, and advisors. Most of them have skills beyond combat, but Daario Naharis almost exclusively focuses on battle. Whether he's fighting personally or commanding the sellswords in Daenerys' service, his main contributions are military.
However, Daario earns his place as the commander of the Second Sons. He helps take Yunkai, fights the Meereenese champions, and helps Dany escape Vaes Dothrak, validating his peerless skill on the battlefield. In fact, he openly acknowledges "the thrill of killing a man who wants to kill" him, suggesting that his entire life revolves around fighting.
21 Tormund Giantsbane Is One Of The Most Lethal Fighters Beyond The Wall
The Free Folk are one of the many cultures in Game of Thrones noted for their martial skill. Although they lack the discipline, equipment, and training of Westerosi soldiers, their life is a constant struggle for survival. Tormund Giantsbane, one of the Free Folk's most respected leaders, demonstrates the benefits of such a self-reliant lifestyle.
Even without formal training or metal armor, Tormund is at the center of some of the biggest fights in Game of Thrones. He single-handedly defeats Ser Alliser Thorne during the Battle of Castle Black and vindicates his lethality further in the Battles of Hardhome and Winterfell. Through sheer strength, cunning, and experience, Tormund is one of the continent's most dangerous warriors.
20 Bronn Doesn't Care About Honor And Loyalty As Long As He Wins
Many in Westeros are expert fighters because they were trained from a young age and wield the finest equipment. Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, despite his title, is the opposite. His skill comes from a complete lack of formal tutoring. Instead, he learned to fight in the dirtiest and most pragmatic ways possible.
Bronn proves himself the equal of experienced knights through his use of underhand tricks and weaponizing his opponent's weaknesses. From wearing out enemies in armor and igniting wildfire at the Blackwater to shooting a dragon with a scorpion, Bronn will do whatever it takes to win.
19 Ramsay Bolton Combines Martial Prowess With Utter Cruelty
Ramsay Bolton is one of Game of Thrones' most notorious villains, serving as a personal threat to several characters as well as the overall antagonist for the North. During that time, he is vicious and dangerous and one of the most detestable villains in Game of Thrones.
Ramsay combines surprising martial prowess — to the extent of being able to somehow overcome Ironborn raiders while half-dressed — with shocking cruelty. He hunts humans for sport, delights in torturing people to death, and callously fires on his own men in battle. On account of his great evil and bloodlust, Ramsay is unsurprisingly deadly.
18 Oberyn Martell's Combat Expertise Exceeds Most Others In Westeros
Oberyn Martell is a bit of a polymath in Game of Thrones. He excels at most things he puts his mind to. In his backstory, he's been a Maester-in-training, a mercenary, and a pit fighter, achieving great success in each field. His reputation as a warrior far precedes him, and he lives up to it when he fights the Mountain.
Although Oberyn's masterful exhibition of true combat ends with him dead, it's not through lack of skill. He effortlessly outfights the Mountain and only dies due to overconfidence and a desire to hear Ser Gregor confess. That said, Oberyn's crafty use of poison ensures Gregor's slow and agonizing demise.
17 Khal Drogo Triumphantly Leads The World's Biggest Khalasar
The Dothraki are considered some of the most fearsome warriors in Game of Thrones. The inhabitants of both Essos and Westeros are terrified of their legendary savagery. They live to raid and attack and cut their hair only after they are defeated. Khal Drogo, leader of the biggest Khalasar in the world, has never cut his hair.
Drogo's only fight sees him arrogantly take a single wound that ultimately kills him, but his reputation is horrific. The prospect of him invading Westeros is predicted to be a near-apocalyptic threat, with even the war-loving Robert Baratheon admitting he'd be a fool to face Drogo in the open field.
16 Grey Worm Is The Best Of The Unsullied, Who Are Themselves Overpowered
The Unsullied are slaves molded from birth into perfect soldiers. Through horrific abuse and brutal training, they're made to show no fear, feel little pain, and remain servile toward their masters. The Unsullied are among very few groups to have ever beaten the Dothraki despite a significant numbers disadvantage, which earned them fame.
As the leader of Daenerys' free Unsullied, Grey Worm is one of their best combatants. In addition to being a capable battle commander, he is a perfectly skilled soldier in his own right. Grey Worm becomes even more dangerous following the loss of Missandei, transforming into an honorless monster who seeks nothing but revenge.
15 Jaqen H'ghar Is A Veteran Faceless Man Who Remains A Mystery
Jaqen H'ghar is a senior member of the assassin's guild known as the Faceless Men. This Braavosi community blends the ability to steal the faces of others with impressive conventional skills. The Faceless Men are renowned around the world for being able to kill almost anyone, be it peasants or princesses.
Jaqen H'ghar only displays his abilities a handful of times in Game of Thrones, acting more as a mentor figure to Arya Stark, but he shows himself to be pretty capable. From murdering people in broad daylight in occupied Harrenhal to his butchery of most of the castle's guards completely unseen, Jaqen is a force to be reckoned with.
14 Jon Snow Is One Of The North's Finest Swordsmen
Jon Snow has one of the more action-heavy storylines in Game of Thrones, first being a key player in the Night's Watch's war with the Wildlings, and later leading the armies of the living against the dead. Jon's skills grow considerably as a result of the near-constant war he finds himself in.
Jon proves to be a lethally effective warrior in the Battle of Castle Black, the Battle of King's Landing, and particularly in the Battle of the Bastards. Even before the Battle of the Bastards, Ramsay is so cowed by Jon's reputation as a swordsman that he refuses to fight him one-on-one, only agreeing when he's cornered by Jon's allies.
13 Petyr Baelish Causes Devastation Without Lifting A Finger
Not every dangerous figure in Westeros is a warrior. Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish limits his acts of violence to preserve his secrets. While he does hold Ned Stark hostage at knifepoint and throw Lysa Arryn from the Moon Door, Baelish's deadliness comes from much more underhand means.
Littlefinger is one of the most proficient manipulators in Westeros. He is responsible for triggering the War of the Five Kings, starting with his role in Jon Arryn's murder. There are thousands of people dead because of Littlefinger's plans, even if he's fairly helpless in a physical sense.
12 Ygritte Is A Devastatingly Potent Warrior
Jon Snow technically captures Ygritte, but she has the upper hand throughout their snowy escapade. She playfully pokes fun at his lack of battle experience, teases him about his sexual past, and essentially ensures that he knows his place. Ygritte is a devastatingly potent warrior, especially when riled up.
Ygritte furiously chases Jon after the latter betrays and abandons her, only letting him go after shooting three arrows into his body. Ygritte later returns during the Free Folk's assault on the Wall where she defeats several trained swordsmen before facing Jon. Unfortunately, Olly manages to take her out before Jon and Ygritte can reunite.
11 Barristan Selmy Is One Of The Best Combatants Alive
The Knights of the Kingsguard are legendary throughout Westeros, and Barristan is one of the few who deserves the prestige and honor that comes with his title. Selmy is a relic from the time they were genuine heroes, in stark contrast to the soiled knights who make up the bulk of the Kingsguard.
Although Selmy's considerably older by the time Game of Thrones rolls around, he is still considered one of the best knights alive. His one real showing in combat ends in his death, but his reputation speaks for itself. In Season 1, Selmy threatens to cut through five other members of the Kingsguard, which is taken as a credible threat by everyone present.
10 Sandor Clegane Is A Martial Master
Sandor Clegane rejects the institution of knighthood on principle, having been exposed to the depravities of his brother, Ser Gregor. Nonetheless, he's definitely capable of earning himself a knighthood based on combat prowess alone. He is one of the finest warriors in Game of Thrones, complementing his skill and killer instincts with sheer physical strength.
Sandor does well for himself in nearly every battle, even when he's held back by his terrible fear of fire. The only warrior to truly overcome him is Brienne of Tarth. Even when fighting his zombie of a brother, Sandor can bring the duel to a draw by throwing them both down a sheer drop into dragonfire.
9 Brienne Of Tarth Repeatedly Proves Her Mettle
Westeros is heavily bigoted against women, particularly when it comes to the battlefield. Brienne of Tarth struggles against this discrimination, only being dubbed a knight in Game of Thrones Season 8. However, she more than earns that commendation, proving herself to be one of the deadliest warriors in all of Westeros.
Brienne overwhelms acclaimed warriors like Loras Tyrell and Sandor Clegane and vanquishes Stark and Bolton foot soldiers with nonchalant ease. Brienne's skills are such that she's made one of the leaders of Winterfell's defense against the White Walkers, trusted to fight against impossible odds.
8 Gregor Clegane Is A Terror Even Before His Resurrection
The most infamous warrior in Westeros is Ser Gregor Clegane, or the "Mountain that Rides." Aside from his explosively violent personality and his lack of consideration for the lives of others, he's best known for his immense size and strength. He wields a greatsword in one hand and wears armor no other man could even move in.
The Mountain is one of Tywin Lannister's most effective weapons. When unleashed on the Riverlands, few can even slow down his rampages of looting and burning. The Mountain only becomes more lethal after his death at Oberyn's hands. He consequently becomes nigh-unkillable as a result of Qyburn's twisted experiments.
7 Walder Frey Is A Venomous Leech
Walder Frey might be a frail old man, but his mind is infinitely more malicious than most people in Westeros. He constantly takes offense to everyone, often for no reason, and still dares to demand respect from his allies. Robb Stark simply can't tolerate Walder's toxic behavior, but Catelyn manages to soothe his ego, albeit with great difficulty.
Walder Frey doesn't care about anything other than his legacy, much like Tywin Lannister and Roose Bolton, but he only treats the male members of his house with dignity. Walder is a venomous leech who infects the world with his spite.
6 Arya Stark Takes Enough Lives To Save The World
Arya Stark has one of the most dynamic journeys of any Game of Thrones character. She learns her craft from many dangerous individuals; she takes lessons from figures like water dancer Syrio Forel, Jaqen H'ghar, the Hound, Brienne of Tarth, and several others.
The result is a hugely versatile and immensely dangerous warrior who can murder practically anybody in Westeros and get away with it. Arya kills all the men of House Frey, defends Winterfell from the wight army, and ultimately saves the world by killing the Night King. That said, Arya isn't completely immune to fear, as seen when she hyperventilates right before her final mission.