7 Best Swordsmen in Game of Thrones, Ranked

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Game of Thrones features numerous skilled warriors, including several outstanding swordsmen. HBO’s adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire quickly became a hit, captivating viewers worldwide with its realistic fantasy setting, complex political plots, and intense violence—elements the show became known for. Widely considered one of the greatest fantasy TV series ever made, Game of Thrones was a cultural phenomenon, sparking countless conversations and expanding into a larger multimedia universe during its run.

A major draw of Game of Thrones was its realistic and often shocking violence. Being skilled with a sword was crucial for survival, making the show’s best swordsmen particularly compelling. This ranking focuses solely on characters from Game of Thrones itself, not those featured in its prequel series, House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Here are the 7 best swordfighters from Game of Thrones, listed in order of skill.

7) Arya Stark

Arya Stark is a compelling character in Game of Thrones, transforming from a defiant child into the hero who defeated the Night King. Throughout the series, she trained with several skilled warriors, mastering their techniques and becoming a formidable fighter. By the show’s end, Arya combined the skills she learned from Syrio Forel, The Hound, and the Many-Faced God, making her one of the most dangerous swordfighters in Westeros.

6) Gregor Clegane (The Mountain)

Arya Stark became a skilled swordfighter through practice and technique, but Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane relies on his incredible strength. Known for his raw power, The Mountain is one of the strongest characters in Game of Thrones. Throughout the show, he consistently defeats tough opponents, solidifying his place as a top fighter.

5) Brienne of Tarth

Brienne of Tarth quickly became a fan favorite throughout Game of Thrones, appearing in many of the show’s most memorable episodes. Despite facing prejudice as a woman, she consistently earned the respect of others through her incredible strength, fighting ability, and unwavering commitment to honor. She was known as one of the most talented warriors in the series, using both her size and impressive swordsmanship to become a truly exceptional fighter.

4) Sandor Clegane (The Hound)

As a huge fan of Game of Thrones, I always thought Sandor “The Hound” Clegane was one of the most compelling fighters. He was in so many of the show’s best battles and somehow kept surviving, which really speaks to his skill. Okay, his fighting style wasn’t exactly graceful or textbook, but he was incredibly resourceful and just brutally effective. He didn’t care about honor or playing fair – he’d do whatever it took to protect himself or anyone he cared about, and that’s what made him such a terrifying opponent with a sword. Seriously, he was one of the most dangerous characters on the show.

3) Jaime Lannister

Jaime Lannister is often considered a terrible father in Game of Thrones, but he’s definitely one of the show’s most skilled fighters. As a member of the Kingsguard, he was renowned throughout Westeros for his swordsmanship. Even after losing his hand, he adapted and became nearly as proficient with his left hand, allowing him to continue battling effectively against some of the show’s best warriors.

2) Barristan Selmy

I always thought Barristan Selmy was a really impressive character in Game of Thrones, even if he wasn’t one of the main players. Everyone knew he was an incredible swordsman. Apparently, he was one of the few Kingsguard members from the old king, Aerys Targaryen, that Robert Baratheon kept around, and Ned Stark once said his father believed Selmy was the best swordsman he’d ever seen. What really struck me was how well he fought, even when he was older, almost taking on a whole group of the Sons of the Harpy by himself! It definitely showed he was one of the most skilled fighters in the show.

1) Arthur Dayne

Arthur Dayne doesn’t appear much in Game of Thrones, but he’s renowned for his incredible swordsmanship. Many consider him the greatest knight in the realm. He was a hero to a young Jaime Lannister, and a vision showed him single-handedly fighting off an entire army with two swords. He was only beaten because Howland Reed attacked him unexpectedly, and it’s strongly suggested that no one could have defeated him in a straight fight.

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2026-03-07 18:12