TheGame of ThronesSeason 6 finale “ The steer of Winter”resolvedso many storylines– while setting up plenty ofend - of - macrocosm conflict for Season 7 - - that any gripe we have would only be nitpick . OK , just one nitpick : where was the spectacular one - on - one sword fight between two characters we manage about ? Where was the present moment of two character we bonk battling to the demise ? We wantedCleganebowl , but really , we would have taken anything .
We whine because we love . To fill up the Oathbreaker - sized hollow in our warmheartedness , we ’ve taken it upon ourselves to rank the most epic fights the show has ever pulled off using swords and other sword - corresponding weaponry . principle for inclusion : individual combat of any sort ( close - ups of engagement sequences count ; assassinations like the Red Wedding do not ) , with at least one sword nowadays .
Steel yourselves . As Syrio Forel would say , “ fright cuts deeper than swords . ”
HBO
45 . Bronn and Jaime Lannister vs. Sand SnakesS5E6 : " Unbowed , Unbent , Unbroken "
The Dornish subplot was a wearisome - movement bus clangoring , and this fight was the bit the vehicles jar – an overly telegraphed , poorly edited sparring mate cap off a tactically hopeless rescue mission . One of many Word of God lector questions : Areo Hotah does n’t even sway his curved glaive once , so why bother changing it from the long axe advert in the books ? We ’ll never live .
44 . Tyrion Lannister , Bronn , and Rodrik Cassel vs. Hill Tribe soldiersS1E5 : “ The Wolf and the Lion ”
This aspect is n’t so much about the conflict itself – though we do get a full look at Bronn using his kukri knife – as much as it was about showing a provoked Catelyn Stark ( and the hearing ) that Tyrion could be violent and grave in his own way .
43 . Jon Snow vs. The Night ’s WatchMultiple episode
More an institution to Castle Black than anything else , all of these scenery showcase Alliser Thorne ’s sparkling wit : " Well , Lord Snow , it appears you ’re the least useless person here . "
HBO
42 . Samwell Tarly vs. The Night ’s WatchS1E4 : “ Cripples , Bastards and Broken Things ”
Same here . Again , Ser Alliser grants us his condescension : “ You do n’t know frigid . Neither of you do . ”
41 . Robb Stark , Theon Greyjoy , and Bran Stark vs. Osha and Wildling soldiersS1E6 : “ A Golden Crown ”
HBO
There ’s a passel to like in this abbreviated scene in retrospect , from trivial Bran threatening his assaulter with death to Robb getting on - screen swordplay in his only lawful battle in the series . It ’s a pity he had to get married .
40 . The Night ’s Watch vs. The Night ’s WatchS3E4 : “ And Now His Watch is Ended ”
The mutiny at Craster ’s Keep was a messy , underhand slaughter where members of the Night ’s Watch shot Jeor Mormont . It ’s actually scarcely a fight , but fortunately Jon Snow cause up for it in his one - on - one against Karl Tanner .
HBO
39 . Bronn and Jaime Lannister vs. Dornish soldiersS5E4 : “ Sons of the Harpy ”
This battle is likely the highlight of the Dornish plot , if for no other reason than thisGIF .
38 . Jorah Mormont vs. QothoS1E9 : “ Baelor ”
HBO
In the former season , Jorah the Andalwore his heavy armor every time he fought – and this is n’t the last time he would get nicked in the cheek by an arakh blade . Jorahpredicted his victory , though , and correctly .
37 . Jorah Mormont vs. pit slavesS5E9 : “ The Dance Of Dragons ”
AKA “ That Other Time Jorah Got Nicked in the Cheek . ” The crowd hiss him at the ending of this fight , and frankly , he merit it . Jorah should be dead , cat .
HBO
36 . Gregor Clegane vs. prisonersS4E8 : “ The Mountain and the Viper ”
A brand battle in the common sense that his adversary view as swords when they expire . Really , this is Gregor Clegane ’s slaughterhouse , and the floors are not sanitized .
35 . Yoren vs. Amory Lorch and Lannister soldiersS2E3 : “ What Is Dead May Never Die ”
HBO
Lorch may have killedYoren , but not before Yoren gave the most badassoriginal - to - the - show monologueyou totally forgot about . Arya can give thanks him for her lists .
34 . Jon Snow vs. Tormund Giantsbane , Orell , and YgritteS3E9 : “ The Rains of Castamere ”
Mackenzie Crook only appeared asOrellin six instalment before Jon Snow drove Longclaw through his chest , but Jon still wears the print of his warging bird of Jove .
HBO
33 . Yara Greyjoy and Ironborn vs. Bolton soldiersS4E6 : “ The Laws of Gods and serviceman ”
I like this fight pushed the story forward more than get Yara to touch base with Reek / Theon , but it provides a equipoise to the other vital , non - fierce event of the episode : Tyrion Lannister ’s tribulation . Yara ’s speech before the scene begins do as a dependable reminder of why she is the drawing card the Iron Islands pauperism , and the combat itself is all benighted , cloudy fury .
32 . Bronn vs. Jaime LannisterMultiple sequence
HBO
aside from their sojourn to Dorne , these two easily make the top - five inclination for " Best Odd Couple in Westeros , " and it ’s all because of formerpop instrumentalist Jerome Flynn ’s Bronn .
31 . Arya Stark and Sandor Clegane vs. FreysS3E10 : " Mhysa "
Arya straight - up murder a Frey soldier because she ’s driven by grief over her assassinated phratry . And it ’s awful . It ’s also a psychotic thing to do , a kill that even unnerve Sandor Clegane . Arya ’s twisted arc of vengeance begins in earnest .
HBO
30 . Jon Snow vs. Qhorin HalfhandS2E10 : “ Valar Morghulis ”
Onecrackpot fan theoryclaims thatQhorin Halfhandis Ser Arthur Dayne , the fabled Sword of the Morning , but this would be a deplorable way of life for Ser Arthur to die , would n’t it ? ( Not thatDayne ’s actual deathshown in Bran ’s flashback was much more satisfying – more on that below . ) RIP , Halfhand .
29 . Grey Worm , Jorah Mormont , and Daario Naharis vs. Yunkai’i UnsulliedS3E9 : “ The Rains of Castamere ”
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Seeing Jorah and Grey Worm fight together here may be a draw of play , but ( 1 ) the other events of “ The Rains of Castamere ” shadow the rest of the episode , and ( 2 ) so much of this claim space off - sieve that it ’s hard to adequately judge .
28 . Sandor Clegane vs. Gregor CleganeS1E4 : “ Cripples , Bastards and Broken Things ”
Ahhh , the one-half - affaire d’honneur that launch a thousandCleganebowl idealogue . It ’s frightening , no doubt , but this is credibly the faithful we ’ll come to a WWE - flair brotherly throwdown . We ’ll always have Season 1 .
HBO
27 . Daario Naharis vs. the Champion of MeereenS4E3 : “ Breaker of Chains ”
reintroduction are a sweet , sweet matter . In Season 4 , producers remodel Daario , and this was Michiel Huisman ’s first big aspect , and he involve to prove he had the prance . As part of his practice with swordplay , hesays , " I would grab the sword – or thearakh , as it ’s called – make indisputable that nobody was standing directly next to me , and I would just whirl it back and forth , back and forward , back and onward . "
26 . Jon Snow vs. Bolton soldiersS5E9 : “ Battle of the Bastards ”
HBO
Kit Harington act a better dose in this episode than Henry Cavill and Brandon Routh unite . For all the suspense of incredulity it carry to brush aside all the dodged arrow , he did it in bloody , trampled panache while taking out what search like half the Bolton U. S. Army in a gorgeous long take . Not quite a surprisal , but exquisite withal .
25 . Arya Stark vs. Syrio Forel vs. Lannister soldiersMultiple episodes
Five time of year later , Syrio ’s deathis still heatedly moot by Reddit truthers . logical system – and Maisie Williams – differentiate us that he’ssuper - extra - definitely stagnant , but amount on : “ What do we say to the god of death ? ”
HBO/YouTube
24 . Tormund Giantsbane vs. Alliser ThorneS4E9 : “ The Watchers on the paries ”
Kristofer Hivju turn Tormund into one ofThrones ’ most charismatic moving man , and Owen Teale did the same for Thorne . It ’s almost a shame their characters could n’t finish their fight , but Ser Alliser need to survive so he could pop a certain curly - haired Stark , and Tormund needed to live so shippers could obsess over the show ’s greatestunrequited Romance language . This scimitar - on - longsword skirmish is pure sports fan service , and no one ’s kick . ( FWIW , Tormund keeps fighting despite getting shot with multiple arrow , while Alliser does not . )
23 . Tormund Giantsbane vs. Smalljon UmberS6E9 : “ conflict of the Bastards ”
We were so panicky Tormund would kick the bucket in this scene – and then he ripped out Umber ’s throat with his teeth . It ’s barely a sword fight , and it ’s beautiful for it .
22 . Jon Snow and Qhorin Halfhand vs. Ygritte and Wildling soldiersS3E1 : “ The Old Gods and the New ”
Come for the fight , stay for Ygritte and Jon Snow flirting with each other and beautiful magic - hour cinematography , encasing Jon ’s sword Longclaw in golden sunlight .
21 . Ned Stark and Starks vs. Sandor Clegane , Gold Cloaks , and LittlefingerS1E7 : “ You get ahead or You go bad ”
Blame Joffrey for chop off Ned Stark ’s head . Blame Littlefinger for setting the trap that put him on the block .
20 . Sandor Clegane , Bronn , and Lannisters vs. Baratheon soldiersS2E9 : “ Blackwater ”
HBO
All of “ Blackwater ” is a black and cover repulsion show , and this aspect is the first taste . Season 2 fully flesh out the Hound as a character to care for , and actor Rory McCann steals this episode by waving a gigantic broadsword and rant line like “ consume shit , Dwarf ” and “ Fuck the Riley B King . ”
19 . Brienne of Tarth vs. Baratheon Rainbow GuardS2E5 : “ The Ghost of Harrenhal ”
This is the first time Gwendoline Christie ’s predominate knight swung a brand on camera , and her performance and clever redaction make it see like inherent aptitude . Brienne has all of 15 seconds between seeing Renly pop off at the hands of a phantom demon and consume to fight for her own life .
HBO
18 . Stannis Baratheon vs. Lannister soldiersS2E9 : “ Blackwater ”
If you ever wonder why everyone hollo him “ the Mannis , ” rewatch his scenery in this installment , where he uses his Valyrian steel sword Lightbringer to scalp a Lannister soldier .
17 . Brienne of Tarth vs. Stark soldiersS2E10 : “ Valar Morghulis ”
HBO
When asked what drew her to playing Brienne , Gwendoline Christie respond , “ her honesty . ” There ’s nothing morehonest than Brienne ’s revulsionat the butcher she kill slowly in this scene .
16 . Jon Snow vs. Styr , Magnar of ThennS4E9 : “ The Watchers on the bulwark ”
Your unbreakable sword is cool and all , but nothing beat ahammer to the skull . That said , do n’t ever rap Valyrian steel …
HBO
15 . Jon Snow vs. Karl TannerS4E5 : “ First of His Name ”
Jon ’s battle with Tanner is in reality where the newly name King in the North learned the spit - in - the - eye trick that he later used to bolt down the Magnar . It ’s the ultimate mid - level boss fight , all over with a damoiselle to save .
14 . Ned Stark vs. Jaime LannisterS1E5 : “ The Wolf and the Lion ”
HBO
Remember Season 1 , when Jaime was the risky guy , Ned Stark was the good guy , and this was the fight you ’d need to see GO DOWN ? In another universe , we might have gotten it , butGame of Thronesis built on severalize your expectations to go get laid themselves and get their head chop off .
13 . Drogo vs. MagoS1E8 : “ The Pointy End ”
How to WIN like Drogo : toss away your own weapons away , slip your enemy ’s brand , then make out the finishing snow . This is why he ’s Khal .
12 . Brienne of Tarth , Podrick Payne , and Theon Greyjoy vs. Bolton soldiersS6E1 : “ The Red Woman ”
Brienne and Pod rescue Sansa after she escapes Winterfell was perhaps the most buff - service - wye thing this show had ever done . Luckily , that trend carry through most of Season 6 , to great outcome .
11 . Bronn vs. Vardis EgenS1E6 : “ A Golden Crown ”
Bronn had us ever since this exchange , after this battle :
LYSA ARRYN : " You do n’t fight down with honor ! "
BRONN : [ smiling . ] " No . He did . "
10 . A Dothraki soldier vs. A Dothraki soldierS1E1 : “ Winter Is come ”
The first straight sword conflict ofGame of Thronesbrutally introduced the viscera to issue forth . Thecrowd ’s reactionto the fight was appropriately shocked . And there was this killer one - liner : “ A Dothraki wedding without at least three deaths is deliberate a dull affair . ”
9 . Jaime Lannister vs. Brienne of TarthS3E2 : “ Dark Wings , Dark Words ”
This nerve - off crystalise Brienne and Jaime ’s dynamic in one critical contest of ideas and crusade styles . It should be said that Jaime was hackneyed , half - crave , and shackled , but Brienne humble him here is still an important part of his arc , and the tension between them in the scene is galvanizing .
8 . Barristan Selmy and Grey Worm vs. Sons of the HarpyS5E4 : “ Son of the Harpy ”
When Barristan Selmy quit Joffrey ’s Kingsguard , he told his former companion , “ Even now I could cut through the five of you like carving a cake ! ” It finally took seven to bring him down , and even then they did n’t live to talk about it .
7 . Ned Stark , Howland Reed , and Stark soldiers vs. Arthur Dayne & Gerold HightowerS6E3 : “ Oathbreaker ”
The Tower of Joy prospect will belike be our in effect taste in the serial publication of the slice - and - dicing aptitude of Aerys II ’s fabled Kingsguard . Some nitpicky book readersactually complainedthat Arthur Dayne only maintain a two - handed greatsword , Dawn , in the account book , but the change to two swords is likely a reference to another Jaime Lannister book quote : “ I learned from Ser Arthur Dayne , the Sword of the Morning , who could haveslain all five of youwith his left deal while he was read a piss with the right field . ” By comparison , the honorable Lord Eddard Stark and his baronial comrade - at - arm Lord Howland Reed are just a couple of hoodlum with knife .
6 . Tyrion Lannister , Podrick Payne and Lannister soldiers vs. Baratheons and Mandon MooreS2E9 : “ Blackwater ”
For all the slap-up battlesGame of Throneshas rat in six years , none has transcend the in darkness knightly power of “ Blackwater ” and Tyrion ’s badass line , “ Those are gay valet knock on our door . have ’s go down them ! ”
5 . Oberyn Martell vs. Gregor CleganeS4E8 : “ The Mountain and the Viper ”
Oberyn ’s dance with the poison ash tree gig may seem goofy , but it ’s a big part of how the scene builds tension . time of year 4 was dead - set on make Oberyn our new favorite new character – just as George R.R. Martin’sStorm of Swordsdid . Oberyn talked smack about everyone and never permit go of the moral high earth , and Pedro Pascal ’s wit and bravado stole every scene … which is why he had to die . Even after Ned Stark ’s death , no emotional feint has topped the end of this battle . The Mountain is the rare fighter whose giant broadsword could conceivably be a distraction technique . He was far more dangerous to Oberyn when he was on the ground than when Oberyn was dancing around him .
4 . Arya Stark and Sandor Clegane vs. Lannister soldiersS4E1 : “ Two blade ”
Thebeautifully framed shotof Arya leap into the fray , stealing a steel , and murdering a man on the level is a deliberate window to exquisite barbarism , and it ’s like the fifth - coolest thing about the scene , which has since been remade as alightsaber conflict .
3 . The Hound vs. Beric DondarrionS3E5 : “ Kissed by Fire ”
One of the most truly gripping fights of the show , and a reminder of howThronescan surprise us with pyrotechny .
2 . Jon Snow vs. White WalkerS5E8 : “ Hardhome ”
Jon Snow vaporizing a White Walker with his SOB vane is exactly the sort of core minute that felt missing from “ struggle of the Bastards . ” The zombi in “ Hardhome ” seem to emerge from the wind , bringing terror , excited detrition , and frenetic energy with them . The tenseness of the entire battle renders Jon ’s heroic , final swing of Longclaw a underage consolation . It ’s never ambiguous who gain the battle . Compared to the Knights of the Vale riding in for the third routine of " Battle of the Bastards , " the reveal in " Hardhome " feel as well - forge and true as Valyrian blade .
1 . Brienne of Tarth vs. Sandor CleganeS4E10 : “ The Children ”
" Both of us were very raw and bruise for weeks . It just could n’t be helped , " Rory McCann , who plays the Hound , latertold HBO . The animalism evidence . This competitiveness is one of the show ’s most brutish one - on - one sequences , with the Hound and Brienne buy the farm blow for coke by any means potential . What starts with swords devolves to fists , then headbutts , then dagger , then rock candy , and then tooth . An ugly , beautiful scuffle – which they somehow both live .
