In a world full of darkness and brutality, fighters arose from everywhere around Westeros and Essos. Whether it be from the cold, icy North or across the Narrow Sea in the humid Free Cities. Men and women alike wield weapons of wood, dragonglass and Valyrian steel. Many warriors have graced the Seven Kingdoms, some more notably than others.

While we already covered some of the Best Weapons in Game Of Thrones, as well as some of the Best Weapons/Tools Of War in Game Of Thrones, we have now composed a list of 25 of the best fighters from the universe to stand and fight.

Jon Snow

Having been trained since infancy by Rodrick Cassel at Winterfell, Jon Snow – the white wolf – was a highly skilled fighter before he even stepped foot in Castle Black.

While Jon prepared to leave Hardhome with the Wildlings, the White Walkers and their army of Wights ambushed them and a massacre ensued. Jon fought a White Walker in single combat and killed it with the Valyrian steel blade, Longclaw, that Jeor Mormont had gifted him with many years prior.

Ramsey Bolton refused his offer of single combat because he knew that Jon would beat him, which led to the Battle of the Bastards. Despite his skill as a warrior, Jon’s side was defeated and the end seemed near until the knights of the Vale came to their aid. When inside Winterfell, Jon beat Ramsey almost to death until he saw the frightened face of his cousin, believed to be half-sister – Sansa Stark.

Jon encountered the White Walkers and their Wight army several years later when he and a small ranging party venture out beyond the Wall to capture a Wight. He fought the Wights until his uncle, Benjen Stark, forced him upon his horse and made him flee while he stayed to distract the Wights.

Tormund Giantsbane

Tormund, a wilding more commonly known as “Tormund Giantsbane”, is a dangerous fighter as well as a respected leader amongst the Free Folk. Having joined his forces with that of Mance Rayder – “The King Beyond The Wall” – Tormund became one of Mance’s most trusted lieutenants.

Alongside Styr, a carnivorous Thenn, Tormund led several raiding parties south of the Wall throughout small towns. Their biggest target was Castle Black.

He killed many brothers of the Nights Watch during the Battle of Castle Black and outmatched Ser Allister Thorne, seriously wounding him in single combat. Despite receiving a multitude of wounds from swords and arrows alike, he continued fighting until he was incapacitated by a crossbow bolt from Jon Snow.

When the large host of wights attacked Hardhome, Tormund and Jon Snow fought them off to give as many people as possible the chance to leave safely.

During the Battle of the Bastards, Tormund fought alongside his enemy-turned-friend – Jon Snow – and eventually fought Lord Smalljon Umber, though was overpowered while being trapped in by the Bolton forces. When Lord Smalljon was distracted, Tormund bit out his throat.

He ventured north of the Wall with Jon Snow to capture a Wight and fought against the undead fiercely. Tormund was present at Eastwatch when the Night King destroyed the wall with the wight Viserion, leaving it unknown as to whether he is still alive.

Bronn

Despite being lowborn, Bronn was a highly skilled and extremely cunning sellsword. His childhood was tough and he supposedly killed for the first time before he was even twelve years old.

He fights for Tyrion Lannister as his champion during his trial for combat at the Vale and kills Ser Vardis Egen, which saved Tyrion’s life.

At the Battle of Blackwater, Bronn was charged with the task of pulling the giant chain across Blackwater Rush at the right time when Stannis Baratheon’s fleet arrive. His task was successful and Stannis’ fleet is destroyed by wildfire. Bronn was put forward to be knighted by Tywin Lannister and became known as Ser Bronn of the Blackwater.

He refused to be Tyrion Lannister’s champion during his trial by combat for Joffrey’s murder because Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane was the crown’s champion.

While Bronn and Jaime Lannister took back their garrison after the Sack of Highgarden, they were attacked by Daenerys Targaryen and her Dothraki horde. When Daenerys used Drogon to burn the soldiers, Bronn used Qyburn’s scorpion ballista to shoot him in the shoulder on his second attempt after having got Daenerys’ attention the first time.

Khal Drogo

Khal Drogo was a powerful Dothraki warlord who had always been an extraordinarily gifted warrior who had never been defeated in combat, which is noted by his uncut black braided hair.

He led a khalasar of forty thousand, the largest in the entire Dothraki sea, before he had even turned thirty. In return for his marriage to Daenerys Targaryen, Khal Drogo was to provide ten thousand of his warriors for Viserys Targaryen’s campaign for the Iron Throne.

While he pillaged Lhazar for slaves to trade for warships to carry the Dothraki horde across the Narrow Sea, he fought and defeated the rival khalasar of Khal Ogo. He was injured, however, and the wound festered. In his deteriorated state, he fell from his horse, which in Dothraki culture symbolised that he was no longer fit to lead.

As he neared death, Daenerys asked Mirri Maz Duur to perform blood magic to save him but it caused the death of Daenerys’ unborn child and left Drogo in a catatonic state. Knowing that he would never return to his former state of mind, Daenerys suffocated him with a pillow and built him a funeral pyre.

Daario Naharis

Having been sold to the slave traders as a child, Daario Naharis was trained as a pit fighter and became a famed fighter. He earned his master so much money that when he died, Daario was granted his freedom

The Tyroshi warrior became a lieutenant in the Second Sons. The company’s co-captains, Mero and Prendahl na Ghezn regarded him highly enough to allow him to have gone to the parley with Daenerys Targaryen.

Most of his life had revolved around fighting and it made him become an efficient and skill warrior.

He managed to kill both captains of the Second Sons, fought off soldiers of Yunkai with Ser Jorah Mormont and Grey Worm despite being severely outnumbered, with ease he managed to kill the Mereenese champion in single combat and managed to come out of the Sons of the Harpy attack unscathed.

Karl Tanner

Though a sworn brother of the Nights Watch, Karl Tanner led a mutiny – mostly made up of criminals – against the Lord Commander, Jeor Mormont, while they were north of the Wall.

Originally from Flea Bottom, in Kings Landing, Karl made a name for himself as an efficient enforcer, assassin and cutthroat. He was later sent to the wall and became a ranger or the Nights Watch.

He favoured small, fast weapons such as daggers so he could deliver fast blows that killed on instant. The style reflected his time in Flea Bottom where he had to use small and easily concealed weapons while fighting in small, confined spaces as well as not wanting to capture the attention of the City Watch with large, suspicious weapons.

When Jon Snow and the group of Nights Watch brothers attack Karl and the fellow mutineers at Crasters Keep, Karl initially has the upper hand because the confined space of the building suited his style. He used dirty tactics such as spitting in Jon’s face but was ultimately distracted when one of Crasters daughter-wives stabbed him in the shoulder. As he went to kill her, Jon pierced Longclaw – his Valyrian steel sword – through Karl’s skull.

Arya Stark

Not wanting to be a lady who married for power and influence, Arya Stark believed she could alter her destiny and forge her own identity. Having always been interested in the training of arms and the art of warfare, she chose to secretly practice archery in the courtyard of Winterfell.

Before she left for Kings Landing, her cousin – believed to be bastard half-brother – Jon Snow gifted her with a small, slender blade which she named Needle. When her father, Ned Stark, found her practicing with the blade he allowed her to have proper lessons because if she was going to fight, she needed to know how. She was taught by Syrio Forell in the art of water dancing, a Braavosi form of sword fighting in which stealth and agility are important.

After leaving Sandor “The Hound” Clegane for death, she traveled to Braavos and was trained as a Faceless Man in the House of Black and White.

With her new skillset, she avenged her mother, elder brother, sister in law and unborn nephew by slaughtering House Frey.

When Arya returned home to Winterfell, she was intrigued by Brienne of Tarth and wanted to spar with her because she had beaten the Sandor “The Hound” Clegane in single combat. They sparred and through different skills and physical advantages were evenly matched. The fight ended with a blade at each other’s throats.

With skilled precision, Arya executed Petyr Baelish with a swift swing of her Valyrian steel blade.

Syrio Forell

Originally from the free city of Bravos, where he spent nearly a decade as the First Sword of the city, Syrio Forell was a master sword fighter.

Ned Stark hired him to train his daughter, Arya Stark, when he found out she was in possession of Needle, a sword gifted to her by her cousin, believed to be half-brother Jon Snow.

He taught her the Braavosi fighting style of Water Dancing, in which balance, speed and dexterity are more important than brute strength. He teaches her how to forget her troubles because she is more vulnerable with them and cannot concentrate on fighting.

When Ser Meryn Trant came to take Arya into custody, Syrio fought him and the guards off to give her the chance to flee. Armed with only a wooden training sword, he defeated them all.

Before Arya left, she asked him to go with her but he responded “The First Sword of Braavos does not run,” before continuing his fight with Meryn Trant that supposedly lead to his death although it is not known for definite.

Duncan The Tall

Despite being long deceased before the events of Game of Thrones, Ser Duncan The Tall was still a legendary knight and the focus of many stories and songs that immortalized him. He was a close friend of King Aegon V Targaryen who was his squire; their friendship and its adventures inspired the Tales of Dunk and Egg.

He was an orphan boy who originated from Flea Bottom in Kings Landing. He squired for a hedge knight called Ser Arlan of Pennytree, and accompanied him to many tournaments and at least one major campaign in the Red Mountains of Dorne led by House Dondarrion.

When the knight died on the way to the tourney of Ashford, Duncan put on his armour and sword and competed.

At the tourney of Ashford, he led a seven-man team in a rare trial by seven against Prince Aerion “Brightflame” Targaryen. Despite Aerion being deemed extremely dangerous, Duncan and his team won.

When King Joffrey Baratheon looked in The Book of Brothers, he noted that Duncan had four pages written about his exploits which meant “He must have been quite a man.” Jaime Lannister replied “So they say.”

Randyll Tarly

The Lord of Horn Hill and head of House Tarly was a fierce, ruthless warrior and highly effective war general who was a powerful bannerman of House Tyrell.

During Robert’s Rebellion, he fought on the side of House Targaryen along with his liege lord Mace Tyrell. The only defeat Robert Baratheon ever suffered during his rebellion was at the Battle of Ashford, where Randyll Tarly commanded the royalist army. Stannis Baratheon commended that Randyll’s victory made him a fine soldier in his eyes.

When in Kings Landing, Jaime Lannister declared that he was the most prominent lord of the Reach. Despite his reluctance to join the Lannister s for their orchestration of the Red Wedding, he chose to remain loyal to House Lannister and the crown when Daenerys Targaryen invades Westeros.

He, along with Jaime Lannister and Bronn, lead the ten thousand men strong Lannister army against Highgarden, which they take easily and kill Olenna Tyrell in the process.

After surviving the attack of Daenerys Targaryen, her Dothraki horde and her dragon, Randyll Tarly and his second son, Dickon Tarly, refuse to bend the knee and are executed by being burned alive by Drogon.

Areo Hotah

Originally from the Free City of Norvos, where the Bearded Priests – whom he was sold to – trained him, Areo Hotah is the captain of the guards at Sunspear for Doran Martell, the Prince of Dorne. His training was completed at age sixteen and his chest was branded to signify him being wedded to his six feet long longaxe.

He entered the service of House Martell when Lady Mellario, the daughter of the family he was a guardsman for, married Doran. Having developed a strong loyalty to Prince Doran, Areo stayed in Dorne when Lady Mellario returned to Norvos.

Even after the many years since his training, he always remembered his vows “Serve. Obey. Protect.”

When he was sent to stop Arianne Martell’s plot to make Princess Myrcella Baratheon the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, he was confronted by Ser Arys Oakheart who charged him and his guard but Areo slayed him.

Euron Greyjoy

The King of the Iron Islands and Captain of the Silence, Euron Greyjoy, is a dangerous and vicious fighter.

During the Greyjoy Rebellion, Euron led a Raid on Lannisport and burned Tywin Lannisters entire fleet at anchor. That resulted in the Ironborn command of the western coasts and seas for a period of time. After the Rebellion failed, Euron became a pirate and went into exile where he reaved from Oldtown to Qarth and fought Summer Islanders and Ibbenese.

After a storm which made him lose his senses, he was tied to a mast to be prevented from jumping into the raging ocean. Once he was cut down, he had all of his sailor’s tongues cut from their mouths which after inspired the name of his ship.

During their confrontation, Euron threw his elder brother – Balon Greyjoy – and claimed the throne of the Iron Islands. After having been crowned King, he set out to murder his niece – Yara Greyjoy – and his nephew – Theon Greyjoy because they could contend his rule.

Having been named the Commander of the Lannister Fleet, he led the attack on the Greyjoy fleet and defeated Daenerys Targaryen’s allies in Blackwater Bay. He brutally murdered two of Oberyn Martell’s bastard daughters and overpowered his niece in single combat as well as murdering multiple Greyjoy men – loyal to Yara – and Martell soldiers.

Jorah Mormont

Having been exiled from Westeros for selling poachers into slavery to keep up with his wife’s expenses, the knight and former heir to Bear Island took up work as a mercenary in the Free Cities before he swore fealty to Daenerys Targaryen helped her adapt to her life as a khaleesi of the Dothraki.

During Robert’s Rebellion, he fought on the side of the rebels and was presumed to be at the Battle of the Trident. He also saw the aftermath of the Sack of Kings Landing.

Before being exiled, he participated in the Siege of Pyke during the Greyjoy Rebellion and was knighted afterwards by Robert Baratheon.

After having found out that he was spying on her and reporting back to Varys – the spider – to gain his pardon, Daenerys Targaryen exiled from her city but he returned with Tyrion Lannister as a gift and fought his way through the fighting pits to gain an audience with her.

Several years later, he accompanied Jon Snow out beyond the Wall on a mission to capture a Wight and found bravely against the army of the dead.

Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane

With his gigantic stature and sheer brutality, Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane was the one of the most formidable fighters in Westeros. He was well known for his cruelty dexterity in battle, and had a reputation for being a sadistic murderer and rapist.

Due to his inhuman strength, he wielded a two handed great sword in just one hand and he was able to wear the thickest, heaviest plate armour in the Seven Kingdoms – armour that no man of ordinary strength would be able to move in let alone fight in.

He was nigh invincible in combat and was able to cut a man in half with a single blow.

During Robert’s Rebellion, he fought for House Lannister on the side of the rebels and committed his most infamous deed; killing the infant prince Aegon Targaryen, then raped and killed Princess Elia Martell while still covered in her son’s blood.

When the Greyjoy’s rebelled he participated in suppressing their rebellion.

Tyrion Lannisters trial for the murder of King Joffrey Baratheon saw him fight against Oberyn Martell, “The Red Viper”, whom wounded him to near fatality. He, before admitting to the rape and murder of Oberyn’s sister – and the murder of her son – crushed Oberyn’s skull in with ease. He later succumbed to the poison that Oberyn had coated his spear in but was revived to a zombie like state after Qyburn’s experimentations on him.

Sandor “The Hound” Clegane

Sandor Clegane, known as “The Hound” for his ferocious nature and obedience to his to House Lannister, is one of the most dangerous warriors in Westeros.

He claimed he killed a man when he was twelve years of age, which could have been during Robert’s Rebellion as he was a part of Tywin Lannisters host during the Sack on Kings Landing.

After his brother viciously attacked Ser Loras Tyrell after having been bucked from his stallion during a joust at the Tourney of the Hand, Sandor entered a heated fight with his brother to stop him from killing the young knight.

Sandor fought bravely at the Battle of Blackwater, defending Blackwater Rush from a group of Stannis Baratheon’s archers but ultimately, he deserted when Tyrion Lannister commanded him to return to the battle field that was alight with Wildfire.

He beat Beric Dondarrion in single combat despite him using a flaming sword that burned Sandor’s arm.

During an encounter at the crossroads, Sandor fought and killed two of his brother’s men. He gained a multitude of injuries which became infected despite the efforts of Arya Stark. She left him by the Trident for dead, not granting him a merciful death.

Loras Tyrell

Knighted at the age of fifteen, Ser Loras Tyrell – known as the Knight of Flowers because of his House emblem being a rose – was a highly skilled knight and jouster, managing to unhorse Ser Jaime Lannister in a joust for Prince Joffrey’s Name Day.
Despite being young and having a slender frame, he was an extremely capable warrior using swords and axes with deadly results.

When Renly Baratheon made his claim for the Iron Throne, Loras Tyrell and the rest of House Tyrell pledged their allegiance to him and created political stability through marrying Margaery Tyrell to Renly. Loras became the head of Renly’s Rainbow Guard, which was his version of the Kingsguard. After Renly’s assassination, Loras killed the two Rainbow Guards who were meant to be guarding him that night.

House Tyrell joined House Lannister and fought for their cause rather than side with Stannis Baratheon, Renly’s older brother. Loras Tyrell and the Tyrell army helped the Lannisters win the Battle of Blackwater, which earned him a place in King Joffrey’s Kingsguard.

Brienne Of Tarth

Brienne Tarth, commonly known as Brienne of Tarth after her island home, is the only living child of Lord Selwyn Tarth. He tried to find a suitable match for her but this task was made difficult by her ungainly appearance and interest in a martial life rather than a marital one.

One of the men her father tried to betroth her to Ser Humphrey Wagstaff who told her she would have to lay down her sword once they were wed, to which she replied she would only do so for a man who could beat her in single combat. He ended up with three broken bones and a broken betrothal.

Having fallen in love with Renly Baratheon many years prior due to his courteous nature towards her, Brienne of Tarth joined him when he declared himself king at Highgarden. During a melee at Bitterbridge she beat Ser Loras Tyrell and asked for a position in Renly’s Rainbow Guard, which was his own version of the Kingsguard.

Jaime Lannister gifted her with the Valyrian steel sword, Oathkeeper, which was reformed from Ice, the ancestral sword of House Stark, to find Sansa Stark to fulfil his promise to Catelyn Stark.

Oberyn Martell

Known as the “Red Viper”, Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne served in the free company of Essos.

During the Sack of Kings Landing, his sister Elia – whom he had a close bond with – was raped and murdered by Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane while he was still covered in the blood of her dead, infant son. This caused Oberyn to burn with a vengeance again him and House Lannister.

On behalf of his elder brother, Doran Martell, Oberyn goes to Kings Landing to take the seat on the small council. His motives, however, were to avenge his sister and her children.

When Tyrion Lannister is put on trial for the murder of his nephew, King Joffrey Baratheon, he demands trial by combat and Oberyn Martell puts himself toward as the dwarfs’ champion because Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane was the opponent.

Being agile and fast, Oberyn manages to wound him despite his great physical advantage. Finding openings in his armour, Oberyn severs his hamstring and breaks his spear in Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane’s stomach.

Oberyn, however, made the mistake of not finishing him off and paid with his life when Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane crushed in his skull while he taunted him with a brutal confession.

Asher Forrester

Asher Forrester is a a Northern character from the TellTale Video Game of Game Of Thrones, which is canon to the HBO show. Having had a secret love affair with the daughter of his fathers sworn enemy, Asher Forrester’s father chose to exile him across the Narrow Sea to Essos rather than go to war.

He stated that he was “trained to fight” and not in the art of lordship but that fact aside, he would fight to the “last breath” to defend his father’s house.

Along with his mercenary friend, Beskha, Asher Forrester defeated the Lost Legion who was led by Tazal, whom had a personal grudge against Asher. He disarmed Tazal by cutting off his hand but reinforcements arrived and overpowered him until his uncle arrived.

When trying to gain the services of the former slaves of the fighting pits, he beat the champion and gained their support to help fight for his family.

If the player decides to have him stay behind and save his older brother Rodrick, Asher gets fatally hit in the chest with a crossbow. Whitehall men stab him multiple times and leave him for dead.

Rhaegar Targaryen

Although he did not seem martially inclined, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen became a notable warrior later in life after having read something that inspired him to do so.

At the age of seventeen he was knighted and became accomplished fighter. He was distinguished at tournaments, though he rarely entered for he lacked a love for the sound of clashing swords the way other men did.

He seemed almost unstoppable at the tourney of Harrenhal, beating even Ser Arthur Dayne. His victory allowed him to crown Lyanna Stark the queen of love and beauty, which set of a chain of events that caused Roberts Rebellion and the end of the Targaryen dynasty.

He took his pregnant [second] wife to the tower of joy in Dorne and left her there under the protection of Gerold, Arthur Dayne and Oswell Whent while he returned to the crownlands to take charge of the Targaryen army.

Rhaegar met Robert Baratheon on the battle of the Trident and fought him in single combat. Despite the fact he managed to wound Robert, Rhaegar was slain with a single blow from Robert’s warhammer. Lyanna Stark was the last thing he thought of and he died with her name on his lips.

Robert Baratheon

After Rhaegar Targaryen ran off with Lyanna Stark, Robert’s Rebellion began. While venturing to the Stormlands to call his bannermen, Marq Grafton and other loyalists from the Vale stood in his path at Gulltown but Robert slew Grafton. He continued home and called the banners.

However, some of the lord of the Stormlands remained loyal to the crown. Lords Grandison, Cafferen, and Fell gathered at Summerhall to march on Storms End but Robert marched to them with his knights and defeated them all and earned their loyalty.

Despite being beaten by Lord Randyll Tarly at the battle of Ashford, Robert managed to escape with the majority of his forces and march north to join with Ned Stark and Jon Arryn, his fellow rebels.

Jon Connington, the hand of Aerys II “The Mad King” Targaryen, went after him with an army. Robert took refuge in the Stoney Sept until his fellow rebels arrived and a fight ensued, in which Robert almost killed Connington.

Robert led the rebel forces during the battle of the Trident and – despite being wounded – slew prince Rhaegar Targaryen in single combat, while the battle thundered around them, with a large blow from Robert’s legendary war hammer.

Ned Stark

The Quiet Wolf and former Warden of the North, Ned Stark, was a well-trained and highly skilled fighter who wielded Ice, the ancestral Valyrian steel sword of House Stark.

During Robert’s Rebellion, he led a small party to the Red Mountains in Dorne to rescue his younger sister – Lyanna Stark – from the Tower of Joy where Rhaegar Targaryen had placed her when he found out about her pregnancy. He held his own against Ser Gerold of the Kingsguard and managed to hold his own against Ser Arthur Dayne, whose fighting skills were legendary. Eventually, Arthur disarmed him and almost killed him but Howland Reed stabbed Ser Arthur in the back of the neck. Ned used Dawn, the ancestral sword of House Dayne, and finished the fight.

When Jaime Lannister and several Lannister guards attack Ned Stark in Kings Landing, Ned managed to hold his own whilst fighting Jaime in single combat but was disarmed when a Lannister guard stabbed him in the back of the leg.

He was later executed on false charges of treason against the crown. It was noted after his death that it was his poor choices, much like his son – Robb Stark – that failed him rather than his fighting ability.

Jaime Lannister

At the age of fifteen, Jaime Lannister became the youngest member of the prestigious Kingsguard during the reign of Aerys II “The Mad King” Targaryen. He earned the derogative nickname, “The Kingslayer”, after having cut the Kings throat when he threatened to burn Kings Landing to the ground during the end of Robert’s Rebellion.

Jaime breaks Kingsguard neutrality and leads an attack with Lannister men Ned Stark and his Northmen after Catelyn Stark, Ned’s wife, takes Tyrion Lannister prisoner as she suspected he was involved in her sons attempted assassination. There were several casualties either side and Jaime fled Kings Landing to join his father, who used his army to threaten Catelyn’s homeland, the Riverlands.

Half of the Westerlands host was put under Jaime’s charge and he marched against the river lords, gaining several small victories.

Robb Stark, however, surprised Jaime Lannister at the battle of Whispering Wood. Seeing the battle as lost, Ser Jaime decided to try and end the fighting by killing Robb Stark himself. He managed to kill Daryn Hornwood, Eddard Karstark, and Torrhen Karstark before he was ultimately captured by the Northern host.

When Jaime Lannister lost his hand, he felt that he lost his fighting ability and, in turn, himself.

Barristan Selmy

Barristan the Bold, an aging knight from House Selmy and Lord Commander of the Kingsguard during the reign of Robert I Baratheon, was a celebrated hero who had served in the Kingsguard since they were considered the greatest knights of the Seven Kingdoms.

Many songs were written about Ser Barristan when he daringly infiltrated Duskendale alone to rescue Aerys II “The Mad King” Targaryen who had been abducted during the Defiance of Duskendale.

During Robert’s Rebellion he fought for House Targaryen and was present at the Battle of the Trident but was badly wounded. Despite fighting loyally and bravely, the Targaryen Dynasty had ended and Barristan took Robert Baratheon’s Pardon. Although if he had been at Kings Landing and saw Robert’s smile when the Targaryen children’s corpses were presented by Tywin Lannister, nothing would have stopped Ser Barristan from killing him.

Ser Barristan led an attack on Old Wyk during the Greyjoy Rebellion. Despite his age, he still remained a formidable fighter.

He managed to unhorse Sandor “The Hound” Clegane at a tourney for Prince Joffrey’s name day and even managed to unhorse men that were thirty and forty years his junior during the Tourney of the Hand.

Arthur Dayne

The last known carrier of the title ‘Sword of the Morning’, which House Dayne only bestows upon a knight worthy enough to carry their ancestral sword Dawn that was allegedly forged from a fallen star, was Ser Arthur Dayne.

The native Dornishman was a renowned Kingsguard during the reign of Aerys II “The Mad King” Targaryen and his fighting abilities were known across the realm of Westeros. He is an elite fighter, like no other, and is the person who inspired Jaime Lannister to become a Knight.

Ser Jaime, ever so eloquent, described Ser Dayne as someone who could have slain five people “with his left hand while he was taking a piss with the right.”

Rhaegar Targaryen, the crown prince, tasked him with protecting his pregnant [second] wife Lyanna Stark at the Tower of Joy during Robert’s Rebellion. It was a task that Ser Dayne carried out to the very end, where Howland Reed stabbed him in the back, which was the only way for the Northerners to win the battle.

Ned Stark expressed his remorse for the death of Arthur Dayne many times during the A Song of Ice and Fire book series because he died simply for doing his duty. Dawn was returned to House Dayne by Ned himself.