From Northmen to sellswords, who truly terrified their enemies?
In Game of Thrones, power came in many forms. Some wore crowns. Others wielded influence through cunning and betrayal. But a few carved their legacy through blood, steel, and sheer presence on the battlefield. These were the warriors others hesitated to face. They were killers, commanders, and legends in equal measure.
This article explores the most feared fighters in Game of Thrones, not just by skill, but by reputation, brutality, and the stories that followed them across Westeros and beyond.
1. Ser Arthur Dayne – The Sword of the Morning
Even years after his death, Dayne’s name evoked awe. Known as the finest swordsman of his time, he wielded the ancestral blade Dawn, a greatsword forged from a fallen star. What set Dayne apart was not just his technique, but his battlefield presence. He was fast, elegant, and utterly lethal. Even Ned Stark, a skilled warrior in his own right, only survived their duel at the Tower of Joy with help.
Why he was feared:
- Unparalleled swordsmanship
- Carried Dawn, a weapon as legendary as Valyrian steel
- Defeated multiple attackers alone
2. Sandor Clegane – The Hound
Sandor’s brutality was matched by his strength and surprising speed. Towering and scarred, he fought with a ferocity few could match. Whether killing knights in tourneys or cleaving soldiers in battle, the Hound made his mark through direct violence. Despite his contempt for knighthood, he upheld a brutal sense of honour.
Why he was feared:
- Raw strength and aggressive fighting style
- Ruthless in combat, particularly during the Battle of the Blackwater
- No hesitation to kill civilians, knights, or nobles
3. Gregor Clegane – The Mountain
Gregor was a monster in both size and cruelty. Standing over 7 feet tall, he crushed skulls with his bare hands and cut men in half with his massive greatsword. His reputation was soaked in blood: villages burned, women raped, children butchered. Even in death, reanimated as Ser Robert Strong, he inspired terror by his very silence.
Why he was feared:
- Enormous size and brute power
- Utter lack of mercy or conscience
- Unkillable reputation after becoming Ser Robert Strong
4. Khal Drogo
The Dothraki called him the Great Rider, and he earned that name not through birth but domination. Drogo’s braid, never cut, signified a life without defeat. In battle he wore no helmet or heavy armour, relying instead on speed and ruthless efficiency with his arakh. His presence alone kept entire khalasars in line.
Why he was feared:
- Unbeaten in single combat
- Led tens of thousands of Dothraki riders
- Fought with terrifying fluidity and speed
5. Arya Stark
What Arya lacked in size or battlefield fame, she made up for in precision and lethality. Trained by the Faceless Men in Braavos, Arya became an assassin without equal. She killed powerful figures including Walder Frey and the Night King, slipping through defences others thought impenetrable.
Why she was feared:
- Master of disguise and stealth
- Emotionally detached in her killings
- Struck without warning or hesitation
6. Brienne of Tarth
Brienne was mocked for her size and appearance, but on the battlefield, she earned every inch of respect. She defeated Loras Tyrell, Jaime Lannister, and Sandor Clegane in single combat. Her strength was matched by discipline, and she combined honour with terrifying efficiency.
Why she was feared:
- Skilled duellist capable of beating top warriors
- Unrelenting in defence of her vows
- Defied all expectations of gender and class
7. Jon Snow
Though less outwardly brutal than others, Jon’s strength came through resilience and leadership. He survived countless battles, from Hardhome to the Battle of the Bastards, showing both courage and skill. Commanders and enemies alike took him seriously, and he could handle himself against both humans and White Walkers.
Why he was feared:
- Combat experience against supernatural foes
- Strong leadership under pressure
- Swordsmanship honed by both the Night’s Watch and Northern warfare
8. Oberyn Martell – The Red Viper
Fast, flamboyant, and vicious, Oberyn fought with style and poison. His spearwork was graceful but deadly. Against Gregor Clegane, he nearly claimed victory through speed and taunts, pushing the Mountain to the edge. His downfall came not from lack of skill, but overconfidence.
Why he was feared:
- Exotic fighting style
- Use of poisoned weapons
- Quick and unpredictable in combat
9. Syrio Forel
As First Sword of Braavos, Syrio was more than a teacher. His water dancing technique relied on precision, timing, and speed. Though we never saw him in full battle, his confrontation with Lannister guards using only a wooden sword hints at his true ability.
Why he was feared:
- Master of the Braavosi style
- Quick enough to disarm armoured opponents
- Unclear if he even died during his last stand
10. Daario Naharis
Daario was flamboyant, cocky, and sharp-tongued, but also undeniably effective. As a commander of the Second Sons, he combined charm with violence. He wielded an arakh and stiletto with flair, taking out rival commanders with ease.
Why he was feared:
- Skilled with unconventional weapons
- Merciless in achieving objectives
- Led ruthless sellswords with tactical cunning
Seven Swords Takeaway
Fear in Game of Thrones was not earned through title or birth. It was forged in steel, fire, and silence. Some warriors inspired fear by their presence, others by what they left behind. From assassins in the dark to giants on the battlefield, the most feared fighters shaped the course of Westeros through death, reputation, and sheer will.
