10 Best Sword Fights In Game Of Thrones, Ranked( Part 2)
5Bronn Vs. Ser Vardis Egen
Game of Thrones season 1, episode 6, “A Golden Crown.”
Tyrion Lannister has two trials by combat in Game of Thrones, and the one between Bronn and Ser Vardis Egen goes much better for Tyrion than the next one. Bronn smartly decides not to wear heavy plate armor in this duel, choosing instead to tire his opponent out by dancing around and dodging his blows. Eventually, Ser Vardis tires himself out, and Bronn makes short work of him from there. This fight is intense though, and it’s crafted carefully to avoid giving away the outcome too early. It also has massive stakes since Tyrion will be executed if Bronn loses.
4The Hound Vs. Beric Dondarrion
Game of Thrones season 3, episode 5, “Kissed by Fire.”
The Hound fights Beric Dondarrion in a trial by combat during Game of Thrones season 3, and it’s another of the best fights in the show. The Hound is terrified of fire, and Beric sets his blade aflame before the duel, taking advantage of that fear. However, the fire on Beric’s sword ends up weakening the blade, causing it to shatter when The Hound unleashes a viscous downswing at him. The Hound ends up winning their duel, cleaving Beric from shoulder to navel. This fight is one of the best-looking in terms of cinematography, both men illuminated by an orange glow that really suits the fear and rage of Sandor, and it’s loaded with dramatic tension and excellent swordsmanship.
3Ned Stark Vs. Jaime Lannister
Game of Thrones season 1, episode 5, “The Wolf and the Lion.”
Ned Stark is one of the best characters in Game of Thrones, and his fight with Jaime Lannister in season 1 is one of the most exciting. Though one of Jaime’s men interferes by spearing Ned in the leg, their brief duel is a tight-run thing. Jaime is supposed to be the best swordsman in Westeros at this point, but Ned holds his own against him. Getting to see Ned in action is exciting, and even more so is watching Jaime at his peak; it’s more grounded than many later clashes, but that helps in this case. The fight is shot with careful detail that makes it look highly realistic, and the stakes feel enormously high.
2Oberyn Martell Vs. The Mountain
Game of Thrones season 4, episode 8, “The Mountain and the Viper.”
Oberyn Martell’s fight with The Mountain, during Tyrion Lannister’s trial by combat, is one of the tensest sequences in Game of Thrones. The stakes couldn’t be higher in this duel considering Tyrion’s life is on the line, and the dramatic tension throughout their fight is palpable. It’s another incredible contrast of styles, and Oberyn is clearly the better fighter of the two despite Gregor’s size and strength, and he seemingly has The Mountain beaten until he’s suddenly pulled to the ground and crushed like a melon. This is one of those moments that makes Game of Thrones fans cry, and it’s one of the best, most shocking fights in the series.
1Brienne Of Tarth Vs. The Hound
Game of Thrones season 4, episode 10, “The Children.”
Brienne of Tarth fights Sandor Clegane, or The Hound, at the end of Game of Thrones season 4 in an epic duel somewhere in the rocky Vale of Arryn. Part of what makes this duel great is that they both think they’re doing what’s best to protect Arya Stark, and audiences are invested in both characters, giving this extra heft. Brienne and the Hound’s fight is also a brutal, vicious, visceral experience, as each of them is one of the elite fighters in Westeros. They trade powerful blows in a masterfully shot sequence until Brienne finally overpowers The Hound and kicks him off a small cliff.
