Top 5 Fights in Game of Thrones
by Jake Mackin 2025
The Game of Thrones TV show is all about politics, schemes, plots (schemes and plots are the same thing…?), and sex… And these have all led to some epic fight scenes. These are my 5 favorite fight scenes from the show. Special shout out to the Cargyll's from House of the Dragon because their sword fight might be better than all of these from Game of Thrones.
Ned Stark vs. Jaime Lannister (Season 1 Episode 5)
Foreshadowed since the Pilot episode and mentioned in the story ever since Ned found Jaime sitting on the Iron Throne after killing the Mad King, this fight was bound to happen. These two had been spewing out fighting words and not-so-friendly banter at each other during King Bobby B’s welcoming feast in Winterfell. A feast that was supposed to be more of a celebration for Ned becoming Hand of the King. Jaime has a knack for competition especially when it comes to fighting as he is known to be one of, if not the best swordsman alive at that point. The spark that lit this fight in the streets of King's Landing was Catelyn's capturing Tyrion Lannister, accusing him of conspiring to murder Bran. This capture mixed with Ned's unbreakable honor and loyalty to his wife led to this exciting clash of two great warriors. He was taken at my command. Bless you Ned. Unfortunately, we do not get a winner for this one, so we can only speculate who would have came out on top. I do like how Jaime gets pissed at the guy for stabbing Ned in the leg. It shows how Jaime has some honor when it comes to combat and respects the 1v1.
Sandor Clegane vs. Gregor Clegane aka Cleganebowl (Season 8 Episode 5)
Cue the airhorns. While season 8 was not exactly on par with the rest of the show, it gave us one of the most epic and cinematic fight scenes. The Hound vs. The Mountain. Stemming back since season 1 where we Littlefinger tells us the history of the Hound's nasty facial scars. Gregor held his brother's face in the fire because Sandor was playing with one of his toys, leaving Sandor with a fear of the flame. Normal Westerosi sibling rivalry. Cleganebowl was something most fans were dying to see, and it happened in spectacular fashion. Say what you want about season 8, but there is so much to love about this scene. I love the way Cersei calmy evacuates before the brawl and no one bats an eye. Qyburn getting absolutely clapped by his Frankenstein-like creation. Gregor is a zombie at this point but there's still part of him in there when confronted by his brother. The fight itself was brutal and you can feel each heavyweight blow these brutes throw at each other. All the while Drogon is flying and wreaking havoc in the background. It's was fucking awesome to see a fight of epic proportions that is also fitting ending for both characters. Sandor's lifelong fear of fire had to be conquered when he threw both Gregor and himself into it to end this brotherly feud once and for all. Wait, was this the only good thing about season 8?
Gregor vs. Oberyn Martell (Season 4 Episode 8)
Many consider season 4 of Game of Thrones to be its peak, and this scene is one of the most shocking in the entire show. Leading up to this, we have Tyrion, accused of regicide after King Joffrey was poisoned at his own wedding, dying gruesomely in his mother's arms. Tyrion thought he could count on his handy sell-sword Bronn, who declines to be his champion. Then we are left wondering, how is Tyrion going to get out of this one? In comes Oberyn Martell, aka the Red Viper, Prince of Dorne, and certified badass. This guy just drinks, fights, and fucks. Oberyn hates Lannisters, specifically Tywin and especially hates the Mountain who raped his sister, then killed her and her children. The stars align and he finally gets a chance to bring justice to Gregor Clegane. Surprising everyone, Oberyn's dexterity and expertise with a spear gives him the upper hand in the fight. All it took was one single moment of hubris to end it all. I would call this fight a draw. If it were not for Qyburn turning Gregor into an undead zombie, he would have perished due to the poisonous wounds left by the Viper.
Sandor vs. Brienne of Tarth (Season 4 Episode 10)
These Cleganes sure get into a lot of fights. At the center of this clash, we have Arya Stark, who was kidnapped by the Hound. These two end up spending a lot of time together, eventually forming a bond. The two have a lot in common, I mean they really like killing people. On the other side we have Brienne, who swore an oath to Catelyn Stark that she would find her children and keep them safe. When Brienne finally catches up with Arya, she is naturally only met with suspicion. Arya's journey this far was rough. Being kidnapped, killing people, and watching as the hound robs the innocent. Purely good people like Brienne are an anomaly in Westeros which explains why Arya is not quick to trust her. The fight itself was sudden, bloody, and brutal. These two are juggernauts and some of the best fighters in Westeros and they beat the absolute piss and shit out of each other. The Hound grabs her Valyrian steel blade, Brienne kicks him in the nuts, the Hound... kicks her in the groin back. But unlike the rest of these fights, there is a clear winner. Brienne gets the upper hand when she finds a rock and starts pummeling the Hound with it. It is after this fight that we learn that Arya actually cares about the Hound when she does not execute him at his request.
Ned Stark and the boys vs. Arthur Dayne & Gerold Hightower (Season 6 Episode 3)
A famous skirmish referenced multiple times in the books and show. On one side we have the legendary Arthur Dayne, Sword of the Morning, alongside Gerold Hightower, Lord Commander of the King’s Guard under Aerys Targaryen. On the other side, it's a group of Northmen led by Ned Stark alongside Howland Reed. This skirmish happens at the location known as the Tower of Joy. Arthur and Gerold were commanded by Rhaegar Targaryen to protect the tower, and we're not even sure if they know what they are protecting. The audience of course knows that it's Ned's sister Lyanna, who is pregnant with Aegon Targaryen aka Jon Snow, who would be the heir to the throne. Ned is famous for winning this fight and we get glimpses of his perspective when he is dreaming. However, it's not until we actually see the event via Bran's greensight, that we get the details for how it went down. Ned isolated the 1v1 with Gerold Hightower and makes quick work of him, however, Ser Arthur Dayne is a different breed of warrior. In this fight, he would wield two swords, including House Dayne's family sword Dawn, forged from the heart of a fallen star. Regarded by many as the greatest and most skilled knight to have ever lived, he picks off Ned's men one by one with ease until it is just him versus Ned. Ned puts up a fight but is out skilled, outclassed, and disarmed by the end of the fight. ...he would have killed me but for Howland Reed.