Game of Thronespremiered onHBOin April 2011, almost 15 years after the first book in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series was first published. 2.2 million viewers watched the premiere episode live, and 2 million more watched reruns later that night.
RELATED:House of the Dragon: Best Characters, Ranked
Its prequel show,House of the Dragonbrought in almost 10 million views for its premiere on June 28, 2025. The audience’s love for Westeros is still going strong.We have ranked characters, now let’s see how the fights and battles of the show do against each other.
10Brienne Of Tarth Vs. The Hound
Season 4, Episode 10: Sandor Clegane, otherwise known as The Hound, reluctantly takes Arya Stark under his wing. He keeps trying to reunite her with what’s left of her family, always arriving too late. Unbeknownst to them, Brienne of Tarth is desperate to fulfill her oath to Arya’s late mother, Catelyn. Brienne and Pod encounter them on the road, but Sandor and Arya are wary of Brienne. A fight ensues, and Arya disappears before Brienne defeats The Hound.
Though this fight could have easily been avoided if they had simply sat down and talked things over, Arya wouldn’t have gone to Braavos. So this fight is not only important, but it is also very brutal. They both give as good as they get before Brienne leaves The Hound almost dead.
9Daenerys Frees The Unsullied
Season 3, Episode 4: Queen Daenerys Targaryen and her retinue go to Astapor in order to acquire Unsullied soldiers. The slave owner, Kraznys, assumes that Daenerys can’t speak High Valyrian and repeatedly insults her. Daenerys uses everyone underestimating her to her advantage pretending to agree to trade Drogon for the Unsullied. Only to turn around and free the Unsullied, order them to kill the slave masters, and order Drogon to set fire to Kraznys.
This isn’t a true battle and more a massacre of evil slave owners. However, it’s a very crucial moment in Daenerys obtaining her freed Unsullied army, proving she’s smarter than many think she is, and gaining loyalty from those she freed.
8The Red Viper Vs. The Mountain
Season 4, Episode 8: Tyrion has been found guilty of killing his nephew, King Joffrey and demands a trial by combat. Oberyn Martell aka The Red Viper volunteers to be Tyrion’s champion. He hopes to finally get his revenge on the man who raped and killed his sister: Gregor Clegane, otherwise known as The Mountain. Oberyn uses poisoned weapons that slow down and then kill The Mountain, but not before The Mountain crushes his skull with his bare hands.
RELATED:House Of The Dragon: Who Are The Greens & Blacks?
Oberyn wasn’t around very long, but he died a fan favorite. This duel was a key turning point in Tyrion’s path. The Red Viper’s cockiness was too much for his quick and graceful strikes — even though his skill outmatched The Mountain’s brute strength. His death was quite shocking to watch and a reminder to the audience that nobody is safe.
7The Battle Of Hardhome
Season 5, Episode 8: Jon goes beyond the wall to talk to Wildlings in order to convince them to come back with him. While people have begun loading ships, the swarm of White Walkers overwhelms them. Jon kills his first White Walker with his Valyrian steel sword and narrowly escapes. The Night King comes forward and raises the recently dead as those who escaped watch in silent horror.
The only real reason this battle is so low on the list is that this is a grand-scale massacre. Though many Wildlings were able to get away, the bigger percentage fall only to rise again, adding a huge number to the massive army. However, Jon learns that Valyrian steel can also kill White Walkers, and people witness exactly how the Night King revives the dead.
6Greyjoy Naval Battle
Season 7, Episode 2: Yara and Theon Greyjoy have reunited and allied themselves with Daenerys. The Greyjoys and the Sands leave together and are attacked by Euron Greyjoy’s fleet of ships. Euron proves crazy and formidable as his fleet obliterates Yara’s. When he threatens Yara’s life, Theon still has Reek PTSD, and he jumps from the ship, leaving his sister to her fate.
This is the only naval battle in the entirety of the show. If ships have been in a battle, they’re usually attacking enemies on land or getting roasted by Drogon and his siblings. Euron’s attack reveals he’s been busy rebuilding his navy with bigger, stronger ships. This battle also showcases Euron’s hand-to-hand combat skills.
5Arya Vs. Brienne
Season 7, Episode 4: Arya is back in Winterfell after leaving the Faceless Men and exacting her revenge on the Freys. Brienne is there having sworn her sword to Sansa after she escaped Ramsay’s evil clutches. Arya watches Brienne training Pod and asks for a training session as well, then proceeds to show just how skilled of a fighter she has become.
Though this “fight” is a training exercise and not a real “to the death” duel, it’s one of the most memorable and impressive fights in the whole series. Brienne has single-handedly beaten Loras Tyrell, Jaime Lannister, and The Hound, marking her as a top-tier swordswoman. Arya is able to give Brienne several “killing blows” before their duel ends in a draw.
4The Battle Of Winterfell
Season 8, Episode 3: The Night King got his hands on a dragon and burned a hole in the wall, letting his horde of White Walkers through. They head for Winterfell, where all the Stark’s bannermen and aides have waited to take their last stand against the White Walkers. It ends with Arya surprise attacking the Night King before killing him.
RELATED:House Of The Dragon: What To Expect From Season 2
This battle was the culmination of the whole series and its new prequel series, which many fans found disappointing. The greatPrince That Was Promised prophecyled to an anticlimactic end since Jon wasn’t the one who killed The Night King. The battle strategies made no sense, leading many to their quick and unnecessary deaths. Some characters seemed to impossibly cling to life though they were moments away from death. The worst part was how terribly lit most scenes were.
3Loot Train Attack
Season 7, Episode 4: The Lannister army sacked Highgarden after Olenna ended her life with the most boss move ever. They begin to go back to King’s Landing but don’t make it very far. Dany’s Dothraki horde comes swooping in on horseback while Drogon sets fires from above.
This attack shows what little chance an organized army has against the Dothraki and how effectively they break through enemy lines. We also get to see Dany leading her army on top of her dragon and raining fire. The Lannister army didn’t stand a chance against such a well-placed blow.
2The Battle At Castle Black
Season 4, Episode 9: Jon makes it back to Castle Black in time to warn of an upcoming Wildling attack. Preparations are made, but the Wildling attack is strong and some make their way inside. However, the gate is held to the death, and Mance orders the Wildlings to surrender after seeing the bloodshed.
This was such an intense and emotional siege since there were well-liked characters on both sides of the fight. Not to mention the heart-wrenching goodbye as JYgritte die in Jon’s arms. So many dead that could’ve helped against the White Walkers.
1The Battle Of The Bastards
Season 6, Episode 9: Ramsay Bolton refuses to give up Winterfell to Jon and Sansa. Jon and his allies ready to battle Ramsay’s forces. Ramsay brings forth Rickon, spurring Jon into futile action to try and save his “little brother.” The whole ordeal ends with Ramsay’s well-deserved gruesome death as he’s eaten alive by his own dogs.
Since the battle happened during the day, fans were able to see every second of the beautifully choreographed battle. It showcases how brilliant Ramsay is at battle strategy, coming up with something seen in Roman days — only to be outmaneuvered by Sansa and the Knights of the Vale. Then, we see the long-awaited hand-to-hand fight between Jon and Ramsay, and Sansa feeds him to his dogs.
NEXT:Best Shows To Watch If You Like House Of The Dragon
