Here is my rankings of all the major (and some minor) characters in Game of Thrones. So long as you've watched season 2 or have read Clash of Kings there won't be any spoilers.
1. Tyrion Lannister –
This probably won’t come as much of a surprise. He’s funny, smart, and
plays by his own moral code. I think Martin knew he had a winner when he created
this character, and I look forward to seeing where his crazy journey takes him
to next.
2. Jaime Lannister – If
you only watch the show or haven’t read any books after the second one then
you’re probably questioning why I put Jaime at #2. Without spoiling anything
let me just say that despite his propensity towards incest, Jaime does have a
moral code and is more keenly aware of the hypocrisy inherent to the power
structures of Westeros than any other character. He’s a rebel who’s trying to
simultaneously fight against and work within the system.
3. Daenerys Targaryen
– Despite being a bit whinier in the HBO show, and trying too hard to be the
good guy in later books, Daenerys is easily the most interesting woman in the
series, but I wish she’d hurry up and get to Westeros already.
4. Jon Snow – Jon
Snow has to make a lot of very difficult decisions despite his young age, and
although he may not always make the right call, he does his best to do what’s
right which is a hell of a lot more than most others can say.
5. Arya Stark – Although
Arya gets progressively angrier as the series goes on, she still retains her
fighting spirit and a place as one of my personal favorites.
6. Brienne of Tarth –
Stronger and more honourable than the vast majority of knights, Brienne is
one of the most compelling women in the series and I hope she manages to find
happiness one day.
7. Dolorous Edd
Tollett – Everything this character says is genius.
8. Davos Seaworth – I
have a thing for noble characters who everybody else treats like dirt, and that
pretty much describes Davos in a nutshell.
9. Jorah Mormont – He
may at first appear noble and upright, but when you get down to it, Jorah is
one of the more morally ambiguous characters which is precisely why I like him.
10. Varys “The
Spider” – In the war between Varys and Littlefinger that runs in the background
throughout the series, I’ve thrown my lot behind Team Varys because despite his
secretive ways I do believe he has the best interests of the realm at heart.
11. Stannis Baratheon
– Some may consider Stannis too rigid and unwilling to compromise, but these
qualities are what make him so fascinating to me. I’ll admit that he’d probably
be a terrible king, but he’s a great character.
12. Tywin Lannister –
What he lacks in fatherhood material, Tywin more than makes up for in being
perhaps the most cunning man in all Westeros.
13. Ned Stark – Ned
is noble to a fault and his death remains as one of the most emotional
highpoints of the series.
14. Podrick Payne –
I’m not entirely sure why, but I have a real soft spot for Pod. I think it’s
because of his quiet dignity and unwavering loyalty.
15. Brynden “The
Blackfish” Tully – The fact that they cut him from the show makes me sadder
than all of the other changes combined.
16. Walder Frey – Though
there are plenty of good reasons not to like this guy, I still find him
hilariously entertaining.
17. Tormund
Giantsbane – Har! Har! Har!
18. Meera Reed – Bran
would be dead a thousand times over if it wasn’t for Meera and assuming both
survive the series they’ll probably get together.
19. Robb Stark – Apart
from one very stupid decision, Robb is one of the best characters who’s point
of view we never see.
20. Bronn – For a
sellsword, Bronn is pretty loyal guy and also pretty clever.
21. Osha – She’s
probably cooler in the show than the books where she doesn’t play as major a
role, but I like her nonetheless.
22. Greatjon Umber – It’s
hard not to like this guy.
23. Asha Greyjoy – Easily
the smartest and best of the Greyjoys.
24. Arianne Martell –
This girl is one to watch.
25. Jeor Mormont – He’s
like a more badass version of Santa Claus.
26. Ygritte – You
should listen to Ygritte, Jon. She knows more than you.
27. Khal Drogo – One
word: boss.
28. Doran Martell – The
best part about Doran is that nobody realizes just how scared of him they
should be.
29. Barristan Selmy –
One of the few knights who actually lives up to the job.
30. Shagga and the
Mountain Men – These guys always make me laugh.
31. Grenn/Pyp – These
two have a good comedy routine going on.
32. Quorin Halfhand –
All around a pretty cool guy.
33. Jaqen H’Gar – For
a cold-blooded professional murderer, this guy is alright.
34. Donal Noye – I
don’t want to spoil anything, but this guy may just do the most badass thing
out of anybody in the series.
35. Val – Wilding
women are so much cooler than Wildling men.
36. Gendry – Some
people seem to have this fantasy of Gendry and Arya getting together, and
although I like him, I don’t really see that happening.
37. Mya Stone – I
like Mya and I hope she plays a larger role in later books.
38. Oberyn “The Red
Viper” Martell – Best nickname in the series.
39. The Sand Snakes –
Each more deadly than the last. The Martells are pretty badass.
40. Olenna “The Queen
of Thorns” Redwyne – She definitely has a fitting nickname and is pretty
much the grandma who says whatever she feels like because she’s old goddammit!
41. Garlan Tyrell – He
may not do much, but Garlan the Gallant lives up to his name and is one of the
most decent men in the books.
42. Margery Tyrell – A
triple threat of beautiful, charming, and clever.
43. Bran Stark – Despite
being crippled, Bran may just become one of the most powerful beings in Westeros
if he can ever get over his insecurities.
44. Sandor “The
Hound” Clegane – He’s one of the best killers in Westeros and also has more
honour than most knights, though he doesn’t like to let people know that.
45. Roose Bolton – Roose
is not a very nice man and will do whatever it takes to ensure the most
efficient and beneficial outcome even if that means murder. I may not approve
of his methods, but can appreciate his desire for some peace and quiet.
46. Theon Greyjoy – I
know a lot of people really don’t like Theon, but I can see where he’s coming
from and sympathize with his conflicting loyalties.
47. Daenerys’
Entourage – They’re all pretty boss in their own way, but you can’t really
say much about them individually.
48. Sansa Stark – She
starts off really stupid and annoying, but gets better as the series
progresses.
49. Mance Rayder – He’s
a clever man to say the least, and that’s something I can appreciate.
50. Maester Luwin – Luwin
is the ultimate mentor figure in the series and has one of the most touching
death scenes.
51. Yoren – He’s
smelly and crass, but he has his own brand of nobility.
52. Maester Aemon – Aemon
has one of the coolest backstories out of any character.
53. Rodrick Cassel – A
loyal man with boss facial hair.
54. Sam Tarly – He’s
smart and has a good heart, but his prissiness does get tiresome at times.
55. Griff – I’m
not sure what to make of him yet, but he seems cool.
56. Kevan Lannister –
He’s pretty much the Lannister equivalent to Victarion Greyjoy, but earns
bonus points for telling off Cersei.
57. Renly Baratheon –
His death pretty much comes out of nowhere, and you never really get to know
him, but I guess he’s alright.
58. Patchface – He
may seem like a mental patient, but it has been suggested that Patchface holds dark secrets. For starters there’s the matter of how he drowned before washing
up on shore. Then there are his little rhymes which seem to predict the future.
Finally, there’s the fact that Melisandre is scared of him which does not bode
well.
59. Shireen Baratheon
– She may not seem all that important, but there are hints that due to her
grayscale as a baby, she may play a major role down then line.
60. Melisandre – I’m
still not entirely sure if I should trust her or not, but either way she’s an
enigmatic character.
61. Jojen Reed – Jojen
is kinda weird, but I suppose that’s forgivable when you know how/when you’ll
die.
62. Benjen Stark – I
have theories regarding what happened to Benjen, but shall refrain from voicing
them for spoiler reasons.
63. Ilyn Payne – This
guy knows a lot of secrets and may know things that even Varys doesn’t, but he
ain’t talking anytime soon.
64. The Three-Eyed Crow
– Overall, a creepy…thing, but he seems to be looking out for the good
guys.
65. Beric
Dondarrion/Thoros of Myr – The Brotherhood Without Banners is an
interesting organization to say the least, mostly thanks to these two.
66. Vargo Hoat – He
may be cruel, but he’s also pretty funny due to his lisp.
67. Tommen Baratheon
– A nice boy, but not the ideal for royalty.
68. Wyman Manderly – He
may be fat, but it turns out he’s actually pretty smart.
69. Euron “Crows Eye”
Greyjoy – I don’t know what his endgame is, but I know it’s not going to be
good.
70. Myrcella
Baratheon – She hasn’t really done much yet, but shows greater promise than
her mother.
71. Qyburn – He’s
pretty much the mad scientist of the series.
72. Quaithe – She’s
pretty mysterious, but seems to know what she’s talking about.
73. Ramsay Bolton – If you think Joffrey is bad then you haven’t
seen anything yet. Ramsay is pretty much an officially sanctioned serial
killer, and even his own dad (Roose) finds his cruelties excessive, yet for
some reason I like him better.
74. Robert Baratheon
– Pretty much a Westerosi fratboy. He may be a great warrior, but he is a less
than ideal king and father.
75. Petyr
“Littlefinger” Baelish – I can’t think of a character that I trust less.
76. Shae – The
worst mistake Tyrion ever made.
77. Aeron Greyjoy – All
this guy has going for him is a head full of crazy.
78. Cersei Lannister
– She may be a horrible person, but reading her chapters are a joy just to
watch her fail harder than your mind will allow you to comprehend.
79. Edmure Tully – He
means well, but is still pretty foolish.
80. Loras Tyrell – He
means well, but is still pretty foolish.
81. Rattleshirt –
Beyond looking badass he doesn’t really do much.
82. Gilly – In
book 4 she does something very disgusting.
83. Hot Pie – You
know you suck when you’re nickname is “Hot Pie”.
84. Victarion Greyjoy
– A more boring version of his older brother.
85. Daario Naharis –
Quite possibly the worst decision Daenerys ever made
86. Illyrio Mopatis –.The
portrait of gluttony and greed.
87. Young Griff – I
don’t think this guy is who he thinks he is.
88. Hizdhar zo Loraq –
Does anybody trust this guy?
89. Dontos Hollard –
A cowardly, drunken fool who borders on pedophilia.
90. Boros Blount –
A fat, useless turd.
91. The Kettleblacks –
It turns out being a lackey runs in the family.
92. Xaro Xhoan Daxos –
This guy is a pompous phony.
93. Mace Tyrell –
He’s pretty much just a big windbag.
94. Areo Hotah –
Hello, I have no personality and part of my job is not to think. Would like to
read about my view on the world?
95. Quentyn Martell –
He comes from my favorite family in Westeros yet has the lamest, most
disappointing story.
96. Arys Oakheart –
I have no idea why Martin thought this guy deserved his own chapter.
97. Randyll Tarly -
One of the top three contenders for Worst Father in Westeros.
98. Lancel Lannister –
Lancel can’t do anything right.
99. Alliser Thorne –
Little more than a big, mean jerk.
100. Gregor “The
Mountain” Clegane – Dumb muscle 1
101. Amory Lorch –
Dumb muscle 2
102. The
Tickler/Weese/Dunsen/Polliver – The dumb muscles of the dumb muscles.
103. Grandmaester
Pycelle – The toadiest toady of them all.
104. Janos Slynt –
It’s hard to see the good side of a man who murders babies without a second
thought.
105. Balon Greyjoy –
Part of the reason why I dislike Balon is because he’s a terrible father who
has trapped his sonly son in a Catch-22. The main reason, however, is because
of his completely idiotic plan to invade the North. It’s a bad idea in so many
ways, but I won’t get into it here.
106. Viserys
Targaryen – A right royal prick like Joffrey, but without a crown to back
it up.
107. Lysa/Robert
Arryn – These two are really, really, really creepy.
108. Craster –
It’s hard to sympathize with a man who has sex with all his daughters.
109. Joffrey
Baratheon – A right royal prick.
110. Catelyn Stark –
The story of Catelyn’s life is an endless parade of bad decisions. She has a
tendency to trust the wrong people (Littlefinger) while vehemently disliking
goodhearted people (Jon and Tyrion). She does a lot of silly things which cost
a lot of people very dearly, and she only gets bitchier/more psycho as the
series progresses.
Honourable Mention:
Hodor – Hodor!
Bonus points to whoever can tell me what is most wrong with this list.
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