The women of Game of Thrones, in particular, continue to stand out with each rewatch. Many of these characters were sidelined with their endings, or given especially frustrating endings, but their arcs up until then were really impactful. Many of the driving heroes and best fighters in Game of Thrones are its women, and the show’s very best villain is a woman as well. These are the most badass women of Game of Thrones, ranked.
10. Ygritte
Played by Rose Leslie
Ygritte (Rose Leslie) was sadly only in three seasons of Game of Thrones before her heartbreaking death during the Battle of Castle Black, where she was shot and killed by Olly (Brenock O’Connor) after she was unable to kill Jon (Kit Harington) because she loved him. That being said, Ygritte was a badass in every sense of the word. She was a skilled fighter who stayed true to her beliefs, and she always spoke her mind.
Even as she fell in love with Jon, Ygritte was constantly giving him grief, in some of Game of Thrones‘ funniest and most enjoyable scenes. Ygritte could certainly be dangerous in combat when she wanted and needed to be, but she also had a strong heart, and she died because she was ultimately torn between her loyalty to the Wildlings and her love for Jon.
9. Margaery Tyrell
Played by Natalie Dormer
Don’t be fooled by her carefully-crafted demeanor: Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) was a true badass who absolutely knew how to play the game, and how to manipulate others when necessary, without them ever suspecting a thing. Margaery was incredibly clever and intentional with her words and actions, and as a result, she was able to make it very far, up until her death in the Great Sept of Baelor fire.
Margaery was incredibly clever and intentional with her words and actions…
8. Catelyn Stark
Played by Michelle Fairley
Catelyn Stark’s (Michelle Fairley) time in Game of Thrones was short-lived, due to her brutal and unforgettable death at the Red Wedding, where she was killed alongside her son, Robb (Richard Madden), and daughter-in-law, Talisa (Oona Chaplin). Still, though, in only three seasons, Catelyn Stark made quite a mark as one of the show’s most powerful and memorable women.
Her strength primarily came from her intelligence, and the influence that she had over others.
Catelyn was a fierce and loving mother to her children, and was always firm in her beliefs, even when she was arguably in the wrong. Her strength primarily came from her intelligence, and the influence that she had over others. Although Catelyn’s death during the Red Wedding was certainly disturbing, it was fitting that Catelyn went out fighting to the bitter end, and it cemented her legacy as a true badass.
7. Missandei of Naath
Played by Nathalie Emmanuel
Even as Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) turning into a dictator always felt unfair and out of character, the part of this that has always made sense was that the loss of Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel) completely broke her. Missandei was Daenerys’ most trusted advisor for a reason. Missandei’s power was in her intelligence, level-headed nature, and inherent kindness. She also knew a number of languages, and could often act as an interpreter.
Missandei was Daenerys’ most trusted advisor for a reason.
Missandei was always a badass, up until the moment she died. When Cersei offered Missandei the chance to say any last words before she beheaded her, Missandei went with none other than “Dracarys,” refusing to back down even on the brink of death. Missandei was both a fighter and fiercely loyal to Daenerys, until her very last breath.
6. Olenna Tyrell
Played by Diana Rigg
Olenna revealed that she was the one who poisoned Joffrey…
In her last moments before dying, Olenna took the opportunity to confess to a murder – not because she felt guilty, but rather to gloat. Olenna revealed that she was the one who poisoned Joffrey in the event that is now known among fans as the Purple Wedding. Olenna knew exactly how awful Joffrey was, and she wanted Margaery to gain the power of marrying into the Lannisters’ family without having to be married to Joffrey. It was an epic moment, all down to her last words: “Tell Cersei. I want her to know it was me.”
5. Cersei Lannister
Played by Lena Headey
Love her or hate her, every Game of Thrones fan can agree that Cersei Lannister was the show’s best villain. She was incredibly intelligent and cunning, which made her such an excellent antagonist. She could fight, but Cersei was also a really incredible planner and manipulator. Cersei was a true badass, even as a villain, because she knew what she wanted and did everything she could to achieve it.
It was so disappointing for a badass like Cersei to die getting crushed by bricks as accidental collateral in Daenerys’ attack on King’s Landing. Cersei was always meant to die in battle as a true villain and fighter, going down in her quest for power. Cersei ultimately still stands out as a character, not just for being a great villain, but for the lengths she would go to get what she wanted.
4. Arya Stark
Played by Maisie Williams
Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) accomplished a number of truly badass feats, from training to become a Faceless Man, to ultimately being the one to slay the Night King. Arya’s power came from not just what she did, though, but who she was. She started out as a very young child who idolized and romanticized fighting without understanding it, but over the course of her character arc, Arya became this incredible warrior.
Arya’s power came from not just what she did, though, but who she was.
3. Sansa Stark
Played by Sophie Turner
Sansa Stark’s (Sophie Turner) journey over the course of Game of Thrones was incredible to watch. She started out as a spoiled child with big dreams about what she wanted her life to look like, but she became this really strong woman, and an excellent leader. Often stuck in enemy territory and faced with impossible circumstances, Sansa continued to fight with everything in her, while hoping to be reunited with her family.
…Sansa’s power came from her intelligence and her careful way of leading.
2. Brienne of Tarth
Played by Gwendoline Christie
Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) had one of the best introductions in Game of Thrones, as a woman fighting in a tournament on Renly’s (Gethin Anthony) behalf. Brienne was always clear and confident in who she was, but throughout her arc, she continued to prove herself through a number of quests and difficult obstacles. Brienne may not have been a character who was typically getting the glory, but she was always fiercely helping others and working towards her goals, even when in a supporting position.
Brienne was always clear and confident in who she was…
What really stands out about Brienne even now is how true and loyal she always was to her word. Throughout her time in Game of Thrones, Brienne dedicated herself to avenging Renly’s death, and carrying out her promise to Catelyn to deliver Jaime to King’s Landing, and to protect Sansa and Arya. Game of Thrones failed Brienne with its ending for her in a lot of ways, but it was amazing to see her become the first woman to be made a knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
1. Daenerys Targaryen
Played by Emilia Clarke
There are a number of badass women in Game of Thrones, but Daenerys Targaryen is especially incredible, even in spite of her horribly unfair ending. Starting out with no power or say over her life, Daenerys became the Mother of Dragons when she hatched the first dragons since they were all killed back in the Dance of the Dragons. She then went on to fight to reclaim her rightful seat on the Iron Throne, while also advocating for those who were given no say over their own destinies.
Daenerys’ ending was a true tragedy, not just because of how she died, but because of how out-of-character that turn was for her. Daenerys was a true badass, but it went beyond her dragons or her ability to fight. What made Daenerys so powerful was her sense of justice and her passion for advocating for people in the worst of conditions. She was a strong leader and fighter, all up until the show’s sudden switch-up for her character.
