Spoilers from Season 6 ahead
After seeing Ser Arthur Dayne in action in the last episode, i started to think who would be the best figthers that appeared in the series and decided to make a list. Instead of just making a list, i divided them in tiers, since i wasn't really confident about who were the best in some cases.Feel free to pick dead characters or characters at a given time, even if not the latest condition (like Jaime before loosing the hand). I will.
For some consistency, i will focus on TV content. Feel free to base your opinnions on the books too, if you want.
Tier Epic -
Arthur Dayne, The Sword of the Morning - I mean, are you kidding me? This guy completely outclasses any knight/warrior showed in the series so far. He looks more like a LoTR character than a GoT's one. I know the fight was different in the books, and he lost regardless, but Ser Arthur was still regarded as the best at the time by pretty much everyone. And there was a really good reason for that, he fended against 5 war veterans (including Ned) like it was easy.
Top Tier -
The Knights below are the most dominant fighters of the Seven Kingdoms. No one in their right mind would challenge them to a fair duel, or even dare to ambush without a good reason
Gregor Clegane, The Mountain - Not everyone likes him (ok, no one does), but it is hard to disagree with how unpleasant it was/is/will be to see anyone you like having to fight this dude. He practically decapitates a horse with a single strike. He made Ser Loras, an at least above average knight, look like a brat. He is not only strong, but displayed vitality to resist to the Red Viper poison for enough time to finish the fight. He is also described by Bronn as quikier for someone of his size.
All of that before he went frankstein.
He is also my benchmark for the Top Tier.
Oberyn Martell, The Red Viper - If The Mountain is the benchmark for this tier, what to say of the man who made it look easy to fight him? Drunk nonetheless. Yea, he ended up dying for being too careless and, to be fair, Ser Gregor was able to disarm him once during the fight, but due to the circumstances another spear was given to him like it didn't matter. If this fight happened far from an audience, that would hardly be the case.
Still, Oberyn was agile enough to dance around Gregor and easily dodge or skillfully parry all attacks. Not only that, but he coated his weapons in poison, making any his speed all the more deadly, since a single cut could be enough to decide his enemy fate.
Sandor Clegane, The Hound - Many may disregard him, given the way he ''died'', but that would be a mistake. You need to remember he fought Brienne in disadvantage. He was wounded, had a inferior sword and was starving. Still, managed to give the towering lady the fight of her life.
Not only that, but in season one he holds his brother from killing Ser Loras and displays efficency in doing that. He was powerful enough to parry The Mountain attacks based on strength alone (opposed to Oberyn, who parried basically with skill) or easily dodge them. That may be based on his knowledge of Gregor's style, since they know each other, but was still impressive.
He is not as agile as The Viper, strong as The Mountain or skilled as The Kingslayer, but there lies his true strength: he is much more balanced than most other fighters in the series and should always be able to play to his enimes weakness, while being at least good enogh to hold their strengths off.
Brienne of Tarth - While her most amazing fight so far is not in the books, it was still pretty cool to see. Like i pointed before she had numerous advantages against The Hound, but even then She displayed great bravery and strength. She had more problems in easier fights than most in this tier, but she beated Sandor and do have a Valirian Sword.
This may look like a stretch, but i am keeping her here.
High potential Tier -
The figthers below seem to be way above average, but have not defeated great foes or had enough chances of displaying their skills yet.
Jaime Lannister (with the hand)/ Khal Drogo /Daario Naharis - I really feel like those three could easily make into Top tier, if only they had the chance. Unfortunately the show didn't allowed them to show their skills yet.
Sor Barristan Selmy - Said to be as powerful and skilled as Arthur Dayne during the war, his best days are gone by the time the show begins. Still feared and respected, i dare to say that even in his aged condition, he still stood good chances against the Top Tier. Something between 30% to 40%.
Ser Bronn of the Blackwater - Bronn is awesome, there is no way around that. Already survived a good deal of fights against enimes. When he arrives in Dorne he fights 3 mounted soldiers with reasonable ease. He is aknowledged, to some extent, by The Hound and even belives to stand a chance against The mountain. If that is true or not we may never know, but Bronn deserves being mentioned.
His most unique trait is his ability to improvise and adapt according to the situation. More cunning than any other on my list, Bronn is dangerous to any enemy.
Tormund Giantsbane - Ok, i know, this name doesn't pop on best fighter lists that often. That's because people are dumb. Just watch Castle Black attack again, this guy was eating crows like if he had spent the whole year saying NX would release in 2016. (=P)
Ser Allister tries to engage, but Tormund just dispatches him before resuming his crow killing. This killing machine is the closest thing we saw of a barbarian fighting in the TV, since Khal Drogo never had a chance, and while he lacks armor and skill, he does have a unique combination of Strength, speed and ferocity that could be enough to overthrow most warriors.
Jon Snow - Ok, he has his ass saved more than most heroes would and still have a lot to learn. He also killed a white walker, has fought many battles, has a valirian sword and a dire wolf as animal companion. He experienced a plethora of fightining styles, from winterfell nobility's, free folk's savagery to white walkers unatural way.
