Poll: Game of Thrones trial by combat... who do you choose as your champion?

The rules in brief:

• any champion you choose, will fight to the best of their abilities
• you don't know who your opponent will be, but it will be a skilled combatant from GoT (including the possibility of anyone from this list who you didn't choose)
• the fight is one-on-one in an arena (no outside influences or shenanigans)
• combatants fight on foot (no mounts)
• you may choose your champion as they appear at any point within any of the 8 seasons of the show (but not before, so you can't have a young version of Selmy, but you can chose Jamie Lannister before he lost his hand)
• your combatant is armed with the close combat weapons (no ranged weapons) and armor that they are shown to use/own in the Game of Thrones show

Choose wisely and discuss.

P.S. I fully acknowledge that the final season of the show (or even earlier seasons for some people) was a flaming pile of dog shit. That said, the show did introduce us to some great characters and this should be a fun little exercise.

 

@Mrs. NIGHTBRINGER has cast her vote. Without knowing my vote, she chose the same champion as I had (although we had discussed this topic years ago before the show had concluded).

 

I've never watched the shows, only read the 5 books that are out so far, and it has been a while so I don't remember, is trail by combat always to the death, or can it end in one fighter yeilding? If the latter that may come into play depending on what I have to offer my champion to drive them to victory.

 

A good question. If I recall correctly it has always been to the death in each instance that it occurs in the show (although I could be mistaken, its been quite some time since I watched the earlier seasons in their entirety).

For the sake of this poll/discussion, let's assume that it is to the death and both fighters will fight to the very best of the their abilities. You have no need to offer your champion any incentive, as soon as you choose them, they will fight to 100% of their maximum ability (as does their opponent). Neither your champion or their opponent will ever yield.

 

My pick was the first Dude on the Middle row.

I never saw an episode: so the guy from the picture better be name number 5 which is the one I picked.

 

Yup, a solid choice.

Gregor Clegane (The Mountain)

 

I decided to go with Bronn, again based on portrayal in the books as I haven't seen the show. He's a no-nonse fighter willing to do whatever is needed to do to win, understands his limitations and advantages, and won't get distracted with trying to show off during the fight.

 

An interesting choice. Admittedly Bronn did not make my top 5, but you make some good points! He definitely has self-awareness on his side.

 

I picked Bronn

Exactly for this reason as well

Grrr, Imrahil

 

Well there was the fight between the Hound and Lord Beric Dondarrion in which he technically died but then was brought back. So it was still to the death.

Grrr, Imrahil

 

I chose the Hound.

I've only ever watched clips of this show (knowing full well if I started watching just how addicted I would be) and his character was my favourite. No idea if he'd win in the end, but he wins a fair few fights.

 

Syrio Forel - First Sword of Braavos!

 

Very nice and good observation of all contestants.

Grrr, Imrahil

 

I thought about Syrio, but in the books at least we never see him fight. The guys come to attack and he tells Arya to run and we don't know if he lasts even two seconds against the attackers. If he is actually shown fighting in the show I go with him as he seems like the even better Bronn. Though I still like Bronn because even though he knows he can't beat people like the Mountain part of me thinks he'd find a way if he was forced into that situation. Of course he's also one of my favorite characters in the books so that may cloud my choice.

 

Ok, that is a much better death for him then in the books. Yeah, give me Syrio, with Bronn as my second. (Unfortunately I don't see a way to change my vote)

 

Also do they show any of the young Robert Barrathon dominating battles during his rebellion when young with his warhammer? Because as he's described in the books in flashbacks he seems like on the Hounds level at least.