10 Most Famous Game of Thrones Swords & What Made Them Special
The Iron Thrones consisted of numerous swords melted together, but Game of Thrones also had quite a collection of properly unique and iconic active weapons.
10. ‘Lightbringer’
The only sword with its name put in quote marks, Stannis Baratheon’s weapon was part of his attempt to trick the prophecy. The self-proclaimed king made a common sword burn to support the claim that he was The Prince That Was Promised, but his fake toy could never have compared to the real Lightbringer, Azor Ahai’s sword.
9. Needle
While one of the most iconic weapons of the TV show, Arya Stark’s Needle didn’t have any unique properties apart from its owner. It was a solid rapier, albeit tiny and made from usual castle-forged steel. A gift from Jon Snow, Arya took great care of Needle, and the sword saved her from death on several occasions. Thanks, Needle.
8. Heartsbane
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Objectively, Heartsbane is a great sword, pun intended: it’s made of Valyrian steel, happens to be the ancestral weapon of an ancient House, and belonged to a brilliant commander. It might have belonged to an insufferable arsehole, but Sam took care of that by stealing the familial weapon and handing it over to Jorah Mormont later.
7. Lion’s Tooth
Speaking of swords with terrible owners, welcome to our shortlist within a shortlist: Joffrey Baratheon’s weapons of bragging (and never battle). Lion’s Tooth was the first sword little Joffrey had in Game of Thrones, and he didn’t have it for long. After the brat attacked Mycah, Arya threw it into the river where it disappeared forever.
6. Hearteater
Since no good mommy’s boy could possibly survive the luxury of the Red Keep without an obnoxiously expensive weapon, Hearteater was crafted as Joffrey’s new sword after Lion’s Tooth drowned. It’s the sword Joffrey made Sansa Stark kiss, and just like its predecessor, it never saw either a duel or a battle as a bragging sword.
5. Widow’s Wail
Keeping up with the trend of increasingly edgy and provocative sword names, Widow’s Wail was Joffrey’s third and final sword. The only reason it ranks so high — because again, it never saw actual battle. Joffrey had it for a day, cut a great book with it, and died. Then, Widow’s Wail passed to his younger brother King Tommen.
4. Oathkeeper
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who would’ve named their sword “Oathkeeper.” Only Brienne of Tarth held her oaths in such high regard, and this weapon was gifted to her by Jaime Lannister who, in turn, received it from his father Lord Tywin. Oathkeeper did help Brienne keep her oath: she used to kill Stannis Baratheon.
3. Ice
Ice, House Stark’s familial sword, was the peak of ancient Valyrian-steel craft. Broad, long, and tall, it belonged to Lord Eddard until his death. Ned was executed with it, and then, on Tywin Lannister’s orders, the giant sword was reforged into two separate weapons, Oathkeeper and Widow’s Wail, which we’ve already covered.
2. Dawn
Much like King Arthur’s Excalibur, Dawn could only be wielded by someone worthy of it. The last person to actually use it was Ser Arthur Dayne, the greatest warrior of the Seven Kingdoms. After his death from Ned Stark’s hand, Dawn was returned to the Daynes, but no one else was worthy of this unique fallen star-metal-forged sword.
1. Longclaw
Another great Valyrian sword, Longclaw belonged to House Mormont for centuries. Jeor Mormont, the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, passed it to Jon Snow after the latter saved his life, and Snow changed the pommel from the Bear of House Mormont to the Direwolf of House Stark. Longclaw is the most iconic sword in Game of Thrones, even if it’s not as unique as Dayne’s Dawn or Azor Ahai’s Lightbringer.