10 Most Hardcore Game of Thrones Characters Who Consistently Gave Us Chills

10. Melisandre

While beautiful and weirdly captivating, the Red Priestess was also menacing and otherworldly. Her power over lives and minds instilled fear in those who deemed her their enemy, and she was willing to sacrifice anything for her god. No one knew what Melisandre was truly capable of, but everyone was positively terrified of learning that.

9. Gregor Clegane

The Mountain was one of the worst human beings in the entire franchise, plain and simple. A sadistic sociopath, he loved nothing quite like inflicting insufferable pain and wreaking havoc, bound by no honor code whatsoever. His physical and actual power made Gregor Clegane scary; but as the Zombie Clegane, he was terrifying.

8. Petyr Baelish

The game of thrones has never had such an advanced and professional player as Littlefinger. For the majority of the TV show, we don’t understand his play — but just knowing that it’s there is enough. Baelish was a kingmaker, a shadow that destroyed kingdoms and lordships with no regard for others, all to achieve his own goal: power.

7. Tywin Lannister

The wizened Lannister patriarch cared for no one’s opinion. He wanted to be feared, and feared he was; no one dared to speak up against him, kings included. Tywin Lannister had the Seven Kingdoms in his pocket and stopped before nothing to keep it so. He instilled terror in his enemies across the map with the sound of his name.

6. Bronn

Bronn, son of You Wouldn’t Know Him, may not have been a prominent political figure at first, but he knew his craft damn well. The mercenary’s skills made him a formidable opponent for anyone, and his quick rise to power ensured he became nearly untouchable. Despite his new silks, Bronn remained a hardcore merc.

5. Sandor Clegane

The Hound might not have had such a horrifying reputation as his terrible brother, but he was one tough son of the gods. Thanks to us having seen more of him, we feel more confidently saying that he deserves more props on this list than the Mountain: the latter was but a sadist, and Sandor was a properly hardcore soldier.

4. Khal Drogo

The Great Khal didn’t stay with us for long, but his on-screen presence was as intense as they come. Drogo was fearless and unhinged, commanding respect to his own people and enemies without having to lift a finger. His reputation and long braid spoke loudly enough — he even died because of his hubris, not his rival’s strength.

3. Olenna Tyrell

Some call Lady Olenna the female version of Lord Tywin, but we tend to disagree. If anything, Olenna Tyrell was far superior: she didn’t rely on violence and fear as much as the Lannister patriarch and still got the job done. Lady Olenna was an experienced player and for decades, she managed to stay on top of her game.

2. Ramsay Bolton

Roose Bolton’s legitimized bastard is a necessary mention. The peak evolution of sociopathy and psychopathy, he terrorized the viewers just as his actual on-screen victims, making both experience some of the worst hours of their lives. Vile and sadistic, Ramsay was hardcore in what he loved the most: inflicting suffering.

1. Daenerys Targaryen

Say what you will but Daenerys has been intense since the first time she wielded power. From a shy girl she was, she became a ruthless queen not prone to compromising: things had to be either her way or burnt to ashes. This was lowkey a good thing while she battled slave owners but became a problem later, when her hardcore “do or die” attitude made her enemies with the people she swore to protect.