Part of what makes Game of Thrones so appealing is that even its villains are complex enough to maintain the audience’s interest, rather than being one-dimensional tropes. In some cases, the antagonists are even cheered on when pitted against another villain. Over the course of eight seasons, fans witness the best and worst that Westeros offers, ranging from corrupt knights to conniving politicians and everything in between.
However, because so many villains appear in Game of Thrones, it’s difficult to assert which one is the franchise’s best. While there are obvious answers, such as the White Walkers and the terrifying Night King, they are more of an existential threat than human characters. The series’ best villains are the ones that fans love to hate, and they are often defined by their moral complexity, memorable actions, and evil motivations.
Updated on April 14, 2025, by Ajay Aravind: With House of the Dragon preparing its third season for a potential 2026 release, the Game of Thrones fandom has become even larger. The original show lost favor after its poorly received Season 8, but that didn’t make any of its previous seasons any less complex. As Game of Thrones‘ villains tend to be compelling individuals, we have updated this list with five more entries.
30 Theon Greyjoy Is Not Competent Enough to Be a True Villain
Death: Season 8, Episode 3, "The Long Night"
Theon was taken in as a ward by Ned Stark, and while the Starks weren’t always the kindest to him, he was something of an honorary member of the family. However, he ultimately decides to betray the Stark family by helping his father invade Winterfell. Theon nearly causes Winterfell’s total downfall through his actions, though he pays heavily for it.
In terms of villains, Theon is rather pathetic. He lacks confident thinking and isn’t good for much. While still a villain for a portion of the series, Theon does end up aiding Sansa in escaping from Ramsay and then stands by the Starks until his death against the White Walkers. Theon takes the lowest rank on this list because he was sorely hated for a time (for good reason), but does undergo a drastic change of character.
29 Mirri Maz Duur Was an Early Gamechanger
Death: Season 1, Episode 10, "Fire and Blood"
Mirri Maz Duur was in Game of Thrones for only three episodes, but she changed the course of the show with her actions. Rescued by Daenerys from looming sexual assault, she turned on her savior by infecting Khal Drogo’s small wound till he fell off his horse and then put him in a vegetative state. She also made sure that Dany’s pregnancy went wrong.
Mirri’s twisted actions proved early that Daenerys’ savior complex wasn’t very pure — Mirri had already suffered greatly at the hands of her captors, and her home and temple had been razed to the ground. She had no gratitude for the Targaryens and got her desired revenge. Though she died screaming, Mirri Maz Durr’s actions indirectly led to the birth of the dragons: Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal.
28 The Tickler Is a Heartless and Brutal Torturer
Death: Season 2, Episode 5, "The Ghost of Harrenhal"
The Tickler is the man in charge of interrogation in Harrenhal, making him a glorified torturer. After Arya flees King’s Landing following her father’s execution, she is taken to travel with the Night’s Watch with the plan to reunite with her brother, Jon. However, the Lannister army is out with a warrant to find Gendry, the bastard son of Robert Baratheon. There’s a short-lived battle before the army takes the remaining Night’s Watch to Harrenhal as prisoners.
There, viewers meet the Tickler, a cruel man seeking information about the Brotherhood. His means of interrogation involve grim torture, like putting rats on a man’s stomach and letting them dig their way through their skin. As a result, the Tickler quickly makes his way onto Arya’s «list.» Not much is seen of the Tickler once Arya offers his name to Jaqen H’ghar, but he was utterly reprehensible until his inevitable end.
27 Viserys Targaryen Is Pompous and Pathetic
Death: Season 1, Episode 6, "A Golden Crown"
There have been a lot of satisfying deaths in Game of Thrones, including the death of Viserys Targaryen, Daenerys’ annoyingly pompous older brother. Luckily, he’s not around for very long, but he still stands as one of the more obnoxious characters in the entire series. Viserys is similar to Joffrey in the sense that his entitlement to the Iron Throne is the only thing he has going for him.
During his time with Daenerys, Viserys sexualizes and objectifies her for his own gain. He sells her to Khal Drogo and forces her to wed him. That ends up being the best possible thing that could’ve happened to Daenerys, but Viserys is still an incompetent and arrogant manchild. He’s not suited for the throne, and his terrible attempts at fearmongering with his title lead him straight to his death at the hands of Khal Drogo.
26 Qyburn Rose to Become Cersei's Hand of the Queen
Death: Season 8, Episode 5, "The Bells"
Nearly everyone who plays the game of thrones is unethical in some way, but none of them are so quietly villainous as Qyburn. After his life was saved by Robb Stark, he made his way to King’s Landing and enamored himself to Cersei Lannister. Grand Maester Pycelle repeatedly warned the queen mother and the Small Council not to trust Qyburn, but Cersei kept him around because she realized he could prove useful to her.
Qyburn was responsible for the creepy resurrection of Gregor Clegane, whose mountainous cruelty had made him one of the most hated characters in the series. Qyburn also helped Cersei plan the wildfire plot that destroyed the Sept of Baelor and killed several main characters. He would later crown Cersei as the firstever ruling Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, immediately becoming the Hand of the Queen in the process. Thankfully, Qyburn’s death at the Mountain’s hands would prevent him from continuing his vile experiments.
25 Balon Greyjoy Is Cruel but Not an Effective Villain
Death: Season 6, Episode 2, "Home"
Few Game of Thrones villains are looked down upon more than Balon Greyjoy, the lord of the Iron Islands and the father of Theon and Yara. Balon was responsible for the initial Greyjoy Rebellion that resulted in Lannisport being burned, and as a result, he had earned the scorn — and mockery — of many Westerosi elite. To avoid the fallout of this event, Balon hands over his remaining son, Theon, to the North as a hostage.
Throughout his life, Balon proves himself to be an ambitious man, just not a cunning one. He intentionally starts a war for which he has no other allies and nowhere near the manpower necessary to sustain his primacy. His true evil comes from his callousness, sacrificing his family not once but twice for his petty ambitions. In the end, it wasn’t too hard for his brother Euron to seize the Salt Throne for himself, leaving Balon’s villainy languishing at #25 on this list.
24 Stannis Baratheon Was Ensnared by The Iron Throne's Allure
Death: Season 5, Episode 10, "Mother's Mercy"
After the death of Robert Baratheon, the Lannisters wasted no time in proclaiming Joffrey as the next King of the Seven Kingdoms. Meanwhile, the news of Cersei’s affair with her brother spread across Westeros, and Stannis was furious when he heard it. With Joffrey not being the biological son of his brother, Stannis correctly reasoned that the Iron Throne belonged to him by right. Unfortunately, his desire for the crown would cause considerable damage and lead to his death.
Melisandre might have offered Stannis certain supernatural options, but it was he who made the decision to use them. He had his little brother Renly murdered through Melisandre’s bloodmagic, but his campaign soon extends beyond its limits. In order to invade Winterfell, Stannis orders his own daughter to be burned at the stake as part of Melisandre’s prognostications. In the end, his army was destroyed by the Boltons and Stannis himself was killed by Brienne. He allowed his desires to get the better of him, which is what makes him a great albeit tormented villain.
23 Polliver Cruelly Murdered a Wounded Child
Death: Season 4, Episode 1, "Two Swords"
Even minor characters can become notable villains in Game of Thrones, especially if they appear on Arya’s iconic list. Polliver was part of the platoon that killed Yoren and kidnapped the Night’s Watch recruits, including Gendry, Arya, and Hot Pie. He steals Arya’s precious Needle from her, mockingly claiming that he was going to pick his teeth with it. Before leaving for Harrenhal, however, Polliver pretends to be caring toward the injured Lommy, only to kill the child.
Watching Polliver slowly pierce her friend’s neck with Needle put the villain in Arya’s sights, and she only became more determined to kill him after he violently attacked a helpless old woman. Eventually, however, Polliver came face to face with Arya and the Hound. Proudly declaring his plans to pillage the countryside, Polliver even asks the Hound to join him. The resulting attack leaves all of Polliver’s friends dead, while he’s incapacitated by Arya. She reminds him of Lommy before killing Polliver in the exact same way.
22 Karl Tanner Violently Betrayed the Night's Watch
Death: Season 4, Episode 5, "First of His Name"
Even the sworn brothers of the Night’s Watch can turn to darkness, as evidenced by Karl Tanner and his gang of ex-brothers. Tanner was always rather arrogant, even before his betrayal, frequently claiming that he was the best fighter at Castle Black. As a result, his ego couldn’t handle the threat of starvation and freezing to death beyond the Wall. Tanner forced Craster to attack him by calling him a «bastard,» and exploited the latter’s rage in order to stab his throat.
When the elderly Jeor Mormont furiously announced his decision to execute Tanner, another brother named Rast took the Lord Commander’s life. The chaotic battle pits the brothers against each other, with the loyal ones escaping while the mutineers made a home for themselves at Craster’s keep. Led by Tanner, they raped and tortured the women living there for weeks before they were rescued. Tanner even had the audacity to drink wine from Mormont’s skull, easily making him one of the series’ darkest villains.
21 The Waif Took Pleasure In Arya's Torment
Death: Season 6, Episode 8, "No One"
Known only as the Waif, this character claimed to have joined the Faceless Men after her stepmother tried to poison her. However, her callous behavior toward Arya lost her the fandom’s sympathies. The Waif was assigned to teach Arya how to be a part of the Faceless Men to become a ruthless assassin, but it was clear that she took more pleasure in humiliating her subject than teaching Arya the ropes.
The Waif was cruel and pitiless, and instead waged a rather unfair war with Arya throughout Season 6. The Waif’s murder of Lady Crane was deeply unnecessary, earning her Arya’s undying hatred. Although she tried to kill Arya, Arya won over the pettiness of her opponent by gouging out her eyes and putting her face in the Hall of Faces. To the audience’s surprise, however, Jaqen H’ghar commended Arya for successfully killing the Waif.
20 Xaro Xhoan Daxos Was the Real Threat in Qarth
Death: Season 2, Episode 10, "Valar Morghulis"
Upon reaching the gates of Qarth and meeting the Thirteen, Daenerys Stormborn refused to reveal her dragons in exchange for safe haven within the city. Xaro Xhoan Daxos, the so-called richest man in Qarth, was the only one of his peers to support her entry. Daenerys began to trust the man after this point, completely oblivious to the schemes being brewed behind her back. In truth, Xaro’s status as Qarth’s richest man was a ruse designed to improve his status, which consequently increased his access to wealth.
Xaro used his eloquence and apparent kindness to sway Daenerys Targaryen, but she realized who he was after Pyat Pree assassinated the other eleven members of the Thirteen. Xaro declared himself the King of Qarth, exposing his alliance with the villainous sorcerer. If Daenerys hadn’t managed to escape from the House of the Undying, it’s likely that Xaro would have exploited her three dragons along with Pyat Pree. Unfortunately for this relatively smalltime villain, Daenerys left Xaro to die in his enormous albeit empty vault. As such, he ranks at #20.
19 Pycelle Slimed His Way Forward for Decades
Death: Season 6, Episode 10, "The Winds of Winter"
Grand Maester Pycelle is one of the oldest characters in Game of Thrones, having served Kings Aerys II, Robert I, Joffrey, and Tommen. In fact, it was Pycelle who convinced Aerys to open the city gates and allow Tywin Lannister’s forces inside, leading to the king’s subsequent death. As a member of the Small Council in the story, he wielded a certain level of power that could impact the conditions of Westeros.
Pycelle pretended to be timid, deferential, and ingratiating — a weak old man without any real initiative or drive — but that was merely a disguise. He openly acknowledged his ambition to Tywin Lannister, revealing that he merely wants to maintain his present status. Pycelle was also rather hypocritical, as seen when he prosecuted Tyrion. He’s not the type of villain to lurk in the shadows or develop intricate battle strategies; what makes Pycelle so dangerous is that he’s unpredictable.
18 Janos Slynt Was Shamelessly Cruel
Death: Season 5, Episode 3, "High Sparrow"
Janos Slynt was easily one of the cringiest villains in Game of Thrones, starting with his buffoonish attempt at leading the gold cloaks as the Commander of the City Watch. The word shameless would be too mild to describe this utterly sleazy villain, whose moral compass was focused exclusively in one direction: his own ambition. Despite his overtly fearsome and self-confident behavior, however, Slynt was as cowardly as Jon Snow was heroic.
During the Free Folk’s attack on the Night’s Watch that left several brothers martyred, Slynt cowered in a secret pantry along with Gilly and her infant. And yet, he had the gall to insult Jon Snow when the latter ordered him to a different castle. Slynt’s foolish abuse was enough reason for Snow to execute him, although Slynt actually believed that Alliser Thorne would step in and keep him safe. When Thorne stepped aside, Slynt initially raved about his «powerful friends» before admitting his cowardice and begging for mercy he did not deserve.
17 Craster Was A Fundamentally Sick Man
Death: Season 3, Episode 4, "And Now His Watch Is Ended"
While Craster provided information to the Night’s Watch from beyond the Wall, his sordid alliances with his own daughters and his self-aggrandizing behavior were looked down upon by everyone. He titled his home «Craster’s Keep,» and when his daughters came of age, he married them and sired more children incestuously.
If they birthed sons, he would give the babies over to the White Walkers, only keeping daughters so that he could maintain relations with them when they grew up. This was a twisted ritual, and Craster was a sick man with problems that would need decades of therapy. And yet, the Night’s Watch attempted to remain cordial with him for the longest time. That being said, Karl’s murder of Craster was a fitting end to a villain who was reviled by everybody.
16 Ser Meryn Trant Was Hardly A Knight
Death: Season 5, Episode 10, "Mother's Mercy"
If there was ever a stark opposite to the proverbial knight in shining armor, it was Ser Meryn Trant. Despite his golden armor, Meryn often dismissed his oath as Kingsguard, using his authority and following blind instructions to beat and hurt the young and helpless. When Joffrey ordered him, Meryn Trant happily beat Sansa and stripped her in the middle of court.
He was a power-hungry knight who would go to any lengths to obey his commanders, who happened to be the Baratheons at the time. Ultimately, it was his gruesome penchant for young girls that proved to be his undoing, as Arya disguised herself as one in a brothel to murder him. She blinded the knight and then slit his throat in a vindicating moment, both for herself and the numerous others who suffered under Meryn Trant.
15 Ser Alliser Thorne Committed the Biggest Betrayal
Death: Season 6, Episode 3, "Oathbreaker"
Ser Alliser Thorne had a long history of defending the Wall, but his disdain for Jon Snow proves to be much deeper than viewers thought it would be. He hated Jon’s high status, despite the latter being illegitimate, and was even more disappointed that Snow was actually quite good at defense and offense. However, his softening stance after Jon became Lord Commander was just a farce.
Thorne secretly led a mutiny against Jon, poisoning the minds of a portion of the Night’s Watch for Jon’s sympathy for the wildlings. Although the assassinated Jon was brought back by Melisandre, his death highlights the moral lengths that Alliser Thorne was willing to go to. This made the knight one of the most conniving and complex antagonists on Game of Thrones, although his brand of villainy was too short-lived to earn a higher rank on this list.
14 Lysa Arryn Shamed, Mistreated, and Murdered Her Own Family
Death: Season 4, Episode 7, "Mockingbird"
Lysa Arryn was always jealous of her older sister Catelyn, envying the latter’s marriage to Ned Stark while privately bemoaning her own age-gap match. As a consequence, Petyr Baelish found it very easy to sink his fangs into her, and his affections made it impossible for her to resist. This is not to say that Lysa hasn’t performed villainous feats, but Littlefinger’s manipulation must be taken into consideration.
That said, Lysa’s attempt to have Tyrion prosecuted and executed made her the enemy in the eyes of many fans, who had already grown to love the witty imp. This act was extremely hypocritical, as she had her own husband murdered under Littlefinger’s guidance. The main reason why Lysa has been included in this list, however, is her treatment of Sansa. She actually tried to kill her niece out of jealousy, and fans don’t take kindly to their favorites being traumatized.
13 Roose Bolton Was a Cruel But Stable Leader
Death: Season 6, Episode 2, "Home"
Roose Bolton isn’t as sadistic as his son, Ramsay, but he is just as cruel and far more conniving. Roose was the Northern lord who betrayed Robb Stark at the Red Wedding, ending his liege lord’s life to assume control over the North. This stemmed from his family’s long history with the Starks. Roose wanted control and a return to older, more brutal ways that he could enjoy for himself.
Despite the animosity that most of the northern houses had towards him, Roose maintains a solid level of control within the North, as no one manages to usurp him. It is his own son who does him in, largely to protect Ramsay’s claim to House Bolton. Although this is not an unfair assessment, it is worth mentioning that it was only after Roose’s death that the North liberated itself. He struck just enough fear in the Northern lords to ensure no one would dare rise up against him.
12 The Night King Brought the Icy Might of Winter to Westeros
Death: Season 8, Episode 3, "The Long Night"
The most dangerous enemy Westeros has ever faced would obviously be on this list. That said, he occupies rank #10 because fans learned nothing about the Night King’s ultimate goal. He was planning to bring an eternal span of winter to the continent, but what would happen after that? All things considered, however, the sheer number of abilities in the Night King’s arsenal made him a difficult villain to ignore.
He could raise the corpses of the dead to fight on his behalf, creating entire armies by merely passing through recent battlefields. The Night King also managed to kill and resurrect Viserion, proving that his ice powers might supersede dragonfire. This was later proved when he resisted Drogon’s flames with a cheeky smile at Daenerys. The Night King was too powerful to be defeated by dragons and armies — the quickest possible way to take him down was by stealth, and only one character was capable of such a Herculean task.
11 Ser Gregor Clegane Is the Ultimate Weapon for His Masters
Death: Season 8, Episode 5, "The Bells"
Ser Gregor Clegane, better known as the Mountain, was never intended to be a Machiavellian villain. Rather, he serves as a living weapon who can be manipulated by true masterminds such as Tywin Lannister. His size, brute strength, and utter cruelty made Ser Gregor a dangerous opponent in any situation, and there was more than one occasion where fans and protagonists alike would have liked to have seen him die.
As evidenced by Gregor’s brutal murder of Oberyn Martell, the Mountain’s true value as a villain comes from how much pain he can dole out to his enemies. Being transformed into a zombie-like servant did nothing to curtail his cruelty, and by the end of Game of Thrones, Gregor embodies what has gone wrong with knighthood in the kingdom of Westeros.
