GOT Battle Of Winterfell Characters Ranked From Definitely Surviving To It’s Been Nice Knowing Ya

Below is a list of the characters currently in Winterfell. They are ranked from most likely to survive to pretty much already dead.

30. Bran Stark

Many people seem to think Bran has a much higher chance of dying, but I think he’s safe. Him being used as a pawn seems too obvious. Plus, he JUST became the Three-Eyed Raven. I feel like he’ll survive the whole season because he has a higher purpose still.

29. Samwell Tarly

Just like Bran, I believe Sam has a higher purpose in this show that almost guarantees him a future. Someone’s got to be around to record this history we’re watching.

28. Sansa Stark

Sansa Stark is a survivor. I believe she has much more to do. She is concerned with what happens to the North after all this chaos over, and it is her destiny to take care of her home as Lady of Winterfell (maybe even as Queen in the North).

27. Jon Snow (aka Aegon Targaryen)

You’re telling me they’re going to build up Jon’s true parentage and claim to the Iron Throne throughout 8 seasons just for him to die in episode 3 with only 4 characters even knowing that crucial information? Please. It’s certainly possible (and maybe even probable) that Jon dies this season, but it’s not going to be in the Battle of Winterfell.

26. Daenerys Targaryen

Like Jon, Dany’s character arc has been too crucial to the show for her to die this early in the final season. Also like Jon, I think there’s a good chance she will die this season. Just not in this episode.

25. Sandor Clegane (The Hound)

Although The Hound got some good moments in 8x01 and 8x02 that would work as a send off for the character, one word makes me almost certain he’s surviving 8x03: CLEGANEBOWL!

24. Tyrion Lannister

Tyrion is the only Lannister I believe even has a chance of surviving the season. He is connected to so many characters and I believe he has a role still to play after the battle. He still needs a little redemption from all his mistakes the past few seasons.

23. Jaime Lannister

Would I be shocked if Jaime died (say, while saving Brienne) in the Battle of Winterfell? No. However, I just cannot let go of the idea that he still has a role to play in Cersei’s inevitable downfall. Also, the scene with Bronn getting the crossbow in 8x01 gives me hope that there’s still more story for the Lannisters after the Battle of Winterfell.

22. Arya Stark

I’m fully on Team Stark, but if a Stark is going to die in this battle, it’s going to be Arya. She checked the virginity box with Gendry and is over confident in her ability to take on the Night King when she’s never actually fought in battle. None of that bodes well for her. However, she’s also a badass assassin, and I think she has to still cross at least one more name off her list before a possible death.

21. Missandei

Grey Worm and Missandei’s conversation in 8x02 didn’t bode well for either of them, but I have faith that Missandei will survive since she’ll be far away from the frontlines. However, she might be in the crypts aka “the safest place in Winterfell” so I don’t really know. Maybe she’ll pull off some badass moves and save some women and children in the crypts. All men must die. But we are not men.

20. Little Sam

I would put Little Sam a lot higher on this list since he’s a child, but GOT hasn’t hesitated to kill children in the past. He’s another one in the SAFE CRYPTS OF WINTERFELL. Plus, he’s got some unfinished business with the white walkers.

19. Gilly

Did I mention how safe everyone will be in the crypts? Listen, some people are obviously going to die in those crypts, and there’s only going to be a few really important named characters down there, so I’m nervous for them. I have a bad feeling Gilly could go out saving her son.

18. A dragon

The Night King took down one dragon. I’m sure it can be done again. I doubt both dragons go down, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we lose one more. I’m leaning more towards Drogon than Rhaegal because Rhaegal JUST got his rider, and it’s Jon. Wouldn’t that be an interesting dynamic if the only dragon left answered to Jon and not to Dany...

17. Gendry

Gendry was off the show for so long, so I don’t really think he has a larger role to play like some believe. I think he was brought back to show us some humanity in Arya. He fulfilled that (and her?) in 8x02, so I’m nervous for his fate moving forward.

16. Davos Seaworth

It pains me beyond words to put Davos this low on the list, but he really stressed the fact that he has survived many battles that he shouldn’t have. Is his time finally up? I really REALLY hope not, but I’m trying to mentally prepare myself for the possibility. (What if he dies saving that little girl who looks like Shireen? 😭😭😭)

15. Lyanna Mormont

It’s easy to think that this little badass is invincible, but when she’s insisting on fighting while her cousin reminds her that she’s the future of their house, I can’t help but feel concerned.

14. Alys Karstark

I think all the named, but not main character northerners are in T-R-O-U-B-L-E and poor Alys is no exception. Her death and the end of house Karstark is one way to atone for their betrayal of the Starks.

13. Ghost (and/or Nymeria)

If they brought Ghost back in 8x02 just to kill him off in 8x03, I’m going to be SO MAD. So, needless to say, I’m preparing myself to be pretty angry. I think there’s a good chance Ghost dies saving Jon. If he doesn’t, then I think maybe Nymeria will pop back in the story with her pack and do some damage, ultimately saving Arya before she dies. Maybe both of those things will happen 😰

12. Maester Wolkan

Here’s another named northerner who isn’t a main character. It’s an easy death to make the body count seem high without being too upsetting. As previous maester to the Boltons, Wolkan has seen some shit, but none of that compares to the white walkers.

11. Yohn Royce

Yohn’s chances are looking pretty bleak to me. He’s a minor character, with not much of a purpose left, who is leading an army into battle.

10. Varys

Melisandre told Varys he was going to die in Westeros. Plus, he’s going to be in the Super Safe Crypts of Winterfell™️ I think this is probably the end for Varys. The only thing that might save him is the unfulfilled foreshadowing of his connection with the red women and Dany’s threat to burn him alive if he betrayed her.

9. Tormund Giantsbane

What an amazing character Tormund turned out to be. He has been a larger than life comedic relief for the show. That was evident more than ever in 8x02 with his ridiculous story about giant’s milk and his attempts to woo Brienne. It just felt like a perfect ending to his time on the show.

8. Jorah Mormont

Jorah has redeemed himself in Dany’s eyes and now he’s about to fight for the north to redeem himself in his family’s eyes. I think he’s for sure a goner. The only question is will he die saving his Khaleesi or die saving his cousin, Lyanna in order to preserve his house?

7. Podrick Payne

After Podrick started singing in 8x02, I knew he was a goner. He’s a perfect mix of a character whose death will be emotionally impactful but not a game changer. He’ll put up an impressive fight now that he’s been trained properly by Brienne, but in the end it won’t be enough.

6. Eddison Tollett

Oh Edd. I’m sure you’ll fight valiantly, but you’re the leader of the pretty much extinct Night’s Watch. His death will fulfill his vow to protect the realms of men, making him the only one to actually die keeping all of his vows (looking at you Jon and Sam 👀).

5. Beric Dondarrion

Beric will be fighting on the front lines and has lost his magic sorcerer to bring him back. So this time when he dies, he’ll stay dead. Maybe show someone else how to use your cool flaming sword before you go out.

4. Theon Greyjoy

Theon had two redemption tasks to complete this season: save his sister and redeem himself with the Starks. Saving his sister was far too easy, so I’m betting he goes out saving Bran to make up for all the awful things he did that made him such a hated character in the first place. The only reason I’m not 1000% certain he’s going to die is because of that weird moment he had with Sansa that hinted at a possible romantic connection, but honestly, that spark can die with him too.

3. Ser Brienne of Tarth

I love Brienne so much. I’m so thankful the writers gave her the perfect sendoff in what is probably a top 10 GOT scene. Seeing her happiness after being knighted, and by Jaime, was such a powerful moment that perfectly capped her story. She will die serving the Stark children and doing her best to keep them safe, one last way to honor her oath to Catelyn.

2. Grey Worm

I’m not sure that I’ve ever been more sure that a character will die. At this point, Grey Worm surviving would be one of the most shocking things to ever happen in all of GOT. His chances already didn’t look great considering he’s commanding the unsullied into battle, but that conversation with Missandei was the final nail in the coffin. RIP Grey Worm. It’s been nice knowing ya!

1. Everyone Else

So many unnamed Unsullied, Dothraki, and Northerners are going to die. Also, some white walkers (though I’m not sure if they count). I think this battle has to have the highest body count by far of any GOT battle.