Warning: Our Game of Madness articles will include content from the five currently released A Song of Ice and Fire books and seasons 1-5 of HBO's adaptation Game of Thrones. Some material from A Feast for Crows and A Dance With Dragons has not been covered in the show yet, but may be in season 6. If you aren't caught up with the books and/or show, read on with care.
The Madness Continues
After taking a few days off to digest the madness of round one, the second course of our feast is ready. If you missed round one, or need a refresher on how the matches played out, feel free to revisit the action (part 1, part 2, and part 3) before moving on. The field was cut in half over three bloody and brutal days as 48 warriors became 24, here's a rundown of who is left in our contest:
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The North
Eddard Stark
Jon Umber
Qhorin Halfhand
Jon Snow
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The West
Jaime Lannister
Gregor Clegane
Sandor Clegane
Thoros of Myr
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The Islands
Rhaegar Targaryen
Victarion Greyjoy
Brienne of Tarth
Euron Greyjoy
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The East
Robert Baratheon
Bronn
Lyn Corbray
Yohn Royce
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The South
Arthur Dayne
Gerold Hightower
Oberyn Martell
Randyll Tarly
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The Far East
Barristan Selmy
Syrio Forel
Jon Connington
Grey Worm
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Now, let the madness continue...
The North
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1. Eddard Stark vs 4. Qhorin Halfhand
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The main question that needs to be answered for the Ned is just how good is he? He’s certainly more well regarded in HBO’s adaptation where he goes toe to toe with the Kingslayer Jaime Lannister and the episode one script even states:
When it comes to the novels, we do know that Ned trained with Robert under Jon Arryn. Sparring with one of the best there ever was has to count for something. We also know Ned survived the Tower of Joy and some believe it was he who slayed the Sword of the Morning Arthur Dayne in single combat, though Ned himself admits that he would have died that day if not for Howland Reed. This statement doesn’t necessarily mean Howland saved him from Arthur Dayne but we don’t know for sure.
Qhorin’s skills are unquestionable, we know he’s one of the best technical fighters the North has to offer. The only question to answer is which Qhorin is prime Qhorin? Before or after he became the Halfhand? It’s said that he became just as proficient with a sword after his axe-catching incident but it’s not confirmed that he was any better. On the other hand...well, the other half hand...Qhorin cannot properly wield a shield. It would be only speculation to say Qhorin was indeed a better swordsman after the incident and even more speculation on top to say his offense could make up for his lack of defense against a top level opponent.
In a tough match to call, we turn to the man himself. George RR Martin has said on several occasions that Ned was merely a competent swordsman and that his talents were in commanding, not fighting. That's not a great reference from the series creator and it would take more than being just competent to defeat Qhorin. So spake Martin.
Winner: Qhorin Halfhand
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3. Jon Umber vs 7. Jon Snow
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Jon Snow may be dead for now but his role in the story is far from over. With all the twists and turns in this series, it’s impossible to guess where his character will go when he’s resurrected. In round one, we came to the conclusion that Jon was the better sword between he and his half brother Robb Stark but, ultimately, Jon is more a leader of men than a fighter, just like Robb, and he'll probably become a commander in war, just like Ned, as the series heads for its climax. Either amazingly great or gut wrenchingly terrible things are in store for Lord Snow's future but let’s summarize what we know so far about Jon Snow the fighter.
Jon claims Qhorin Halfhand could swat him like a bug and when Mance is glamoured as Rattleshirt, Jon gets his ass thoroughly iced. He trains against multiple people at the wall but they aren’t high born trained swords, it’s expected for someone with Jon’s pedigree to be able to handle what was thrown at him. In the show he does kill a White Walker but he was rather lucky and if not for Longclaw being Valyrian steel, he’d have died well before his brothers got to do the honor. Jon Snow is without the aid of Valyrian steel in our contest which cuts into his speed advantage over Jon Umber and he’s surely outclassed here in strength. Jon will still be the quicker fighter, however, but is his agility and skill enough to topple the Greatjon?
To put it bluntly; no. End of series Jon Snow with Longclaw (or Lightbringer?) may be able to give someone like the Greatjon a fight but pre-dead Jon Snow with a regular steel sword won’t be able to overcome Jon Umber’s strength.
Winner: Jon Umber
The West
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1. Jaime Lannister vs 4. Thoros of Myr
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The Kingslayer is in for more of a fight here in round two compared to his bout with the Strongboar Lyle Crakehall. Jaime feels confident he could defeat opponents who surpass him in strength due to his speed and skill but Thoros is a different breed of fighter than anyone could be used to. Armed with a sword on fire, Thoros has a mad and frenzied fighting style best suited for open battle and melees, the latter of which he won on a regular basis. We learn early in the series that he wins the melee at the Hand’s Tourney in which he outlasts 40 men. We also know he was first through the walls at Pyke during the Greyjoy rebellion so the Red Priest isn't one to shy away from the action.
The problem for Thoros is that he'll have to win fast. His flaming sword grows weaker with every passing second and someone as skilled as Jaime is not the type of person you want to have fight with urgency against. We know that this problem has happened before when Thoros was bested by Bronze Yohn Royce, another competitor in our contest. Davos Seaworth recalls the tourney in which the Red Priest put on quite the spectacle but once his flames died, Royce was able to do him in quickly with a common mace. Jaime is more than skilled enough to handle the flaming sword and aggressive opening and his opponent's weapon will continue to grow weaker and weaker until Jaime outright breaks it. The Kingslayer seals the deal soon after.
Winner: Jaime Lannister
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2. Gregor Clegane vs 3. Sandor Clegane
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We really wanted to avoid the super predictable and ever increasingly tacky Cleganebowl but, at the end of the day….screw it, it’s the Cleganebowl! This potential event may be the most hyped showdown in the world of ice and fire and since the Gravedigger of the Quite Isle is maybe probably definitely the Hound, and since he’s found the faith, and since the Frankenmountain Ser Robert Strong is defending Cersei from that same faith, it IS possible the Cleganebowl could actually happen. What a time to be alive! On the flip side of the coin, wouldn’t it also be nice if Sandor Clegane’s story could just be done? That he could live the rest of his days in peace having finally overcome his troubled past and all the hatred and anger that came with it? I mean one character in this series deserves a nice ending.
Regardless of what George RR Martin and/or HBO decide, if the Cleganebowl were to eventually happen, it seems as though Ser Robert Strong would come out on top and it's not just because we can't have nice things. The Hound’s injured leg leaves him lame and if Sandor even realizes Robert Strong was once his brother, he’ll see soon after that his brother is long gone despite the physical presence before him. The fiery passion he has for revenge would dampen to a whimper, if he even still had it to begin with. We know the Gravedigger was once a fierce warrior but he is now at peace. It’s just as likely Sandor has moved on and is no longer haunted by his brother which would take a big bite out of what he had going for him in this matchup.
It’s a different story in our contest, however. The prime form of these fighters comes before their drastic transformations. We get a tease of this fight early in the series when Sandor steps in to stop his engraged brother after Gregor loses a joust. We see that the Hound is more than capable of hanging with the Mountain. He may not be as strong as the Mountain but he’s much faster and more skilled, he also won’t fear Gregor like every sane person should. It’d be a close contest but the Hound’s thirst for vengeance is the tiebreaker.
Winner: Sandor Clegane
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The North and West finals are set, Qhorin Halfhand will take on the Greatjon Umber and Jaime Lannister will face off against the Hound Sandor Clegane. Let us know in the comments below what you think of today's matchups and how you see the regional finals playing out. Check back tomorrow for more round two action where we return to the Islands and the East.
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