Unveiling the Defenders: Game of Thrones Characters Who Vanquished White Walkers (and How)

Article Overview

White Walkers, supernatural beings that pose a threat to Westeros, can only be killed with dragonglass or Valyrian steel, making them highly formidable foes.

In the battle against the White Walkers, Jon Snow discovers the power of Valyrian steel as he successfully eliminates two of them. This newfound knowledge instills him with the courage to confront the Walkers. Meanwhile, Meera Reed, a valiant supporting character, displays her bravery and resourcefulness by taking down a White Walker within the confines of the Three-Eyed Raven's cave.

Only a select few characters in HBO's Game of Thrones were able to successfully kill White Walkers, who are portrayed as a supernatural menace originating from beyond the Wall. White Walkers pose a threat that the inhabitants of Westeros are ill-equipped to combat, as their existence has become the stuff of legends over the centuries. While many characters managed to defeat the undead followers of the White Walkers, the Walkers themselves could only be vanquished with dragonglass or Valyrian steel, making them formidable adversaries who were rarely killed throughout the series.

The conflict with the White Walkers escalated throughout the eight seasons of Game of Thrones, primarily explored through the perspectives of Jon Snow and Bran Stark. For seven seasons, the Walkers remained on the other side of the Wall, until they finally invaded the Seven Kingdoms in season 8. As the Walkers made their way south, characters in the North prepared for their arrival. The Walkers left behind enigmatic symbols, captured infants to create new White Walkers, and launched attacks on Wildling camps, which provided numerous opportunities for the show's heroes to confront them.

4. Samwell Tarly

The first to kill a White Walker in season 3.

Jeor Mormont's expedition beyond the Wall serves the purpose of locating Benjen Stark, unraveling Mance Rayder's plot, and gathering new insights on the wights who ambushed Mormont at Castle Black. The venture exacts a heavy toll on the Night's Watch, culminating in the loss of Lord Commander Mormont and the dispersal of several individuals. By chance, Samwell Tarly stumbles upon a pivotal discovery at the Fist of the First Men, where he acquires a dragonglass dagger that proves instrumental in slaying a White Walker.

Sam is taken aback just like everyone else when, out of sheer instinct, he shatters the White Walker using the dragonglass, his sword having been destroyed by the Walker. Sam's inquisitive and scholarly mind had intimated that the dragonglass might hold some significance, but he never could have foreseen just how crucial a weapon it would become in the series. It takes time for his brothers in the Night's Watch to acknowledge his achievement, especially since Gilly, the only witness, lacks credibility in their eyes. Nevertheless, this act of bravery exemplifies the pivotal role his intellect and academic curiosity play in the impending war.

3. Jon Snow (Twice)

Kills White Walkers beyond the Wall in seasons 5 and 7.

Throughout Game of Thrones, Jon Snow successfully eliminates two White Walkers, with the first instance carrying the most significant impact. In season 5, Jon Snow dedicates himself to aiding the wildlings' journey to safety south of the Wall, as the immense population of Hardhome remains vulnerable. Urging the wildlings to migrate south before their encampment falls under attack by wights, Jon and Tormund engage in diplomatic negotiations. Bound together, Jon, the Night's Watch, and the wildlings valiantly defend themselves, but succumb to the relentless hordes of wights led by a White Walker. In this pivotal moment, Jon experiences his maiden confrontation with a White Walker, swiftly terminating its existence with his Valyrian steel sword.

Learning about the effectiveness of Valyrian steel against White Walkers doesn't provide much advantage to the people of Westeros due to the scarcity of such weapons. However, Jon gains confidence from this knowledge, knowing that he can confront the Walkers himself if necessary. During their expedition beyond the Wall in season 7, Jon Snow and his team ambush a White Walker and a group of wights, allowing Jon to effortlessly claim his second kill. As the White Walker shatters, all the surrounding wights are instantly destroyed, except for the one they take to King's Landing to present to Cersei.

This crucial battle in season 7 reveals that White Walkers function as necromancers, controlling the wights around them. Eliminating a Walker results in a significant reduction in the enemy's forces. Although many anticipated Jon Snow would be the one to kill the Night King, the season 7 White Walker is ultimately the last one he eliminates, despite being one of the most formidable characters in Game of Thrones.

2. Meera Reed

Kills a White Walker in the Three-Eyed Raven's cave in season 6.

Meera Reed, introduced in season 3, earns recognition as one of the most heroic side characters in Game of Thrones. She remains devoted to Bran, accompanying him throughout their journey, and is the sole survivor among humans and direwolves beyond the Wall. In "The Door," an episode in season 6, Bran Stark uncovers the origins of the White Walkers, created by the Children of the Forest. Utilizing his warg abilities, Bran scouts the army of the dead but realizes that the Night King is able to perceive him. Seizing Bran's arm, the Night King gains knowledge of the Three-Eyed Raven's cave.

Shortly after, the assault on the caves by the White Walkers proves fatal for the Three-Eyed Raven, the Children of the Forest, Bran's loyal direwolf Summer, and even the gentle giant Hodor. In the midst of the intense battle, Meera unexpectedly hurls a spear tipped with dragonglass at a White Walker, causing the formidable creature to shatter right before her eyes. Although surprised by this extraordinary feat, the significance of her action is never again mentioned. Eventually, Meera fulfills her duty by safely escorting Bran back to their ancestral home of Winterfell during season 7. However, upon witnessing Bran's loss of humanity, she becomes disheartened and decides to return to her own residence in Greywater Watch.

1. Arya Stark

Kills the Night King in season 8.

The Night King and the Long Night were built up as being important for years, but the way they were handled in one episode was a problem in Game of Thrones season 8. In "The Long Night," Melisandre reminds Arya Stark of something she said to her back in season 3, that Arya would be responsible for ending the lives of many, targeting people with brown, green, and blue eyes. This moment hints at what Arya has to do, and she successfully attacks the Night King.

Arya lurches towards the Night King, intending to stab him in the back, but he reacts quickly and turns to catch her. She switches her blade from one hand to the other, stabbing the Night King and shattering him, causing his entire army to fall with him. Her weapon is the same Valyrian steel blade that was sent to kill Bran Stark in season 1. The decision to have Arya kill the Night King was made by the Game of Thrones showrunners to surprise the audience, as Jon Snow seemed like the more obvious choice.

Editor's P/S

As a fan of Game of Thrones, I am in awe of the epic battles between the White Walkers and the defenders of Westeros. The Night King and his army of undead posed a formidable threat to the Seven Kingdoms, and it took the combined efforts of many brave characters to defeat them.

Among my favorite moments in the series are Samwell Tarly's first kill of a White Walker in Season 3 and Arya Stark's epic takedown of the Night King in Season 8. Sam's discovery that dragonglass can kill the White Walkers was a major turning point in the war against the undead, and his subsequent use of a dragonglass dagger to kill a White Walker was a major boost to the morale of the Night's Watch.

Arya's defeat of the Night King was a satisfying conclusion to the series, and her use of Valyrian steel to kill him was a fitting end to the conflict between the living and the dead. Overall, I believe that the Battle for the Dawn was one of the most exciting and memorable parts of Game of Thrones, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have experienced it.