Stannis Baratheon vs Ned Stark

[Nihlus]

This is a hypothetical duel I've always wondered about.

If I recall correctly, Eddard Stark is supposed to merely be a "average" or "competent" fighter. He would be above most men-at-arms in skill due to his noble upbringing and training, but nothing special by the standards of other nobles and knights. He was more of a commander than a warrior. Despite that we know that he fought alongside his squad at the Tower of Joy, killing three of the greatest knights of the age, but he outnumbered his opponents by more than two to one, and his team lost five men to the Kingsguards' three. I also keep seeing people say GRRM called him merely "competent", though I've yet to see that quote.

Stannis is similar; Tyrion speculates that he leads from the rear, like Tywin, and we never hear about his skills in combat, nor do we ever see him fight (unless you count the TV show episode that Martin wrote). However, it is heavily implied that he fought at the Blackwater and at the Wall, and stated that he trained in martial skills (as was expected) and sparred with Robert, even if he always lost. Ned also notes him to be a big man, like his brother (though not as big, apparently), and he is described as being very tall (maybe 6'4 or so?) and muscular, which would be an advantage. Additionally, and Renly says Stannis is a seasoned warrior (or at least that Stannis considers himself one).

Which one do you think is the better fighter?

[willofDorne]

This is a hypothetical duel I've always wondered about.

If I recall correctly, Eddard Stark is supposed to merely be a "average" or "competent" fighter. He would be above most men-at-arms in skill due to his noble upbringing and training, but nothing special by the standards of other nobles and knights. He was more of a commander than a warrior. Despite that we know that he fought alongside his squad at the Tower of Joy, killing three of the greatest knights of the age, but he outnumbered his opponents by more than two to one, and his team lost five men to the Kingsguards' three. I also keep seeing people say GRRM called him merely "competent", though I've yet to see that quote.

Stannis is similar; Tyrion speculates that he leads from the rear, like Tywin, and we never hear about his skills in combat, nor do we ever see him fight (unless you count the TV show episode that Martin wrote). However, it is heavily implied that he fought at the Blackwater and at the Wall, and stated that he trained in martial skills (as was expected) and sparred with Robert, even if he always lost. Ned also notes him to be a big man, like his brother (though not as big, apparently), and he is described as being very tall (maybe 6'4 or so?) and muscular, which would be an advantage. Additionally, and Renly says Stannis is a seasoned warrior (or at least that Stannis considers himself one).

Which one do you think is the better fighter?

In my opinion, Ned beats Stannis. I'm basing this purely on opinion.

Also, this topic is dumb.

[Scklar]

'Eddard Stark is supposed to merely be a "average" or "competent" fighter.'

are you serious?

[Ser Meryn Frey]

Stannis wins, because of size and strength. Although I'm sure Ned sparred more with Robert than Stannis did ...

[John Doe]

Ned Stark fought the Kingsguard. Eddard wins.

[+cassius]

Stannis at everything

[bellyfrog]

I was really surprised during my first read through of a bunch of threads here today to see Ned described as an "average" fighter. The aura he has about him always made me think of him as a pretty seasoned warrior and his sword is also badass.

[John Doe]

Ice is probably not that good in a sword fight, imho.

[Rhaegal Targaryen]

Ned definetely.

[The Marquis de Leech]

The Tower of Joy was numerical advantage, combined with Howland Reed's mindscrew games (else Dayne would have killed Ned).

I think Stannis wins on size and strength grounds.

[Talleyrand]

The Tower of Joy was numerical advantage, combined with Howland Reed's mindscrew games (else Dayne would have killed Ned).

And all Ned's party was mounted

[JoeyBanana]

Ice is probably not that good in a sword fight, imho.

Anything to not give The Ned credit i guess

[John Doe]

What? I said I think Ned would win, but not because of Ice. A sword taller than Robb Stark isn't that handy when fighting a duel.

[Scklar]

Ned Stark never used Ice to fight with, its far to big.

He fought with a normal longsword.

Ice was the ancestral blade of house stark, used more ceremoniously for things such as we see, beheadings

[Game Of Thrones]

Ned. I don't think Stannis ever dueled much, unlike Ned. Stannis seems like a more bookish fellow.

[Talleyrand]

Ned. I don't think Stannis ever dueled much, unlike Ned. Stannis seems like a more bookish fellow.

When did Ned do much dueling?

[the storm king returns]

Stannis doesnt lose at anything ..... His loss at the BW was Martins way of prolonging the books, otherwise Stannis destroys everyone who opposes him

[The Marquis de Leech]

Ned. I don't think Stannis ever dueled much, unlike Ned. Stannis seems like a more bookish fellow.

He's a "bookish fellow" responsible (as a teenager) for holding a besieged fortress, and capturing Dragonstone. He then won the decisive naval battle in Balon's Rebellion.

Ned has done what duelling, exactly?

[Game Of Thrones]

When did Ned do much dueling?

Well, I presume he has done some, since he lived with Robert. Also the ToJ incident.

I'm a Stannis fan, but Stannis wins his battles with brains, and his (land) battles have mostly been led from the rear. He also reads a bunch of books on military history.

[The Marquis de Leech]

Well, I presume he has done some, since he lived with Robert. Also the ToJ incident.

Any duel between Ned and Robert would result in Ned getting regularly smashed by Robert (you know, the war hammer thingy). Just because they were Jon Arryn's wards doesn't mean they duelled; Stannis has presumably had training with the Storms End Master of Arms.