Robb Stark or Jon Snow?

[AvengerofWinterfell]

Inspired by Apple Martini's selflessness and commitment to research, I hereby undertake to test the spear handling skills of Ygritte and Val. And the Dorneishwomen too, I understand they're big on that sort of thing...

I think I'll sign up for this research trial as well. Are the Tyrells good at anything, because we could always throw in Margeary.

[Val the Wildling Princess]

I will take one for the team, and face both of their swords. I will report my findings. You're welcome.

Your commitment is admirable, Apple :D you may send them to me for a second opinion when you're done B)

[Harlaw's Book]

Hi, I'm a new poster. I can't tell who is the better swordsman. I can see arguments for both sides. However, I give the edge in jousting to Robb because he was stronger with a lance before the plot kicked in, and I can't remember anyone at the Wall training or using a lance. Jon gets the edge in archery and in situations involving magic.

[Silver Spearwife]

Well, Jon said he's better with a sword to begin with and once they split up, Robb spent most of his time commanding armies. Yes, he lead his troops into battle, but he was always well protected. Jon spent most of his time either training or beyond the Wall, although it's worth noting that for any actual battles he generally had a bow in hand, not a sword.

It's worth noting that at best they're comparable swordsman to each other, and Jon got his ass beat by Mance. Badly. They were groomed for leadership, not fighting.

[Bright Blue Eyes]

It's worth noting that at best they're comparable swordsman to each other, and Jon got his ass beat by Mance. Badly. They were groomed for leadership, not fighting.

Jon getting his ass kicked by the Mance can be attributed to the case that Mance is a grown badass while Jon is a half-grown badass. Size, strength and all that. Iron Emmett and the rest fare worse than the Mance.

But honestly, there are only very minor differences between the Black Bastard and the Young Wolf. It would come down to luck.

[Ice Turtle]

Mance is almost surely better swordman than anyone on or beyond the Wall. Nor wildlings nor NW men have training of southorn knights but if Mance really grow up on the Wall he is close.

[James Arryn]

And re: Mance/Jon, people can't overlook the glamour. A guy who looks a lot smaller/weaker than he is, in a first time encounter, that's a huge advantage. And if you read it, Jon was very confused.

Imagine boxing with a guy who is actually 100 pounds heavier than he appears to you.

Edit: and do we include Ghost vs. Grey Wind?

[Dacie]

Edit: and do we include Ghost vs. Grey Wind?

Ghost, for sure. I mean, he's basically the wolf version of Bloodraven :ninja:

[Lord.Snow]

Rob is described as being faster and stronger whereas John is more agile and quicker.

Later in the series when john get long claw and blood rage i find that there is no chance rob would win one on one.

John picks a man up by the neck in A dance with dragons IIRC and goes insane vs Iron Emmett in the training yard.

Kinda super human when he is mad.

[Lady Hodor]

I reckon that Robb would have the upper hand, but only after becoming King in the North. It gives him experience Jon could not have.

[Gab]

Inspired by Apple Martini's selflessness and commitment to research, I hereby undertake to test the spear handling skills of Ygritte and Val. And the Dorneishwomen too, I understand they're big on that sort of thing...

In the unlikely event of Jon and Robb fighting each other, I'm going to back the guy who still has his own head :P

"spear handling" eh? win!

I'd say Jon one on one.I don't recall really getting to know how good Robb is. Commanding an army though, Robb would take it

[Kevan Lannister]

The only evidence we have that's truly comparable is the quote about Jon being a better swordsman and Robb being a better lance. That was early on before either of them had a chance to prove themselves or grow, and since then both of their commands have been extremely different (leading the NW and commanding an Army in a war is quite different and although both difficult, hard to compare) and although you hear tales about Robb, you don't really see him in a swordfight like Jon. I think there's too little evidence to have a definitive answer.

Jon had Longclaw, the only advantage that is known.

[Kittykatknits]

Jon says that he was the better swordsman, but Robb was better with the lance. This was early in Jon's Night's Watch career. He became better since then, but so did Robb.

Yep, he told Benjen this in his first POV chapter.

[Dragon-Wolf]

Jon for me, and like everyone has stated above Jon considers himself better with a sword and Rob is better with a lance.....

IMHO lances are just for tourney's. I mean you never hear of a cavalry of lance specialists that won any important battles. So I think that lancing is cool but just really a noble born's sport (Modern day polo anyone).

Re. Mance beating Jon. I would fully expect him to. Jon was, what? 16 years old. Fighting against a fully grown man who also happens to be the f'ing king beyond the wall (You dont become king there through inheritance)

I would consider Mance an extremely good fighter and possibly one of the best swordsman in Westeros. Jon is still young (but pretty decent too) I would imagine that Jon will one day be an equal or even superior badass to Mance, no need to hold it against him for now though.

So, Jon for me. I would prefer to be good at decapitation rather than knocking someone off their horse.

[revenant6]

Agree with the Rob w/lance, Jon w/sword.

Somebody else mentioned this, but Jon Snow gets angry. You won't like him when he's angry...

I think that Jon's opinion of his, how would you say, "bastard-ness" makes him fight harder - he has more to prove in the yard.

[Dornish Bannerman]

I didn't remember that Jon told about his and Robb's fighting skills.. :hmmm:

I did remember, however, that Loras talked about how he was the better lance while Garlan was the better sword. In a Cersei chapter, I believe.

[Ragnorak]

I will take one for the team, and face both of their swords. I will report my findings. You're welcome.

This plot is hard enough to sort out without you throwing another secret half-Stark half-Targ bastard into the mix.

[Free Northman]

Jon is confirmed as the better swordsman by Jon himself.

And after they split up, Jon spends a lot more time training his swordskills than Robb does.

Jon is clearly the superior swordsman of the two by some margin now.

As for Mance beating Jon. That was very disappointing. Mance being the best warrior amongst a bunch of hide wearing, club wielding savages hardly puts him in the same league as the Hound or Barristan Selmy.

It seems Jon, despite being better than Robb, is not in the Loras Tyrell league of swordsmanship, given that Loras is also only 16 years old, but cuts through Robar Royce and co like they are swiss cheese.

[The Red Crow]

I'm going to vote for Robb. While initially they are similar skill, Robb has had a bit more experience dealing with much more "hardier" grown military men, whereas for a little while Jon's was the best in comparison to NW greehorns and lesser talents/young guys. He also was given the opportunity to fake-win against Qhorin.

[timenyart]

Jon is the better swordsman, but Robb is definately the better field general, the only people who think Robb is a better swordsman than Jon are the people who have only watched the TV Show (usually young girls)