I think Tam Al'Thor should be on here for sure. He's likely the most skilled with the bow in the series, Lan recognizes him as a Blademaster, he allows for his wedge to not be pushed back during the Last Battle. Rand spars with him, and even one-handed Tam is comfortable, where Rand was not. Tam's experience with the Void shown to be quite deep and I think he's most similar to someone that has "become the sword" as Demandred told Gawyn he should do. I would easily say Tam is better than Toram Riatin at the very least, if not others.
@@cuylshepherdton7437 waant he ambushed by like dozen trollocs trying to cut them off from chasinr rand with an improvised weapon and not having fought for like 15-20 yrs give him a break
@@joshuapearce7658 reading the first book right now, he was using a sword and he killed several trollocks with it, he hadnt fought in 15 years, and it was night (trollocks see better at night) he didnt know how many they where and his primary concern was protecting rand. He did take a small scrape but that got infected with thakandar poison that quickly made him sick to the brink of death.
That was indeed my reaction! Add also the sparing between Rand and Tam the last night, and Rand said that Tam was obviously still the better swordsman between the 2...
@@michaelhowze8198 he was already a blademaster, rand melted his power wrought blade. I doubt they hand power wrought blades out to just any old blade master. Think like Stradivarius but 20 times older.
@@DannyBoyZero yeah when he schooled rand in one hand sword fighting then lan saw him fight in the last battle and said something like "I always wondered if the man rand received that heron mark blade from had truly earned it. Now i know"
@@DannyBoyZero I really wish we could have seen tam and lan spar near the end of the books. Lan obviously takes the majority of the wins but i seriously think tam would have won three out of seven
Definitely. I don’t think Perrin quite makes the top 10. Gawyn might not either. Did RJ intend that Gawyn had some kind of mental illness? I don’t know how someone could have made so many errors in judgement and have all of their faculties.
I'm only on book four (I know - how did I not know about this series until this year? :) ) but so far Tam has shown himself to be rather deadly. He defeated several Trollocs in the first book but other than that, I don't remember seeing him fight except with the bow. He is obviously the best archer in the series so far though. I'm not sure why you didn't allow ranged weapons to be considered. That's the primary weapon for several characters. If you allowed bows, Tam would be very high on the list. It doesn't matter how good you are with the sword if you have an arrow through your eye at 100 yards.
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Lets not forget that Lan defeats two fades at once that ambushed him during the last battle and I don't even think he took a single wound from it. It's tough to say if Demandred deserves to be #1 because Lan was exhausted but then he pulled his "sheathing the sword" trick so it's a tough call but I guess you have to just give it to the man that survives.I think we should give Talmanes an honorable mention. Dude gets wounded by a fade in a fight he won, then continues to kill trollocs, then kills another fade all while under the influence of thankandar poison. So he isn't a good enough swordsman to make the list BUT I get some of these guys listed wouldn't have the grit my boy Talmanes does!
@@MinhTruong101 Yes, he could. He was an excellent swordsman in his own right, and I believe the best in the age of legends. He does have channelers to heal him of exhaustion though, so Lan in peak condition I'm sure could beat him.
Pretty sure that there are multiple points in the series where it is insinuated that Rhuarc is essentially Lan's equal. This is never tested, and I would of course put my money on Lan, but Rhuarc should definitely be ahead of Gaul.
Joseph Gaffney I don’t recall that? When was this? The only time I truly remember him fighting was when he died and that was less to do with skill and a bit more to do with tactics. I think it is mentioned that he was skill but never truly displayed. Lan’s skill was displayed multiple times.
Ruharc should be on there I think. In MOL Ruharc kills multiple dreadlords with only his belt knife and only falls because Graendal gets him with compulsion. He is roving around the battlefield with Myrdraal, Trollocs, forsaken, dreadlords and is taking names. It's tough to rank the top 5, but I think Galad looses some points when you follow him in battles against the shadow. He is one of the best swordsman against humans but in the books he does not fair as well against the Trollocs while Perrin has no problems cutting through any shadowspawn and is the only non-channeler who can stop darkhounds in close fighting.
He's not actually "fighting" the dreadlords per say, he's killing them with surprise and stealth before they blow his head off. If we'd seen him in action more he might have taken gauls spot, but we didn't.
Even if Mat couldn't beat Lan or Rand (I believe he could, he's hard to take seriously for most which gives him an edge) his inner monologue would be priceless.
The problem is Lan never underestimates anyone and wouldnt be taken by surprise. And rand i would agree with you on half. But I also think Tam could wack Matt's bum. Since Matt mentions that Tam was a quarter stick champion several bel tines in a row. So he could counter Matt quite easily
@@llskywalker6337 Only if you mean before he took in the memories of hundreds of warriors and generals. This is also not a power such as the one power and as such should be allowed just as the warder bond is. Also do not forget that there are some times when Tm did not win the quarter stick champion and that is the years when mats dad won so mat likely will catch up soon to the older men as does happen in life.
Mat's weapon and his vast knowledge of battle tactics due to his the memories from the past would give him the edge over anyone in a fair fight. Demandred, Rand and Lan would all give him a very good fight but without something extra they couldn't beat him one on one.
Demandred & Rand can channel. Rand is also the most powerful Taveren. He also has the past memories and battle tactics of the best Blademaster, Best Channeler & Best Battle Tactician of the entire mythology: Lews Therin
@@Andhaira I'm talking in a physical fight with Mat and his ashandarei, Against any of those three and their normal choice of weapon, a sword. Yes of course a channeler as powerful as Rand or Demandred could beat him even with his medallion with the power. But with just a sword; no chance. As we heard when Mat beat both Gawyn and Galad before he gained the battle knowledge; a good staff man will beat a great swordsman any day. And Mat is beyond a "good" staff man.
@@Andhaira That is why he said "without something extra". Also channeling is specially useless against Matt. To judge Matt is an exercise on futility.. he is so absurd that a meteor can land on top of his enemy by sheer luck.
i love how lan uses his last lesson to rand from the beginning of the second book to take out demandred. he sheathes the sword, because "not here to win, i'm here to kill you".
Didn't RJ explicitly state that be'lal was the most adept blademaster of the forsaken? We kinda saw a shred of his ability in book 3 when he just toyed with Rand and barely used any of his skill.
@@amazonthrowaway9570 yes I know he has improved since his sealing, however I believe it's outright stated that Bel'al was and still is the greatest blade master period. That's part of what made him valuable. He is the weakest male forsaken, and around Sammael in command prowess (as a general), but where he truly shined was with the sword.
@@THEFAITHFULPALADIN I don't think Ruharc would qualify just because of how many experts in combat we see. But I do think it's strange that Tam wasn't at least an honorable mention. When Rand lost his hand, Tam smacked him around the training yard, and most of the swordsmasters who witness Tams fighting all comment on how incredible he is. I guess with so many exceptional people like rand, Elaine's brothers, Lan, most of the forsaken, it's just tough to compare. Id probably stick him as an honorable mention though
@@danboom101 Lan, Rand & Aviendha considered Ruharc a near equal to Lan, I can't see Gawyn & Galad on it but definitely Ruharc should be along with Tam
I think Tam, Be'lal and Rhuarc should probably be on here considering we do see all of them fight and they all have crazy feats and/or are noted by various characters to be very skilled. I also think Thom should have an honorable mention for being probably the most skilled assassin that isn't augmented by some kind of magic in the series
I would've agreed, but Lan specifically stated in his duel with Demandred in a Memory of Light , that Demandred was the better swordsman between the two. From what I got, the diff was that Lan was willing to die to take out demandred and took a fatal hit which suprised the shit out of demandred. That being said, it was also mentioned that Lan was tired, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say Lan = Demandred.
@@punishedx You have to love that, after handily Beating Gawyn and Galad, when he faced Lan, he thought that Lan was Lews Therin, the only man that could match him with a sword.
Pretty solid, but I think I would have bumped Torman or Valda for Tam Al’thor, and I can see leaving Ryne off the list but Lan acknowledges that he should have lost to him in their duel at the end of New Spring but Ryne got it the same way Demandred did because Lan didn’t come to win he came to Kill you. Lam Man all day everyday Tai’shar Malkier!
I suppose we never actually see Tam in combat tho, except for his practice duel with Rand, which is still pretty legit once Rand finds his way. We never actually witness Ryne at work either, which is a shame, so he doesn’t qualify for the list per the req’s.
I agree with tam over the brothers. But perrin is a hoss, hands down the strongest person on the list, his fighting style may not be flashy but it is brutally efficient. And while they could Definitely hurt him, their swords would be hard pressed to stop his mighty hammer.
3/7 in matches.. Elyis (the wolfbrother) is just as good... Granted, our least fav royal brother at the time didn't have the bond and still won.. When the warders spared lan everyone had the bond
I guess its notable that Valda was "handling" Galad in their duel until Galad used his over confidence against him. If he keeps his mind focused, he likely takes the match. I guess that is part of being a blademaster though. @@andrewsowl8696
Oh I had a friend asked the late Robert Jordan who wins in a fight between Lan and Galad. (it was during Winter's Heart book signing). RJ says Lan would win, and even if Galad is a better fighter Lan would still win.
Hah #2 excluding the epic-scale duel between the Little Wolf Rodel Ituralde & the Seanchan general (wasn't Galgan, was it?) Hah! Toram Raitan striking Rand, who was only "slightly" distracted by Mashadar-ish Fain... While the Shadar Logoth evil was screwing pain into his side... Just a mild distraction in the void. Rand *also* received an *epic* lesson in one-handed swordsmanship from his *father*, Tam al'Thor. Sheathing the sword, sheepherder. Great list, nae'blis!
You don't mention that Mat is extremely skilled with daggers, which he uses both for throwing and for fencing, and also that his ability to fight does not diminish at all when he loses an eye.
No Rodel ituralde he is one hell of a fighter.. But its OK because I love them all... I even love Semirhage, lanfear, graendahl, Mesaana and moghi.. These are my fave ladies.
I would have put Gaul a little higher up myself, although it's rare to see him go up against a swordsman, I think he could beat at least the back 5 of your list. But well done ;)
@@NaeBlis I've watched these before. It's kinda painful watching at the moment after the first season of the show though. Now, I don't "hate" the show like many others, but there are certain things left out that have bothered me. One of those is the amount of training that Rand underwent under Lan in the Eye of the World. I wish they would have given it some mention. I guess, all and all...I wish that the show was green lit for 10 episodes per season with a planned 10 season arc. The 8x8 is going to leave most fans wanting in a big way.
It's interesting to consider different aspects like you do with Perrin. For instance, I would say that Galad is the most technically, by the book proficient swordsman, however he has somewhat rigid thinking that holds him back. I think the most unknown to me of those we see fight, is the high lord Turak - is he representing a more ceremonial, less proficient blademaster, or was he JUST caught up by fate? Did he fall to arrogance? Anyway, I don't envy you trying to make this a list of 10 people, with WoT's cast. :)
Rand was wearing his coat and his gloves while fighting Toram Toram himself told rand to take those off as those will hinder his ability to fight without those he could've easily destroyed Toram
But Lan even said in the book that he could feel that Demandred was a more skilled swordsmen than he was! I think Demandred should be #1 personally. Defeating Gawyn so easily while he wore the blood knife rings was just so impressive.
My top 5 would be 1) Lan 2) Demandred 3) Mat 4) Rand 5) Galad No specific reasons for this order, just the impressions I had of their skill through the series. Keep up the great videos!
I do believe Mat should be at the no 1 spot. In a Lan vs. Mat fight, Lan would trip over two dice he failed to notice, stumble to his knees and stab himself in the gut with the knife that just fell out of its sheath somehow. Two seconds in and he'd be rushed to the nearest healer. If luck counts as a skill Mat is the most skilled character in the book. Mat vs Rand could go anyway since they're both ta'veren but I feel Mat has a weapon advantage over Rand.
Thats why I think luck/Ta'veren shouldn't count. It confuses things too much. Based on skill alone, Lan is best. Demandred probably #2, since Lan himself admitted Demandred was better than him, though I take that with a grain of salt. There is also the dialogue between Demandred and Gawyn that suggests fighters that know the Void(Oneness) are superior to those who don't. Demandred: "You still wield your sword little man" Gawyn: What else would I do? Demandred: "Become the Sword itself" Mat not knowing the Void puts him a tier down in raw skill imo, but his luck screws the whole ranking up if you take it into account.
Matt had a reach advantage, and a reincarnation advantage. He basically had a sword on the end of a spear and an antimagic trinket. In an open field Matt would win because he would never have to let Lan into damage range.
@@swimmingmide No way Mat is beating Lan without some luck or Ta'veren bs lmao. Lan is much more skilled, and reach won't mean jack if Lan deflects his first attack and gets in close. Then Mat's spear becomes a disadvantage because it's too clunky in close quarters. You assume Mat would be able to dance around Lan and keep him out of reach, but that is only if Lan is unskilled or overconfident, both of which he is not. Also, If we go based of reincarnation/age/experience, Demandred and Rand/LTT beat everyone else.
@@georgeeast5502 Matt has the battle experience of countless warriors in his head, has beaten warder trained princes in close combat with a staff before, is unnaturally lucky, in peak physical condition, and is using a magic weapon. He also has that amulet that prevents magic from touching him. In a 1v1 battle he could beat almost any caster or fighter.
@@swimmingmide As I said before, the luck shouldn't count in determining top skilled fighters, because it messes things up. If luck is counted, should channelling be counted as well? Why one and not the other? He has battle experience from many generals, yes. As in strategical and tactical experience, not duelling experience. No where is it stated that any of his memories were skilled warriors, or even if inherent skill translates through memory alone(It shouldn't). His amulet isn't going to do shit against Lan, and as seen in Lan vs Demandred, Demandred found a way around it by throwing rocks. And his weapon doesn't have any special abilities either, its just a weapon. He beat Galad and Gawyn way before they became Blademasters, because of luck and their overconfidence, not skill alone. 1v1 he gets cleaned by Demandred, Lan or Rand easily. There's a reason we never see Mat face a Blademaster, because he'd lose without his luck.
Eamon Valda was remarked as the most deadly blade master this side of the Aryth Ocean. Ofc, people like Hamann didn't test his strength, but it is worth knowing is the most notorious heron marked holder. Also Harman dies at Gawyn's hand likely because he hesitates to strike his own student down, rather than Gawyn being necessarily more skilled than him, however Gawyn does prove that he earns that victory later on in the novels, but at this time he has grown. Also Perrin is not trounced by Aram at all, Perrin doesn't want to fight or hurt the lad and adopts a defensive stance and is utterly shocked by Aram turning on him. Perrin has wolf reflexes and instincts, this borders on supernatural, and when you add that to his strength, your demotion because of the Aram encounter is negated, and that should bump Perrin up the list considerably. Otherwise, it's a good list, Tope 3 spots are tough, and I would have Perrin in the top 4, not sure if he could beat Demandred though, but I'm not sure if that's because of Demandred's one power and true power help, Perrin would have wolf reflexes and instincts as well as strength, while Demandred would have phenomenal swordsman skill only Lews Therin/Rand would have been better. I think apart from Perrin your order is correct, while I don't think Lan could defeat Rand with his regained Lews Therin memories, because face it, Lews Therin was better than Demandred and Lan recognises Demandred is a better swordsman, however defeating him does put Lan above Demandred. I would keep your order. But have Perrin up at 4 but debatable whether just ahead of Demandred or behind.
I think mat should be higher then Rand. He defeated the princes while he was weak as a kitten. Not to mention all the past lives he had so much more experience. I would say probably more experience then anyone else.
Maybe pre-Lews therin, but after lews therin fusion idk. Lews therin was supposed to be a very very very solid sword master, and Demandred confused Lan for him, saying that it was Lews therin hiding behind the mask of mirrors in a mirror of light, after seeing lan fight, since Lan was the only one so far who did as much. Id say the ranking should be Lan =?(I put equal cause, in AMOL Lan said Demandred was the better swordsman of the them, but also later the narrator said Lan was a little tired so idk) Demandred >= Rand(LTT) > Mat
ah, i see someone beat me to the punch... i think Tam should have been on the list.... we see him fight in the very first book when the trollocs bust in and he takes on two simultaneously. we then see more piling in and he manages to not only escape mostly unharmed (those blasted Thakan-Dar blades!) but also taking down a few more while going toe-to-toe with up to FIVE more at once!
I love that your channel is growing so big. I subbed after Daniel Greene mentioned u a few months ago, and I'm so glad that I did. Keep up the great content
I feel like the exclusion of ranged weapons is specifically to keep Birgitte off the list, which is a damn shame since I'd put her around 6 or 7th place
Great video as always! It's been some years since I finished the series and it may be because I was still a teenager, but I really don't understand why people dislike Gawyn so much. I vaguely remember him becoming less and less likeable but not to the degree that he'd be the Jar Jar of WoT (if that's even comparable). If anyone has a burning hatred for him I'd love to know why 😅
He's one of the main reasons the white tower was broken, by killing the resistance. He worked on Elaida's side. His ability to tell Right for Wrong was a bit lacking.
truthfully tam should of been on this list. nmot only did he achieve his blademaster status by defeating another blademaster, he was a master of the flame and void, and while not having picked up a sword for years, was able to quickly get back into fighting shape in order to train aram and then fight in the last battle. also, just to be nitpicking, when you were detailing rand's skills, you said he was distracted by mashadar during his fight with toram. it was actually a bubble of evil
The only mistake I saw in the video was when you called Galad Gawyn's step brother. They are half brothers as they share a father, just as Galad and Rand are half brothers via their mother.
Good work going through and thinking about it! I know you made a bunch of comments to hedge it, but I would still rank Perrin higher. You talked about how skilled Aiel are and he mowed them down time and again. That counts for a lot. Maybe he just swings deadly things around with great strength, but he's *damn* good at it. And maybe people don't like Gawyn but he was one of my favorite characters. Dude messed up a bunch but kept trying to get better. Who can't get behind that? But I can't argue with public opinion. Also I know you said the last 3 were interchangeable and that's cool, but I'd give Mat #2. Remember that line about a farmer with a quarterstaff beating the best swordsman ever. But no one beats Lan. Good work. I love people getting into it and making videos like this.
I think you're underestimating Aram's abilities with the sword, he was beating Tam, an actual blademaster, several times in sparring during the two rivers vs trollocs chapters.
Rand admits that Tam is the more skilled fighter, when they spar, the night before the last battle begins. But I don't think it was clear that he meant that he was better with both hands as well as just the one. The back story in my head is that Tam is the greater fighter, and that Rand was really suggesting that Tam was the better fighter, at any advantage or disadvantage.
I don't think we really have much of an idea of how good Tam was, and certainly not how good he was at his physical prime. The only time we see him duel anyone is one handed Rand. If we did a list of best archers though, he's gotta top that one.
Indeed, on top of Rand's comment that last night, there is also Lan comming on Tam during the Last Battle, just after the wedge fight against trollocs, saying that he had wondered about who had taught Rand, and that now he knew. For me, it is at least a compliment on his prowess, but probably even more, that Tam is indeed a great blademaster as to earn a place in this top ten list!
I was fine right up till I saw Mat at #3. It shouldn't even be in question that Mat is the best by a long shot. If Mat's Ta'veran nature was anything other than how it's written I'd be fine with him at 3 but the way it works for Mat in the books makes him #1. Unlike Perrin and Rand, Mat's luck works to his advantage in every single fight he's in. More, Mat actually begins to understand how to exploit it. Consider... Mat's first kill is the night he leaves Tar Valon. It's a Grey man, something he's never even heard of, let alone faced. He encounters the Grey man on the bridge and instantly reacts. Knowing he's about to die anyway he flips them both off the bridge, where his luck has him landing on top of the Grey man and the GM's knife in it's heart... Mat's doesn't have so much as a sprain or scratch. His next three kills are on the ship that same night. His greatest fight is of course the Gholam. This time not only has Mat never even heard of one but nobody alive except the Forsaken know what one is. Name a single fighter on the list that could have survived the first encounter, let alone three. Then Mat proceeds to put himself up as bait to trap and kill the thing. A creature so dangerous that only six were created. Both of these encounters highlight something else about Mat. He reacts faster to the new/unexpected than any other character. That started becoming clear well before he received his memories. Another detail about Mat. His weapon of choice is totally unique. ALL the men on the list are familiar with fighting and countering swords, axes. hammer/mace, etc. NONE are familiar with Mat's weapon. That gives Mat a huge advantage in any fight. If you have to pick one of the men in a fight that you didn't know where, when, how many, or what you had to fight, which one would you pick? Lan is a badass, no doubt, and if just pure skill with a weapon was the criteria I'd be fine with him at #1 but that's not the criteria of the list. Your criteria stated ability with the power was excluded but doesn't exclude a channeler as an opponent. Lan can't solo a channeler (who's taking him seriously) in a straight up fight, Mat and Rand can. Moreover, pretty much any fight Lan can win could also be won by Mat and Rand. Lan beats Rand in experience and skill. Rand is Ta'veran but throughout the books Rand's effect on the pattern doesn't benefit him the way Mat's does in a fight. That leave's Mat #1, Lan #2, and Rand#3.
I agree mat would beat anyone 1 on 1 assuming normal weapons because of luck and being competent enough with the weapon and that weapon having reach. " NONE are familiar with Mat's weapon." That is wrong what the weapon is, is a glave a type of polearm it would be worse then a spear in the thrust but better in cut. They know how to fight against spears they know how to fight against the weapon he have. The thing mat have over almost every sword user in the books is being able to attack the enemy before they can attack him. Reach is very powerful in a one on one encounter.
@Tom Ford No he would not first Mat is really good with his staff and he is very lucky. Spear is a longer weapon so Lan have to get inside the reach of Mats spear attacks before he even can attack. But most important is LUCK. with luck Mat can beat anyone in 1v1 melee weapon combat.
@Tom Ford That you say that tells me you do not understand how important luck is in a fight to the death. Lan is a more skilled person but tripping and other things is still deadly in a fight no matter how much skill you have.
I agree with the others - Tam should have been on the list. He's a master of the void, one of (if not the) best archers, and could spar with Rand near the end. He's a seasoned veteran and blade master. It also looks like some people forget that he fought the last battle with the blade, once he ran out of arrows. And then, later on, he was instrumental in clearing a path for Lan to face Demandred, showing the ability to hit moving targets, at great distance, accurately with arrows weighted down to hold a flame.
Mat Lan Ryne Demandred Belal Rand Perrin Gaul Galad Perrin Eamon Valda Gawyn Toram Ishamael in TGH displays a more than merely pssing familiarity with his staff
Late to the party with this comment, but I only just saw the video - Good list! I would suggest for consideration though... Be'lal - the Forsaken. He gets smoked early by Moiraine, but only after he all but defeats Rand in a sword duel and his skill as a blademaster is talked about frequently in the buildup to that fight. And while Tam Al'Thor wouldn't be in the top 5, in the last battle there is that chapter where he "becomes the void" and "brings the void to the trollocs". Lan says "I used to wonder about the man who gave that heron marked blade to Rand. How did he come by it? I wonder no longer. Taishar Monatherin" Rune commented that his boy Talmanes should also be an honorable mention. I second that. Talmanes is also one of my favorite characters.
I don't have too many issues with the list itself, but I *do* object to you identifying the mist that attacked the rebel army during the Rand/Toram fight as being Mashadar. I'd always thought the mist was one of those Bubbles of Evil. Yes, Padan Fain was there, but the way the mist acted was a far madding cry from how Mashadar is usually depicted as acting. Mashadar doesn't need to twist your head around or eat half your face off as the mist did, it just touches you and you die. Also, Matrim rocks my world, and should be no 1. ;)
Aiel criminally underrepresented on this list. Plus Tam. Should of also mentioned Mat killing the leader of the Shaido in combat, Coudulin or whatever his name was.
Lews Therin was a blademaster so rands got that going for him too, on top of already being one. I think it's a fair placement though truly anyone in the top 4 could have a case for number 1.
@@fenixchief7 LTT was never as good as Demandred and the other Forsaken guy Be'al i think LTT was just the first blademaster as he revived sword combat as entertainment
You say no special abilities but Perrin has his wolf senses and Mat has his luck and generations of experience. I consider both of those special abilities.
For an honorable mention I propose Padan Fain. Though it happened off screen lets not forget he nailed a myrddral to a wall (or door I don’t remember which one off hand).
That’s because of his powers that he got. At that time he wasn’t even padan fain anymore. He was a weird hybrid creature. Also, Mat killed him pretty easily.
Am I the only one who would have thought it was more poetic and fitting for Tam al’Thor fight Demandred? It would have been the brother in law, then the half brother and finally the father of the Dragon Reborn to fight the forsaken. It would have been poetic due to the idea that Tam al’Thor is the reason why Rand wins in the end. His love and outlook on life changed everything.
3:40 Can you tell me the reference point in the books where Gaul is called the leader of the Stone Dogs? I always thought he was just a member of that society. 9:35 Where can you see Mat learning any fighting styles from the old blood of Manetheren?
I think you are correct on the first point. For the second point, iirc Mat's internal thoughts shortly after getting the ashendarei are something to the effect of it feeling like he's used it before or it feeling natural, I'd have to go back and look to be exact on that. Also, during the knife fight in the streets in Knife of Dreams? he mentions knowing where to stab people to do the most damage from his memories. Not sure either of those are evidence of him picking up styles, per se, but certainly he picked up knowledge useful in a fight.
He was referred to as the leader of the stone dogs who were guarding Rand's door in Tear at the beginning of Ch. 7 of TSR. But that is it. I don't think he was the leader of the society, but he did say that a wise one said he thought too much for a stone dog and threatened to send him to Rhuidean when his clan chief died.
Do you by chance remember the description of Laman’s sword AFTER Rand puts a more functional hilt on it? I feel like that’s the one that’s a katana, not Tam’s sword.
I disagree... Perrin like warders has crazy endurance and is a beast with strength and durability... He is also a strong ta'veren and this list includes this ability.
@@MrMephiston When has Perrin's taveren nature help him in a discernible way in a fight? We see Mat's taveren nature help him, but when do we see Perrin's?
@@errtu123 The dude throws himself into the middle of dumais well with no armor and doesn't have a scratch on him at the end. Just because we don't see arrows turning in mid flight doesn't mean his luck isn't having an affect.
@@cirrusfish that would be sound reasoning except that Jordan had no idea how armour works anyway. Also, come on, EVERY major character goes into battle and is not hit by any arrows. Arrows don't matter when it comes to hurting the main(ish) characters. Arrows not hitting them is not the effect of being taveren, it is plot armour/convenience.
I agree that Perrin doesn't deserve a spot on the list. Not sure Tam had enough fight time to rate the list either, but not sure who the spot would go to.
My 2 cents, Mat could be at the top or the bottom depending upon how the dice fall and what the pattern decides. My thought is that Rand is so strongly Ta'veren that the pattern is making Mat into this god of battle despite Mat. Mat is just trying to fuck and gamble but he gets tossed here and there from battle to battle, fight to fight, even manipulating events so he winds up married to the empress of the Seanchen. He winds up filled with all the military wisdom of the ages, impervious to the one power etc.... I'[m not even sure if he really is a good fighter or if the pattern is just making him. How its depicted is as though he's not even fully in control or conscious frequently, look at the fight with gawyn and galad. Mat goes for a killing blow to galad's neck and only pulls back when he realizes what's happening. Or just how there is a lack of detail in the battles Mat fights in. He's so tightly tied to the pattern that I don't think he's really got any free will at all except when he's rolling the dice and playing with the ladies. Neither Rand or Perrin are depicted this way at all. While the pattern is depicted as weaving around Rand and Perrin around Mat it is actively working against him. So I dunno and its why I think Mat's the best character in the series, we just don't really understand what is going on with Mat and neither does Mat.
I beg to differ. Mat fighting the Gholam... Mat fighting with the Seanchan the wondering how many he'd killed to warrant such respect... Mat fighting and killing 6 men when attacked outside the hell with just knives... Mat killing Couladin are all feats of his awesome fighting prowess... I think he deserves to be in the top 2. Dude's very good.
I think Karede, Tam, Rhuarc and Loial deserve at least an honourable mention! Also, does Birgitte not get any spot because she's a HotH? Thank you for taking the time to explore the WoT world and making these awesome videos.
I agree with nearly everything you said, the only thing I would change would be to swap mat and rand. As you said the could be interchange quite easily, I just think that mat has an edge over rand.
Ripped directly from A Memory of Light: "Despite Lan's initial offensive, Demandred was the better swordsman. Lan knew this by the same sense that told him when to strike, when to parry, when to step and when to withdraw. Perhaps if they had come to the fight evenly, it would be different. They had not. Lan had been fighting for an entire day, and though he'd been healed from his worst wounds, the smaller ones still ached. Beyond that, a healing in and of itself was draining. Demandred was still fresh." The bit "Demandred was the better swordsman" stands out, though it's left open for debate with "Perhaps if they had come to the fight evenly, it would be different." We'll never know for sure.
MrDrProfessor4 LAN May have been less skilled or proficient of a swordsman but he was willing to go to a place that allowed him to win in the end. Fortitude is also a fact in fighting and LAN had it in spades. He was willing to die to achieve his goal and Damadred was not.
it's tough to say, at that point Lan had already been fighting for hours without end while Demandred only fought in two duels (only geeez). Lan had to be physically beyond tired by the time they fought. Also do not forget Demandred was channeling at him by throwing rocks and Lan had to dodge all of that while fighting.
I just wanted to add some other noteworthy fighters not mentioned. Without referencing the books my recollection of individual feats or how much we actually see them may be lacking as a caveat. Bel'al was one of the best from the AOL, Furyk Karede, Elyas Machera, Couladin, and that badass Ogier Gardner who's name escapes me was scary (though not sure they fought on screen).
Was Couladin a renowned fighter? I’ve been arguing that Belal should be above Demandred because he basically invented swordplay in the AOL, but I don’t recall Couladin being anything better than the average Aiel.
@@GannerRhysode I was thinking about him fighting Mat and giving him a hard time though to be fair Mat killed him. I was probably making too many assumptions tbh
@@GannerRhysode this was during the battle of Cairhien which was right when Mat started shining as a battle tactician. As for fighting skills it's debatable but his biggest moment to me was beating Galad and Gawyn in the Dragon Reborn. Really there's not much to separate or distinguish most particular Aiel's fighting skills. But I admit I made probably too many assumptions based on him being a clan Chief (even if achieved dubiously) and a prominent villain for a long running story arc.
Always knew Lan would win; he's easily in the top 5 five fighters in all of fantasy; I'd even say he'd make top 3 with Geralt of Rivia and Drizz't. Have a feeling Demandred should've been higher. Its a pity we never see Rhuarc fight, have a feeling he'd be pretty high on the list too
@@matthewsmith4647 I wouldnt be so sure about that; Drizz't not only has the speed ane agility of elves, he also has centuries of experience, as well as sueviving alone in the underdark, which is just as deadly as the blight.
@@johnyshadow even without those magic items, Drizz't is a master swordsman, one of the best ever trained in his home city (not even gonna try spelling it here). Don't get me wrong, with his magic weapons Drizz't is pretty much impossible to beat without the Dark Ones own luck.
@@SH-qs7ee He did get a few close calls after he came to the surface. (But then who hasn´t) At his best, yeah, that would be something to see. On a similar note, what about Artemis? PS: Haven´t finished ALL the books yet, so no huge spoilers, please.
My list would be: 1) Demandred 2) Lan 3) Matt (possibly #1) 4) Rand (with two hands) 5) Be’lal 6) Rhuarc 7) Tam 8) Galad 9) Gawyn 10) Elyas Honorable mention Sammael, who would rank #1, as he was the World Champion during the Age of Legends.
Tam needs on this list. Rand spars with him and can tell he's better than him and Lan says he always wondered but now does not doubt Tam deserved the Heron in the last book
I think you acknowledged in another video that Be'lal was the greatest blademaster of the Forsaken. He should be in the list I'd have thought, and above Demandred.
11:38 rand killed two armed warders bare handed when the aes'sedai who captured him start to torture min. we don't get to see it "on screen" but we do know that it happened.
I dont think Perrin would make the list. Most of the time he's in melee, and that berserk fighting is a hindrance in one on one. Aram isnt on the list, and he can pretty easily defeat Perrin. I think replacing him with Tam al'Thor would be more fair. Tam is a veteran of multiple wars, and earned the Heron Mark through prowess in combat in defeating a blade master. He also is the one training Aram, who can defeat Perrin. Even barring his "screen time," it's pretty clearly referenced that he is a sword instructor and he does have some minor skipping over scenes.
Interesting that you describe Mat's luck as part of his ta'veren nature, pretty sure there is another element to it. Possibly something Lanfear did, almost certainly connected to that dice ter'angreal. There is definitely a moment after he's healed where his luck kicks into overdrive, something happened to him while he was at the Tower.
Rand should have been number 1 not because he is the hero rather it's because of what Lan said to Nynaeve about Rand's skill in fighting, he said something along the lines of him dying to protect her if it ever came down to him fighting Rand. That was Lan putting respect on the sheepherder.
Mat and Rand should have been switched since Hammar explained that a master in quarterstaff could beat a master of the sword in most fighting situations.
Could beat. Not would. Matt would never beat Rand. Rand knows spear fighting as well and is incredible unarmed and very arguably the best swordsman alive. And Rands Taveren abilities smoke Mats
Belal should really be on the list. He wipes the floor with rand in the dragon reborn and is considered the best swordsman of the age of legends, being the man who rediscovered the art of dueling.
If you read over everything carefully it states that Be'lal and Lews Therin discovered the art of dueling together. That they spared often before he turned to the dark. He was the least powerful channeler of the Forsaken/Chosen if I remember correctly. But, you're right that his swordsmanship and ability to manipulate absolutely made up the difference. Which, i'd agree should put him at least in contention for the list. But, remember that he was disappointed when battling Rand because he wasn't nearly as good as Lews Therin. However, by the end of WoT Rand had mastered what The Dragon knew, grew on that ability with his training with Lan, and also gained new knowledge with the Aiel. Rand at his height was well beyond Be'lal. Honestly, Rand and Matt were most likely better fighters than even Lan by the end. But, those top 3 are by far more dangerous than any of the others.
@@MinhTruong101 absolutely. Be'lal was even disappointed that Rand wasn't nearly as good as Lews Therin...By Rand's peak he far surpassed Lews Therin. But, I do agree that Be'lal at least deserves an honorary mention.
@@jasonschwartz9481 I guess I should’ve been more careful with how I said it. Of the two, Belal for sure considered himself the better duelist. But we never know for sure. Sammael and Demandred were also very good so i guess I should’ve said Belal was perhaps the best in the AOL but certainly one of the best. By the end of the books, Rand was certainly a better channeler but not duelist. Perhaps prior to his hand being vaporized but afterwards he couldn’t beat Tam who was also fighting one handed
Good list Nae'Blis, though I'd switch Rand for Alsbet Luhhan and her frying pan of doom
Dont forget Nynaeve and her switch; a warrior to strike fear in anyone of Manatheren's descent...
You sir, are a hero.
@@SH-qs7ee Pissing her off is usually last thing anyone ever do,but my money is on Moiraina.
What of Cadsuane and her pimp hand of ultimate destruction?
Lawl frying pan of doom
I think Tam Al'Thor should be on here for sure. He's likely the most skilled with the bow in the series, Lan recognizes him as a Blademaster, he allows for his wedge to not be pushed back during the Last Battle. Rand spars with him, and even one-handed Tam is comfortable, where Rand was not. Tam's experience with the Void shown to be quite deep and I think he's most similar to someone that has "become the sword" as Demandred told Gawyn he should do. I would easily say Tam is better than Toram Riatin at the very least, if not others.
Tam seems like a very obvious oversight
@@cuylshepherdton7437 wasn’t his weapon in the first book a chair leg or crockery? Certainly wasn’t a sword. Maybe a hoe handle? Come on now!!
@@cuylshepherdton7437 waant he ambushed by like dozen trollocs trying to cut them off from chasinr rand with an improvised weapon and not having fought for like 15-20 yrs give him a break
@@cuylshepherdton7437 we are talking peak performance, for Tam that would be the last book not the first.
@@joshuapearce7658 reading the first book right now, he was using a sword and he killed several trollocks with it, he hadnt fought in 15 years, and it was night (trollocks see better at night) he didnt know how many they where and his primary concern was protecting rand. He did take a small scrape but that got infected with thakandar poison that quickly made him sick to the brink of death.
I think you forget Tam fighting at the point of the wedge and his conversation with Lan. That wasn't even Tam at his peak.
That was indeed my reaction! Add also the sparing between Rand and Tam the last night, and Rand said that Tam was obviously still the better swordsman between the 2...
@@roxelaneelmira4678 Lan's praise should count for quite a bit to he's the best there is. So him saying your a master means something for sure.
My thoughts too, the way they talk about Tam in the books, I have no doubt he could best most of that list,
@@michaelhowze8198 he was already a blademaster, rand melted his power wrought blade. I doubt they hand power wrought blades out to just any old blade master. Think like Stradivarius but 20 times older.
Tam should definitely be on here! It didn't even seem like he got injured when he fought in the last battle at the front.
I think tam al'thor should have made the list in place of perrin if you're disregarding tel'aran'rhiod
I forget, did we ever genuinely see Tam fight in the books, or was it just secondhand?
@@DannyBoyZero yeah when he schooled rand in one hand sword fighting then lan saw him fight in the last battle and said something like "I always wondered if the man rand received that heron mark blade from had truly earned it. Now i know"
@@DannyBoyZero I really wish we could have seen tam and lan spar near the end of the books. Lan obviously takes the majority of the wins but i seriously think tam would have won three out of seven
Definitely. I don’t think Perrin quite makes the top 10. Gawyn might not either. Did RJ intend that Gawyn had some kind of mental illness? I don’t know how someone could have made so many errors in judgement and have all of their faculties.
I'm only on book four (I know - how did I not know about this series until this year? :) ) but so far Tam has shown himself to be rather deadly. He defeated several Trollocs in the first book but other than that, I don't remember seeing him fight except with the bow. He is obviously the best archer in the series so far though. I'm not sure why you didn't allow ranged weapons to be considered. That's the primary weapon for several characters. If you allowed bows, Tam would be very high on the list. It doesn't matter how good you are with the sword if you have an arrow through your eye at 100 yards.
I can't reccomend Audible highly enough! Last year I lost half the light of the world when a stroke left me blind in the left half of both eyes. Reading is difficult for me but thanks to Audible I can still enjoy the Wheel of time.
Lets not forget that Lan defeats two fades at once that ambushed him during the last battle and I don't even think he took a single wound from it. It's tough to say if Demandred deserves to be #1 because Lan was exhausted but then he pulled his "sheathing the sword" trick so it's a tough call but I guess you have to just give it to the man that survives.I think we should give Talmanes an honorable mention. Dude gets wounded by a fade in a fight he won, then continues to kill trollocs, then kills another fade all while under the influence of thankandar poison. So he isn't a good enough swordsman to make the list BUT I get some of these guys listed wouldn't have the grit my boy Talmanes does!
Demandred used the one power to fight..so he couldn't beat Lan base on sword skill
Talmanes is THE MAN!!!
He is in the top five for grit if nothing else!!! 😁
@@MinhTruong101 Yes, he could. He was an excellent swordsman in his own right, and I believe the best in the age of legends. He does have channelers to heal him of exhaustion though, so Lan in peak condition I'm sure could beat him.
@@charleskane8843 Love Talmanes!! Best Talmanes moment is when he makes a joke.
@@jodiz5901 sorry who is the he you are referring first
Pretty sure that there are multiple points in the series where it is insinuated that Rhuarc is essentially Lan's equal. This is never tested, and I would of course put my money on Lan, but Rhuarc should definitely be ahead of Gaul.
Probably, but where in the books did Rhuarc actually showed fighting skills?
@@litobellini2802 In the last book.
Joseph Gaffney I don’t recall that? When was this? The only time I truly remember him fighting was when he died and that was less to do with skill and a bit more to do with tactics. I think it is mentioned that he was skill but never truly displayed. Lan’s skill was displayed multiple times.
@@litobellini2802 Page 831-834
I re-read what you said and you are correct.
Ruharc should be on there I think. In MOL Ruharc kills multiple dreadlords with only his belt knife and only falls because Graendal gets him with compulsion. He is roving around the battlefield with Myrdraal, Trollocs, forsaken, dreadlords and is taking names. It's tough to rank the top 5, but I think Galad looses some points when you follow him in battles against the shadow. He is one of the best swordsman against humans but in the books he does not fair as well against the Trollocs while Perrin has no problems cutting through any shadowspawn and is the only non-channeler who can stop darkhounds in close fighting.
He's not actually "fighting" the dreadlords per say, he's killing them with surprise and stealth before they blow his head off. If we'd seen him in action more he might have taken gauls spot, but we didn't.
I agree, replace him with Gawin, whose a little whinner anyway...lol.
Yeah Ruharc should be on here.
Even if Mat couldn't beat Lan or Rand (I believe he could, he's hard to take seriously for most which gives him an edge) his inner monologue would be priceless.
The problem is Lan never underestimates anyone and wouldnt be taken by surprise. And rand i would agree with you on half. But I also think Tam could wack Matt's bum. Since Matt mentions that Tam was a quarter stick champion several bel tines in a row. So he could counter Matt quite easily
@@llskywalker6337 Only if you mean before he took in the memories of hundreds of warriors and generals. This is also not a power such as the one power and as such should be allowed just as the warder bond is.
Also do not forget that there are some times when Tm did not win the quarter stick champion and that is the years when mats dad won so mat likely will catch up soon to the older men as does happen in life.
Its hard to say that Mat is better than Lan, but his weapon gives him a huge advantage against all the swordsmen on the list.
I think he could for sure beat Rand, not so sure about Lan, but it would be an extremely hard fight for the Warder due to the Ashanderei's length.
I don't think mat luck can outmatch rand pattern protection
Mat's weapon and his vast knowledge of battle tactics due to his the memories from the past would give him the edge over anyone in a fair fight. Demandred, Rand and Lan would all give him a very good fight but without something extra they couldn't beat him one on one.
Demandred & Rand can channel. Rand is also the most powerful Taveren. He also has the past memories and battle tactics of the best Blademaster, Best Channeler & Best Battle Tactician of the entire mythology: Lews Therin
@@Andhaira I'm talking in a physical fight with Mat and his ashandarei, Against any of those three and their normal choice of weapon, a sword. Yes of course a channeler as powerful as Rand or Demandred could beat him even with his medallion with the power. But with just a sword; no chance.
As we heard when Mat beat both Gawyn and Galad before he gained the battle knowledge; a good staff man will beat a great swordsman any day. And Mat is beyond a "good" staff man.
@@Andhaira That is why he said "without something extra". Also channeling is specially useless against Matt. To judge Matt is an exercise on futility.. he is so absurd that a meteor can land on top of his enemy by sheer luck.
668
I wonder how the Amazon shoe will display the dice rolling in his head
i love how lan uses his last lesson to rand from the beginning of the second book to take out demandred. he sheathes the sword, because "not here to win, i'm here to kill you".
Didn't RJ explicitly state that be'lal was the most adept blademaster of the forsaken? We kinda saw a shred of his ability in book 3 when he just toyed with Rand and barely used any of his skill.
Demandred states in the books that he had become much better with the sword than when LTT last faced him.
@@amazonthrowaway9570 yes I know he has improved since his sealing, however I believe it's outright stated that Bel'al was and still is the greatest blade master period. That's part of what made him valuable. He is the weakest male forsaken, and around Sammael in command prowess (as a general), but where he truly shined was with the sword.
@@danboom101 Absolutely correct, also why isn't Tam & Ruharc on the list?
@@THEFAITHFULPALADIN I don't think Ruharc would qualify just because of how many experts in combat we see. But I do think it's strange that Tam wasn't at least an honorable mention. When Rand lost his hand, Tam smacked him around the training yard, and most of the swordsmasters who witness Tams fighting all comment on how incredible he is. I guess with so many exceptional people like rand, Elaine's brothers, Lan, most of the forsaken, it's just tough to compare. Id probably stick him as an honorable mention though
@@danboom101 Lan, Rand & Aviendha considered Ruharc a near equal to Lan, I can't see Gawyn & Galad on it but definitely Ruharc should be along with Tam
I think Tam, Be'lal and Rhuarc should probably be on here considering we do see all of them fight and they all have crazy feats and/or are noted by various characters to be very skilled. I also think Thom should have an honorable mention for being probably the most skilled assassin that isn't augmented by some kind of magic in the series
Lan is at the top. Don’t even have to watch the vid
I would've agreed, but Lan specifically stated in his duel with Demandred in a Memory of Light , that Demandred was the better swordsman between the two. From what I got, the diff was that Lan was willing to die to take out demandred and took a fatal hit which suprised the shit out of demandred.
That being said, it was also mentioned that Lan was tired, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say Lan = Demandred.
@@punishedx You have to love that, after handily Beating Gawyn and Galad, when he faced Lan, he thought that Lan was Lews Therin, the only man that could match him with a sword.
Rand, when fighting Toram Riatin was distracted by a bubble of evil and not Mashadar.. 😊
I hope that's a joke, because it was absolutely Mashadar and not a bubble of evil, I'd wager my dog's life on it
Pretty solid, but I think I would have bumped Torman or Valda for Tam Al’thor, and I can see leaving Ryne off the list but Lan acknowledges that he should have lost to him in their duel at the end of New Spring but Ryne got it the same way Demandred did because Lan didn’t come to win he came to Kill you. Lam Man all day everyday Tai’shar Malkier!
I suppose we never actually see Tam in combat tho, except for his practice duel with Rand, which is still pretty legit once Rand finds his way. We never actually witness Ryne at work either, which is a shame, so he doesn’t qualify for the list per the req’s.
And that was before Lan was at his peak. Also, Lan wasn't a warder, then.
We say tam fight a kill the trolics at the farm and wedge at last battle
I recon Perrin could be taken by anyone on this list and also tam who should take the spot above Elayne's twat brothers
I agree with tam over the brothers. But perrin is a hoss, hands down the strongest person on the list, his fighting style may not be flashy but it is brutally efficient. And while they could Definitely hurt him, their swords would be hard pressed to stop his mighty hammer.
@@michaelnielson3978 yea just reread towers of midnight and I agree about perrin
@@michaelnielson3978 The hammer is being sold short really. It's easily the most powerful combat weapon in the series.
I'd have to put Sleet on this list. Being a top warder and capable of tagging Lan is impressive. More so than Valda or Toram .
3/7 in matches.. Elyis (the wolfbrother) is just as good... Granted, our least fav royal brother at the time didn't have the bond and still won.. When the warders spared lan everyone had the bond
I guess its notable that Valda was "handling" Galad in their duel until Galad used his over confidence against him. If he keeps his mind focused, he likely takes the match. I guess that is part of being a blademaster though. @@andrewsowl8696
Tam Al'Thor should have mad the list Lan even praised him in the last battle
Oh I had a friend asked the late Robert Jordan who wins in a fight between Lan and Galad. (it was during Winter's Heart book signing). RJ says Lan would win, and even if Galad is a better fighter Lan would still win.
@IdleBigots No way Galad is a better fighter than Lan. Unless you also think Valda is better than Lan.
Lan fights to kill, not win.
Hah #2 excluding the epic-scale duel between the Little Wolf Rodel Ituralde & the Seanchan general (wasn't Galgan, was it?)
Hah! Toram Raitan striking Rand, who was only "slightly" distracted by Mashadar-ish Fain... While the Shadar Logoth evil was screwing pain into his side... Just a mild distraction in the void.
Rand *also* received an *epic* lesson in one-handed swordsmanship from his *father*, Tam al'Thor.
Sheathing the sword, sheepherder.
Great list, nae'blis!
Nice video. I'm a big fan of the books and any discussion about them has my interest. You did your research and came up with a nice list.
You don't mention that Mat is extremely skilled with daggers, which he uses both for throwing and for fencing, and also that his ability to fight does not diminish at all when he loses an eye.
Matt was better with the ash than the daggers.
I'm surprised that neither Tam nor Rhuarc made it onto the list.
I dont think we ever saw Rhuarc in actual combat
I don't know. Didn't he assist in rescuing the three girls in TDR. I agree that we probably never saw him defeat a really competent opponent.
In that skirmish he was one of several veiled attackers, nothing drawing attention to him, and they didn't kill the fades there
No Rodel ituralde he is one hell of a fighter.. But its OK because I love them all... I even love Semirhage, lanfear, graendahl, Mesaana and moghi.. These are my fave ladies.
Lots of Aiel should be on the list.
I would have put Gaul a little higher up myself, although it's rare to see him go up against a swordsman, I think he could beat at least the back 5 of your list. But well done ;)
I agree, I also think Rhuarc at his peak would beat Gaul.
How have I not heard of this channel before? Keep it up.
Thank you my friend! Glad you’re enjoying the content!
@@NaeBlis I've watched these before. It's kinda painful watching at the moment after the first season of the show though. Now, I don't "hate" the show like many others, but there are certain things left out that have bothered me. One of those is the amount of training that Rand underwent under Lan in the Eye of the World. I wish they would have given it some mention.
I guess, all and all...I wish that the show was green lit for 10 episodes per season with a planned 10 season arc. The 8x8 is going to leave most fans wanting in a big way.
It's interesting to consider different aspects like you do with Perrin. For instance, I would say that Galad is the most technically, by the book proficient swordsman, however he has somewhat rigid thinking that holds him back. I think the most unknown to me of those we see fight, is the high lord Turak - is he representing a more ceremonial, less proficient blademaster, or was he JUST caught up by fate? Did he fall to arrogance?
Anyway, I don't envy you trying to make this a list of 10 people, with WoT's cast. :)
Two years late but I’m glad I found this video. Awesome list.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Rand was wearing his coat and his gloves while fighting Toram
Toram himself told rand to take those off as those will hinder his ability to fight
without those he could've easily destroyed Toram
But Lan even said in the book that he could feel that Demandred was a more skilled swordsmen than he was! I think Demandred should be #1 personally. Defeating Gawyn so easily while he wore the blood knife rings was just so impressive.
My top 5 would be
1) Lan
2) Demandred
3) Mat
4) Rand
5) Galad
No specific reasons for this order, just the impressions I had of their skill through the series.
Keep up the great videos!
I like it.
was gonna write the same thing. If I dont remember incorrectly Demandred even claims that he always best lews therin in hand to hand combat.
@@davidcamacho2178 Lan was extremely tired.
Top 5.
1.) Lan
2.) Demanded
3.) Tam
4.) Rand
5.) Mat
This is a more acceptable list to me. Of course I want Matt to be number 1, but...Lan.
I do believe Mat should be at the no 1 spot.
In a Lan vs. Mat fight, Lan would trip over two dice he failed to notice, stumble to his knees and stab himself in the gut with the knife that just fell out of its sheath somehow. Two seconds in and he'd be rushed to the nearest healer. If luck counts as a skill Mat is the most skilled character in the book.
Mat vs Rand could go anyway since they're both ta'veren but I feel Mat has a weapon advantage over Rand.
Thats why I think luck/Ta'veren shouldn't count. It confuses things too much. Based on skill alone, Lan is best. Demandred probably #2, since Lan himself admitted Demandred was better than him, though I take that with a grain of salt. There is also the dialogue between Demandred and Gawyn that suggests fighters that know the Void(Oneness) are superior to those who don't.
Demandred: "You still wield your sword little man"
Gawyn: What else would I do?
Demandred: "Become the Sword itself"
Mat not knowing the Void puts him a tier down in raw skill imo, but his luck screws the whole ranking up if you take it into account.
Matt had a reach advantage, and a reincarnation advantage. He basically had a sword on the end of a spear and an antimagic trinket. In an open field Matt would win because he would never have to let Lan into damage range.
@@swimmingmide No way Mat is beating Lan without some luck or Ta'veren bs lmao. Lan is much more skilled, and reach won't mean jack if Lan deflects his first attack and gets in close. Then Mat's spear becomes a disadvantage because it's too clunky in close quarters. You assume Mat would be able to dance around Lan and keep him out of reach, but that is only if Lan is unskilled or overconfident, both of which he is not. Also, If we go based of reincarnation/age/experience, Demandred and Rand/LTT beat everyone else.
@@georgeeast5502 Matt has the battle experience of countless warriors in his head, has beaten warder trained princes in close combat with a staff before, is unnaturally lucky, in peak physical condition, and is using a magic weapon. He also has that amulet that prevents magic from touching him. In a 1v1 battle he could beat almost any caster or fighter.
@@swimmingmide As I said before, the luck shouldn't count in determining top skilled fighters, because it messes things up. If luck is counted, should channelling be counted as well? Why one and not the other? He has battle experience from many generals, yes. As in strategical and tactical experience, not duelling experience. No where is it stated that any of his memories were skilled warriors, or even if inherent skill translates through memory alone(It shouldn't). His amulet isn't going to do shit against Lan, and as seen in Lan vs Demandred, Demandred found a way around it by throwing rocks. And his weapon doesn't have any special abilities either, its just a weapon. He beat Galad and Gawyn way before they became Blademasters, because of luck and their overconfidence, not skill alone. 1v1 he gets cleaned by Demandred, Lan or Rand easily. There's a reason we never see Mat face a Blademaster, because he'd lose without his luck.
Eamon Valda was remarked as the most deadly blade master this side of the Aryth Ocean. Ofc, people like Hamann didn't test his strength, but it is worth knowing is the most notorious heron marked holder.
Also Harman dies at Gawyn's hand likely because he hesitates to strike his own student down, rather than Gawyn being necessarily more skilled than him, however Gawyn does prove that he earns that victory later on in the novels, but at this time he has grown.
Also Perrin is not trounced by Aram at all, Perrin doesn't want to fight or hurt the lad and adopts a defensive stance and is utterly shocked by Aram turning on him. Perrin has wolf reflexes and instincts, this borders on supernatural, and when you add that to his strength, your demotion because of the Aram encounter is negated, and that should bump Perrin up the list considerably.
Otherwise, it's a good list, Tope 3 spots are tough, and I would have Perrin in the top 4, not sure if he could beat Demandred though, but I'm not sure if that's because of Demandred's one power and true power help, Perrin would have wolf reflexes and instincts as well as strength, while Demandred would have phenomenal swordsman skill only Lews Therin/Rand would have been better.
I think apart from Perrin your order is correct, while I don't think Lan could defeat Rand with his regained Lews Therin memories, because face it, Lews Therin was better than Demandred and Lan recognises Demandred is a better swordsman, however defeating him does put Lan above Demandred.
I would keep your order. But have Perrin up at 4 but debatable whether just ahead of Demandred or behind.
I think mat should be higher then Rand. He defeated the princes while he was weak as a kitten. Not to mention all the past lives he had so much more experience. I would say probably more experience then anyone else.
Mat also defeated Couladin - a native spear fighter and well known among the Aiel as a very skilled warrior.
Maybe pre-Lews therin, but after lews therin fusion idk. Lews therin was supposed to be a very very very solid sword master, and Demandred confused Lan for him, saying that it was Lews therin hiding behind the mask of mirrors in a mirror of light, after seeing lan fight, since Lan was the only one so far who did as much. Id say the ranking should be Lan =?(I put equal cause, in AMOL Lan said Demandred was the better swordsman of the them, but also later the narrator said Lan was a little tired so idk) Demandred >= Rand(LTT) > Mat
Good list, I wouldn't change any of it.
ah, i see someone beat me to the punch... i think Tam should have been on the list.... we see him fight in the very first book when the trollocs bust in and he takes on two simultaneously. we then see more piling in and he manages to not only escape mostly unharmed (those blasted Thakan-Dar blades!) but also taking down a few more while going toe-to-toe with up to FIVE more at once!
I love that your channel is growing so big. I subbed after Daniel Greene mentioned u a few months ago, and I'm so glad that I did. Keep up the great content
I can't argue it, there are one or two interchangeable characters, great job
I feel like the exclusion of ranged weapons is specifically to keep Birgitte off the list, which is a damn shame since I'd put her around 6 or 7th place
She is not a top-tier one-vs-one fighter, she’s good at battle and tactics she would get crushed by anyone on this list except for maybe Toram
This list you nailed it much better than your best character list.
I feel it could be argued for Tam and/or Elan to be on the list
Great video as always! It's been some years since I finished the series and it may be because I was still a teenager, but I really don't understand why people dislike Gawyn so much. I vaguely remember him becoming less and less likeable but not to the degree that he'd be the Jar Jar of WoT (if that's even comparable). If anyone has a burning hatred for him I'd love to know why 😅
He's one of the main reasons the white tower was broken, by killing the resistance. He worked on Elaida's side. His ability to tell Right for Wrong was a bit lacking.
@@VRIceblast, thanks! Seems I had forgotten more than I thought 😅
Gawyn became a simp as time went by.
truthfully tam should of been on this list. nmot only did he achieve his blademaster status by defeating another blademaster, he was a master of the flame and void, and while not having picked up a sword for years, was able to quickly get back into fighting shape in order to train aram and then fight in the last battle.
also, just to be nitpicking, when you were detailing rand's skills, you said he was distracted by mashadar during his fight with toram. it was actually a bubble of evil
I would love to see Matt and Lan spar!
I just loved seeing Matt spar anyone, the internal monologues were priceless.
Galad Damodred is also the half brother to the Dragon Reborn Rand al'Thor
I have just started watching. Tam better be in here. haha. Keep up the amazing work.
RIP
@@brianetie86 If Lan thinks he's formidable, who am I to dispute him? haha
Definitely! Tam should have been listed higher than Perrin in my opinion.
@@brianetie86 Tam has always been a favorite of mine. I hope he is portrayed well in the series.
I particularly liked your reasoning behind your choices. Spot on, mate.
The only mistake I saw in the video was when you called Galad Gawyn's step brother. They are half brothers as they share a father, just as Galad and Rand are half brothers via their mother.
Good work going through and thinking about it! I know you made a bunch of comments to hedge it, but I would still rank Perrin higher. You talked about how skilled Aiel are and he mowed them down time and again. That counts for a lot. Maybe he just swings deadly things around with great strength, but he's *damn* good at it. And maybe people don't like Gawyn but he was one of my favorite characters. Dude messed up a bunch but kept trying to get better. Who can't get behind that? But I can't argue with public opinion. Also I know you said the last 3 were interchangeable and that's cool, but I'd give Mat #2. Remember that line about a farmer with a quarterstaff beating the best swordsman ever. But no one beats Lan. Good work. I love people getting into it and making videos like this.
I think it is about time for me to read the books again.....
I think you're underestimating Aram's abilities with the sword, he was beating Tam, an actual blademaster, several times in sparring during the two rivers vs trollocs chapters.
Nailed it. All the way down to how the top three are interchangeable. These three are so badass it's insane.
I just finished wheel of time, your videos are making me want to pick up the series again lol
I was under the impression that tam was more skilled than rand
Shadow in the Dark Tam is more skilled at the start of the series, but Rand gets to the point where he can challenge (if not necessarily beat) LAN.
Rand admits that Tam is the more skilled fighter, when they spar, the night before the last battle begins. But I don't think it was clear that he meant that he was better with both hands as well as just the one. The back story in my head is that Tam is the greater fighter, and that Rand was really suggesting that Tam was the better fighter, at any advantage or disadvantage.
@@denissenecal Ah yes, I had actually forgotten that admission. We really needed to see a duel between Tam and Lan to work this out once and for all!
I don't think we really have much of an idea of how good Tam was, and certainly not how good he was at his physical prime. The only time we see him duel anyone is one handed Rand. If we did a list of best archers though, he's gotta top that one.
Indeed, on top of Rand's comment that last night, there is also Lan comming on Tam during the Last Battle, just after the wedge fight against trollocs, saying that he had wondered about who had taught Rand, and that now he knew. For me, it is at least a compliment on his prowess, but probably even more, that Tam is indeed a great blademaster as to earn a place in this top ten list!
I was fine right up till I saw Mat at #3. It shouldn't even be in question that Mat is the best by a long shot. If Mat's Ta'veran nature was anything other than how it's written I'd be fine with him at 3 but the way it works for Mat in the books makes him #1.
Unlike Perrin and Rand, Mat's luck works to his advantage in every single fight he's in. More, Mat actually begins to understand how to exploit it. Consider...
Mat's first kill is the night he leaves Tar Valon. It's a Grey man, something he's never even heard of, let alone faced. He encounters the Grey man on the bridge and instantly reacts. Knowing he's about to die anyway he flips them both off the bridge, where his luck has him landing on top of the Grey man and the GM's knife in it's heart... Mat's doesn't have so much as a sprain or scratch. His next three kills are on the ship that same night.
His greatest fight is of course the Gholam. This time not only has Mat never even heard of one but nobody alive except the Forsaken know what one is. Name a single fighter on the list that could have survived the first encounter, let alone three. Then Mat proceeds to put himself up as bait to trap and kill the thing. A creature so dangerous that only six were created.
Both of these encounters highlight something else about Mat. He reacts faster to the new/unexpected than any other character. That started becoming clear well before he received his memories.
Another detail about Mat. His weapon of choice is totally unique. ALL the men on the list are familiar with fighting and countering swords, axes. hammer/mace, etc. NONE are familiar with Mat's weapon. That gives Mat a huge advantage in any fight.
If you have to pick one of the men in a fight that you didn't know where, when, how many, or what you had to fight, which one would you pick? Lan is a badass, no doubt, and if just pure skill with a weapon was the criteria I'd be fine with him at #1 but that's not the criteria of the list. Your criteria stated ability with the power was excluded but doesn't exclude a channeler as an opponent. Lan can't solo a channeler (who's taking him seriously) in a straight up fight, Mat and Rand can. Moreover, pretty much any fight Lan can win could also be won by Mat and Rand. Lan beats Rand in experience and skill. Rand is Ta'veran but throughout the books Rand's effect on the pattern doesn't benefit him the way Mat's does in a fight. That leave's Mat #1, Lan #2, and Rand#3.
I agree mat would beat anyone 1 on 1 assuming normal weapons because of luck and being competent enough with the weapon and that weapon having reach.
" NONE are familiar with Mat's weapon."
That is wrong what the weapon is, is a glave a type of polearm it would be worse then a spear in the thrust but better in cut.
They know how to fight against spears they know how to fight against the weapon he have.
The thing mat have over almost every sword user in the books is being able to attack the enemy before they can attack him.
Reach is very powerful in a one on one encounter.
@Tom Ford No he would not first Mat is really good with his staff and he is very lucky.
Spear is a longer weapon so Lan have to get inside the reach of Mats spear attacks before he even can attack.
But most important is LUCK.
with luck Mat can beat anyone in 1v1 melee weapon combat.
@Tom Ford That you say that tells me you do not understand how important luck is in a fight to the death.
Lan is a more skilled person but tripping and other things is still deadly in a fight no matter how much skill you have.
I agree with the others - Tam should have been on the list. He's a master of the void, one of (if not the) best archers, and could spar with Rand near the end. He's a seasoned veteran and blade master.
It also looks like some people forget that he fought the last battle with the blade, once he ran out of arrows. And then, later on, he was instrumental in clearing a path for Lan to face Demandred, showing the ability to hit moving targets, at great distance, accurately with arrows weighted down to hold a flame.
Archery didn't count for this list. But I agree that even for his blade fighting he should have been in the list.
Mat
Lan
Ryne
Demandred
Belal
Rand
Perrin
Gaul
Galad
Perrin
Eamon Valda
Gawyn
Toram
Ishamael in TGH displays a more than merely pssing familiarity with his staff
Rj pretty much said lan is number one
You put Perrin, twice.
1) Mat just becous of his luck
Luck is part of his Ta'veren nature but Rand's more powerfully ta'veren than anyone else in history. So that's a moot point.
Late to the party with this comment, but I only just saw the video - Good list! I would suggest for consideration though... Be'lal - the Forsaken. He gets smoked early by Moiraine, but only after he all but defeats Rand in a sword duel and his skill as a blademaster is talked about frequently in the buildup to that fight. And while Tam Al'Thor wouldn't be in the top 5, in the last battle there is that chapter where he "becomes the void" and "brings the void to the trollocs". Lan says "I used to wonder about the man who gave that heron marked blade to Rand. How did he come by it? I wonder no longer. Taishar Monatherin"
Rune commented that his boy Talmanes should also be an honorable mention. I second that. Talmanes is also one of my favorite characters.
I don't have too many issues with the list itself, but I *do* object to you identifying the mist that attacked the rebel army during the Rand/Toram fight as being Mashadar. I'd always thought the mist was one of those Bubbles of Evil. Yes, Padan Fain was there, but the way the mist acted was a far madding cry from how Mashadar is usually depicted as acting. Mashadar doesn't need to twist your head around or eat half your face off as the mist did, it just touches you and you die.
Also, Matrim rocks my world, and should be no 1. ;)
Aiel criminally underrepresented on this list. Plus Tam. Should of also mentioned Mat killing the leader of the Shaido in combat, Coudulin or whatever his name was.
I think Demandred should have been number 2 ahead of Rand and Mat, behind Lan still in number 1.
Lews Therin was a blademaster so rands got that going for him too, on top of already being one. I think it's a fair placement though truly anyone in the top 4 could have a case for number 1.
Lan is easily number 1
Ya, if Lan could only take him out by resorting to the suicidal "sheathing the sword" technique that tells you something.
Brendon Sanderson talk - Lan is the best.
@@fenixchief7 LTT was never as good as Demandred and the other Forsaken guy Be'al i think LTT was just the first blademaster as he revived sword combat as entertainment
#1 on the list... because he knew when to surrender.
You say no special abilities but Perrin has his wolf senses and Mat has his luck and generations of experience. I consider both of those special abilities.
For an honorable mention I propose Padan Fain. Though it happened off screen lets not forget he nailed a myrddral to a wall (or door I don’t remember which one off hand).
That’s because of his powers that he got. At that time he wasn’t even padan fain anymore. He was a weird hybrid creature. Also, Mat killed him pretty easily.
Am I the only one who would have thought it was more poetic and fitting for Tam al’Thor fight Demandred? It would have been the brother in law, then the half brother and finally the father of the Dragon Reborn to fight the forsaken. It would have been poetic due to the idea that Tam al’Thor is the reason why Rand wins in the end. His love and outlook on life changed everything.
Y'all after rereading these comments the Mat worship is so heavy. Y'all killing me.
How did I just discover your channel?!
I know this guy personally. Good guy.
3:40 Can you tell me the reference point in the books where Gaul is called the leader of the Stone Dogs? I always thought he was just a member of that society.
9:35 Where can you see Mat learning any fighting styles from the old blood of Manetheren?
I think you are correct on the first point. For the second point, iirc Mat's internal thoughts shortly after getting the ashendarei are something to the effect of it feeling like he's used it before or it feeling natural, I'd have to go back and look to be exact on that. Also, during the knife fight in the streets in Knife of Dreams? he mentions knowing where to stab people to do the most damage from his memories. Not sure either of those are evidence of him picking up styles, per se, but certainly he picked up knowledge useful in a fight.
He was referred to as the leader of the stone dogs who were guarding Rand's door in Tear at the beginning of Ch. 7 of TSR. But that is it. I don't think he was the leader of the society, but he did say that a wise one said he thought too much for a stone dog and threatened to send him to Rhuidean when his clan chief died.
Do you by chance remember the description of Laman’s sword AFTER Rand puts a more functional hilt on it? I feel like that’s the one that’s a katana, not Tam’s sword.
I wouldn't put Perrin on the list and I'd definitely have Tam there.
I disagree... Perrin like warders has crazy endurance and is a beast with strength and durability... He is also a strong ta'veren and this list includes this ability.
@@MrMephiston When has Perrin's taveren nature help him in a discernible way in a fight? We see Mat's taveren nature help him, but when do we see Perrin's?
@@errtu123 The dude throws himself into the middle of dumais well with no armor and doesn't have a scratch on him at the end. Just because we don't see arrows turning in mid flight doesn't mean his luck isn't having an affect.
@@cirrusfish that would be sound reasoning except that Jordan had no idea how armour works anyway.
Also, come on, EVERY major character goes into battle and is not hit by any arrows. Arrows don't matter when it comes to hurting the main(ish) characters. Arrows not hitting them is not the effect of being taveren, it is plot armour/convenience.
I agree that Perrin doesn't deserve a spot on the list. Not sure Tam had enough fight time to rate the list either, but not sure who the spot would go to.
My 2 cents, Mat could be at the top or the bottom depending upon how the dice fall and what the pattern decides. My thought is that Rand is so strongly Ta'veren that the pattern is making Mat into this god of battle despite Mat. Mat is just trying to fuck and gamble but he gets tossed here and there from battle to battle, fight to fight, even manipulating events so he winds up married to the empress of the Seanchen. He winds up filled with all the military wisdom of the ages, impervious to the one power etc.... I'[m not even sure if he really is a good fighter or if the pattern is just making him. How its depicted is as though he's not even fully in control or conscious frequently, look at the fight with gawyn and galad. Mat goes for a killing blow to galad's neck and only pulls back when he realizes what's happening. Or just how there is a lack of detail in the battles Mat fights in. He's so tightly tied to the pattern that I don't think he's really got any free will at all except when he's rolling the dice and playing with the ladies.
Neither Rand or Perrin are depicted this way at all. While the pattern is depicted as weaving around Rand and Perrin around Mat it is actively working against him. So I dunno and its why I think Mat's the best character in the series, we just don't really understand what is going on with Mat and neither does Mat.
I beg to differ. Mat fighting the Gholam... Mat fighting with the Seanchan the wondering how many he'd killed to warrant such respect... Mat fighting and killing 6 men when attacked outside the hell with just knives... Mat killing Couladin are all feats of his awesome fighting prowess... I think he deserves to be in the top 2. Dude's very good.
Fucking and gambling are the same thing. You end up fighting something in the end.
Rand also trained with the spear in the Aiel waste.
I think Karede, Tam, Rhuarc and Loial deserve at least an honourable mention!
Also, does Birgitte not get any spot because she's a HotH?
Thank you for taking the time to explore the WoT world and making these awesome videos.
No because he said Bows don't count
@@luck_adiante I see, thanks for the clarification :)
+5 for Birgitte Silverbow.
I agree with nearly everything you said, the only thing I would change would be to swap mat and rand. As you said the could be interchange quite easily, I just think that mat has an edge over rand.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." - Mike Tyson
You said Galad is later defeated by Lan, but I think you meant Demandred.
You choice of name is interesting. This video came up in my feed for some reason. It was a good video and I agree with most of them
Ripped directly from A Memory of Light:
"Despite Lan's initial offensive, Demandred was the better swordsman. Lan knew this by the same sense that told him when to strike, when to parry, when to step and when to withdraw. Perhaps if they had come to the fight evenly, it would be different. They had not. Lan had been fighting for an entire day, and though he'd been healed from his worst wounds, the smaller ones still ached. Beyond that, a healing in and of itself was draining. Demandred was still fresh."
The bit "Demandred was the better swordsman" stands out, though it's left open for debate with "Perhaps if they had come to the fight evenly, it would be different." We'll never know for sure.
MrDrProfessor4 LAN May have been less skilled or proficient of a swordsman but he was willing to go to a place that allowed him to win in the end. Fortitude is also a fact in fighting and LAN had it in spades. He was willing to die to achieve his goal and Damadred was not.
it's tough to say, at that point Lan had already been fighting for hours without end while Demandred only fought in two duels (only geeez). Lan had to be physically beyond tired by the time they fought. Also do not forget Demandred was channeling at him by throwing rocks and Lan had to dodge all of that while fighting.
Better swordman is not the same as better warrior...
Lan killed him lan is the better fighter. Lan taking the hit to be able to kill him was a choice and not luck, Lan is the better fighter.
Tam should have been there somewhere. Good list
I just wanted to add some other noteworthy fighters not mentioned. Without referencing the books my recollection of individual feats or how much we actually see them may be lacking as a caveat. Bel'al was one of the best from the AOL, Furyk Karede, Elyas Machera, Couladin, and that badass Ogier Gardner who's name escapes me was scary (though not sure they fought on screen).
Was Couladin a renowned fighter? I’ve been arguing that Belal should be above Demandred because he basically invented swordplay in the AOL, but I don’t recall Couladin being anything better than the average Aiel.
@@GannerRhysode I was thinking about him fighting Mat and giving him a hard time though to be fair Mat killed him. I was probably making too many assumptions tbh
David Combs I mean all aiel are above average fighters, but mat really wasn’t at the height of his powers yet either
@@GannerRhysode this was during the battle of Cairhien which was right when Mat started shining as a battle tactician. As for fighting skills it's debatable but his biggest moment to me was beating Galad and Gawyn in the Dragon Reborn. Really there's not much to separate or distinguish most particular Aiel's fighting skills. But I admit I made probably too many assumptions based on him being a clan Chief (even if achieved dubiously) and a prominent villain for a long running story arc.
Always knew Lan would win; he's easily in the top 5 five fighters in all of fantasy; I'd even say he'd make top 3 with Geralt of Rivia and Drizz't. Have a feeling Demandred should've been higher. Its a pity we never see Rhuarc fight, have a feeling he'd be pretty high on the list too
Lan woulda slaughtered Drizzt lol
@@matthewsmith4647 I wouldnt be so sure about that; Drizz't not only has the speed ane agility of elves, he also has centuries of experience, as well as sueviving alone in the underdark, which is just as deadly as the blight.
@@SH-qs7ee Plus magic swords and possibly other magic items.
@@johnyshadow even without those magic items, Drizz't is a master swordsman, one of the best ever trained in his home city (not even gonna try spelling it here). Don't get me wrong, with his magic weapons Drizz't is pretty much impossible to beat without the Dark Ones own luck.
@@SH-qs7ee He did get a few close calls after he came to the surface. (But then who hasn´t) At his best, yeah, that would be something to see.
On a similar note, what about Artemis?
PS: Haven´t finished ALL the books yet, so no huge spoilers, please.
My list would be:
1) Demandred
2) Lan
3) Matt (possibly #1)
4) Rand (with two hands)
5) Be’lal
6) Rhuarc
7) Tam
8) Galad
9) Gawyn
10) Elyas
Honorable mention Sammael, who would rank #1, as he was the World Champion during the Age of Legends.
Tam needs on this list. Rand spars with him and can tell he's better than him and Lan says he always wondered but now does not doubt Tam deserved the Heron in the last book
I think you acknowledged in another video that Be'lal was the greatest blademaster of the Forsaken. He should be in the list I'd have thought, and above Demandred.
I feel like Talmanes Delovinde deserves an honourable mention at least.
Bingo, good analysis.
11:38 rand killed two armed warders bare handed when the aes'sedai who captured him start to torture min. we don't get to see it "on screen" but we do know that it happened.
I dont think Perrin would make the list. Most of the time he's in melee, and that berserk fighting is a hindrance in one on one. Aram isnt on the list, and he can pretty easily defeat Perrin.
I think replacing him with Tam al'Thor would be more fair. Tam is a veteran of multiple wars, and earned the Heron Mark through prowess in combat in defeating a blade master. He also is the one training Aram, who can defeat Perrin.
Even barring his "screen time," it's pretty clearly referenced that he is a sword instructor and he does have some minor skipping over scenes.
Check your tags. Gawin is listed as "Godwin Turk." And Galad Damodred is "Gilad Madrid," and Demandred is "Diamond Red."
Good solid list!
Great video. The only thing is that I would add Ishamael and Loial and top 5 would be
Lan
Mat ,
Loial
Demanded
Rand
Interesting that you describe Mat's luck as part of his ta'veren nature, pretty sure there is another element to it. Possibly something Lanfear did, almost certainly connected to that dice ter'angreal. There is definitely a moment after he's healed where his luck kicks into overdrive, something happened to him while he was at the Tower.
Rand should have been number 1 not because he is the hero rather it's because of what Lan said to Nynaeve about Rand's skill in fighting, he said something along the lines of him dying to protect her if it ever came down to him fighting Rand. That was Lan putting respect on the sheepherder.
Barriston Selmey v. Lan would be insane
Mat and Rand should have been switched since Hammar explained that a master in quarterstaff could beat a master of the sword in most fighting situations.
Could beat. Not would. Matt would never beat Rand. Rand knows spear fighting as well and is incredible unarmed and very arguably the best swordsman alive. And Rands Taveren abilities smoke Mats
Is Lan Mandragoran sort of like Lancelot?
Belal should really be on the list. He wipes the floor with rand in the dragon reborn and is considered the best swordsman of the age of legends, being the man who rediscovered the art of dueling.
that's a young rand that's why and I dont' think Rand was able to enter the void during that fight.
If you read over everything carefully it states that Be'lal and Lews Therin discovered the art of dueling together. That they spared often before he turned to the dark. He was the least powerful channeler of the Forsaken/Chosen if I remember correctly. But, you're right that his swordsmanship and ability to manipulate absolutely made up the difference. Which, i'd agree should put him at least in contention for the list.
But, remember that he was disappointed when battling Rand because he wasn't nearly as good as Lews Therin. However, by the end of WoT Rand had mastered what The Dragon knew, grew on that ability with his training with Lan, and also gained new knowledge with the Aiel. Rand at his height was well beyond Be'lal. Honestly, Rand and Matt were most likely better fighters than even Lan by the end. But, those top 3 are by far more dangerous than any of the others.
@@MinhTruong101 absolutely. Be'lal was even disappointed that Rand wasn't nearly as good as Lews Therin...By Rand's peak he far surpassed Lews Therin. But, I do agree that Be'lal at least deserves an honorary mention.
@@jasonschwartz9481 I guess I should’ve been more careful with how I said it. Of the two, Belal for sure considered himself the better duelist. But we never know for sure. Sammael and Demandred were also very good so i guess I should’ve said Belal was perhaps the best in the AOL but certainly one of the best.
By the end of the books, Rand was certainly a better channeler but not duelist. Perhaps prior to his hand being vaporized but afterwards he couldn’t beat Tam who was also fighting one handed