When the best swordsman in Westeros faces off against a descendant of Elves and Maiar, placing your bets becomes irresistible. ScreenRant dared to imagine a face-off between Jaime Lannister and Aragorn — and even George R. R. Martin himself joined the discussion. And things got lively.
A Fair Fight, On the Surface
At first glance, this duel seems well-matched: both warriors are legends in their realms, both wield their swords with such mastery that enemies tremble in their armour. Jaime Lannister is the youngest knight ever to join the Kingsguard, a darling of tournaments and battlefields. In Game of Thrones, he’s in his early thirties — still holding his own, though no longer at peak form.
Aragorn, on the other hand, is no ordinary man. By the time of The Return of the King, he’s nearing ninety, but thanks to his Dúnedain bloodline, age brings him wisdom rather than weakness. Standing at 6’6", he’s a veteran of real war, not just courtly duels. And let’s not forget Andúril, the reforged sword that once struck down Sauron. Surely Jaime doesn’t stand a chance?
George R. R. Enters the Ring
Enter George R. R. Martin himself — who throws a twist into the ring. When asked about this hypothetical showdown, Martin surprisingly backed Jaime. And he had a very practical reason: armour.
"If Jaime is in full plate and Aragorn’s in leather or chainmail, Jaime wins," Martin said.
Plate armour is built to absorb sword strikes, while lighter gear like Aragorn’s requires landing precise blows on weak spots — which is no small task against a Lannister in full steel.
Superpowers vs. Steel
Of course, critics were quick to point out that Martin likely imagined Viggo Mortensen’s movie Aragorn, not the book version. The literary Aragorn isn’t just a king — he’s part divine. With Elven and Maiar blood, his strength, endurance, and instincts are far beyond anything in A Song of Ice and Fire.
If we go strictly by the books, Aragorn would wipe the floor with Jaime. As ScreenRant notes, Jaime might be a master swordsman — but Aragorn is older, tougher, and has an almost supernatural resilience. Even if Jaime had the edge in technique, Aragorn’s heritage and stamina would ultimately prevail.
Film vs. Film: Mortensen vs. Coster-Waldau
And what if we go with the on-screen versions? Jaime played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau versus Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn? Now that’s a fight worth watching. Both are battle-hardened and charismatic. And maybe, just maybe, Jaime’s heavy Lannister armour would help him last a bit longer.
But truth be told, the argument over who would win is endless. As ScreenRant wisely points out, it’s not just about the sword or the armour — but the mythos behind each hero. And watching that kind of duel would be as riveting as the battle for the Iron Throne itself.
