Who Would Win in a Fight: Ser Arthur Dayne the Sword of the Morning or Ser Barristan Selmy the Bold Lord Commander of the Kingsguard

As others have said, GURM, the author of the A Song of Ice and Fire series, noted that both Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, and Ser Barristan Selmy, the Bold, were co-equals in many respects. In terms of being considered the Best Knight in Westeros and the Deadliest Man in the Seven Kingdoms, both were seen as unmatched. As Al Pacino once said in the movie Any Given Sunday, ‘any given Sunday any team can beat the other team.’

Advantages of the Sword of the Morning

If we consider the Dawn, the fabled greatsword made from the heart of a fallen star, it would tilt the scales in favor of Ser Arthur Dayne. Dawn is described as a magically enhanced sword made of meteorite metal, which would outperform even the legendary Valyrian steel. However, for the sake of a fair fight, we need to set Dawn aside and focus on the actual prowess of the two knights.

Physical Abilities and Combat Specialties

One of the key differences between the two knights would be their physical abilities and combat specialties. Ser Arthur Dayne was likely a more proficient swordsman, capable of parrying and defeating multiple opponents with a single, massive sword. On the other hand, Ser Barristan Selmy was particularly skilled with the lance, a weapon commonly used in the sport of jousting but also effective in battle.

Weapon Choices and Tournament Dynamics

In a direct confrontation, the choice of weapons could significantly influence the outcome. During the tourney jousts depicted in the show Game of Thrones, Ser Arthur Dayne was seen using two swords in battle, a move that aligned with the House of the Dragon mythology more than the original books. It’s unclear whether GURM would eventually address Dayne’s dual-wielding abilities.

For the sake of the discussion, let’s assume that Ser Arthur Dayne uses a regular one-handed sword or a two-handed version of it, while Ser Barristan Selmy uses a hand-and-a-half sword or a bastard sword. Both have the option to add a shield to their arsenal if necessary. In tournament fights, there could be different rules, including the agreement on the choice of weapons. For example, if Ser Barristan had to fight with a morningstar while Ser Arthur Dayne chose a traditional sword, the outcome could be significantly different.

Intangible Factors and Physical Conditioning

Beyond the weapons, intangible factors such as physical conditioning and stamina play a crucial role. Jaime Lannister noted that Ser Arthur Dayne was one of the strongest men in the realm, though his overall physical conditioning was not elaborated upon. Meanwhile, Ser Barristan Selmy consistently emphasized his lifelong dedication to maintaining the best physical condition for a knight. In a prolonged battle, Ser Barristan's stamina could become a deciding factor.

Age and Historical Context

Additionally, the age of the knights must be considered. Ser Barristan Selmy is much older than Ser Arthur Dayne, being at least 23–24 years his senior. This age difference could influence the outcome of a direct confrontation, especially if the fight were to take place late in their careers. However, in the realm of lore, Ser Arthur Dayne is currently dead, making it impossible for a direct fight to occur.

In conclusion, a fight between Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Barristan Selmy would be a highly contingent scenario, but the specific conditions and rules would play a significant role in the outcome. While both knights were exceptional in their own right, the specifics of the battle would determine the victor.