Summary
Game of Throneswasn’t just about dragons, ice zombies, or shocking betrayals; beneath all that spectacle was a ruthless chess match for power. The Seven Kingdoms were the board, and the Great Houses were the players, each using a mix of strength, cunning, and sheer willpower to seize dominance.
The show perfectly demonstrates how power can consume a person and leave every wannabe Icarus in the dust. Their alliances, ambitions, and betrayals didn’t just affect their own fates—they reshaped history for everyone. With that in mind, here’s a ranking ofthe most powerful houses in Westeros,from scrappy survivors to the dominant dragon house that has ruled for centuries.
9House Tully
House Words: Family, Duty, Honor
House Tullymight not scream “powerhouse” like some other, flashier names, but ruling the Riverlands puts them right in the thick of Westeros’ endless wars.Their strength is locationand loyalty. Catelyn’s marriage to Ned dragged them into the War of the Five Kings, and boy, did they feel the heat.
This house has always stood true to their word, and this alliance gave Robb Stark a fighting chance early on. Unfortunately, soon came the Red Wedding, a gut-punch that shredded their ranks and left their people reeling.
8House Greyjoy
House Words: We Do Not Sow
House Greyjoydidn’t mess around. Their words, “We Do Not Sow,” meant they took what they wanted, usually with an axe and a ship. Their main advantage? An intimidating navy. The Iron Fleet was legendary, capable of wreaking havoc along the coastlines, like when EuronGreyjoy torched the Lannister fleetat Lannisport.
However, the Greyjoys were notoriously bad at holding territory or making allies. Their isolation, combined with Balon’s old-school stubbornness, always kept real political power just out of reach.
7House Arryn
House Words: As High As Honor
House Arrynmight seem quiet, but they’re one of Westeros' oldest and most respected families. The mysterious death of Jon Arryn—the King’s Hand and mentor to Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon—set the wheels spinning for all the drama that followed.
Unfortunately, under the paranoid leadership of Lysa Arryn (who was completely under Petyr Baelish’s thumb), the Vale stayed mostly neutral, keeping its considerable strength out of the War of the Five Kings. However, their last-minute charge at the Battle of the Bastards was a genuine game-changer, giving Jon Snow the victory and showing everyone the immense impact they could have had all along.
6House Baratheon
House Words: Ours Is The Fury
House Baratheonstarted strong, seizing the Iron Throne itself through Robert Baratheon’s Rebellion against the Targaryens. Robert became king, but as rulers go, he was more into hunting and partying than actual governance. This led the crown to massive debt, mostly owing to the Lannisters.
Robert’s death sparks the War of the Five Kings, as the legitimacy of his Lannister-born children is questioned, and his two brothers, Stannis and Renly, make their own claims for the Iron Throne. This house is a tragic example of how great warriors don’t always make great rulers—and how quickly internal feuds can tear down even the mightiest houses.
5House Martell
House Words: Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken
House Martellwas never about bending the knee—not even to dragons. Their fierce independence and taste for revenge kept fans fascinated. Oberyn Martell’s arrival in King’s Landing and showdown with the Mountain was peak Dornish fire, an iconic clash that nearly flipped the script.
Their strength was patience and payback. Prince Doranplayed the long gameagainst the Lannisters, while Oberyn’s flair and the Sand Snakes’ chaos kept viewers hooked. However, their on-screen portrayal drew mixed reactions, particularly the handling of the Sand Snakes' coup. Still, House Martell will always be known for its resilience, independence, and fiery determination in the face of overwhelming odds.
4House Tyrell
House Words: Growing Strong
House Tyrellmight be Westeros’ quiet power player. Ruling over the Reach, a fertile and bountiful region, makes them incredibly wealthy, second perhaps only to the Lannisters. While Lord Mace Tyrell is the official head, the real power lies with the women: his sharp-witted mother, Lady Olenna, the “Queen of Thorns,” and his ambitious, politically savvy daughter, Margaery.
Olenna’s cunning is legendary, particularly her role in Joffrey’s death, which she orchestrated to protect Margaery. This house is not just brains. When it comes to actual power, the Tyrells show up ready to fight with the largest army in Westeros, thanks to the populous Reach.
3House Lannister
House Words: Hear Me Roar!
No house embodies wealth, power, and ruthless ambition quite likeHouse Lannister. Casterly Rock and Lannisport’s trade kept the cash flowing, letting them buy loyalty when swords weren’t enough. Led by the formidable patriarch Tywin Lannister, a master strategist obsessed with family legacy, they are central players from the start.
Their story is the backbone of the series—Tywin’s ruthlessness, Cersei’s ambition, Jaime’s redemption, and Tyrion’s wit shaped every twist. Theirdownfall in Season 8proved that gold can’t buy everything, but for years, they were the puppet masters fans loved to hate.
2House Stark
House Words: Winter Is Coming
House Starkis basically Westeros’ conscience. With Winterfell as their seat and the icy North as their home, theStarks stand firm on valueslike honor and justice, which usually puts them at odds with the cutthroat political games down south. Ned’s execution plunges the Seven Kingdoms into war. His son, Robb, proves to be a brilliant leader but falls victim to the devastating betrayal at the Red Wedding.
Just when fans thought all was lost, the House Stark showed its true strength: grit and resilience. Sansa evolves from a naive girl into the shrewd Queen of the North; Arya becomes a deadly assassin; Bran becomes the mystical Three-Eyed Raven and eventual King; and Jon Snow, raised as Ned’s illegitimate son, becomes a pivotal leader, uniting Westeros against the White Walkers.
1House Targaryen
House Words: Fire And Blood
For nearly three centuries,House Targaryenruled Westeros from the Iron Throne, their dynasty forged by Aegon the Conqueror. Their secret weapon? Dragons—massive, fire-breathing game-changers that guaranteed their dominance.
Daenerys brought this terrifying legacy back to life, with hertrio of dragons, unstoppable Unsullied troops, and fearless Dothraki warriors. Madness ran in their blood, sure, but so did destiny. The Targaryen legacy represents the ultimate power in Westeros, with their dragons acting as their ultimate trump card; capable of both building empires and burning them to the ground.
