Top 10 Coolest Things About Arya Stark

I’ve always been captivated by Arya Stark‘s transformation in ‘Game of Thrones.’ She starts as this spirited young noble, much more interested in swordplay than sewing, and then embarks on this incredible journey away from home. Along the way, she meets all sorts of fascinating and dangerous people – swordsmen, assassins, even outlaws – and she learns something from *everyone*. It’s amazing to watch how she uses those lessons to survive, whether it’s facing war, being held captive, or just enduring the long road. She’s a true testament to the power of learning and adapting to whatever life throws your way.

I’ve always been fascinated by Arya Stark’s journey. It’s incredible how she travels across Westeros and Essos, picking up all sorts of skills – languages, cultures, and different ways to fight. What’s truly special is how she doesn’t just *learn* these things, she *combines* them, adapting to whatever situation she’s in. From training with a master swordsman in King’s Landing, to surviving as a servant and then learning the deadly arts in Braavos, every experience changes her – not just how she fights, but how she *thinks*. What follows is a closer look at the specific skills and actions that make her such a compelling character on screen.

Needle and Water Dancing

At Winterfell, Arya is given Needle, a small sword perfectly sized for her. Soon after, she starts learning a unique fighting style called “water dancing” with Syrio Forel in King’s Landing. This Braavosi technique emphasizes balance, agility, and accuracy, fitting both the slender blade and Arya’s nimble movements. She learns to find weaknesses in opponents and attack with the tip of the sword, rather than relying on its edge.

I’ve always been impressed by how she fights. She’s incredibly skilled with this small blade, ‘Needle,’ and it’s become her signature. It’s perfect for tight spaces – hallways, courtyards, anywhere a big sword would be clumsy. She can even hide it under her clothes and draw it instantly! She’s learned all sorts of new techniques traveling, but she always comes back to Needle. It just fits her so well, and it reminds her of everything she first learned.

Faceless Men Training

In the city of Braavos, Arya receives training at the House of Black and White. There, Jaqen H’ghar teaches her a strict set of rules and rituals designed to erase her past identity and force complete obedience to a mysterious faith. Her lessons focus on skills like stealth, careful observation, the use of poisons, and fighting up close. She learns to prioritize cunning and deception over raw strength, practicing techniques like fighting while blindfolded, tracking enemies by sound, and striking without warning.

Temple assignments involve carefully studying a target’s daily life and creating a disguise to blend in unnoticed. The training focuses on being patient and precise, so Arya begins with simple tasks like cleaning and assisting with basic care to develop self-discipline before she’s trusted with more complex missions.

Many Identities and Disguises

Arya masters the art of moving undetected through cities and fortresses by skillfully taking on different roles – like a servant, wine server, or merchant. She adopts the appropriate clothes, mannerisms, and way of speaking for each role, allowing her to blend in with guards and ordinary people. She also uses facial techniques she learned in Braavos to further disguise herself when necessary.

Her disguises allow her to enter areas like kitchens, hallways, and storage rooms – places where people talk more openly than in official meetings. By blending in, she can get close to her targets, avoid being chased, and learn their habits, eventually finding ways to exploit them.

The Kill List

As a critic, I found Arya’s nighttime ritual particularly compelling. She recites a list of names every night – a sort of personal roll call of those who’ve wronged her family. It’s not just a memory exercise, though. This list actually *organizes* her thoughts, turning a chaotic mess of pain into a clear set of people she needs to confront. And it’s dynamic – people get added as new enemies emerge, or removed as she crosses them off. It’s essentially a mental map of all the dangerous individuals scattered across the realm, and a chilling preview of where her journey might take her next.

This habit influences where she goes and who she interacts with, as she uses her list to guide her travel plans. It helps her quickly evaluate new possibilities when she unexpectedly encounters someone or something. Plus, it keeps her grounded and focused when resources are scarce and the way forward isn’t clear.

Valar Morghulis and the Iron Coin

Jaqen H’ghar provides Arya with a special iron coin and a saying, “Valar Morghulis.” This phrase acts as a password, allowing her to connect with people in Braavos and travel safely. The coin shows she’s connected to a network across various trade routes, and saying the phrase proves she knows how to access it. Together, they grant her access to the House of Black and White without needing official introductions or protection.

This special coin can help Arya get past guards and into places she needs to be. When she shows it to people like sailors or gatekeepers, they readily assist her with access and safe passage. She uses it at a dock to get a room and avoid unwanted attention, as it prevents people from asking questions that could cause problems. The coin is small enough to blend in with other money, allowing her to keep it hidden even during searches.

Journey With the Hound

Arya journeys with Sandor Clegane through the Riverlands, learning survival skills from a seasoned warrior. She observes how he navigates dangerous territory – scouting routes, gathering information, and deciding when to fight or avoid conflict. Along the way, she’s forced to interact with people at checkpoints, discovering how a little diplomacy or a small bribe can be more effective than a sword.

I’ve been watching her train, and it’s incredible. She’s really learning to take advantage of any opening she gets, even in the middle of a chaotic situation – like knowing when to disarm someone if everyone’s distracted, or when to quietly slip away during a guard change. But it’s not just about quick thinking. She’s also becoming a pro at survival – learning how to treat injuries in the field, find food and water even in destroyed villages, and spot raiders or groups of people moving around before anyone else does. It’s amazing to see her prepare for anything.

Harrenhal Survival and Intelligence Gathering

While working as a servant at Harrenhal, Arya blends in with the Lannister soldiers and their prisoners. She carefully observes everything – how supplies are delivered, how people are questioned, and the guards’ daily schedules. By memorizing faces, ranks, and routines, she’s able to avoid getting caught and hide things in places people never look. This also allows her to overhear important plans, like when soldiers are leaving or when more troops are expected.

She moves through the kitchens and hallways like a secret agent, using trays and buckets as excuses to be there at all hours. When she needs to communicate or arrange a meeting, she chooses noisy, busy spots – places where heat, smoke, or loud sounds will cover up her conversations. The castle’s vastness actually helps her, as there are simply too many doors and staircases for anyone to keep track of everything at once.

Nymeria and the Direwolf Bond

After a frightening encounter on the road, Arya’s direwolf, Nymeria, runs away, but their connection doesn’t disappear. Much later, Arya finds Nymeria again in the Riverlands, now the leader of a large, wild pack. Seeing how Nymeria has thrived and become independent, Arya understands that she’s changed and wisely doesn’t try to bring her back to a life with humans.

This connection is important because it reflects Arya’s transformation from a sheltered castle resident to a resourceful traveler who trusts her gut and agility. Knowing Nymeria is nearby influences how Arya understands the forest – a pack of direwolves alters the actions of other animals. It also proves that her family’s symbol isn’t just a flag, but a real, living force in the wilderness.

The Twins and House Frey

Following her time in Braavos, Arya seeks revenge on the Freys, the family responsible for the Red Wedding. She cleverly disguises herself to get inside the Twins, Walder Frey’s castle. There, she kills several important Freys who run the family’s business and ultimately Walder Frey himself, effectively destroying the family’s power and the alliances they held.

Now that the Frey leaders are dead, those who served them are unsure who to follow, and their enemies are questioning who is in charge. Arya makes sure everyone in the hall knows what happened, which quickly changes how people see the Freys’ power as the larger conflicts continue. This creates an opportunity for others to take control of the Riverlands, and soon, the balance of power begins to shift.

The Long Night and the Night King

In the Battle of Winterfell, Arya skillfully uses her speed and stealth to move around the castle, which is filled with wights. She quietly makes her way through libraries, across rooftops, and through courtyards, looking for places where there aren’t many undead enemies. The training she received in Braavos helps her stay hidden, as she knows how to move silently in close quarters to avoid attracting the attention of the wights.

Arriving at the godswood just in time, she finished the attack using a technique she’d practiced – switching her grip. This move depended on fooling her opponent and quickly catching them off guard with her other hand, a skill based on precise timing, like a flowing dance with water. The successful attack immediately ended the danger to the castle and halted the approaching army.

Tell us about your favorite Arya moments in the comments! What skill of hers or which scene stood out to you the most?

2025-10-13 21:08