Top 10 Coolest Things About Jon Snow

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Jon Snow is a central character in both the ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ book series and the ‘Game of Thrones’ TV show, connecting storylines from the North, the Night’s Watch, and the fight against the undead. He begins as an outcast at Winterfell but rises to become a key player whose choices significantly impact the political and military events of the story. His unique upbringing, skills, relationships, and possessions give him a distinct advantage, influencing events both in and out of battle. Here are ten specific, factual details that highlight what makes Jon Snow so important.

Stark–Targaryen Parentage

In ‘Game of Thrones,’ it’s discovered that Jon Snow is actually the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. This is confirmed through visions Bran Stark experiences and information Samwell Tarly finds about Rhaegar’s past marriage. This makes Jon a Stark by family and a Targaryen with a potential claim to the Iron Throne. It also explains why he shares characteristics of both families – he was raised in the North like a Stark, but carries the Targaryen name Aegon. This revelation changes the political landscape, affecting who supports Jon and making the question of who should rule Westeros even more complicated.

Direwolf Companion Ghost

Ghost is Jon Snow’s albino direwolf, and they’ve been close companions since Ghost was a pup found near Winterfell. Ghost is a skilled tracker with incredibly sharp senses, and he’s fiercely loyal to Jon, assisting him on scouting missions and in combat. Ghost often alerts Jon to danger he wouldn’t otherwise notice, acting as an early warning system. Their strong connection highlights the special bond all the Stark children share with their direwolves, and Ghost serves as Jon’s reliable protector.

Valyrian Steel Sword Longclaw

After Jon Snow rescues Lord Commander Jeor Mormont from a wight, Mormont gives him Longclaw, a powerful sword made of Valyrian steel. The sword’s handle is customized with a direwolf, representing Jon’s family. Valyrian steel is famous for being incredibly light, sharp, and most importantly, able to kill White Walkers. This makes Longclaw a vital weapon in battles where regular steel wouldn’t be effective.

Night’s Watch Training and Service

Jon joins the Night’s Watch willingly and rapidly proves himself through his dedication, fighting ability, and natural leadership skills. He’s trained in scouting, surviving harsh winters, and leading others. Serving with experienced rangers like Qhorin Halfhand, he gains valuable real-world experience beyond the Wall. This training prepares him to make smart decisions when the Night’s Watch faces danger.

Election as Lord Commander and Reforms

Jon is chosen as the leader of the Night’s Watch, giving him control over their plans, training, and relationships with others. He focuses on reinforcing old castles, improving how supplies reach them, and rebuilding defenses to prepare for dangers north of the Wall. Jon also changes how new recruits are brought in and how resources are used, knowing the Night’s Watch is getting smaller. These changes help the Night’s Watch operate more effectively, even when facing constant threats.

Alliance with the Free Folk

Knowing the White Walkers posed a deadly threat, Jon worked with leaders like Tormund Giantsbane to convince the Free Folk to come south of the Wall. This gave him more soldiers, scouts who knew the land, and valuable information about the North. He made sure they could resettle safely, and promised their help would be repaid with protection. This alliance not only stopped the Free Folk from raiding, but also created a stronger, united force to fight the undead army.

Hardhome and the White Walker Threat

At Hardhome, Jon Snow manages the evacuation of the Free Folk while directly witnessing the immense power of the Night King. The battle reveals a crucial weakness: Valyrian steel can destroy White Walkers. Jon also obtains a large supply of dragonglass, another effective weapon against the undead. This information becomes vital for gathering resources, creating weapons, and planning future battles.

Resurrection and Release from Vows

Following a rebellion at Castle Black, Jon is initially killed but brought back to life by Melisandre, a red priestess. He views his death as completing his commitment to the Night’s Watch—to serve until he died—and resigns his leadership position. This change allows him to focus on larger threats beyond the usual boundaries of the Watch, and his return gives him the power to build alliances that the Night’s Watch could never have formed.

Battle of the Bastards and the Restoration of Winterfell

As a longtime fan, I was on the edge of my seat watching Jon gather the northern houses to finally take back Winterfell from Ramsay Bolton. The battle itself was brilliantly done – a classic clash of armies with foot soldiers, cavalry charges, and a really crucial arrival of reinforcements from House Arryn that broke through Ramsay’s lines. It was so satisfying to see the Starks regain control of their home! Reclaiming Winterfell wasn’t just symbolic, though; it meant the North finally had a secure base and supply lines, setting the stage for whatever was coming next. It felt like a real turning point in the war.

King in the North and Strategic Southern Alliance

After defeating the Boltons, the northern lords declared Jon King of the North, giving him the power to organize the region’s defenses. He then traveled to Dragonstone to find weapons to fight the undead and formed an alliance with Daenerys Targaryen, combining their armies and resources. This partnership gave them access to ships, soldiers, and, most importantly, dragons – powerful weapons against the massive undead army. Together, they were able to fight on multiple fronts, something the North couldn’t have done on its own.

Share your favorite Jon Snow moment or fact in the comments!

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2025-10-23 21:15