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Jon Snow or Bran Stark? Odds to Rule Westeros at End of Game of Thrones Season 8

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in Entertainment

Updated Apr 9, 2020 · 6:49 AM PDT

Jon Snow of GoT
Jon Snow is favored to kill the Ice Dragon in Season 8 of Game of Thrones. Photo by HBO.
  • HBO’s Game of Thrones Season 8 premiers in April 2019
  • Who will rule Westeros when the show ends?
  • Jon Snow is the favorite, but has shown no desire to rule Westeros

The Great War is here and as legions of Game of Thrones fans brace themselves for the inevitable deaths of their favorite characters, the biggest question left to answer is who will rule Westeros once the bloodshed ceases?

Jon Snow, AKA Aegon Targaryen, is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne and the current betting favorite, but Bran Stark is hot on his trail.

Odds to Rule Westeros at End of Season 8

Game of Thrones Ruler of Westeros End of Season 8 Odds
Jon Snow +200
Bran Stark +250
Daenerys Targaryen +300
Arya Stark +800
Gendry +900
Sansa Stark +1000
The Night King +1000
Tyrion Lannister +1200
Cersei Lannister +1600
Samwell Tarly +2200
Jamie Lannister +2800
Davos Seaworth +5000

Both characters don’t appear likely to perish anytime soon, and while Jon may be the one leading the fight against the Night King, only Bran, AKA the Three Eyed Raven, is capable of discovering how to defeat him.

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Why Bran won’t Rule

No Stark has ever ruled The Seven Kingdoms.

Yes, Bran considers himself more Three Eyed Raven than Stark, but he’s the last greenseer and is far more concerned with “knowing” and “seeing” everything than he is with power.

He’ll surely play a large role in the Great War, and it will most likely happen in the air.  If you remember back to Season 4, Bran is told he’ll never walk again…but he will fly.

The King in the North and all the Seven Kingdoms?

Game of Thrones is predicated on the novel series A Song of Ice and Fire.  We now know Jon Snow is half Stark, half Targaryen and thus made from both these key ingredients.

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He’s the one true hero of the story and likely The Prince That Was Promised, but ruling has never been his motivation.


He abandoned his post as Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch and tried to cede power in the North to his sister.

His sole interest is the survival of humanity, and if he’s thrust into the role of Lord of The Seven Kingdoms, it’s conceivable he steps aside (just like his great-great uncle Aemon did) for someone more desiring of the Throne.  Someone like:

Daenerys will Reign

No one has been more outspoken about their desire to rule than Dany.

She’s commanded a Khalasar, freed slaves and given life to the first three dragons the world has seen in a century and a half. She’s wiped out entire cities and armies, all in her pursuit to rule.

Jon has already pledged fealty to her, and we know how serious he is about loyalty and honor.

Plus, she has Tyrion Lannister, two living dragons and thousands of Unsullied and Dohtraki on her side. It seems like she should be the favorite to me.

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