Top 10 Most Gullible Game of Thrones Characters, Ranked

Credit;- HBO

Game of Thrones isn’t only about power and glory; it’s a battle between those who see the truth behind the lies and those who get played. Gullibility spares no one—whether you’re a highborn lord or a commoner. Once you lay your trust on the line, ensure you are ready to pay the price.

Indeed, there are only two types of people in Westeros: those who pull the strings, and those who are strangled by them. In this list, we are ranking the top ten characters from the show based on how badly they were deceived, manipulated, or blinded by their own convictions.

10 Stannis Baratheon

Stannis Baratheon isn’t exactly someone you would call naturally gullible. He only became susceptible to manipulation at a specific point in his story, leading to one of the biggest mistakes of his life.

The Lord of Dragonstone is defined by his sense of duty, and believing that he is the rightful king, he succumbed to Melisandre’s fanatical promises of a crown. He accepted her visions, allowing his actions to be guided by prophecy rather than wisdom and practical strategy. His desperation even led him to commit the worst decision of his life: sacrificing his own daughter, Shireen.

9 Ned Stark

Most would say Ned Stark’s tragic fate was the result of his gullibility, but he’s not as easily manipulated as others. In fact, it was his honesty that got him in trouble. Ned knew the truth, and he saw through the lies, yet he failed to tread carefully, despite knowing he was surrounded by deceitful enemies, such as Cersei Lannister and Petyr Baelish.

If anything, Ned’s fault is more on his consistent assumptions that others will act with the same integrity that he possesses. He clearly saw that this won’t happen, but it was too late. He was already at the mercy of a game he refused to play.

8 Jon Snow

Raised by Ned, Jon Snow is just as honorable as the father he had known. Perhaps it’s the phrase “You know nothing, Jon Snow” that made people think he’s slow and easily manipulated, but it was more about his being too trusting of the people who surround him.

His death in Season 5 was the ultimate price for his Wildling alliance; he chose what was right over what his comrades would accept. Jon isn’t inherently gullible, but his lack of political awareness often made him seem so.

7 Robb Stark

Robb Stark’s inexperience in the political world of Westeros not only brought him tragedy, but it also made him look less like a strong leader. Yes, he is a capable military strategist; he has won battles and he has the Stark honor, but he also lets his emotions rule him, as when he chose love over duty by marrying Talisa Maegyr.

This led to a broken pact with Lord Walder Frey, who was enraged by the Starks’ betrayal. Underestimating the gravity of his mistake, Robb walked blindly into the Freys’ web, realizing too late that his broken vow would be answered with the massacre of the Red Wedding.

6 Catelyn Stark

It’s an understatement to say that Catelyn Stark’s gullibility led to so many tragedies in Westeros. She mistakenly trusted Littlefinger because of their past connections, not knowing she was being used as a pawn to disrupt the peace in the realm.

It started when Littlefinger told Catelyn that the dagger used in the assassination attempt on Bran Stark belonged to Tyrion Lannister, which wasn’t true, leading to Tyrion’s capture and angering House Lannister. This event helped ignite the War of the Five Kings and even the Red Wedding.

5 Sansa Stark

Sansa Stark’s naivety, especially in the beginning of the series, is the reason why she has been passed from one manipulator to another, often suffering the worst of consequences and not learning from them. She was repeatedly deceived by Littlefinger, Cersei, and Joffrey, and that’s how she ended up trapped in situations beyond her control.

It’s a good thing that she has finally gained some sense of autonomy towards the end of the show, though it is also tragic that she was never properly prepared by her family for the brutality and political cruelty of the world she was forced to navigate so early in her life.

4 Theon Greyjoy

Theon Greyjoy is easily one of the most susceptible to manipulation for a number of reasons, including his identity crisis and his desperate need for his father’s approval. His insecurity became his downfall, ultimately leading him to make the worst decision of his life—betraying the Starks.

Ramsay Bolton quickly saw the emptiness in Theon and exploited it with cruelty. He offered him false promises, only to strip them away repeatedly, using psychological and physical torture to break him and reduce him to his submissive state.

3 Viserys Targaryen

Viserys Targaryen’s gullibility stems from his arrogance and belief that he could control the Dothraki. He was easily manipulated after believing in the promise of a crown, trusting people who told him they would restore him to power and give him an army. Politics in Westeros isn’t as simple as that.

His inexperience was his undoing. He blundered into a political marriage he didn’t understand, driven by a desperation for the throne. In the end, his obsession with power outpaced his patience, leading him straight to the ‘golden crown’ that would be his demise.

2 Tommen Baratheon

Tommen Baratheon’s kindheartedness and innocence became instrumental in his manipulation by those around him, as his gentle nature and desire to do what is right made him highly susceptible to influence, especially by his mother and the High Sparrow.

It’s important to note that the young king’s gullibility also stems from his upbringing. He was not ready to take the throne, and he was sheltered most of his life. People around him usually made decisions for him, so he never really developed his own political instincts.

1 Hodor

Hodor’s innocence made him the most susceptible character in Game of Thrones. He was too trusting of others and extremely obedient, as he lacked the cognitive ability to understand people’s goals and motives. Since he couldn’t grasp the concept of deceit, he followed every command without hesitation.

The most heartbreaking part of his story was when Bran Stark exploited his gullibility. In a sense, it was less about being deceived and more about his inability to resist the power that held him during that perilous time, leading to a sacrifice he didn’t fully choose.

TV Show:	Game of Thrones
Showrunners:	David Benioff & D.B. Weiss
Release Date:	April 17, 2011 – May 19, 2019
Number of Seasons:	8
Rotten Tomatoes (as of April 12):	89% | 85%

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Game of Thrones is currently available to watch on HBO Max.