Game Of Thrones: Tyrion Lannister’s 5 Most Clever Plans (& 5 Least)

Tyrion Lannister was famous for his clever plans throughout Game of Thrones. The youngest Lannister established himself as one of the show’s smartest characters early in the HBO series by outsmarting other esteemed political figures like Littlefinger and Varys. Tyrion’s intellect saw him appointed as Hand to three separate monarchs, including the final season’s reigning King Bran.

While Tyrion had lots of hits throughout the show, he had many misses. The later seasons saw the fan-favorite Lannister regress as Hand of the Queen to Daenerys Targaryen, making many mistakes that hurt her conquest. Tyrion was highly regarded for his brilliant plans but the Hand of the King made many blunders, too.

10 Best Plan: Learning Who To Trust In King’s Landing

Against the odds, Tywin Lannister names his least-favorite son as acting Hand of the King during season 1. Season 2 features Tyrion navigating the political landscape in King’s Landing as he utilizes his power, learning whom he can and cannot trust.

Tyrion informs Littlefinger, Varys, and Grand Maester Pycelle that he intends to wed his niece Myrcella to Robin Arryn, Theon Greyjoy, and Trystane Martell respectively. When Cersei hears of her daughter’s betrothal to the Dornish prince, Tyrion learns that Pycelle is the informant on the small council.

9 Worst Plan: Attacking Casterly Rock

Tyrion was far less effective as Daenerys Targaryen’s Hand throughout the later seasons. His plan to cut off Cersei’s power by sieging Casterly Rock proves to be a dire mistake when his sister sacrifices their ancestral seat to attack Highgarden.

Cersei outsmarts Tyrion during season 7 by wiping out Daenerys’ Westerosi allies. Despite his earlier brilliance, Tyrion underestimates his sister and scuppers the Targaryen queen’s invasion.

8 Best Plan: Surviving The Eyrie

Tyrion displays impressive intellect and awareness of his surroundings during the show’s first season. After being taken captive by Catelyn Stark, the youngest Lannister sibling is forced to outsmart the people around him and talk himself out of execution at the Eyrie.

He manages to forge an unspoken agreement with Bronn, who represents him during his first trial by combat. Bronn defeats Lysa Arryn’s champion and saves Tyrion from the Moon Door.

7 Worst Plan: Sieging King’s Landing

In season 7, Daenerys makes her long-awaited return to Westeros with Tyrion by her side. The Mother of Dragons boasts an impressive army of Unsullied and Dothraki warriors, as well as the fiery might of her dragons. Despite this, Tyrion advises against attacking King’s Landing and offers an alternate plan.

Tyrion warns Dany against using dragonfire on the city and killing innocent people, yet suggests they starve them via siege instead. Daenerys’ conquest could have ended successfully had she flown directly to the Red Keep to confront Cersei.

6 Best Plan: Bribing The Mountain Clans

Tyrion talks his way out of Catelyn’s captivity during season 1, but his journey from the Vale throws more dangerous obstacles in his path as he and Bronn are confronted by the Mountain Clans while traveling from the Eyrie. Fortunately, Tyrion’s quick thinking saves him from certain death once again.

He bribes the Mountain Clans with his immense wealth. In a lucky turn of events, the Clans enter Tyrion’s employment and fight for him during multiple battles.

5 Worst Plan: Trying To Make Peace With The Masters

Tyrion underestimates his new enemies after assuming power in Meereen. In the wake of Daenerys’ flight on Drogon, the exiled Lannister attempts to make peace with the masters and resolve the conquest against slavery in Slaver’s Bay.

Missandei and Grey Worm warn Tyrion that he doesn’t fully understand his opponents when he gives the masters seven years to phase out slavery. The masters betray their deal almost immediately, returning to Meereen to lay siege to the city.

4 Best Plan: Defending King’s Landing

Tyrion’s most notable feat during his first tenure as Hand of the King is his defense of King’s Landing during the Battle of Blackwater Bay. The youngest Lannister uncovers his sister’s schemes to attack Stannis’ forces with wildfire. He then takes control of Cersei’s plan and uses the wildfire in a devastating attack against the Baratheon army.

Tyrion spearheads the city’s defense and fights on the front lines, proving his worth as a leader in juxtaposition with Joffrey.

3 Worst Plan: Demanding A Second Trial By Combat

Although Tyrion’s first trial by combat is a success, his second is less lucky. Oberyn Martell champions Tyrion during a clash with Gregor Clegane, but the Viper’s thirst for revenge gets the better of him, leading to a graphic death at the Mountain’s hands.

Oberyn’s death seals Tyrion’s fate. Tywin declares him guilty of Joffrey’s murder and sentences him to death. Fortunately, Jaime and Varys free Tyrion before his execution, saving the day for one of the show’s most integral characters.

2 Best Plan: Second Siege Of Meereen

Daenerys is keen to exact fire and blood upon the masters after returning to Meereen during its second siege. Tyrion tempers her Targaryen nature and rectifies his earlier error by suggesting a different plan to deal with the slavers.

Dany, Tyrion, Grey Worm, and Missandei meet with the masters in a final opportunity for surrender. When the masters refuse, Daenerys and her dragons burn one of their ships and seize the rest of the fleet, while Grey Worm executes two of the masters for their treachery.

1 Worst Plan: The Wight Hunt

Tyrion made many mistakes as Daenerys’ Hand but his biggest blunder remains his plan to capture a wight during season 7. Despite Daenerys’ recent victory against the Lannisters on the Gold Road, Tyrion insists that a truce with Cersei is necessary in order to fight the White Walkers.

The wight hunt ends in disaster when the Night King kills Viserion, who destroys the Wall after being resurrected. Cersei immediately betrays her truce with Daenerys and Jon Snow by refusing to aid in the war against the undead. Tyrion crafted many clever plans during the series, but many of his schemes resulted in more losses than wins during the show’s later seasons.

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