Vikings has been a fan favorite for many years, consistently delivering high-quality TV, along with some incredible and complex characters providing some truly inspired performances. Full of drama, action, and intrigue, Vikings has had its viewers locked in from the very beginning.
While the show has undoubtedly taken liberties with historical accuracy in its portrayal of the life of Ragnar Lothbrok, it has undeniably stayed true to the viciousness and brutality that was part of everyday life during this tumultuous period. With Season 6 giving the bloody conclusion, it is time to look back at the deadliest warriors to do battle throughout the series.
10 Hvitserk
Despite not having learned his trade from Ragnar, Hvitserk proves himself to be a brutal and ferocious warrior, particularly in the later seasons of the series. Not being overly possessed of sword skill, he makes up for it with a fierce love of violence and a chilling bloodlust.
In single combat, Hvitserk is also a gifted warrior, even matching the brute power and relentless ferocity of Athelwulf. Like Ivar, Hvitserk is a true sadist, this side of him always taking over in battle, carrying him through the enemy ranks.
9 Ubbe
There is no doubt that Ubbe has a soft side to him, with a deep love for his family and a genuine concern for the welfare of those around him. Ubbe in battle, however, is a completely different animal.
Ubbe is sometimes overlooked as a warrior after his defeat at the hands of Heahmund and his loss of the Great Army to Ivar, but Ubbe is still a powerful fighter. With warrior skills learned from the legendary Ragnar, he deploys a potent combination of strength and intelligence against those who oppose him.
8 Heahmund
Despite his sidelining in the later stages of the series, Bishop Heahmund is still a deadly warrior. Driven by a deep-seated Christian faith and hatred of Pagans, Heahmund is brutally effective with sword and shield.
In the first battle of the civil war, Heahmund stands on the front line, taking down enemies with apparent ease. Heahmund impressed even the implacable Ivar with his fighting prowess, and in yet another testament to his abilities as a warrior, he even defeated the mighty Ubbe in battle, which is no easy feat.
7 Floki
Despite being a boat-builder, Floki is also an impressive fighter. Undoubtedly a fan favorite with his witty personality and iconic laugh, his skills in battle are not to be trifled with.
Lacking the muscled physique of Rollo or Bjorn, Floki uses skill and cunning to defeat his enemies. With his characteristic snake-like sway, Floki’s axes are viciously accurate and mark him out as a formidable warrior. He is a keen reminder that it is not just muscles that win battles.
6 Harald
Harald has a complex arc through the Vikings series and is a compelling antagonist. His prowess in battle lies not in intricate planning and cunning intellect, but in sheer ferocity and brutality.
Fueled by a burning ambition, Harald is relentless in the pursuit of his goals and woe betide anyone who gets in the way of what he believes is his destiny. In battle, he is a bloodthirsty and deadly warrior, seemingly taking pleasure in every life he takes. Harald's skill as a warrior is undeniable.
5 Ivar
Ivar is a brutal and cunning warrior, not letting his disability get in the way of achieving his goals. Like his father, Ivar uses his intelligence to devastating effect in his battles, constantly outwitting and outflanking his enemy.
Anyone who falls into his clutches is dispatched with a swift viciousness, which he matches while riding into battle on his chariot. He is a terrifying presence on a battlefield, even holding a whole army in check with the depth of his rage and the power of his voice.
4 Lagertha
Lagertha is a shield-maiden of unquestionable skill and strength. Many of her male counterparts made the fatal error of underestimating her and paid the ultimate price for it.
From beginning to end, Lagertha showcased what it meant not only to be a capable warrior, but a strong and wise leader. She is ferocious in defense of her home and family and deployed a keen intelligence to defeat those who had the edge on her in terms of physical strength.
3 Ragnar
This man is a legend, both on and off the battlefield, with the stories of his exploits echoing through the ages. Ragnar is the full package when it comes to a warrior. An absolute savage in the heat of battle, dispatching any and all enemies.
Yet before the battle, the depth of his mind shines through. A cunning tactician, he would use his intelligence as well as his fighting prowess to win many stunning victories. Added to all of that, he had a stare that would leave even hardened warriors quaking in their boots.
2 Bjorn
Having Ragnar as a father is a tough act to follow. Yet rather than allow himself to be overshadowed by his father’s legacy, Bjorn used it as motivation to forge his own reputation. Bjorn was a beast in battle, bringing down scores of enemy warriors.
If that wasn’t enough, this man went into the snowy wastes and went toe to toe with a bear and emerged victorious. In single combat Bjorn went undefeated, surpassing even his father in martial abilities. In death Bjorn earns the title of Ironside, surviving Ivar's blade and riding onto the battlefield, sending Ivar's army running in terror.
1 Rollo
Rollo is no one’s favorite Viking, but the man could fight. Rollo was hugely powerful and skilled with a sword, axe, and shield, as well as brave and bloodthirsty. He even went into battle wearing just a pair of leather trousers. Rollo just screams Viking.
With the show’s highest kill count, Rollo takes the crown as Vikings’ deadliest warrior, possessed of an unmatched fierceness and ferocity. Bjorn was a beast in battle, but Rollo was something else entirely. Throughout his life, Rollo struck fear into the heart of an enemy shield wall.