Dany makes landfall in ‘ GoT’ premiere

Our take on who will climb to the top

When you play the Game of Thrones you win or you die, as Cersei told us in Season 1. But sometimes playing the game takes a long time.

Now in the series’ seventh season, the playing field for the Iron Throne has narrowed and the stakes have changed.

We ranked the top 10 characters from Thrones’ Season 7 premiere, “Dragonstone,” based on how well they’re winning the battle for Westeros, and their own survival.

1. DAENERYS TARGARYEN

She may not have done any conquering yet, but she’s in the best position on the board based on her resources, allies and location. To gain a stronghold in Westeros, all she had to do was sail in and pull down a sad Stannis Baratheon banner.

2. CERSEI LANNISTER

What’s that saying about possession being nine- tenths of the law? Jaimie is right, the Lannister twins are in an incredible amount of danger, surrounded by enemies on all fronts and forced to consider an alliance with Euron Greyjoy, a professed murderer and traitor. But Cersei is sitting on the Iron Throne at the moment. And that is something.

3. JON SNOW

It’s good to be the king, most of the time. Jon is showing off his leadership skills in the North. But, he is surrounded by enemies. Meanwhile, his tense relationship with Sansa could endanger his rule.

4. ARYA STARK

Without any armies, ships or fancy titles, Arya managed to do the most damage in the premiere. After murdering Walder Frey last season, she kills his entire family while wearing his face.

5. SANSA STARK

Although Sansa has become more powerful, she still wound up standing to the side of another ruler. Her dissatisfaction with Jon is clear, but questioning him in meetings isn’t the way to go.

6. LYANNA MORMONT

Little Lyanna continues her run as the Best Character on This Show and makes a strong argument for women in combat.

7. JAIME LANNISTER

His influence over Cersei is waning and he lacks allies. But he is standing right next to the Iron Throne.

8. SANDOR “THE HOUND” CLEGANE

If there was ever a survivor in Westeros, it’s the Hound. Joining the Brotherhood is keeping him alive and in a position to do something meaningful, and after burying ( quite literally) some personal demons, he is now seeing the bigger picture, which involves the Lord of Light and the White Walkers.

9. BRAN STARK

The new Three- Eyed- Raven is back on the right side of the Wall and together with Jon’s trusted Night’s Watch brother, Edd. If only the White Walkers weren’t so close behind.

10. SAMWELL TARLY

One of the show’s smartest characters is stuck doing menial labor at the Citadel despite his warnings about the White Walkers. But at least he discovered an untapped mine of dragonglass on Dragonstone, ready for use in the comingbattle.

HBO