ASOIAF Character Analysis: Bran Stark

Race: Northmen

Transcendent: Greenseer / Warg

Sex: Male

Faction: House Stark

Overall Rating: 6.4

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Arena Status: Active (S2)

Brandon Stark, commonly referred to as Bran, is a pivotal character in A Song of Ice and Fire. As the second son of Eddard Stark and Catelyn Tully, Bran begins his journey as a curious and adventurous young boy at Winterfell, only to evolve into a key figure intertwined with the mystical forces of the realm.

Brandon Stark, Prince of Winterfell

Early Life and Transformation

Bran's story is marked by tragedy early in A Game of Thrones when he is pushed from a tower by Jaime Lannister, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. This event not only alters his physical capabilities but sets him on a path filled with prophetic dreams and visions. His connection with his direwolf, Summer, and the mystical experiences that follow, underscore his transformation from a boy to an oracle.

The Stark in Winterfell

Before his fall, Bran was known for his spirited nature and love for climbing the ancient walls of Winterfell. Despite his mother’s fears, his adventurous spirit was a significant part of his early character development. Bran's relationship with his family, especially his siblings, forms a crucial part of his narrative, influencing his decisions and his journey.

Visions and Powers

As Bran recovers from his injury, he begins to experience mysterious dreams about a three-eyed crow that urges him to explore his latent powers. These dreams lead him to the realization that he possesses the rare "greensight," an ability to receive prophetic visions, and the power to inhabit the bodies of animals and humans, notably his direwolf Summer and later, Hodor.

Journey Beyond the Wall

Bran's quest for understanding and control of his powers leads him beyond the Wall, guided by the Reed siblings, Jojen and Meera, and the simple-minded but loyal Hodor. Their journey is fraught with danger, from wildling attacks to mystical encounters with the ancient beings of the forest. This perilous trek culminates at the cave of the Three-Eyed Raven, where Bran is to train and harness his abilities.

The Three-Eyed Raven and Beyond

Under the tutelage of the Three-Eyed Raven, Bran learns to refine his warg skills and greensight. His training involves not only harnessing his mystical powers but also understanding the vast responsibilities they carry. The revelation that he will never walk again, but will "fly" in his visions and through his warg abilities, symbolizes his transcendental journey from a boy of Winterfell to a pivotal oracle-like figure in the wars to come.

The Impact of Bran’s Transformation

Bran's transformation and his journey into the mystical aspects of the world serve as a bridge between the physical conflicts of the realms and the ancient magics that underpin the series' mythology. His evolution from a young lordling to a powerful seer is handled with a complexity that adds depth to the overarching narrative, intertwining his fate with the fate of all of Westeros.

The Stark Who Flies

Bran Stark's character arc is a profound commentary on growth, resilience, and destiny. His journey from the high walls of Winterfell to the heart of ancient magic explores themes of loss, identity, and power. Bran’s narrative not only enriches the world of A Song of Ice and Fire but also challenges the traditional roles of heroes and leaders in fantasy literature, making his story a compelling study of character and destiny.

Bran Stark's Raw Power

Considering the categories of strength, magical ability, and combat prowess, Bran Stark's overall raw power rating is given a 5.5 out of 10. This rating acknowledges his significant magical capacities and unique combat methods, balanced against his physical limitations.

Strength

Physically, Bran does not possess traditional strength due to his paralysis from the waist down following his fall in A Game of Thrones. This injury precludes him from physical combat and traditional acts of strength. His physical might, independent of magical abilities, would be rated very low, approximately 1 out of 10, reflecting his reliance on others for mobility and physical action.

Magical Ability

Bran’s primary source of power is his profound magical capabilities, notably his skills as a warg and a greenseer. Bran's ability to enter the minds of animals and humans alike, particularly his direwolf, Summer, and Hodor, is unprecedented among his peers. His training under the Three-Eyed Raven amplifies his capabilities, enabling him to not only witness but also influence events from afar. The scope and potential of his powers, including visions of the past, present, and possible futures, rank him at an 8.5 out of 10 for magical ability.

Combat Prowess

While Bran lacks physical combat skills due to his disability, his magical abilities compensate significantly. Through warging, Bran can partake in battles by controlling his direwolf, providing him with a unique form of combat engagement. This indirect method of combat, while powerful, places him at a disadvantage in direct physical engagements. Thus, considering his ability to influence combat scenarios magically, he earns a 6 out of 10 in combat prowess.

Bran Stark's Tactical Ability

Bran Stark's overall tactical ability, when assessed across the broad spectrum of fantasy characters, stands at a 6. This rating acknowledges his significant strategic depth and unique abilities, which are rare and potent in the context of his narrative universe. However, it also considers the limitations in his ability to directly influence outcomes and his ongoing development in mastering his powers. Bran's journey represents a blend of immense potential and current capability, marking him as a character with room to grow into his strategic and tactical roles.

Strategic Mind

Bran Stark's journey underscores a progression from a naive boy to a character wielding substantial strategic depth, primarily through his transformation into a greenseer. This evolution grants him the unique ability to access vast amounts of knowledge spanning across time and space, significantly enhancing his strategic planning capabilities. Unlike many characters who rely on physical or conventional military prowess, Bran's strategic mind is augmented by supernatural foresight. For instance, his decision to journey far beyond the Wall to meet the three-eyed crow is based on visions and prophetic dreams, indicating a strategic choice influenced by a deeper understanding of future necessities rather than immediate threats. This foresight, although still developing, allows him to foresee and strategically maneuver through challenges that are otherwise insurmountable, placing him at a 7.5 on the tactical scale when compared to other fantasy characters who may lack such depth in strategic foresight.

Resourcefulness

Bran's ability to adapt to his new life after his fall demonstrates significant resourcefulness. His physical limitations force him to rely heavily on his mental faculties and the assistance of others, such as Hodor and later Meera and Jojen Reed, to navigate the physical world. However, his real resourcefulness comes into play through his warging abilities, which he uses to scout, hunt, and even fight indirectly. This ability to overcome physical limitations through supernatural means shows a high level of creativity in utilizing available resources. Moreover, his journey north, filled with numerous survival challenges, showcases his capacity to utilize minimal resources effectively. This attribute, though impressive, is somewhat confined by his reliance on others for execution, resulting in a rating of 6.

Resource Arsenal

While Bran lacks direct access to conventional resources such as armies or physical weapons, his arsenal includes his unique warging capabilities and the mystical knowledge he acquires. These tools allow him to influence events indirectly but powerfully. For example, his interactions with Jon Snow through warging into Summer or his influence on Theon through the weirwood network showcase an unconventional but potent use of his mystical resources. However, these resources are highly specialized and not as versatile or immediately impactful as those available to more traditionally powerful leaders or warriors in fantasy literature. Thus, he scores a 5, reflecting the powerful yet limited scope of his resources.

Bran Stark's Influence

Bran Stark's overall influence rating across all fantasy universes stands at a 7. This rating acknowledges his unique position as a burgeoning mystical figure with the potential to affect events both past and present through supernatural means. While he may not command armies or wield traditional power, his influence through mystical insight and the strategic dissemination of his visions places him among the more subtly powerful characters in fantasy literature. His evolving understanding of his powers suggests that his potential influence is expansive, reaching beyond immediate physical realms into the very fabric of fate and destiny in his universe.

Persuasion

In the realm of fantasy, the ability to sway others through direct interaction or subtle manipulation forms a critical aspect of a character's influence. Bran Stark showcases a unique form of persuasive power, primarily through his supernatural capabilities. While Bran does not engage in traditional forms of persuasion through rhetoric or charismatic leadership, his journey as a greenseer allows him to influence events and people in profound albeit indirect ways.

For instance, his visions and dreams provide guidance not only to himself but also to those around him, steering the course of their journeys and decisions. His influence extends beyond the physical as he taps into the past and potentially influences the thoughts and actions of others through his connections with the weirwood network. However, Bran's persuasive influence is limited by his physical incapacitation and his often passive role in the physical interactions, which places him at a 6.5 in this category.

Reverence

Reverence is earned either through fear, respect, or a combination of both, stemming from one's deeds, reputation, or inherent qualities. Bran, as a Stark of Winterfell, inherently commands a level of respect and reverence due to his noble lineage. Furthermore, as he assumes the role of the Three-Eyed Raven, his mystical aura and the mysterious nature of his powers contribute to a sense of awe and fear among those who understand the extent of his capabilities.

The transformation into a being that represents an ancient and almost mythical figure adds to his reverence, particularly among those who are aware of the old gods and the folklore of the North. This places him at a 7, reflecting the mix of fear and respect he commands, particularly later in the series as he delves deeper into his greenseer abilities.

Willpower

Willpower reflects a character's inner strength to resist external pressures and maintain personal agency. Bran's journey is a testament to extraordinary willpower, navigating the loss of his mobility and the vast, often frightening world of visions and time-spanning insights. Despite his young age and the immense psychological and physical trials he faces, Bran's determination to learn and adapt to his greenseer abilities exemplifies strong mental resilience.

His decisions, often made in isolation from traditional sources of support, showcase his capacity to resist external influences and pursue a path dictated by his visions and newfound roles. This aspect of his character is particularly pronounced as he resists using his powers for personal gain, focusing instead on the broader implications of his abilities for the realm.

Bran Stark's Resilience

Taking into account all aspects of resilience, Bran Stark's overall rating reflects a complex character whose weaknesses in physical resilience are offset by his strengths in magical resistance and longevity. Bran's journey from a vulnerable child to a powerful mystical figure embodies the essence of resilience in a non-traditional sense. His ability to adapt to his new life and powers, overcoming the loss of his mobility and the harsh realities he faces, highlights a profound inner strength and durability. In the grand tapestry of fantasy characters, Bran's resilience is noteworthy, though not the highest, due to his unique blend of vulnerabilities and strengths. His resilience, therefore, is rated a fair 6 out of 10 when considering the vast array of characters across all fantasy universes. This score acknowledges his significant magical and existential endurance while also recognizing his physical limitations in the face of direct threats.

Physical Resistance

Physical resilience in a character often refers to their capacity to withstand direct physical harm and endure through physical challenges. Bran Stark's journey in A Song of Ice and Fire presents a significant deviation from traditional physical resilience due to his paralysis early in the series. After falling from a tower and surviving, Bran loses the use of his legs, which fundamentally limits his physical capabilities throughout the remainder of the series. Despite his highborn status providing some protection, his physical vulnerability in direct combat scenarios is apparent, warranting a lower score in this category.

Magical Resistance

While not directly highlighted as resisting magical attacks, Bran's journey into the mystical powers of a greenseer and warg indicates a high level of magical resilience. His ability to navigate and survive the magical elements of his world—be it visions, time-traveling through greensight, or warging into his direwolf and even Hodor—demonstrates a robust resistance to the potentially corrupting and overwhelming aspects of such powers. This resilience is further emphasized by his survival through various mystical challenges that many others would likely succumb to.

Longevity

In terms of enduring existential threats and potential longevity, Bran's narrative arc suggests a unique form of survival. Despite physical frailties, his transition into a role that transcends traditional human lifespans—assuming the mantle of the Three-Eyed Raven—implies a significant extension of his life beyond normal human boundaries. This role, inherently tied to the ancient magic of the weirwoods, suggests that Bran could continue to exist in some form as long as the magical foundations of his powers remain. His survival through the series, despite numerous life-threatening situations, also illustrates a high degree of resilience against existential threats.

Bran Stark's Versatility

Bran Stark’s 7.5 versatility score is well-deserved, reflecting his journey from a physically disabled boy to a mystical figure with substantial influence over past and present events in his universe. His adaptability to new roles, coupled with the luck of surviving multiple life-threatening scenarios and his unique magical abilities, mark him as a notably versatile character within the realms of fantasy literature. While not the most versatile when compared to characters who may wield vast magical powers or excel in numerous disciplines, Bran's specific blend of skills and his significant development from physical frailty to metaphysical power place him high on the scale.

Adaptability

Starting as a young boy who enjoyed climbing the walls of Winterfell, Bran’s life takes a dramatic turn when he is paralyzed from the waist down after a fall. This physical limitation forces him into a unique adaptation pathway, embracing mystical powers rather than physical prowess. Bran’s journey from a curious child to the Three-Eyed Raven, where he masters warging and greensight, showcases his extraordinary ability to adjust to radically new life circumstances and roles that diverge greatly from the usual martial pursuits of Westerosi nobility.

Luck

Luck in fantasy narratives often influences a character's survival and success, and Bran’s story is rife with fortuitous turns despite harsh setbacks. His survival from the fall, discovery by Jon Snow’s direwolf, and the subsequent assassination attempt mark the inception of his destined path. Throughout the series, his journey north is fraught with dangers that he survives due to a combination of luck and the intervention of companions like Meera and Jojen Reed, as well as the mysterious protector, Coldhands. These elements of chance contribute significantly to his survival and eventual assumption of a role that would seem predestined.

Shaved Knuckle in the Hole

This aspect refers to a character’s possession of a secret or unanticipated advantage that can be pivotal in crisis. For Bran, his secret weapon is his ability to warg into humans and animals, a rare skill even among those with warg capabilities. This ability provides strategic advantages that are crucial at various points, such as spying through the eyes of his direwolf or controlling Hodor during perilous situations. These unique skills, coupled with his later ability to manipulate events across time, represent Bran’s "shaved knuckle"—hidden powers that significantly alter his and others' destinies.

Bran Stark's Alignment

Initially, Bran adheres to the structured, noble life expected of a Stark of Winterfell. However, after his fall and subsequent discovery of his warging abilities, Bran’s journey diverges significantly from any traditional paths. His actions, particularly his use of warging into Hodor, a morally dubious act that involves overriding another person’s will, suggest a shift towards a Chaotic alignment. This indicates a departure from societal norms and laws, guided instead by personal freedom and the necessities dictated by his unique abilities and quest.

Despite the morally complex nature of some of his decisions, Bran’s core intentions align with Good. His actions are often aimed at protecting himself and his companions, and his larger goal relates to gaining knowledge and power likely intended to combat the existential threat of the White Walkers. However, the potential use of "Jojen paste" (a fan theory suggesting Bran may have unknowingly cannibalized his friend for magical empowerment) and the invasive control over Hodor introduce elements that complicate this Good alignment.

As a Stark and a warg/greenseer, Bran is part of a lineage and faction that values honor and the protection of the realm. His abilities connect him to the ancient magic of the Children of the Forest, positioning him against the dark forces threatening Westeros. Yet, these powers come with ethical challenges not faced by ordinary humans, influencing his alignment towards a more chaotic interpretation of 'good'.

Bran Stark's current alignment as a blend of Chaotic Good reflects his transition from a boy bound by family and societal expectations to a powerful figure guided by personal ethics and the necessity of survival in a world replete with magic and moral ambiguity. His story, still unfolding, holds the potential for further analysis. Pride and Prophecy keeps an updated character alignment matrix across all planes of existence.

Bran's Trophy Case

PPET Rankings

Season	Rank
2 (2024-2025)	TBD (of 204)

Overall Conclusion on Bran Stark and Position Across Planes of Existence

Bran Stark's journey positions him as a character of significant but not supreme power within the context of all fantasy universes. His current rating of 6.4 reflects his above-average abilities, primarily derived from his development as a greenseer and warg, but also acknowledges that he has not yet reached the full potential that his trajectory implies.

Bran’s power primarily stems from his supernatural abilities. As a warg, he can enter the minds of animals, and most controversially, humans (specifically Hodor), which is a rare and powerful ability in his universe. As a greenseer, his capabilities extend to visions of the past, present, and potentially future, along with an emerging connection to nature and the magical elements of the world through the weirwood networks. These abilities grant him significant informational advantage and influence, essential for strategic positioning in both defense and manipulation of events.

When placed against characters from broader fantasy literature, Bran's abilities are unique but not unparalleled. Characters in high fantasy settings like those found in The Wheel of Time, The Malazan Book of the Fallen, or The Lord of the Rings exhibit often more direct and grand-scale magical powers affecting entire armies or countries. Bran's power, while profound, is more subtle and less direct in comparison, focusing on espionage and knowledge rather than overt physical or magical dominance.

Bran is still maturing in his powers, and the narrative suggests a significant untapped potential. The tutelage under the Three-Eyed Raven hints at the possibility of Bran evolving into one of the most powerful characters within his own universe. The cryptic suggestion that “he will fly” and his increasing abilities suggest an ascent to a possibly unprecedented level of influence and ability by the series' conclusion.

His journey also encompasses profound ethical dilemmas, notably his invasion of Hodor’s autonomy and the darker implications of greenseeing and potential future actions (such as the speculated "Jojen paste"). These aspects introduce a complexity to his character that might enhance or limit his growth, depending on the moral choices he faces and the consequences thereof.

Bran’s narrative arc is crucial, not merely for his character development but for the overarching plot of the series. His unique blend of mystical insight positions him as a pivotal player in the anticipated conflicts, possibly affecting outcomes across the entire realm.

Bran's current ranking as a 6.4 reflects his potent yet nascent abilities and his crucial role in the unfolding narrative. However, with two books potentially remaining, Bran stands on the precipice of becoming a central figure whose powers could redefine his ranking amongst fantasy characters. His growth from a young boy with a penchant for climbing to a possibly pivotal magical figure encapsulates a journey of both power acquisition and profound personal transformation. Pride and Prophecy keeps an updated power ranking across all planes of existence. This will only be sortable on desktop viewing. The below table shows a summary within the same plane of existence of this article.