Game Of Thrones: Every Hand Of The King, Ranked

Qyburn may not seem like the best Hand when you first think of it, but that’s only because he spent his time serving one of the series’ main villains.

His time as Hand came when there was less political intrigue and more warfare, but even with that counting against him, he’s the clear standout.

It’s difficult to think of Qyburn ever making a mistake. His death came when foolishly trying to put himself between the Mountain and something the Mountain wanted, but other than that he was a pretty astute operator.

He built Jamie’s hand (though this was prior to him becoming Hand), resurrected the Mountain and played a part in the Scorpion bolts. Cersei owed him for a lot more than just his wise counsel.

It would be wrong to say that he wasn’t self-serving, but he’s not the sycophant that Mace Tyrell and Maester Pycelle were either. He wants the Queen’s favour, but he works for it. His schemes are all for her gain, his work all in her service.

On the right side of history, he would have been one of the show’s greatest heroes. As it stands, he’ll have to settle for being the best Hand the series ever knew.