D&D General Fighters of Fantasy Literature - Tier List and Ranking! (Vote once per day through February 14th).

[Lanefan]

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Robin Hood (Anon)
Little John (Anon) —— Moved down for dirty trick to try and make him top of the tier. @Lanefan
Morley Dotes (Cook)

Two things:

1 - seeing as how the OP has used the same "dirty trick" a few times I consider it fair game (Edit to add: see post 36 re Robin Hood for an example)
2 - your move here saves me from doing it later; he's now right where he should be, slotted in just behind Robin Hood.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Tier 4 - Masters of the World
Fingolfin (Tolkien)
Ecthelion (Tolkien)
Glorfindel (Tolkien)
Gil-Galad (Tolkien)
Icarium (Erikson)
John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom (Burroughs)
Elric of Melnibone (Moorcock)
Culain Lord of the Lance (Gemmell)
Erekose (Moorcock)
Cohen the Barbarian (Pratchett)
Kane (Wagner)
Gilgamesh the King (anon)

Tier 3 - Masters of the Realm
Hurin (Tolkien)
Corwin of Amber (Zelazny)
Conan (Howard)
Aragorn (Tolkien)
Mandorallen (Eddings)
Al'lan Mandragoran (Jordan)
Drizzt Do'Urden (Salvatore)
Croaker (Cook)
Adolin Kholin (Sanderson)
Beowulf (Anon)
Druss the Legend (Gemmell)
Matt Cawthorn (Jordan)
Galad Damodred (Jordan)
Beren (Tolkien)
Lancelot du Lac (Anon)

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Robin Hood (Anon)
Morley Dotes (Cook)
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Moon)
Little John (Anon) <- moved down for cheating. This guy is a local hero at best.
Aillas of Troicinet (Vance)
Legolas (Tolkien)
Gimli (Tolkien)
Brienne of Tarth (Martin)
Fafhrd (Leiber)
Jaime Lannister (Martin)
Bard (Tolkien)
Bronn of the Blackwater (Martin)
Joscelin Verreuil (Carey)
Groo the Wanderer (Aragonés and Evanier)
Geralt of Rivia (Sapkowski)
Bragi Ragnarson (Cook)
Boromir (Tolkein)
Carrot Ironfoundersson (Pratchett)
Eowyn (Tolkien) <- moved up a tier

Tier 1 - Local Heroes
Jean Tannen (Lynch)
Eomer (Tolkien)
Cugel the Clever (Vance)
Merry (Tolkien)
Samwise the Brave (Tolkien)
Faramir (Tolkien)

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Two things:

1 - seeing as how the OP has used the same "dirty trick" a few times I consider it fair game (Edit to add: see post 36 re Robin Hood for an example)
2 - your move here saves me from doing it later; he's now right where he should be, slotted in just behind Robin Hood.

None of the "merry men" are in the same league as Robin himself.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Does Mouser count enough to be on a fighter list (world's greatest swordsman)? Or is he to much a thief? 1e Deities and Demigods has him as Figher 11 / Magic User 3 / Thief 15

I would stat him as an arcane trickster or swashbuckler with magic initiate feat in 5e. 1st edition had a lot fewer options without multiclassing.

I discounted Sir Samuel Vimes as his fighting style is basically rogue.

 

[TheSword]

Tier 4 - Masters of the World
Fingolfin (Tolkien)
Ecthelion (Tolkien)
Glorfindel (Tolkien)
Gil-Galad (Tolkien)
Icarium (Erikson)
John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom (Burroughs)
Elric of Melnibone (Moorcock)
Culain Lord of the Lance (Gemmell)
Erekose (Moorcock)
Cohen the Barbarian (Pratchett)
Kane (Wagner)
Gilgamesh the King (anon)

Tier 3 - Masters of the Realm
Hurin (Tolkien)
Corwin of Amber (Zelazny)
Conan (Howard)
Aragorn (Tolkien)
Al'lan Mandragoran (Jordan) <—-moved up one.
Mandorallen (Eddings)
Drizzt Do'Urden (Salvatore)
Croaker (Cook)
Adolin Kholin (Sanderson)
Beowulf (Anon)
Matt Cawthorn (Jordan) <——Glaive wielding, quarterstaff humbling, master tactician. Moved up one.
Druss the Legend (Gemmell)
Galad Damodred (Jordan)
Beren (Tolkien)
Lancelot du Lac (Anon)

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Robin Hood (Anon)
Morley Dotes (Cook)
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Moon)
Little John (Anon)
Aillas of Troicinet (Vance)
Legolas (Tolkien)
Gimli (Tolkien)
Brienne of Tarth (Martin)
Fafhrd (Leiber)
Jaime Lannister (Martin)
Bard (Tolkien)
Bronn of the Blackwater (Martin)
Joscelin Verreuil (Carey)
Groo the Wanderer (Aragonés and Evanier)
Geralt of Rivia (Sapkowski)
Bragi Ragnarson (Cook)
Boromir (Tolkein)
Carrot Ironfoundersson (Pratchett)
Eowyn (Tolkien)

Tier 1 - Local Heroes
Jean Tannen (Lynch)
Eomer (Tolkien)
Cugel the Clever (Vance)
Merry (Tolkien)
Samwise the Brave (Tolkien)
Faramir (Tolkien)

 

[Mannahnin]

Does Mouser count enough to be on a fighter list (world's greatest swordsman)? Or is he to much a thief? 1e Deities and Demigods has him as Figher 11 / Magic User 3 / Thief 15

He's a bit of a dilemma, which is why I delayed on adding him and Fafhrd. Leiber, IIRC, describes the two as the two greatest swordsmen in the multiverse, but I don't think we're bound to those levels of hyperbole when comparing heroes from different authors. And of course he and Cugel are the two original models for the Thief.

I do think he belongs. He's absolutely an example of a Fighting Man as Gygax originally conceived the class.

I would stat him as an arcane trickster or swashbuckler with magic initiate feat in 5e. 1st edition had a lot fewer options without multiclassing.

In 1st edition he definitely seems like exactly the kind of thing Gary created The Character With Two Classes (colloquially known as dual classing) to cover. 1st level M-U, all the rest Thief. Though this doesn't do justice to his fighting ability, as the Deities & Demigods writeup attests.

 

[Mannahnin]

Tier 4 - Masters of the World
Fingolfin (Tolkien)
Ecthelion (Tolkien)
Glorfindel (Tolkien)
Gil-Galad (Tolkien)
Icarium (Erikson)
John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom (Burroughs)
Elric of Melnibone (Moorcock)
Culain Lord of the Lance (Gemmell)
Erekose (Moorcock)
Cohen the Barbarian (Pratchett)
Kane (Wagner)
Gilgamesh the King (anon)

Tier 3 - Masters of the Realm
Hurin (Tolkien)
Corwin of Amber (Zelazny)
Conan (Howard)
Aragorn (Tolkien)
Al'lan Mandragoran (Jordan)
Mandorallen (Eddings)
Drizzt Do'Urden (Salvatore)
Croaker (Cook)
Adolin Kholin (Sanderson)
Beowulf (Anon)
Matt Cawthorn (Jordan)
Druss the Legend (Gemmell)
Galad Damodred (Jordan)
Beren (Tolkien)
Lancelot du Lac (Anon)

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Robin Hood (Anon)
Morley Dotes (Cook)
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Moon)
Aillas of Troicinet (Vance)
Little John (Anon) - Moved down. Definitely more of a local hero. Very human scale.
Legolas (Tolkien)
Gimli (Tolkien)
Fafhrd (Leiber) - Moved up. He and the mouser are supposed to be two of the greatest swordsmen in the multiverse.
Brienne of Tarth (Martin)
Jaime Lannister (Martin)
Bard (Tolkien)
Bronn of the Blackwater (Martin)
Joscelin Verreuil (Carey)
Groo the Wanderer (Aragonés and Evanier)
Geralt of Rivia (Sapkowski)
Bragi Ragnarson (Cook)
Boromir (Tolkein)
Carrot Ironfoundersson (Pratchett)
Eowyn (Tolkien)

Tier 1 - Local Heroes
Jean Tannen (Lynch)
Eomer (Tolkien)
Cugel the Clever (Vance)
Merry (Tolkien)
Samwise the Brave (Tolkien)
Faramir (Tolkien)

 

[TheSword]

Tier 4 - Masters of the World
Fingolfin (Tolkien)
Ecthelion (Tolkien)
Glorfindel (Tolkien)
Gil-Galad (Tolkien)
Icarium (Erikson)
John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom (Burroughs)
Elric of Melnibone (Moorcock)
Culain Lord of the Lance (Gemmell)
Erekose (Moorcock)
Cohen the Barbarian (Pratchett)
Kane (Wagner)
Gilgamesh the King (anon)

Tier 3 - Masters of the Realm
Hurin (Tolkien)
Corwin of Amber (Zelazny)
Conan (Howard)
Al'lan Mandragoran (Jordan) - Moved up. He’s basically a beefed up Aragorn.
Aragorn (Tolkien)
Mandorallen (Eddings)
Drizzt Do'Urden (Salvatore)
Croaker (Cook)
Adolin Kholin (Sanderson)
Beowulf (Anon)
Matt Cawthorn (Jordan)
Druss the Legend (Gemmell)
Galad Damodred (Jordan)
Beren (Tolkien)
Lancelot du Lac (Anon)

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Robin Hood (Anon)
Morley Dotes (Cook)
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Moon)
Aillas of Troicinet (Vance)
Little John (Anon)
Legolas (Tolkien)
Gimli (Tolkien)
Fafhrd (Leiber)
Jaime Lannister (Martin) —— moved up. Pre hand.
Brienne of Tarth (Martin)
Bard (Tolkien)
Bronn of the Blackwater (Martin)
Joscelin Verreuil (Carey)
Groo the Wanderer (Aragonés and Evanier)
Geralt of Rivia (Sapkowski)
Bragi Ragnarson (Cook)
Boromir (Tolkein)
Carrot Ironfoundersson (Pratchett)
Eowyn (Tolkien)

Tier 1 - Local Heroes
Jean Tannen (Lynch)
Eomer (Tolkien)
Cugel the Clever (Vance)
Merry (Tolkien)
Samwise the Brave (Tolkien)
Faramir (Tolkien)

 

[Mannahnin]

Tier 4 - Masters of the World
Fingolfin (Tolkien)
Ecthelion (Tolkien)
Glorfindel (Tolkien)
Gil-Galad (Tolkien)
Icarium (Erikson)
John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom (Burroughs)
Elric of Melnibone (Moorcock)
Culain Lord of the Lance (Gemmell)
Erekose (Moorcock)
Cohen the Barbarian (Pratchett)
Kane (Wagner)
Gilgamesh the King (anon)

Tier 3 - Masters of the Realm
Hurin (Tolkien)
Corwin of Amber (Zelazny)
Conan (Howard)
Al'lan Mandragoran (Jordan)
Aragorn (Tolkien)
Mandorallen (Eddings)
Drizzt Do'Urden (Salvatore)
Croaker (Cook)
Adolin Kholin (Sanderson)
Beowulf (Anon)
Matt Cawthorn (Jordan)
Druss the Legend (Gemmell)
Galad Damodred (Jordan)
Beren (Tolkien)
Lancelot du Lac (Anon)

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Robin Hood (Anon)
Morley Dotes (Cook)
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Moon)
Aillas of Troicinet (Vance)
Legolas (Tolkien)
Gimli (Tolkien)
Little John (Anon) - Down two. Still closer to a local hero.
Fafhrd (Leiber)
Jaime Lannister *uninjured (Martin)
Brienne of Tarth (Martin)
Bard (Tolkien)
Bronn of the Blackwater (Martin)
Joscelin Verreuil (Carey)
Groo the Wanderer (Aragonés and Evanier)
Geralt of Rivia (Sapkowski)
Bragi Ragnarson (Cook)
Boromir (Tolkien)
Carrot Ironfoundersson (Pratchett)
Eowyn (Tolkien)

Tier 1 - Local Heroes
Jean Tannen (Lynch)
Eomer (Tolkien)
Cugel the Clever (Vance)
Merry (Tolkien)
Samwise the Brave (Tolkien)
Faramir (Tolkien)

 

[Cadence]

Tier 4 - Masters of the World
Fingolfin (Tolkien)
Ecthelion (Tolkien)
Glorfindel (Tolkien)
Gil-Galad (Tolkien)
Icarium (Erikson)
Elric of Melnibone (Moorcock)
John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom (Burroughs)
Culain Lord of the Lance (Gemmell)
Erekose (Moorcock)
Cohen the Barbarian (Pratchett)
Kane (Wagner)
Gilgamesh the King (anon)

Tier 3 - Masters of the Realm
Hurin (Tolkien)
Corwin of Amber (Zelazny)
Conan (Howard)
Al'lan Mandragoran (Jordan)
Aragorn (Tolkien)
Mandorallen (Eddings)
Drizzt Do'Urden (Salvatore)
Croaker (Cook)
Adolin Kholin (Sanderson)
Beowulf (Anon)
Matt Cawthorn (Jordan)
Druss the Legend (Gemmell)
Galad Damodred (Jordan)
Beren (Tolkien)
Lancelot du Lac (Anon)

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Mouser (Leiber) - in and moved down, he's supposed to be the best swordsman, but... ?
Robin Hood (Anon)
Morley Dotes (Cook)
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Moon)
Aillas of Troicinet (Vance)
Legolas (Tolkien)
Gimli (Tolkien)
Jaime Lannister *uninjured (Martin)
Fafhrd (Leiber)
Little John (Anon) - down again
Brienne of Tarth (Martin)
Bard (Tolkien)
Bronn of the Blackwater (Martin)
Joscelin Verreuil (Carey)
Groo the Wanderer (Aragonés and Evanier)
Geralt of Rivia (Sapkowski)
Bragi Ragnarson (Cook)
Boromir (Tolkien)
Carrot Ironfoundersson (Pratchett)
Eowyn (Tolkien)

Tier 1 - Local Heroes
Jean Tannen (Lynch)
Eomer (Tolkien)
Cugel the Clever (Vance)
Merry (Tolkien)
Samwise the Brave (Tolkien)
Faramir (Tolkien)

 

[TheSword]

Tier 4 - Masters of the World
Fingolfin (Tolkien)
Ecthelion (Tolkien)
Glorfindel (Tolkien)
Gil-Galad (Tolkien)
Icarium (Erikson)
Elric of Melnibone (Moorcock)
John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom (Burroughs)
Culain Lord of the Lance (Gemmell)
Erekose (Moorcock)
Cohen the Barbarian (Pratchett)
Kane (Wagner)
Gilgamesh the King (anon)

Tier 3 - Masters of the Realm
Hurin (Tolkien)
Corwin of Amber (Zelazny)
Conan (Howard) ——— had to move up aswell, because… well… it’s Conan and as much as I rate Lan, he’s not Conan.
Al'lan Mandragoran (Jordan) ——— moved up because I love him.
Aragorn (Tolkien)
Mandorallen (Eddings)
Drizzt Do'Urden (Salvatore)
Croaker (Cook)
Adolin Kholin (Sanderson)
Beowulf (Anon)
Matt Cawthorn (Jordan)
Druss the Legend (Gemmell)
Galad Damodred (Jordan)
Beren (Tolkien)
Lancelot du Lac (Anon)

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Mouser (Leiber)
Robin Hood (Anon)
Morley Dotes (Cook)
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Moon)
Aillas of Troicinet (Vance)
Legolas (Tolkien)
Gimli (Tolkien)
Jaime Lannister *uninjured (Martin)
Fafhrd (Leiber)
Little John (Anon)
Brienne of Tarth (Martin)
Bard (Tolkien)
Bronn of the Blackwater (Martin)
Joscelin Verreuil (Carey)
Groo the Wanderer (Aragonés and Evanier)
Geralt of Rivia (Sapkowski)
Bragi Ragnarson (Cook)
Boromir (Tolkien)
Carrot Ironfoundersson (Pratchett)
Eowyn (Tolkien)

Tier 1 - Local Heroes
Jean Tannen (Lynch)
Eomer (Tolkien)
Cugel the Clever (Vance)
Merry (Tolkien)
Samwise the Brave (Tolkien)
Faramir (Tolkien)

 

[TheSword]

I bet the list of wizards wouldn’t be so rich and full!

“Lack of Narrative Control” never stopped this lot. I’m not sure any of them could fly either.

 

[Cadence]

Tier 4 - Masters of the World
Fingolfin (Tolkien)
Ecthelion (Tolkien)
Glorfindel (Tolkien)
Gil-Galad (Tolkien)
Icarium (Erikson)
Elric of Melnibone (Moorcock)
John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom (Burroughs)
Culain Lord of the Lance (Gemmell)
Erekose (Moorcock)
Cohen the Barbarian (Pratchett)
Kane (Wagner)
Gilgamesh the King (anon)

Tier 3 - Masters of the Realm
Hurin (Tolkien)
Corwin of Amber (Zelazny)
Conan (Howard)
Al'lan Mandragoran (Jordan)
Aragorn (Tolkien)
Mandorallen (Eddings)
Drizzt Do'Urden (Salvatore)
Croaker (Cook)
Adolin Kholin (Sanderson)
Beowulf (Anon)
Matt Cawthorn (Jordan)
Druss the Legend (Gemmell)
Galad Damodred (Jordan)
Beren (Tolkien)
Lancelot du Lac (Anon)

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Mouser (Leiber)
Robin Hood (Anon)
Morley Dotes (Cook)
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Moon)
Aillas of Troicinet (Vance)
Legolas (Tolkien)
Gimli (Tolkien)
Fafhrd (Leiber) <- Moved up
Jaime Lannister *uninjured (Martin)
Brienne of Tarth (Martin)
Little John (Anon) <- Moved Down
Bard (Tolkien)
Bronn of the Blackwater (Martin)
Joscelin Verreuil (Carey)
Groo the Wanderer (Aragonés and Evanier)
Geralt of Rivia (Sapkowski)
Bragi Ragnarson (Cook)
Boromir (Tolkien)
Carrot Ironfoundersson (Pratchett)
Eowyn (Tolkien)

Tier 1 - Local Heroes
Jean Tannen (Lynch)
Eomer (Tolkien)
Cugel the Clever (Vance)
Merry (Tolkien)
Samwise the Brave (Tolkien)
Faramir (Tolkien)

 

[Mannahnin]

Tier 4 - Masters of the World
Fingolfin (Tolkien)
Ecthelion (Tolkien)
Glorfindel (Tolkien)
Gil-Galad (Tolkien)
Icarium (Erikson)
Elric of Melnibone (Moorcock)
John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom (Burroughs)
Culain Lord of the Lance (Gemmell)
Erekose (Moorcock)
Cohen the Barbarian (Pratchett)
Kane (Wagner)
Gilgamesh the King (anon)

Tier 3 - Masters of the Realm
Hurin (Tolkien)
Corwin of Amber (Zelazny)
Conan (Howard)
Al'lan Mandragoran (Jordan)
Aragorn (Tolkien)
Mandorallen (Eddings)
Drizzt Do'Urden (Salvatore)
Croaker (Cook)
Adolin Kholin (Sanderson)
Beowulf (Anon)
Druss the Legend (Gemmell) <- Moved up
Matt Cawthorn (Jordan)
Galad Damodred (Jordan)
Beren (Tolkien)
Lancelot du Lac (Anon)

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Mouser (Leiber)
Robin Hood (Anon)
Morley Dotes (Cook)
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Moon)
Aillas of Troicinet (Vance)
Legolas (Tolkien)
Gimli (Tolkien)
Fafhrd (Leiber)
Jaime Lannister *uninjured (Martin)
Brienne of Tarth (Martin)
Bard (Tolkien)
Little John (Anon) <- Moved Down
Bronn of the Blackwater (Martin)
Joscelin Verreuil (Carey)
Groo the Wanderer (Aragonés and Evanier)
Geralt of Rivia (Sapkowski)
Bragi Ragnarson (Cook)
Boromir (Tolkien)
Carrot Ironfoundersson (Pratchett)
Eowyn (Tolkien)

Tier 1 - Local Heroes
Jean Tannen (Lynch)
Eomer (Tolkien)
Cugel the Clever (Vance)
Merry (Tolkien)
Samwise the Brave (Tolkien)
Faramir (Tolkien)

 

[Dioltach]

Tier 4 - Masters of the World
Fingolfin (Tolkien)
Ecthelion (Tolkien)
Glorfindel (Tolkien)
Gil-Galad (Tolkien)
Icarium (Erikson)
Elric of Melnibone (Moorcock)
John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom (Burroughs)
Culain Lord of the Lance (Gemmell)
Erekose (Moorcock)
Cohen the Barbarian (Pratchett)
Kane (Wagner)
Gilgamesh the King (anon)

Tier 3 - Masters of the Realm
Hurin (Tolkien)
Corwin of Amber (Zelazny)
Conan (Howard)
Al'lan Mandragoran (Jordan)
Aragorn (Tolkien)
Mandorallen (Eddings)
Drizzt Do'Urden (Salvatore)
Croaker (Cook)
Beowulf (Anon) <- Moved up
Adolin Kholin (Sanderson)
Druss the Legend (Gemmell)
Matt Cawthorn (Jordan)
Galad Damodred (Jordan)
Beren (Tolkien)
Lancelot du Lac (Anon)
Logen Ninefingers, the Bloody-Nine (Abercrombie) <- Added: he's undefeated in twelve duels, merely imitating his laugh can cause enemies to flee a battlefield

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Mouser (Leiber)
Robin Hood (Anon)
Morley Dotes (Cook)
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Moon)
Aillas of Troicinet (Vance)
Legolas (Tolkien)
Gimli (Tolkien)
Fafhrd (Leiber)
Jaime Lannister *uninjured (Martin)
Brienne of Tarth (Martin)
Bard (Tolkien)
Little John (Anon)
Bronn of the Blackwater (Martin)
Joscelin Verreuil (Carey)
Groo the Wanderer (Aragonés and Evanier)
Geralt of Rivia (Sapkowski)
Bragi Ragnarson (Cook)
Boromir (Tolkien)
Carrot Ironfoundersson (Pratchett)
Eowyn (Tolkien)
Domovoi Butler (Colfer) <- Added: feared and respected by the people who know, and took out a troll in hand-to-hand combat

Tier 1 - Local Heroes
Jean Tannen (Lynch)
Eomer (Tolkien)
Cugel the Clever (Vance)
Merry (Tolkien)
Samwise the Brave (Tolkien)
Faramir (Tolkien)

 

[TheSword]

Tier 4 - Masters of the World
Fingolfin (Tolkien)
Ecthelion (Tolkien)
Glorfindel (Tolkien)
Gil-Galad (Tolkien)
Icarium (Erikson)
Elric of Melnibone (Moorcock)
John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom (Burroughs)
Culain Lord of the Lance (Gemmell)
Erekose (Moorcock)
Cohen the Barbarian (Pratchett)
Kane (Wagner)
Gilgamesh the King (anon)

Tier 3 - Masters of the Realm
Hurin (Tolkien)
Corwin of Amber (Zelazny)
Conan (Howard)
Al'lan Mandragoran (Jordan)
Aragorn (Tolkien)
Mandorallen (Eddings)
Drizzt Do'Urden (Salvatore)
Croaker (Cook)
Beowulf (Anon) <- Moved up
Adolin Kholin (Sanderson)
Druss the Legend (Gemmell)
Matt Cawthorn (Jordan)
Galad Damodred (Jordan)
Beren (Tolkien)
Lancelot du Lac (Anon)
Logen Ninefingers, the Bloody-Nine (Abercrombie)

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Mouser (Leiber)
Robin Hood (Anon)
Morley Dotes (Cook)
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Moon)
Aillas of Troicinet (Vance)
Legolas (Tolkien)
Gimli (Tolkien)
Jaime Lannister *uninjured (Martin) —— Before the injury he was damned good.
Fafhrd (Leiber)
Brienne of Tarth (Martin)
Bard (Tolkien)
Little John (Anon)
Bronn of the Blackwater (Martin)
Joscelin Verreuil (Carey)
Geralt of Rivia (Sapkowski) ——- He’s a decent warrior. Deserves higher.
Groo the Wanderer (Aragonés and Evanier)
Bragi Ragnarson (Cook)
Boromir (Tolkien)
Carrot Ironfoundersson (Pratchett)
Eowyn (Tolkien)
Domovoi Butler (Colfer)

Tier 1 - Local Heroes
Jean Tannen (Lynch)
Eomer (Tolkien)
Cugel the Clever (Vance)
Merry (Tolkien)
Samwise the Brave (Tolkien)
Faramir (Tolkien)

 

[TheSword]

Tier 4 - Masters of the World
Fingolfin (Tolkien)
Ecthelion (Tolkien)
Glorfindel (Tolkien)
Gil-Galad (Tolkien)
Icarium (Erikson)
Elric of Melnibone (Moorcock)
John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom (Burroughs)
Culain Lord of the Lance (Gemmell)
Erekose (Moorcock)
Cohen the Barbarian (Pratchett)
Kane (Wagner)
Gilgamesh the King (anon)

Tier 3 - Masters of the Realm
Hurin (Tolkien)
Corwin of Amber (Zelazny)
Conan (Howard)
Al'lan Mandragoran (Jordan)
Aragorn (Tolkien)
Mandorallen (Eddings)
Drizzt Do'Urden (Salvatore)
Croaker (Cook)
Beowulf (Anon) <- Moved up
Adolin Kholin (Sanderson)
Druss the Legend (Gemmell)
Matt Cawthorn (Jordan)
Galad Damodred (Jordan)
Beren (Tolkien)
Lancelot du Lac (Anon)
Logen Ninefingers, the Bloody-Nine (Abercrombie)

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Mouser (Leiber)
Robin Hood (Anon)
Morley Dotes (Cook)
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Moon)
Aillas of Troicinet (Vance)
Legolas (Tolkien)
Gimli (Tolkien)
Jaime Lannister *uninjured (Martin)
Fafhrd (Leiber)
Brienne of Tarth (Martin)
Bard (Tolkien)
Little John (Anon)
Geralt of Rivia (Sapkowski) —— moved up. He’s a Witcher.
Bronn of the Blackwater (Martin) —— moved down. He’s not a Witcher.
Joscelin Verreuil (Carey)
Groo the Wanderer (Aragonés and Evanier)
Bragi Ragnarson (Cook)
Boromir (Tolkien)
Carrot Ironfoundersson (Pratchett)
Eowyn (Tolkien)
Domovoi Butler (Colfer)

Tier 1 - Local Heroes
Jean Tannen (Lynch)
Eomer (Tolkien)
Cugel the Clever (Vance)
Merry (Tolkien)
Samwise the Brave (Tolkien)
Faramir (Tolkien)

 

[Thunderfoot]

I would vote to add The Grey Mouser to the list because while both he and Fafhrd are thieves they are also swordsmen beyond equal. Also I would vote to move them up since in the later tales it is obvious they have moved through time and among worlds and are still among the very best.

Also Kvothe (Rothfuss) is the best of his realm (also a mage but the man kicks bootay as a swordsman).

I also nominate General Badaxe as a Realm hero from the Myth Adventure series (Asprin)

 

[Ixal]

Tier 4 - Masters of the World
Fingolfin (Tolkien)
Ecthelion (Tolkien)
Glorfindel (Tolkien)
Gil-Galad (Tolkien)
Icarium (Erikson)
Elric of Melnibone (Moorcock)
John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom (Burroughs)
Culain Lord of the Lance (Gemmell)
Erekose (Moorcock)
Cohen the Barbarian (Pratchett)
Kane (Wagner)
Gilgamesh the King (anon)

Tier 3 - Masters of the Realm
Hurin (Tolkien)
Corwin of Amber (Zelazny)
Conan (Howard)
Al'lan Mandragoran (Jordan)
Aragorn (Tolkien)
Mandorallen (Eddings)
Drizzt Do'Urden (Salvatore)
Croaker (Cook)
Beowulf (Anon) <- Moved up
Adolin Kholin (Sanderson)
Druss the Legend (Gemmell)
Matt Cawthorn (Jordan)
Galad Damodred (Jordan)
Beren (Tolkien)
Lancelot du Lac (Anon)
Logen Ninefingers, the Bloody-Nine (Abercrombie)
Achilles (Homer) -- added
Hector (Homer) -- added

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Mouser (Leiber)
Robin Hood (Anon)
Morley Dotes (Cook)
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Moon)
Aillas of Troicinet (Vance)
Legolas (Tolkien)
Gimli (Tolkien)
Jaime Lannister *uninjured (Martin)
Fafhrd (Leiber)
Brienne of Tarth (Martin)
Bard (Tolkien)
Little John (Anon)
Geralt of Rivia (Sapkowski)
Bronn of the Blackwater (Martin)
Joscelin Verreuil (Carey)
Groo the Wanderer (Aragonés and Evanier)
Bragi Ragnarson (Cook)
Boromir (Tolkien)
Carrot Ironfoundersson (Pratchett)
Eowyn (Tolkien)
Domovoi Butler (Colfer)

Tier 1 - Local Heroes
Jean Tannen (Lynch)
Eomer (Tolkien)
Cugel the Clever (Vance)
Merry (Tolkien)
Samwise the Brave (Tolkien)
Faramir (Tolkien)

 

[TheSword]

Tier 4 - Masters of the World
Fingolfin (Tolkien)
Ecthelion (Tolkien)
Glorfindel (Tolkien)
Gil-Galad (Tolkien)
Icarium (Erikson)
Elric of Melnibone (Moorcock)
John Carter, Warlord of Barsoom (Burroughs)
Culain Lord of the Lance (Gemmell)
Erekose (Moorcock)
Cohen the Barbarian (Pratchett)
Kane (Wagner)
Gilgamesh the King (anon)

Tier 3 - Masters of the Realm
Hurin (Tolkien)
Corwin of Amber (Zelazny)
Conan (Howard)
Al'lan Mandragoran (Jordan)
Aragorn (Tolkien)
Mandorallen (Eddings)
Drizzt Do'Urden (Salvatore)
Croaker (Cook)
Beowulf (Anon) <- Moved up
Adolin Kholin (Sanderson)
Druss the Legend (Gemmell)
Matt Cawthorn (Jordan)
Galad Damodred (Jordan)
Beren (Tolkien)
Lancelot du Lac (Anon)
Achilles (Homer) ———Moved up - a great addition
Logen Ninefingers, the Bloody-Nine (Abercrombie)
Hector (Homer)

Tier 2 - Heroes of the Realm
Mouser (Leiber)
Robin Hood (Anon)
Morley Dotes (Cook)
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Moon)
Aillas of Troicinet (Vance)
Legolas (Tolkien)
Gimli (Tolkien)
Jaime Lannister *uninjured (Martin)
Fafhrd (Leiber)
Brienne of Tarth (Martin)
Bard (Tolkien)
Geralt of Rivia (Sapkowski) ———— moved up
Little John (Anon)
Bronn of the Blackwater (Martin)
Joscelin Verreuil (Carey)
Groo the Wanderer (Aragonés and Evanier)
Bragi Ragnarson (Cook)
Boromir (Tolkien)
Carrot Ironfoundersson (Pratchett)
Eowyn (Tolkien)
Domovoi Butler (Colfer)

Tier 1 - Local Heroes
Jean Tannen (Lynch)
Eomer (Tolkien)
Cugel the Clever (Vance)
Merry (Tolkien)
Samwise the Brave (Tolkien)
Faramir (Tolkien)