Finally im not second on of your lists Nae'Blis.

Nynaeve is a great choice for #1. Notice how she is the one person that Rand always trusts 1) to complement him when he needs to combine with the female half of the source, knowing she'll figure out what's needed, and be steadfast and capable, 2) she sees things his way as to goals and priorities, and 3) Rand never once mistrusts her motives. That pair's relationship is my absolute favorite in the book - no romance needed!

Meh, Moiraine deserved a top ten spot more than Fain did. Other than that pretty good choices.

Nynaeve is my second favorite character only after Rand. While she's somewhat of an arrogant bully at the start of the series, she really becomes an amazing person by the end of it. She shares the single most monumental event of the series outside of Tarmon Gaidon with Rand, as she's the one person the Dragon Reborn trusted to share that with. She delivered the "will he ride alone?" speech. She's so far from perfect, and that's what makes her victories so satisfying.

No moraine hurts my soul

I almost thought you're number 1 was going to be Bela! I'm with you on Nynaeve. Well done ;)

I wish I should smash a LOVE button instead of just the like button! Nynaeve as the number nearly made me jump of off my office chair for joy! I love her character and I feel like she’s doesn’t get the fan love she desires, she goes misunderstood and that’s a damn shame. Nynaeve for best girl in all of fiction!

Love Nynaeve. I just wish she would have put Egwene back in her place.

10. Lan 9. al'Lan Mandragoran 8. King of Malkier 7. Nynaeve's husband 6. Lan 5. Moirane's first warder 4. Dai’Shan 3. Lan 2. Tai’Shar Malkier! 1. LAN!! **honorable mention - Mandarb

"Alternate WOT ending"?! I see what you did there Mr. Blis.

To consider a character change, you must consider what the character's thoughts and beliefs were about their world and environment, not simply circumstances. Mat's changing circumstances made him realize that while he has seen adventure, adventure isn't as glamorous or as fun as he originally thought. He learns that nobles aren't all bad, which is kind of a prejudice he holds earlier in the series. He forces others to look at things in a new way, because he is able to bridge the gap between the common folk and the high born. He also forces some stubborn women to learn to be more humble when he saves them and they fail to thank him time and again. Early in the series, Mat would skip responsibility if he could get away with it back in Emond's Field and he starts that way on the adventure, but he certainly takes it on less and less reluctantly. I think the major change is learning that adventure, heroes, and the world are not all that glamorous or fun. I also think obtaining the memories of great captains and fighters from ages past had an impact on him, but it's subtle. It's the difference between being a kid and growing up. On the surface, what we get, is the growth of Mat over time. Perrin and Rand change in much the same way, but their catalysts were much more dramatic than Mat's. Theirs felt to me scarier, while Mat's even though he's a leader in battle, seemed always to have an edge of fun, which is why I think you don't see the change.

I think you might be missing something about Fain. It seemed to me, with all Rand’s talk of destroying the Dark One, that Fain was being set up by the Pattern to “ascend” as a new DO since the pattern can’t survive without one. Once Rand settled one sealing and not destruction, and then did that, Fain was no longer needed in the Pattern. I think that was the reason he was ended so anti-climatically. That’s just my 2¢. Great video as always.

Nynaeve is my favorite character, followed by Verin I think. I also liked Pevara and Androl. Pevara was unusual for a red and Androl was uniquely powerful while still being weak. He also had a good head on his shoulders.

Plus #1 has one of the best, most tear filling, shout out “hell yeah” conversations in the books - Master Aldragoran? You were pointed out to me as a merchant with a wide correspondence by pigeon. How may I help you, Aes Sedai? You wish me to send a message for you via my pigeons? It will be my pleasure. A message to each merchant you correspond with. Tarmon Gai’don is coming soon. That is nothing to do with me, Aes Sedai. I’m a merchant. But I will send your message. Do you recognize this? (He gasps) I recognize it. My name is Nynaeve ti al’Meara Mandragoran. The message I want sent is this. My husband rides from World’s End toward Tarwin’s Gap, toward Tarmon Gai’don. Will he ride alone? (He trembles) I will send your message, my Lady, but it has nothing to do with me. I am a merchant. Malkier is dead. Dead, I tell you. Lan told me once that Malkier lives so long as one man wears the hadori in pledge that he will fight the shadow, so long as one woman wears the ki’sain in pledge that she will send her sons to fight the Shadow. I wear the ki’sain, Master Aldragoran. My husband wears the hadori. So do you. Will Lan Mandragoran ride to the Last Battle alone? (He starts laughing, shaking, crying) He will not, my Lady. I cannot stand surety for anyone else, but I swear to you under the Light and by my hope of rebirth and salvation, he will not ride alone. (She starts to turn away-) May I offer you wine, my Lady? My wife will want to meet you. Thank you, Master Aldragoran, but I have several more towns to visit today, and I must be back in Tear tonight. (He stares after her in confusion) (The room is silent) Well, Managan, Gorenellin, do you still remember who you are? Do you remember your blood? Who rides with me for Tarwin’s Gap? Managan: The Golden Crane flies for Tarmon Gai’don. Gorenellin: The Golden Crane flies for Tarmon Gai'don! (Aldragoran laughs) The Golden Crane flies for Tarmon Gai’don!

I just finished a memory of light and I love your videos, amazing work ! Nynaeve is also my favorite character and I'll definitely miss her ! Thanks for the great content ! :)

Birgitte and Matt are always my runaway two favorites. Imo no character has as strong a relationship between major characters that we actually get to see play put on page (instead of just hearing about) than Matrim Cauthon. He gets at least one major scene with just about every significant character besides Avienda (and even then we got a few minor scenes on thier way to Salidar just to kind of see how it plays out as well as her role in bringing Elayne around to met her debt to him and treat him better). If I had to create a list of my 10 favorite character interactions, Mat is easily in 6 of them.

This was so fun to watch! I love the system you came up with and your explanations for your rankings. I don’t think rand would be so high up on my list personally. I just feel like once we get past the beginning of the series I felt fairly distanced from him and like I didn’t understand him as well as I did the other characters. I loved who got your number 1 spot - wasn’t expecting that!

No Moiraine? Her character arc is amazing. Her role is crucial. Crucial! Her interactions with other characters is some of the best. Her exchanges with Thom in Tear remind me of Francie and John in To Catch A Thief. Her whole image is cool Aes Sedai control but she’s a puppet master riding a bull in a hurricane. She is THE best character in the series. Rand, Nyneave, Egwene, Perrin, Matt and even Thom not only wouldn’t be alive but would not be the people they became without her influence. With LAN’s input she showed them what was required of them at every level to survive and succeed. Great work on the list but I feel Moiraine has been slighted. You honestly think Fain is better than THE Aes Sedai? I find that staggering. The greatest servant the Westlands ever had. Anyway. It’s all just opinion. Love the channel Cheers

1. Matrim Cauthon 2. Rand al'Thor 3. Demandred (I know he has no PoV chapters but fighting him is what made Memory of Light so compelling for me) 4. Lan Mandragoran 5. Perrin Aybara 6. Moiraine Damodred 7. Rodel Ituralde 8. Thomdril Merrilin 9. Lanfear 10. Verin Mathwin Mine is pretty different from yours...

10.) Gaul 9.) Min Farshaw 8.) Moiraine Damodred 7.) Birgitte Trahelion 6.) Rodel Ituralde 5.) Verin Mathwin 4.) Rand al'Thor 3.) Perrin t'Aybara 2.) Nynaeve al'Meara 1.) Mat Cauthon

I was going to amend your list slightly and argue why Min was not on it but then you put my all time favorite at the top so I decided to let it go. ;-) As for her status as Aes Sedai, I almost feel she embidies the true intent of the role as "servant to all". I think she'll be vital in the restructuring of the channelers post MoL, when men can once again be allowed to channel openly without fear. Though I would say that Min and Nynaeve plays a big part in Rand not getting worse than he gets at the end.

Only recently discovered your channel. Great work man. This is probably the first of your lists I really disagree with completely, but it isn't suprising since most of this one is a matter of opinion. Perrin, for example, wouldn't even make my top 10. I do love Nynaeve at #1 though, love her character arc and development so much.

I love your videos man. I’ve been reading WOT for the past 12 years and it’s always good to see someone promoting the community.

I appreciate the GOT trolling in the background :-)

I disagree that Matt Cauthon doesn't change through the book. Matt learns responsibility through the series, he learns to care for others, he becomes less greedy, and much more cultured. His natural intelligence is gradually revealed through the series. I would consider Matt to be one of the most insightful in the series. He just keeps the best of it to himself. I struggle with Sanderson's interpretation . Matt may choose course language but there is never any written indication (except Sanderson's own) that Matt is illiterate. Matt even talks about his favourite books, not yo mention the memories of the extremely educated people he now has access to. I would accept a shifting writing style as he moved through different people's memories, much like he and Fain do in their speech.. Matt is very smart. Sanderson can't tell the difference between a Rogue and Imbecile.

Great list and video. Agree with most. I think Min was a better character, or at least just as good of a character as Aviendha, but I understand you had to make a list of 10 with soo many good characters. I would love to eventually see a video on Min's visions and what each one ended up meaning.

Your alternate ending board made me LOL so damn hard

I have no idea how I've missed this video? Thanks for a great video, Nynaeve is one of my absolute favorites too!

Ignoring everything else Mat was my favourite character. I always wanted to read more about him and yet he got less chapters than the rest. There is something about being morally that same country lad , albeit a rascal, thrown amongst danger, royalty, holders of magic and the fact that he stays himself that I love. He is a bad ass even when kinda freaking out. He kills very early on in the books and it doesn’t seem to weigh on him like it does Perrin and Rand. Plus, the amount of weird stuff that happens to him, his memories etc would generally mess someone up but he’s not very introspective so he just carries on. He saves Nynaeve and Egwene a few times and they never really thank him and still treat him like an idiot. Yet he loyally carries on doing it. I was disappointed in his relationship with Tuon. I wanted there to be a bit more love or more passion but it was more luck brought them together and kept them that way.

I cannot believe Perrin made the list. After his arc in going back to his village (in book 3 - I think?) he essentially became more and more of a love sick puppy until his sole motivation was his ridiculous toxic relationship with Faile. His arc went from a promising 10/10 to 2/10. From an interesting premise of a character, to a one-note overpowered bore. I cannot stress this enough, how Jordan romanticized his abusive, toxic relationship with Faile. Personal preference aside, he really is not original at all. He is a typical gentle giant blacksmith. Talking to wolves - again, how is that original exactly?

Glad to see Nynaeve at number 1. She is the Best!

Yes I agree, Nynaeve is intelligent, strong personality, brave, kind, firm, loyal, passionate. Explosive character, but honest and straight forward. Not afraid to show love to Len and all close and dear to her.

Mat evolved from a selfish child to a hero. Id say his arc was pretty significant. RJ definitely ran him through the gamut of tropes. It was great to see him start as an immature trickster, then evolve toqards that reluctant hero trope and then finally fall into that brilliant tactician and leader.

Fun list , like your reasoning behind character.. I disagreed with placement of some but thats the beauty of this series , so many characters , so much development , people will be naturally drawn to different characters. 10. Verin.. when she reveals herself to egwene is one of my favorite moments.. 9. Thom merrilin 8. Lan 7. Lanfear 6. Egwene, once shes in the white tower and her abilities suppressed yet still triumphs made me love her character and couldnt wait to get back to her. 5. Nynaeve . Haaaaaattted her the first third of this series and she slowly grew into one of my favorites. 4. Fain. I'm in the minority here but I liked his ending , looking unstoppable but something as simple as Matt being immune brings him down with ease. If he was the main antagonist I'd have been pissed but it's almost comical how easily he ended up being disposed of 3. Perrin never got bored with Perrin, I loved that even though rand is essentially a god , Perrin ends up becoming the most powerful character in the series with his master of the wolf dream. 2. Rand, his slow progressive dive Into insanity and his overcoming of it to become zen rand was beautiful. 1.Matt , I agree with your assessment on his growth as a character but outside the first 2 books there was noone I was more excited to get back to than matt the entire series.

Next Top Ten video: The 10 best things Mat does (but it has 300 entries)

Me at the beginning of the video: "I bet Nynaeve wins #1" Me when you announce Rand as #2: "Knew it!"😏

I'd still put Rand 1, but Nynaeve is an easy top two for me as well. I love her so bloody much. Light! I must say that she didn't reach such high esteem in my mind until at earliest my first reread. When you reread understanding who Nynaeve is and what her core motivations are it completely changes the way you perceive her. She stopped being annoying and was more humorous and relatable in the first half of the series. One significant thing I just realized is that Nynaeve and Rand brought me to tears, especially with audiobook rereads, more times than any other characters by quite a bit. Ok this is my 3rd edit, but I want to comment on the whole list too. For the most part I'd have all the same characters as you. Elan/Ishammael/Moridin would replace Graendal as my lone forsaken, and he may be a bit higher. Also, I may have to kick Aviendha out for Lan. Otherwise I think we have very similar perspectives.

I really appreciate that you not only went for who you liked best but used these categories. It's a great list imo (though it differs quite a bit from mine) and my first two are the same =P I loved how you described Nynaeve

great idea for the playlists!! im currently finishing the last book for the first time

rewatched, one of your best works

The “Alternate Wheel of Time Ending” whiteboard in the background is so meta and funny because for someone who doesn’t get the joke it must sound like complete nonsense.

I totally agree with you about the breaking the seals thing between Egwene and Rand it was the one thing about her that felt inconsistent to me too!

An Aviendha question and comment: 1. What will she do with the unexpected doting servant acquired during the Last Battle as a results of the Compulsion Rebound? 2. NB. If her children were conceived after Rand's body swop then genetically they will not be related to Elaine's children by Rand. The same will apply to any children had by Min.

Great list! This really made me want to reread the series... so many great characters, and Nynaeve might be my favorite fictional character of all time.

Blood and bloody ashes Perrin before Mat!!! I´m gonna riot! Edit: Good, my queen is on the top!!!!

I always felt the love story between Nyneave and Lan to be very forced. "I love you." "I can't love you" "you saved my life, let's get married!" "Kay."

Love that Nynaeve is number 1 - she has always been my absolute favourite character and I can't wait to see how she is portrayed in the TV series. Great list :)

Had to pause the video to say I completely agree about Verin. I roleplayed an Aes Sedai for a while in Second Life, way back when I think, only through book 5 was out, and played a member of the brown solely because, even then, Verin was an intriguing character. Back to watching.

I totally agree with you concerning Verin, Perrin and Egwene.

How RJ/Sanderson wrapped up Fain's plot line was absolutely frustrating. So much potential to end in such a weak way.

1: Mat 2: Mat 3: Mat 4: Mat 5: Mat 6: Mat 7: Mat 8: Mat 9: Mat 10: Mat

Great list. I would have included an allegorical category though. Like Mat's "a guy could get killed in there" or Rand's "death is lighter than a feather, but duty is heavier than a mountain". Just 5 points though or Lini might tie with Siuan and beat the best characters.

Haven't even watched yet and expecting heated debate... creating good characters was one of Jordan's deepest strengths imo.... even minor characters, like the frog faced Simion, who's brother was lostt to the wolves in The Dragon Reborn was well written and interesting.... as minor a character as there is... Yet still a good, distinct, well written character. Good characters are arguably what Jordan did best.

Nae'blis you don't know how much I believe in your character assessment!! I would definitely put nynaeve in the first spot too......I absolutely adore her!!

Bela had better be on this list. Edited because of autocorrect changing Bela to Beta. Pfft.

those background posters are always worth a smile... I'd have liked to have seen Elaine's baby's born

Love the "Olver elected Dragon Reborn" thing, but I've always thought Olver was Gaidal Cain... As for Graendal being the most interesting Forsaken, I agree completely. All of the Forsaken to survive the first few books were very intresting, with the exception of Moghedien. Honestly, when Moghedien was introduced as "The Spider" I was very excited to see her in action. We never actually got to see that, though. She just appeared out of nowhere, fought Nynaeve, and then her character for the rest of the series boiled down to "I hate Nynaeve" As for Mat, I agree he's the most interesting character in the series. While complaining about how boring Crossroads of Twilight was, I remarked, "Except for Mat. Robert Jordan could write Mat watching paint dry and it would still be interesting"

Padan Fain certainly deserved a more epic end due to just how terrifying he was to both the light and shadow (let's not forget), but as you mentioned Sanderson finished the books and maybe he just didn't have what he needed to work in a better conclusion. He had 3 books, extensive notes apparently, but Jordan wasn't here anymore to consult. Sadly.

Mat is a completely different man than the boy that left the Two Rivers. He goes from being the one who sneers at heroes and constantly and deliberately shirks responsibility to begrudgingly, but consistently, stepping up when needed eventually becoming the 2nd or 3rd man to be mentioned in the ballad of the Last Battle. I have no idea how you're marking him down for character arc

IMO Min should be a top 10, mostly cause of how ”normal” she is. Except for her title as Doomseer, she’s quite normal, And that’s what I love about her. And also what Rand loves about her. She’s a breath of fresh air, for us as readers and for Rand. She was often quite literally his lifeline to sanity, without her he would’ve collapses a long time ago, I’m sure of it. And yes I know her role is almost only to be Randa wife and biggest supporter, but I loved it cause that’s exactly what Rand needed. He didn’t need anybody powerful who could do anything he wished in the blink of an eye, he needed someone to talk to, someone who treats him like Rand, not dragon reborn. And that’s what she did. Also her seeing ability is crucial to the plot ofc, but just her character overall is amazing imo, she’s soo pure and kind. And also funny. Most of all that she just doesn’t care that Rand is the dragon reborn, like everybody else does. She’s life one of the biggest reasons to Randa development, if we only talk about character on character influence. She’s definitely not top 5, but in my list top 10 because of how unique she is and how important she was to Rands development

Really great list, man. I agree with most of it.

I agree with you about Perrin and Fail’s relationship. It is my personal favorite relationship in the books and I felt more joy when they got married then at any point in any relationship with any other characters.

For a moment I thought you'd omit Nynaeve for Bela... /s Anyway, I agree with a lot of stuff here, and you had some great insights about the characters that I seldom hear, like with how just because a character falters in judgment, they aren't badly written but rather human. The difference between that and simply poor twists (like you say, Egwene not talking to Rand) is important. I also liked how you treated my favourite, Aviendha; I love her to bits but unfortunately she has a secondary role through most of it, serving as part of other plots rather than her own. Finally, for me it's also kind of obvious that a few characters suffered as Brandon Sanderson took over. Now don't get me wrong, I really think he was a good choice for the most part, and his passion was obvious, but I think he just either knew too little about some character plans or things fizzled out. Many of the small critiques and inconsistences that I have, come from the final books. That said, I am also a big fan of slower writing, and RJ certainly had that quality to his writing to a larger degree.

Very interesting ideas although my own grading would be much different. Really enjoy your material.

I would have found a place for faile, (sp) I know I'm probably the oddball there, but to me she is everything I like about a woman. Strong, intelligent, willfull, pretty. She reminds me of my sister's.

Very interesting list! I just thought when talking about Verin's relationships, you would mention her relationship with Tomas, her Warder. A bit of a missed opportunity, but I guess some things can slip one by.

Bela has wings, shits fire, burns Tar Valon to the ground. Also, Olver is elected Dragon Reborn?! That's not how the story goes!

Even if Branson Sanderson struggled with writing Mat, I think the character voice was much more distinctive in Brandons part. He did a fantastic job with that.

My only complaint with this video is I would argue Egwene's relationship with everyone in the White Tower that develop from book 11 on should have bumped her relationship score up imo. The way she mentors and supports the novices/accepted, the way she slowly makes those above her respect her, everything.

If I've read the series once I'd have probably cursed you about Nynaeve's first position; but having read it several times for me she's the #1 character as well - she's the only person from book 1 to book 14 to stand her ground regardless of the consequences and protect the people she loves. However not including Moiraine, taking in account her enormous influence on the majority of the other main characters I would say is a miss

Thom Merrilin's intro in TEotW will always be one of my favorites of any character introductions in a story.

Another excellent one! Bravo!

The characters like Elaida and Egwene were 'touched' by the evil that possessed Padan Fain. Which Fain talks about in one of his point of view chapters.

Yes! Of course Nynaeve!

Ok, so I get the choices for sure. I think if I was throwing out my own list, I might end up dropping Graendal, Verin, Egwene(maybe). I might have shot for Logain, Androl, Loial. Taim was pretty fantastic as well. I just finished the series and loved the damn thing. Thanks.

Where. Is. Min.

Tom seventh? Well, that made me be one of those four for whom everyone wonders who they are.

Nynaeve is my favorite, also.

Yes! Nynaeve is my favorite.

Matt Cauthon hands down, Tigranes, Thom, Moiraine, Verin, Cadsuane, Birgitte, Loial, Noam, Satelle, Min.

What music are you using for your intro? I’ve tried finding it but can’t. Haha.

About Padan Fain. I think that his role was clearly completed. He is owner of separate dark power. Evil, dark, but separated to the DO. End his role in this history was to make Rand understand how to clean Saidin. Both dark powers was killing each other inside Rand. It's very similar to the power of Light. One Source - two different powers - Saidin and Saidar. Darkness had the power of DO and power of Shadar Lagoth.

Sweet! Love your videos!

Am I honestly the only person who enjoyed all of Perrin's arcs but found Egwene boring?

Androl Genhald. Nuff said.

Rand reigns supreme for me; none of the other characters even come close.

Perin for me gets MUCH lower points. 5 for Arc, 10 for uniqueness, 3 for story (He appears A LOT, but basically does nothing and helps the forces of Light in 0 ways.It's like he's a side quest), 5 for relationships and 0 for entertaining.He is the main thing that made reading the series so slow for me. He should not be on this list. Egwene should never get anything more than 7 for entertaining. You said this WOULDN'T be just your personal favorites, but then you just proceeded to name your personal favorites. IMO: Mat > Rand > Nynaeve > Graendal > Egwene > Lanfear > Aviendha > Thom > Moridin > Cadsuane

Do a video on how brilliant the plot device of taveren is

Yeay Nynaeve!!!

See there are so many great characters it is hard to really even narrow them down. Moirane, Gaul, Hopper and twenty five more...I would end with fifteen tenth spots.

as a swede who loves food or as we say in swedish mat so yeah that is atleast 50% of the reason why mat is my fav

At the very end when egwane gets the flame of tarvalon it did sort of become a bit of a Mary Sue.

My only disagreement is Matt's story arch score. I'd have given him at least 13 if not a full 15. But I understand your perspective

The whiteboard quotes are always amazing

Matts character arc deserves more than 10.

personally egwene should be really low on relationship and entertaiment

Loyal IS THE BEST CHARACTER NO DEBATE😤

Agree Nynaeve is number one!

My favorite is Mat, but I agree that Nynaeve is totally the best character. I don't like her in some books and love her in others.

If Mat's not #1 I'm putting the Dragon's Fang on your door.