A GIF guide to 28 of the most bizarre, brutal and badass ways to die in 'Game of Thrones'

Emilia Clarke in a Game of Thrones scene with a dragon
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(Editor's note: This post contains violent depictions of death as seen in Game of Thrones.)

Life in Game of Thrones is a precarious thing. The fictitious world is a dangerous place filled with fire-breathing dragons, faceless assassins and vengeful rulers, and many beloved (and loathed) characters from the HBO series have met their demise in a number of shocking ways. Whether it be death by shadow demon, molten gold or poison lipstick, Game of Thrones never fails to flaunt its creative killing style. For better or worse, the grotesque and gruesome slayings have become a staple for the show — and with the series about to enter its final stretch, it doesn't seem likely the creators will dial down the gore anytime soon.

Before Jon Snow, Cersei Lannister and the other contenders duke it out over the Iron Throne in the show's fast-approaching seventh season, let's take a look back at some of the most bizarre, brutal and badass ways characters have died in previous seasons of Game of Thrones.

Season one

1. Death by ice sword

Victim: Waymar Royce

Executioner: White Walker

Lesson learned: Don't go beyond the Wall.

2. Death by molten gold 

Victim: Viserys Targaryen

Executioner: Khal Drogo

Lesson learned: Be careful what you wish for.

3. Death by goring 

Victim: Robert Baratheon 

Executioner: Boar

Lesson learned: Don't drink and hunt.

4. Death by Ice, House Stark's greatsword

Victim: Ned Stark

Executioner: Ilyn Payne

Lesson learned: Never get between a Lannister and the throne.

5. Death by fire 

Victim: Mirri Maz Duur 

Executioner: Daenerys Targaryen 

Lesson learned: If you hurt someone Daenerys loves, she'll return the favor tenfold.

Season two

6. Death by shadow blade

Victim: Renly Baratheon 

Executioner: Shadow demon controlled by the Red Woman

Lesson learned: The night is truly dark and full of terrors.

7. Death by baby dragonfire

Victim: Pyat Pree

Executioner: Daenerys Targaryen's baby dragons

Lesson learned: Baby dragons are like tiny flamethrowers: They're still deadly.

8. Death by entombment 

Victim: Xaro Xhoan Daxos

Executioner: Daenerys Targaryen

Lesson learned: Daenerys has special plans for those who betray her.

Season three

9. Death by wedding party

Victim: Catelyn Stark, Robb Stark and many more 

Executioner: Walder Frey's men

Lesson learned: House Frey has no honor.

Season four

10. Death by Needle sword 

Victim: Polliver

Executioner: Arya Stark

Lesson learned: Arya can hold a deadly grudge.

11. Death by poison wine

Victim: Joffrey Baratheon

Executioner: Olenna Tyrell

Lesson learned: There's more than one kingslayer in this town.

12. Death by Moon Door

Victim: Lysa Arryn

Executioner: Petyr Baelish

Lesson learned: Always keep a safe distance from the Moon Door.

13. Death by bare-handed skull smashing 

Victim: Oberyn Martell

Executioner: Gregor "the Mountain" Clegane

Lesson learned: Always wear a helmet around the Mountain.

14. Death by necklace

Victim: Shae

Executioner: Tyrion Lannister

Lesson learned: A Lannister always pays his debts.

15. Death by crossbow 

Victim: Tywin Lannister

Executioner: Tyrion Lannister 

Lesson learned: Crossing the Hand gets you a bolt to the chest.

Season five

16. Death by Arakh blade 

Victim: Mossador

Executioner: Darrio Naharis

Lesson learned: Disobeying Daenerys will cost you your head.

17. Death by greyscale

Victim: Unknown

Executioner: Greyscale disease

Lesson learned: Avoid Greyscale like the plague — literally.

18. Death by Longclaw sword

Victim: White Walker

Executioner: Jon Snow

Lesson learned: Jon Snow is a total badass and might be part White Walker.

19. Death by giant

Victim: White Walker minions

Executioner: Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun

Lesson learned: Giants are awesome.

20. Death by Oathkeeper sword

Victim: Stannis Baratheon

Executioner: Brienne of Tarth

Lesson learned: Nothing will stop Brienne from exacting revenge.

21. Death by poison lipstick

Victim: Myrcella Baratheon

Executioner: Ellaria Sand

Lesson learned: There really is such a thing as the "kiss of death."

22. Death by group stabbing

Victim: Jon Snow

Executioner: The Knight's Watch

Lesson learned: Sometimes doing the right thing comes at a price.

Season six

23. Death by wights

Victim: Hodor

Executioner: Wights

Lesson learned: Hodor's destiny was set in motion many years ago.

24. Death by resurrected zombie

Victim: Faith militant

Executioner: The resurrected Gregor "the Mountain" Clegane

Lesson learned: Sometimes death isn't the end.

25. Death by adult dragonfire

Victim: Great Masters

Executioner: Drogon

Lesson learned: A single word can unleash a maelstrom of fire.

26. Death by dogs

Victim: Ramsay Bolton

Executioner: Sansa Stark

Lesson learned: What goes around comes around.

27. Death by children

Victim: Pycelle

Executioner: Little birds

Lesson learned: Even little birds can have sharp talons.

28. Death by wildfire

Victim: The High Sparrow, Margaery Tyrell and hundreds more

Executioner: Cersei Lannister

Lesson learned: Nobody crosses Cersei Lannister and lives to tell about it. 

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