Is It Actually Possible for Arya Stark to Acquire Such Combat Skills After Spending Two-Three Years Training with the Best Assassins in Westeros?

Introduction

Many fans of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series and the Game of Thrones television adaptation have marveled at Arya Stark's remarkable growth in combat skills. However, the question remains: Is it truly feasible for Arya to achieve such proficiency after just a couple of years of training with the best assassins in Westeros? Let's delve into the possibilities.

Early Promises of Combat Skills

At the age of eleven, Arya Stark was already an excellent archer as seen in the very first episode of Game of Thrones. Children are known for their exceptional learning abilities, absorbing new skills with ease. Combined with her innate combat skills, Arya was able to quickly adapt and improve. Under the guidance of Syrio Forel, Arya honed her sword skills, and her journey continued with the Hound, ultimately leading her to Bravos. Her natural abilities, coupled with extensive training, set the stage for her success.

The Role of the Faceless Men

One might argue that the Faceless Men could teach Arya the skills required to become a formidable fighter. However, this is a misconstruction of their purpose and training methods. The Faceless Men operate as assassins, specializing in covert operations rather than direct confrontations. Their methods include poisoning, deception, and surprise attacks. The training they provide is not focused on honing combat skills in the traditional sense, but on psychological and physical maneuverability in unpredictable situations.

Why the Faceless Men Don’t Teach Combat Skills

The main reason it is not possible for Arya Stark to acquire such combat skills is that the Faceless Men neither teach nor learn traditional combat skills. Instead, they are skilled in the art of assassination. They do not engage in open sword duels or confrontations with armored knights. Their training involves some physical combat to survive in dangerous situations, but the primary focus is on deception and the ability to control one's face and mimicry to avoid detection.

Training and Deception

When Arya joins the House of Black and White, she is introduced to the art of deception. They teach her how to lie convincingly and to control her face to make people think she is harmless. This training involves techniques such as disguised surveillance and the creation of false identities. Additionally, the Faceless Men train in how to fight while blind, preparing Arya for the possibility of fighting in the pitch-black darkness where her opponents cannot see.

Practical Applications of the Faceless Men's Training

The training provided by the Faceless Men is highly specialized. For example, Arya's ambush and escape skills, as demonstrated in Bravos, are a blend of stealth, agility, and quick thinking. Her ability to fight while blind is a testament to her adaptability, but it is a rare and situational skill rather than a general combat proficiency. Her survival tactics in stark contrast to the knight, Brienne of Tarth, underscore the different nature of their training.

Conclusion

In summary, while Arya Stark's natural abilities and early training set the foundation for her growth, the specialized training provided by the Faceless Men is not geared towards traditional combat skills. Their focus is on deception and psychological warfare, making it highly improbable for Arya to attain the level of combat proficiency that might be expected from a direct confrontation with an armored knight.