Wights
Mindless reanimated corpses marching as the frozen army of eternal winter.
Wights are reanimated corpses brought back to a twisted form of undeath by the magical forces of the White Walkers. Once human or animal, these creatures lose all memory and free will, becoming mindless instruments of destruction driven solely by the command of their masters. They serve as the primary infantry of the Army of the Dead, marching across the frozen wastes beyond the Wall to bring eternal winter and death to the living world.
Quick Facts
- Nature
- Reanimated Undead
- Creator
- The White Walkers (Others)
- Primary location
- North of the Wall; Beyond the Wall
- Weakness
- Fire
- Dragonglass (Obsidian)
- Wildfire
- Status
- Active Threat
Lore & Background
Wights are terrifyingly resilient and cold to the touch, their skin often pale and blue with frost. They do not feel pain, hunger, or fear, making them relentless in battle. Their eyes are typically milky or clouded over, distinct from the glowing blue eyes of their White Walker masters. A single blow that would kill a living man merely slows a wight down; they will continue fighting until their bodies are completely shattered. Their greatest strength lies in their numbers and their ability to swell the ranks of the dead army with every casualty inflicted upon the living, turning fallen soldiers into enemies for their own comrades.
Reader's Guide
Wights function as the expendable foot soldiers of the White Walkers, raised from any corpse that has been touched by their magic. They do not require food or rest and are immune to conventional steel weapons, which simply bounce off their frozen flesh or pass through without stopping them. To defeat a wight, one must use fire, dragonglass (obsidian), or Valyrian steel. Fire is the most effective method as it burns the body away completely, preventing reanimation.
Dragonglass and Valyrian steel can pierce their skin and destroy them permanently upon contact. If a wight is merely cut or broken, it will continue to attack until its limbs are severed. The White Walkers wield these creatures with telepathic command, creating a hive mind that coordinates the army's movements. No single wight acts on its own; they all move in unison toward their targets.
The only way to stop them is to kill the White Walker controlling them or destroy every individual corpse in the path of the invasion.
Did You Know?
- Wights can only be reanimated from corpses that have died recently, before significant decay sets in; ancient or centuries-old remains cannot be raised.
- The knowledge of dragonglass's effectiveness against wights was lost to history and only recently rediscovered by Samwell Tarly in the books, rather than being a continuous practice of the Night's Watch.
- Unlike the TV series depiction, there is no evidence in A Song of Ice and Fire that decapitated wight heads continue to attack.
- While Valyrian steel can physically sever a wight's limbs, it lacks the magical potency of dragonglass or fire to permanently destroy them; its true lethal power against the supernatural is reserved for White Walkers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Wights function within the Army of the Dead?
Acting as the primary infantry for the Others, these creatures march in endless numbers across the frozen lands north of the Wall. They operate entirely under the command of their creators, acting as relentless instruments of destruction without any individual thought.
What are the specific weaknesses of Wights?
These undead beings can be killed or destroyed by fire, dragonglass (obsidian), and wildfire. Once struck by one of these substances, they crumble into ash or dust rather than healing like normal living creatures might.
Where do Wights primarily exist in the story?
Originating beyond the Wall, wights inhabit the frozen wastes north of Westeros before marching south to invade the realm. They are a constant threat that expands their territory as the White Walkers lead them toward the living kingdoms.
Why are Wights considered a major threat to the living?
Their greatest danger lies in their inability to die easily and their sheer overwhelming numbers, which can crush any army through attrition alone. Unlike normal enemies, they feel no fear or pain, making them an unstoppable force unless specifically targeted with fire or dragonglass.
More in Powers & Artifacts
Elsewhere in A Song of Ice and Fire
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced