Last updated on August 6th, 2021 at 08:25 pm
Arrow is the TV show that launched Greg Berlanti’s DC TV Universe. When it aired in October 2012, it averaged 4.14 million views. The show follows the heroic exploits of billionaire Oliver Queen as he does his best to save his hometown of Star City from the criminal element, fighting fire with fire, as his vigilante persona, the Green Arrow.
The show features, in my humble opinion, the greatest character development arc ever shown in a superhero show. Oliver’s growth through the series from an uncaring, ‘ends-justifies-the-means’ kind of vigilante to the Hero of Star City and the inspiration of all its heroes present and future, was truly a wonderful journey to be a part of as a loyal viewer. His journey from the spoiled billionaire playboy to a true hero is definitely one of the highlights of the show (together with Oliver and Felicity’s relationship development).
The show has introduced many heroes since the pilot episode, some of whom are already featured on Superhero Jacked like Caity Lotz, David Ramsey, and Stephen Amell. Oliver initially was set on going it alone in his fight to save Star(ling) City, but as fate would have it, he soon required the help of several people in his fight, not just as backup and support but to save his life whenever he would be fatally wounded by an enemy. His heroic feats inspired many other people to don masks and fight against injustice and discrimination by his side.
Over the course of its eight epic seasons, many other heroes and characters were featured in Arrow – some that were given their own shows later on. Currently, the only original team member from the Original Team Arrow remaining on the team is John Diggle. The team at the end of the show consisted of Arsenal (Roy Harper), Speedy (Thea Queen), Spartan (John Diggle), Black Canary II (Dinah Drake), Wild Dog (Renee Ramirez), and Mr. Terrific (Curtis Holt).
If you’re interested in seeing more superhero workouts from your favorite CW TV series, I suggest you check out this list of 50+ CW Superhero Workouts.
If you like listicles that include heroes and villains from your favorite movies, here are a few more I think you might like:
Top 10 Most Powerful Heroes With No Powers
Top 10 Most Powerful Heroes of All Time
The Most Popular Superheroes of All Time
Of course, we’ve also done a handful of “Most Powerful” and “Most Popular” for other shows so if you’d like to check those out you can visit our other listicles here.
Many characters have come and gone on the show and listing them all down would eventually be another list that would make it on the site. Currently, we’ve already released several celebrity workouts from the series including workouts for Caity Lotz, Manu Bennet, David Ramsey and of course, Stephen Amell . It’s unclear how popular Arrow will continue to be (or if we’ll ever get to see Green Arrow and The Canaries spinoff), but you can be sure we’ll be updating these lists as well. For now, here’s a list of the Top 10 Strongest Characters in Arrow.
As always, be sure to let us know if you agree with our list, or if you would place another character in the Top 10.
Okay. Enough lollygagging. Let’s get this list started. So, sit back, get ready to read, and DO NOT FAIL THIS LISTICLE.
TOP 10 STRONGEST ARROW CHARACTERS
Number Ten: Felicity Smoak (Overwatch)
Starting our list at number ten, we have none other than our favorite tech guru in the show – Felicity Megan Smoak. Initially a guest character in Arrow, Felicity Smoak was made a series regular by Season Two after the show runners saw the undeniable chemistry between Arrow co-stars Stephen Amell and Emily Bett Rickards.
Felicity has no powers or physical abilities to speak of, but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t deserve to be on the team. Her tech skills are second to none and she has proven herself capable of breaking into the most secure servers on the planet to access vital information necessary for the success of Team Arrow’s field missions. According to her Arrowverse Wiki, ” Technologically gifted, especially in the field of computer science, Felicity is a former member of Team Arrow, the former CEO of Palmer Technologies, and the founder/CEO of Smoak Technologies.”
It’s no wonder that Oliver Queen decided to give Felicity her own superhero code name “Overwatch” – she sees all and knows all. Felicity definitely deserves her spot on this list – without her tech expertise, Oliver would have had a much harder time getting into secure facilities – and would have a less iconic costume.
Felicity Smoak at SHJ:
Emily Bett Rickards (Felicity Smoak) Diet and Workout Routine
Number Nine: John Diggle (Spartan)
In ninth place, we have the last remaining member of OTA (Original Team Arrow).
John Diggle started his character arc on Arrow as Oliver Queen’s bodyguard. Little did he know that the man he was hired to protect was more than capable of protecting himself, and that he harbored a dangerous secret. John has always been Oliver’s moral compass and his confidante about whether the mission they’re on is the right one. While Oliver may seem very sure-footed in his crusade, it’s John that reassures him at every turning point that what they’re fighting is worth the losses suffered.
John Diggle at SHJ:
David Ramsey (John Diggle) Diet and Workout Routine
Number Eight: Malcolm Merlyn (Dark Archer)
At number eight on our list, we have Malcolm Merlyn aka Dark Archer. Malcolm Merlyn is the man behind the Undertaking (no it’s not an event to see the wrestler The Undertaker). He was the mastermind behind the destruction in The Glades, the poorer part of Star City, in Season One. He is also a member of the League of Assassins, and was personally trained by Ra’s al Ghul himself.
As a result of his training, Merlyn is able to stand toe-to-toe against Oliver on numerous occasions. Malcolm has always had his eye on the becoming The Demon’s Head (the title of the leader of the League of Assassins) and in Season 3, struck a bargain with Oliver to help defeat Ra’s al Ghul in exchange for leadership of the League.
He also happens to be the birth father of Thea Queen, and later on trains his daughter to become a deadly fighter on the remote fictional island of Corto Maltese. Directly because of this training, Thea goes on to become a hero in her own right – taking up the name Speedy. Later near the end of the series, he saves Thea, taking her place on an active landmine on Lian Yu, and sacrificing his life to save hers.
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Number Seven: Nyssa al Ghul (Daughter of the Demon’s Head)
At number seven, we have the beautiful and deadly assassin, Nyssa al Ghul. The daughter of Ra’s al Ghul, Nyssa is not a villain per se. She was an ex-lover of Sara Lance,whom the latter developed a relationship with during her time with the League of Assassins. Nyssa came to Star City to win Sara back when she resurfaced as the original Black Canary.
Nyssa occasionally helps Team Arrow over the course of the series, and later on even joins them in their fight to save Star City from her father, Ra’s al Ghul. Nyssa periodically comes back to Star City on her own missions, and sometimes even requests the assistance of Team Arrow to accomplish them when she finds their interests align.
Nyssa Al Ghul at SHJ:
Katrina Law (Nyssa al Ghul) Diet and Workout Routine
Number Six: Damien Darhk
In sixth place, we have the Damien Darhk, the shadowy leader of H.I.V.E., and the main villain in Season 4. When he and Oliver first meet, he seems to have the ability to suck out the life force of anyone he stays in prolonged contact with.
While this stumps the team at first, they soon realize that Darhk has access to a mystical totem, and they eventually defeat him with the help of Mari McCabe- who herself is a totem bearer capable of calling on the characteristics and abilities of any animal to her advantage in battle.
With Mari’s help, they destroy the relic that Damien uses to power himself, and this leads to final confrontation in the streets of Star City, with Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow, emerging victorious once more.
Damien Darhk at SHJ:
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Number Five: Slade Wilson (Deathstroke)
Coming in the number five spot on this list, we have none other than the most dangerous mercenary for hire in the Arrowverse, Slade Wilson aka Deathstroke. We first meet Slade in one of Oliver’s flashbacks on Lian Yu in Season 2, when he discovers a plane wreck and soon has a sword thrust to his neck by Slade, who thought him an enemy.
During their time together on the island, Slade and Oliver develop a camaraderie of sorts, and eventually become friends. That is, until Slade gets injected with a super serum called Mirakuru, which alters his physiology and warps his mind. He eventually turns on Oliver, and the latter is forced to put Slade down with an arrow into his eye.
Slade later returns in Season 2 very much alive thanks to the healing properties of the Mirakuru, and bent on making Oliver suffer as much as he did on the island. He even goes so far as to kidnap Felicity, whom Oliver revealed to as the one he loves. This was revealed to be a ruse to get Felicity to inject the Mirakuru cure into slade, stopping his madness and attacks on Star City.
Slade Wilson at SHJ:
Deathstroke Inspired Workout Routine
Number Four: Dinah Drake (Black Canary II)
Dinah Drake was a cop in Central City during the reactor meltdown that resulted in Barry Allen becoming The Flash.
As a result of the dark matter released at the time of the explosion, she gained the superhuman ability to generate sonic sound waves from her voice box. She later joins Team Arrow in Season 5 when they bust her trying to go after corrupt cops in The Glades. While Black Canary may not always share Oliver’s opinion when it comes to fighting for justice, she nonetheless respects him and follows the chain of command as part of the team.
Dinah Drake at SHJ:
Juliana Harkavy Diet and Workout Routine
Number Three: Ra’s Al Ghul (The Demon’s Head)
Ra’s al Ghul – The Demon’s Head – The leader of the League of Assassins. Making his first appearance in Season 3 as the main villian, Ra’s al Ghul deemed the destruction of Star City necessary for the world to maintain balance. As such, he naturally crossed paths with its protector, Oliver Queen.Being alive for centuries thanks to the regenerative powers of the Lazarus Pit, Ra’s has mastered multiple forms of combat and has battled the greatest warriors of past generations.
Willing to do whatever necessary to save his city, Oliver issued a challenge (upon the secret advice of Nyssa al Ghul) so that no unnecessary blood needed to be spilt. While Oliver’s swordsmanship is higher than any normal man, Ra’s proves to be the superior fighter. Nonetheless, he admires Oliver’s skill saying before delivering the final blow: “You should be proud. You have lasted far longer than any man ever has.”
This feat alone I feel makes Ra’s deserving of his spot. Not many villains can say they’ve slain Oliver Queen. Ra’s in the only one that has that feather under his cap – at least, for a time. As with every superhero show, you know the main character never really dies.
Ra’s Al Ghul at SHJ:
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Number Two: Rory Regan (Ragman)
Rory Regan is another one of the recruits to Team Arrow in Season 5. After the defeat of Damien Darhk and Oliver’s rousing heroic speech to the city, many others take up the vigilante mantle. Rory Regan is one of those who donned a “cape” to fight against the criminal element. Wearing his ancestors’ magical Rags of Devarim. He initially sets out to seek revenge for the destruction of his hometown of Havenrock, but later on joins the team in protecting Star City.
The rags grant Rory invulnerability and strength. Thanks to his telepathic link to the rags, Rory takes up the name Ragman and fights with Team Arrow against all manner of baddies. The rags he wears are full of mystical energy, and while wearing them, he is invulnerable to any physical harm. The rags’ powers are so strong, they allowed Rory to absorb the energy of a nuclear weapon and live.
Rory Regan at SHJ:
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Number One: Oliver Queen (Green Arrow)
At the number one spot on this list is none other than The Green Arrow himself, Oliver Queen. I think the best way to start this is by allowing the man himself to say a few words:
“My name is Oliver Queen. After five years in hell, I have come home with only one goal… to save my city. Now others have joined my crusade. To them, I am Oliver Queen. But to the rest of Starling City, I am someone else. I am something else. I am the Green Arrow.”
Every person who’s watched Arrow knows that over the course of the series, Oliver’s iconic introduction got longer. It’s joked that they had to cut at season 8 because the introduction was getting a bit lengthy. Regardless, you can be sure – Oliver deserves his spot. His time on the island of Lian Yu forged him from a rich playboy to a lethal fighting machine. From knowing nothing about fighting or survival, Oliver has become a master of several martial arts and a true master of the bow and arrow.
In the series, we can see Oliver employ Judo, Taekwondo, Escrima, Kali, and Wing Chun in his fighting styles. While some on this list have actual super powers, the primary reason why Oliver is #1 is that despite their abilities, Oliver’s beaten them all. His battles over the eight seasons have made him into the hero that everyone in his city knew him to be.
Green Arrow at SHJ:
Stephen Amell Calisthenics Workout Routine
Stephen Amell Diet and Workout Routine
But I’d also love to hear who YOU think should be on this list!
The Strongest Arrow Characters of All Time (Runner Ups):
- Wild Dog (One of the three new recruits Oliver starts training up in Season 5)
- Prometheus (One of two villains Team Arrow faces in season 5. He is as proficient with the bow and arrow as Oliver, but doesn’t share the same sense of justice)
- The Atom (Ray Palmer is the former CEO or Palmer Technologies, Felicity’s ex-boss, and a Legend of Tomorrow. He’s played by Brandon Routh, who incidentally also played Superman previously)
- Deadshot (Floyd Lawton, the deadliest hitman on the planet – he never misses a shot)
- Bronze Tiger (Played by Michael Jae White, who is an actual martial artist. Initially a thug-for-hire, he helps Oliver survive his stint in prison in season 7)
Don’t forget to comment your thoughts below.
As always, remember that all these routines should be paired with our Nutrition Pillars; and you can even check out our article on The Top Diets Used Among Celebrities as well.
If you want to step it up a notch on top of these workouts then you can also check out our Superhero Academy and Superhuman System as well.Now get out there and begin unleashing your inner superhuman!
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Until next time,
Timmy
SHJ’s Aqualad
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