The Bat-Family is one of the fiercest and most challenging teams in comic book history. It has some of the best hand-to-hand combatants in the DC Universe, all of whom are capable of going toe to toe with the Dark Knight himself. However, not all of them could defeat Batman in a one-on-one battle.
It's a given that the Caped Crusader, being an expert in multiple martial arts disciplines, outranks all other members of the Bat-Family, but who comes second after him? From Dick Grayson to Cassandra Cain, there are numerous worthy fighters in the Bat-Family. Still, only a few are worthy of challenging the Lady Shivas and Black Canaries of the DC Universe.
The Signal
Duke Thomas is one of the least popular Batman heroes. Fans often find him unnecessary and annoying, and his superpowers make him stick out like a sore thumb among the other Bat-Family members.
In battle, his meta-human abilities give him an edge, but his inexperience comes to light. Despite being trained by all previous Robins and Batman himself, Duke is relatively new to the world of crime-fighting and doesn't stand a chance against the more seasoned members of the Bat-Family.
Batwing
The second Batwing, Lucas Fox, is a worthy addition to the ever-growing Bat-Family. However, he hasn't received a chance to shine on the spotlight yet, and primarily works as a supporting character in most Bat-Family storylines.
As a former professional boxer, Luke already had plenty of training and conditioning before training under Batman. Like the other members of the Bat-Family, Luke became proficient in multiple martial arts styles, and the bonus of the Batwing suit gives him an edge in any battle. It still isn't enough to put him on par with Bruce's other wards, though, but Luke's story isn't over yet.
Batgirl
Few Bat-Family members have as inspirational storylines as Barbara Gordon. Despite never receiving any training from the Dark Knight, Barbara's commitment to justice led her to become a crime fighter all on her own. After her paraplegia, Kung Fu master Richard Dragon trains her to hone her martial arts prowess.
Before becoming Batgirl, Barbara trained in Judo, Kung Fu, Eskrima, and karate, among other disciplines. According to her, she's been training since she was six, describing herself as a star-athlete. There have been many Batgirls who are gifted combatants, but Barbara will always be the superior one.
Batwoman
Following Batman's disappearance after the Infinite Crisis, Kate Kane assumed the Batwoman mantle and became Gotham's protector. Considered one of the most daring DC creations in recent years, Kate's Batwoman drew both praise and criticism from audiences and fans alike.
A former gymnast and trained cadet, Kate is a living weapon. She received training from the Breen Berets, Navy SEALs, and Special Air Service, becoming proficient in several military disciplines. The villain Shado also trained her in vigilantism, adding even more skills to her already impressive repertoire.
Red Robin
Tim Drake is the third Robin and the one most often associated with the identity. Dick might be the first of Batman's Robins, and Jason the most infamous one, but Tim is the one that best fits the role. He received training from Batman and Lady Shiva, becoming one of the Bat-Family's most gifted fighters.
Favoring stealth tactics over direct confrontation, Tim is a challenger unlike any other. His methods make him unique, especially among the rest of Batman's mentees. Tim's consideration for others makes him hold back during his battles, which proves ultimately detrimental.
Damian Wayne
Damian is one of the most divisive characters in the Bat-Family. He often comes across as a petulant and obnoxious brat who lacks any discipline, loyalty, or commitment, trademarks of every Bat-Family member. He is one of the few Batman allies who have crossed the line and murdered his opponents, which was largely due to his upbringing and the influence of his mother, the assassin Talia al Ghul.
Still, his popularity bears no influence on his fighting skills and being trained by Ra's al Ghul, the League of Assassins, and Batman himself means that Damian is one of the most dangerous people in the world. Damian also lacks a firm moral code, meaning he's willing to do things other Bat-Family members would never dare to try.
Catwoman
Batman's long-time on-again-off-again lover has a privileged place in the Bat-Family. Because her allegiances switch every time, her interests don't always align with Batman's. Still, her status as an anti-hero makes her a constant and willing ally of the Caped Crusader.
Catwoman is an exceptional street fighter and master martial artist. Her incredible physicality, combined with her cat-like reflexes, make her an unpredictable opponent. In some of the more supernatural storylines, she can even train and manipulate cats, who often come to her aid in battle.
Red Hood
The most infamous Batman character ever could very well be Jason Todd. Fans generally disliked his tenure as Robin, resulting in his death during the controversial storyline A Death in the Family. The character would later return in the acclaimed Under the Red Hood story as the anti-hero Red Hood.
Aggressive, unstoppable, and at the peak of human condition, Red Hood is a fearsome challenger. The Lazarus Pit granted him near-immortality and enhanced regeneration properties. Red Hood is brutal and relentless, battling until the very end and doing everything in his power to win.
Nightwing
As Batman's first sidekick, Dick Grayson is the most experienced member of the Bat-Family outside of Bruce. As Nightwing, he fought multiple villains outside of Gotham City; during his stint leading the Teen Titans, he even faced interdimensional and intergalactic threats.
All this experience made Dick a mentor figure for nearly every new member of the Bat-Family. His fighting skills are unparalleled, and his acrobatic abilities outrank every other member of the DC Universe. Nightwing is at the peak of human excellence, placing him in the upper tier of DC fighters.
Orphan
Cassandra Cain is perhaps the most divisive addition to the Bat-Family in years. She's the daughter of the most dangerous woman in the world, Lady Shiva, conceived to be the "One who is all" and the ultimate bodyguard for Ra's al Ghul. She then received further training from Bronze Tiger, Merlyn the archer, Batman, Lady Shiva, Oracle, and Black Canary.
Orphan is objectively overpowered in nearly all of her appearances. She has near meta-human levels of speed, making her almost impossible to track or avoid. She also has immense resistance to pain and is described as being able to take a bullet to the chest without even batting an eye. Cassandra's gifts make her practically unbeatable to the rest of the Bat-Family.