Through the series, we have met many hunters. Some of the hunters were gone (quite literally) in the blink of an eye, and others stayed around for a few seasons. Each hunter came to the job due to a tragedy, so our hearts do go out to the hunters. In addition, each hunter had a set of skills that made them invaluable.
However, there were hunters that we were surprised lasted, or that we weren't surprised had an early demise. Read on to see our top best and worst hunters of the series.
Best: John
John may have many faults, but he is a good hunter. He inspires his son, Dean, with his stories of triumph. Dedicated to the job, John keeps track of his knowledge and shares it with his boys. The mere fact that most of the demons know of and grudgingly respect John in the first two seasons attests to his skill.
However, he's the lowest on the list because he often doesn't think of his other hunters. Unlike Mary and his sons, he doesn't really have a community of hunters. Even Bobby had a falling out with John.
Worst: Garth
We love Garth, the man of many hugs! There are times when Garth is an okay hunter, and he has lasted this long, which either attests to skill, luck, or a little of both but really he's a great guy who is terrible at being a hunter.
Once even Bobby called him out, "How are you still alive?" While Bobby is correct, we're so glad that this kind-hearted hunter lives to fight another day.
Best: Mary
When Mary was resurrected, it was clear that there was one thing that she was very good at - hunting. She's smart and able to react in the moment. In addition, she maintains strong connections with other hunters. Even after returning from the dead, she still has old connections, and she's been able to build new ones quickly.
People trust Mary, and it's clear to see why. In addition, Mary has a level of integrity that other hunters lack. Sam and Dean are truly lucky to have Mary as their mother, and she becomes a role model to both of them. For Dean, she's an even stronger role model than the man he respected most, his dad.
Worst: Claire
Although this choice may not be true for all fans, Claire is the worst due to her recklessness. Is she brave? Yes. Is she smart? Ultimately, yes, she understands how to work with and against the image that others have of her. She's clever in how she manipulates.
But, she doesn't always think of her actions, and she doesn't always listen to others. Due to this, she was attacked and changed by a werewolf. Luckily, she had friends who were able to turn her back. However, you would think that she would be more careful from here on out, but she's not. It's almost as if she wants the thrill of the hunt, damning the consequences.
Best: Sam
Sam has been through a lot and still is able to maintain his kindness to others. Very intelligent, he uses his smarts by researching ahead of time and thinking of great ideas in the moment. For instance, in the first episode, the Woman in White, convinces men to pick her up and drive her home. When she sees the abandoned home, and the man is freaked out, she says, "I can never go home." She does the same to Sam, except she invades the car, rather than being invited.
Out in front of her abandoned house with her in the car, Sam realizes what he has to do - drive the car into the house. Genius move, and it worked as she was afraid of the spirits of her drowned children. This intelligence makes Sam a great hunter.
Worst: The Banes Twins
In Season 12, we meet the Banes twins, Max and Alicia. They come from two important lines: a famous and strong hunter and a natural witch. The two are very close to their mother, and when their mother goes missing--Alicia reaches out for help.
Despite their upbringing, these two come across as total novices. Max doesn't listen to his sister about her concerns. Alicia walks to an inn door with her blade out in full daylight. When they discover that their mother was killed and that the being masquerading as their mother isn't her, Alicia still blindly believes it to be her mom.
When Alicia is killed, Max doesn't listen to reason and does black magic, damning his soul to hell, just so he can have a magical twig life-size doll that seems like his sister.
Best: Dean
Dean may not be acknowledged as the smart sibling, but he thinks well on his feet, and he has invented several weapons against supernatural beings. He is the new-and-improved John. While he has some of John's shortcomings, like a tendency to command or react without thinking, he understands nuances a lot better.
If Max Bane was a natural witch, Dean is a natural hunter. His instincts are spot on. Who can kill a whole nest of vampires and make it out alive? Dean, of course. If the world is ending, this is one hunter you want on your side.
Worst: Richie
In Season 3, when Sam and Dean go to investigate a case where there have been a fair amount of deaths and where a normal town turned into Sin City overnight, they run into Richie. Richie has been on the case in the town and believes that nothing unusual is happening there.
While a sweet guy, Richie seems not too bright. Dean warns him, "You're not cut out for this job. You're gonna get yourself killed." Richie does this very thing. Not that smart, he tries to go out with a woman who is a demon. Additionally, he had been in the town a long time, surrounded by demons without realizing it.
Best: Bobby
Bobby may not have the athleticism of Sam and Dean or the tryst with the angels and demons, but Bobby has lasted a long time as a hunter. This is because he is both smart and a valuable networker. He is the cornerstone of the hunter world, maintaining their network, their aliases, and phones. When a hunter's fake name and credentials are questioned, a phone call to Bobby (masquerading as another agency) backs up the hunter and allows them to do their job.
In addition, Bobby knows a lot of spells, languages, lore, and prophecies. He knows other hunters like Rufus who help him out from time to time. Because truthfully, Bobby helps out everyone, leading others to want to help him back. His gruff exterior hides his inner kindness. While John is Sam and Dean's actual father, Bobby is the type of hunter that they should both aspire to be.
Worst: Gordon
In Season 2, Ellen once warned Dean and Sam about Gordon, and rightfully so. When Sam calls her for information about Gordon, she first says that Gordon is a good hunter. However, when she hears that Sam and Dean are working with him, she changes her tone, "Don't do that Sam. . . He (Gordon) is dangerous to everyone and everything around him."
This is proven in other episodes, too, when Gordon wants to kill Sam just because Sam could go bad, not because he currently is bad. Gordon sees the world only in black and white. When he's on the job, you feel bad for the vampires he hunts. Bloodthirsty, he kills with an intensity that would scare any monster or human. Likewise, if you are working with him, you could very well end up a goner.