No one is taking this as complete fact otherwise we'd have to admit this guy doesn't belong in this universe.
Believing some of it as possible with stuff we already know about him is enough to admit he's a top tier and in no way is it a stretch to say he could slay the likes of Dayne.
Each of you cite his supposed feats as truthful and accurate when the material it's from is anything but.
You sidestep this fact every time.
The man again is a monstrously huge man, uses a great sword with one hand which is Valyrian steel btw, was a gladiator basically so that means he has a lot of experience, killing animals with bare hands indicates monstrous physical strength but the way he fights shows he's not just a mountain but actually skilled.
The Mountain was skilled. He trained in arms since he was a boy and even Tyrion think he has a warrior's instincts while his and Oberyn's lives are at stake.
Do you think brute strength is all it takes to effectively move in thick armour and swing a heavy sword? The Mountain is not a general, he is an enforcer that's extremely effective at what he does.
Prime Bariston would face trouble against the Hound and this dude is like a bigger, stronger, more experienced hound with a weapon upgrade.
Barristan was 23-24 years old when he slew Maeleys the Monstrous, barely into his prime. By what reasoning do you think he would have trouble with Sandor fucking Clegane?
The only man that can be said to be an equal to a mythological figure GRRM and this entire fandom wanks to death, is going to be troubled by the fucking Hound? Be serious for a moment.
Sandoq is Belwas Strong with fancier kit from another era.
Better hype than killing Wyverns and Bears with rocks? Lmfao
You actually believing this proves my point. If it sounds cool enough, you fuckers take it at face value.
Never mind the fact the source is unreliable, it sounds cool, and therefore you want it to be fact.
Actually, that period of Fire and Blood’s history is pretty reliable. There were several witnesses to that event, and the period of “questionable sourcing” (IE the Dance of Dragons) had ended years ago. The coup on Aegon III was well documented in lore, and Sandoq the Shadow’s presence at Westeros court AFTER he protected Aegon was well documented.
None of it is reliable. That's the entire point of the book.
Did a VERSION of the events happen as describe? Sure. What parts actually happened and which didn't are a matter of speculation that you have to navigate with some common sense and discernment - which none of you have done with Sandoq.
No one is treating this like a 1:1 true telling of Sandoq’s actual life, but the sheer hype around him just straight up absurd, and that feat on the bridge is reliable enough to be completely believed imo.
BRUH.
Better hype than killing Wyverns and Bears with rocks? Lmfao