The 16 Greatest Buffy the Vampire Slayer Characters

Reluctant heroes, redeemed monsters, scene-stealing sidekicks and unforgettable big bads — the whole Sunnydale ensemble is on the ballot. Where do you stand?

1

Buffy Summers

The titular Slayer, a witty and reluctant teenage heroine balancing destiny with ordinary life.

1000pts

2

Cordelia Chase

The popular queen bee whose sharp tongue masks a surprising courage and loyalty.

666pts

3

Spike

The bleached-blond British vampire who evolves from ruthless villain to conflicted antihero.

624pts

4

Rupert Giles

Buffy's Watcher and the school librarian, a tweed-clad mentor with a rebellious past.

571pts

5

Joyce Summers

Buffy's warm, grounding mother whose ordinary life anchors the supernatural chaos.

571pts

6

Anya Jenkins

A former vengeance demon adjusting to mortal life with brutal honesty and comic awkwardness.

499pts

7

Faith

The rogue Slayer whose dark, impulsive streak makes her Buffy's foil and rival.

499pts

8

Willow Rosenberg

Buffy's bookish best friend who grows from shy hacker into one of the world's most powerful witches.

399pts

9

Xander Harris

The loyal everyman of the Scooby Gang, providing heart and humor despite having no powers.

399pts

10

Angel

The brooding vampire cursed with a soul and Buffy's first great love.

399pts

11

Dawn Summers

Buffy's younger sister, mystically inserted into the show's reality in season five.

249pts

12

Glory

A vain, world-destroying hell-goddess and the formidable season five antagonist.

249pts

13

Oz

Willow's laconic guitarist boyfriend who happens to be a werewolf.

0pts

14

Wesley Wyndam-Pryce

The bumbling rookie Watcher who arrives in season three before a darker later arc.

0pts

15

Mayor Richard Wilkins

The cheerful, germophobic mayor of Sunnydale plotting demonic ascension as the season three big bad.

0pts

16

Jenny Calendar

The tech-savvy teacher and Giles's love interest harboring a secret Romani mission.

0pts