Several Slayers have died off-screen in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise, whether this is in stories explored in the canonical comics or ᴀssumed deaths, like Sineya (Sharon Ferguson). However, it is the on-screen deaths that have had the most impact. They bring home the reality of Buffy’s (Sarah Michelle Gellar) role, stripping away any romanticized notions of the Slayer mythos and grounding the fantastical elements of the narrative in a sense of mortality and ultimate sacrifice.

The Slayers are particularly memorable, contributing to the fascinating history of the known Slayers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The brief glimpses we receive of past Slayers, often through flashbacks or historical accounts, paint a high-stakes picture of a centuries-long struggle against darkness, enriching the lore of the Slayer legacy. Others include Slayers who are activated alongside Buffy’s reign, highlighting that Buffy cannot be the lead in the revival. Every Slayer death on screen is a tragic reminder of the short lifespan of most Slayers — expected, but nonetheless shocking Buffy scenes.

5

Xin Rong

Killed By Spike During The Boxer Rebellion

Spike (James Marsters) killed Xin Rong (Ming Qui) in China in 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion. This was the same year that Angelus (David Boreanaz) gained his soul and the Whirlwind group — Angelus, Spike, Drusilla (Juliet Landau), and Darla (Julie Benz) — disbanded. Xin Rong and Spike fought in a Buddhist temple. She was a skilled fighter, even permanently scarring Spike over his left eyebrow. Xin’s death is one of several fascinating flashbacks as Spike recounts his kills to Buffy in season 5.

However, Xin Rong deserved a Buffy spinoff. She is skilled in unarmed martial arts combat, but even more so in swordplay. Her heartbreaking last words after Spike bests her are, “Tell my mother I’m sorry,” spoken in her native Mandarin. Despite her brief appearance, Xin Rong made an impact as the Slayer in these flashback scenes. The temple is beautifully lit, and Ming Qiu’s execution of the Slayer’s fight choreography is impressive. It is a real shame there are not more of these historical moments in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but the rarity makes them a treat.

4

Nikki Wood

Killed By Spike In ’70s New York

Nikki Wood (K.D. Aubert) was also killed by Spike, in the 1970s in New York. She was notably a mother, unusual for Slayers because of the obvious occupational hazards. Her son, Robin Wood (D. B. Woodside), trained with Nikki’s watcher after her death. Her fight with Spike was on a subway train, making it another memorable historical flashback for its setting and fight choreography.

Spike points out to Buffy that Nikki’s fighting style is similar to hers in resourcefulness and cunning. This similarity is what makes the choreography such a thrill to watch, and it is interesting to see a Slayer with parallels to Buffy. Interestingly, a harsh reality about Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Spike is that he did not feed on Nikki when he killed her. His snapping her neck highlights that his pursuit of Slayers is not about the potency of their blood, but the challenge of the kill and what they represent.

3

Buffy Summers

“She Saved The World A Lot”

After her death in the season 5 finale, Buffy’s headstone reads, “She saved the world a lot,” but she also died several times in the process. Viewers debate how many times Buffy died, but it is stated at least two times in the series that she died twice, as she sings in “Once More With Feeling.” The first time Buffy dies is in the season 1 episode “Prophecy Girl,” when the Master (Mark Metcalf) bites her, and she briefly drowns before Xander (Nicholas Brendon) revives her with CPR. It is reinforced that she died by the activation of Kendra the Vampire Slayer.

The second key Buffy death is in the famous season 5 finale episode, “The Gift.” Buffy finally discovers the “gift” Sineya referred to in her visions: her sacrifice for Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg). This has a huge impact on Buffy in season 6 because, in the time between her death and her revival, she was at peace in heaven. A point of contention about Buffy’s deaths is that she was sH๏τ in one of a few horrifying moments in season 6’s “Seeing Red.” However, if she had actually died in that moment, it would be a pretty appalling contradiction with Tara’s (Amber Benson) permanent death.

2

Kendra Young

The Second Slayer Was Killed By Drusilla

Kendra Young (Bianca Lawson), Buffy’s forgotten replacement, is activated as a Slayer when Buffy briefly drowns in season 1, highlighting a key loophole in the one Slayer per generation rule of the series. Kendra has rigid ethics and is a studious mentee, setting her up as a threat to the unconventional Buffy. However, after her introduction, she becomes an honorable and likable character, making her appearance achingly short-lived. She is killed by Drusilla after only one year of completely dedicating herself to her role.

One of the best Kendra scenes in Buffy the Vampire Slayer is when she and Buffy team up against Spike, with their iconic line: “Two slayers! No waiting!” This is the first time we see multiple Slayers teaming up pre-Faith, and Buffy temporarily having a kindred spirit is so satisfying at this point in the series. Tragically for Kendra, her studiousness makes her fighting style a little predictable, which Drusilla is able to take full advantage of in her brutal kill.

1

Amanda

Buffy‘s Amanda (Sarah Hagah) is one of the Potential Slayers in season 7. At first, viewers are led to believe Dawn Summers is a Potential, but Dawn realizes Amanda is the Potential when she is being hunted by Bringers. Newly activated as a Slayer just before the Hellmouth battle, Amanda arms herself with a wooden spear. Tragically, despite her valiant efforts, a Turok-Han ends her life by snapping her neck, another horrific event witnessed by a wounded Buffy.

Amanda’s death is particularly sad, with her only being 17 years old at the battle of the Hellmouth. She has an endearing personality in Buffy the Vampire Slayer — she is a keen Dungeons and Dragons player and a pᴀssionate member of the Sunnydale High School Swing Choir. Buffy first connects with her in her role as a student counselor when Amanda confides in her about her experiences of being bullied. Not all the Potentials are presented as particularly likable, but Amanda is comparatively popular with viewers and her ending is every bit as tragic as her predecessors.