As a fan who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of Westeros, I must say that these dragons are nothing short of awe-inspiring! From the majestic Vhagar to the legendary Balerion the Black Dread, each dragon is as unique as the rider upon its back.
Not many television franchises have managed to portray dragons as impressively as HBO’s popular series “Game of Thrones” and its upcoming spin-off, “House of the Dragon.” Over eight seasons, airing from 2011 to 2019, the original show showcased numerous instances where dragons left audiences awestruck in “Game of Thrones.” Fans who loved this series had the privilege of watching Daenerys Targaryen’s dragon offspring transform from cute baby dragons into terrifying forces that wrought widespread destruction.
In contrast to previous seasons, “House of the Dragon” significantly increased the number of dragons featured on screen. This series delves into the peak of Targaryen rule in Westeros, a time when dragons were abundant and significantly larger than any previously depicted. Even the largest dragons from Game of Thrones, such as Rhaegal, Viserion, and Drogon, pale in comparison to the colossal dragons that have soared over Westeros throughout history.
Before “House of the Dragon” resumes for another season, let’s examine all the dragons shown on screen across both “Game of Thronors and its prequel series, and arrange them in size order, starting with tiny ones, followed by larger ones, and culminating in truly colossal ones.
Contains spoilers for “Game of Thrones,” “House of the Dragon,” and “Fire & Blood”
14. Arrax
In the final episode of “House of the Dragon’s” inaugural season, the smallest dragon seen thus far, Arrax, suffered an untimely demise. Arrax was the companion of Lucerys Velaryon, son of Princess Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon, who had a close bond with him since they were both of similar age. The size of Arrax made it a fitting dragon for Lucerys, but unfortunately, it couldn’t withstand the bullying and intimidation from Prince Aemond and his colossal mount Vhagar.
At Storm’s End, Lucerys and Aemond clash, each aiming to forge an alliance with the Baratheons – one for the Blacks, the other for the Greens. An unexpected turn of events in the finale of the first season sees Vhagar disobeying Aemond’s orders and instead consumes both Arrax and Lucerys, marking a grim beginning to the Dance of Dragons and branding Aemond as a tragic kin-slayer.
In the Stormlands, Rhaenyra finds one of Arrax’s wings; surprisingly, this wing is significantly smaller than her own steed, Syrax. Despite this, Arrax appeared larger when Lycoris was riding it.
13. Vermax
In the series “House of the Dragon,” it’s possible that Vermax, though currently not much larger than Arrax, may expand in size. Vermax serves as the steed for Jacaerys Velaryon, son to Rhaenyra and elder brother to Lucerys in this story. Many fans of “A Song of Ice and Fire” speculate that Vermax’s name is a tribute to one of George R.R. Martin’s cherished fantasy films, “Dragonslayer” from 1981. This film features a dragon called Vermithrax Pejorative, another favorite of Martin’s.
In “House of the Dragon,” young Jacaerys takes his dragon Vermax to both the Eyrie and Winterfell. This is done with the aim of securing alliances in support of Princess Rhaenyra’s uprising against King Aegon II. The size of Vermax, the dragon, appears impressive enough to win over the Arryns and Starks, leading them to promise their allegiance to the Targaryens.
In the series “House of the Dragon,” the dragon hasn’t played a significant role thus far, and it appears that it may not have many important scenes in upcoming episodes. This is because, as described in “Fire & Blood,” Jacaerys and Vermax are slain during the Battle in the Gullet – one of the most brutal naval conflicts in the Dance of Dragons. Fingers crossed, there’ll be opportunities for it to develop a bit more before its demise comes about.
12. Moondancer
In the captivating world of “House of the Dragon,” I find Moondancer strikingly reminiscent of Rhaegal, Daenerys’ verdant-scaled dragon from “Game of Thrones.” So far, Baela Targaryen’s steed hasn’t been involved in much action, merely being used for a few rides during Season 2. Interestingly, Moondancer wasn’t even introduced until Season 1, appearing only in a scene that was ultimately cut.
Moondancer is distinguished by its compact frame and slim build, with a relatively tiny head compared to most dragons. Initially, it’s about the size of a warhorse when Baela first acquires it, but its diminutive stature turns out to be advantageous during the Dance of Dragons, as it manages to wound Sunfyre during the Fall of Dragonstone. However, Sunfyre’s larger size ultimately overpowers Moondancer and Baela. Despite this, Sunfyre’s injuries eventually lead to its demise months later, which means that Moondancer, a smaller dragon with considerable power, should receive more recognition than it often receives.
11. Rhaegal & Viserion
In contrast to Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion, the dragons belonging to Daenerys Targaryen, didn’t receive as much focus or adoration in “Game of Thrones.” However, they had their own significant moments. Towards the end of Season 4, due to their growing danger, Daenerys confined them, which made them appear quite similar in size. Rhaegal, named after her deceased brother Rhaegar, stood out with his unique green coloring, while Viserion, named after another brother, Viserys, was cream-colored.
Rhaegal eventually becomes the mount of Jon Snow in Season 8, which turned out to be quite fitting, given that one of the biggest mysteries to be solved in “Game of Thrones” revealed that Jon was the bastard son of Rhaegar, the dragon’s namesake. Viserion, on the other hand, wasn’t as lucky when it came to its eventual dragonrider. In Season 7’s penultimate episode, Viserion is killed from an ice spear thrown by the Night King, and later resurrected as the White Walkers’ biggest weapon.
Despite not growing to the colossal size of Drogon by their demise in Season 8, Rhaegal and Viserion were nothing short of awe-inspiring sights during their appearances in “Game of Thrones”. If only viewers knew about the titanic dragons yet to come in the series “House of the Dragon”.
10. Sunfyre
Beyond just its impressive size, Sunfyre, also known as “Sunfyre the Golden,” holds a great deal of admiration. Its gleaming golden hue mirrors the symbol of the Targaryen house’s sigil. Remarkably, King Aegon II rides this young steed in “House of the Dragon.
In the second season of “House of the Dragon,” dragon Sunfyre seizes its time to excel, both literally in combat and figuratively as a symbol of power. This occurs when Aegon II mounts it for the Battle at Rook’s Rest. The battle takes a turn for the worse when Sunfyre engages in a fierce fight with Meleys, only to be subsequently caught in Vhagar’s fiery crossfire, ordered by Prince Aemond. By the end of the battle, Sunfyre sustains serious wounds and is mistakenly believed dead by Rhaenyra, but as per “Fire & Blood,” it survives against all odds.
As an ardent fan, one significant event from “Fire & Blood” that I eagerly anticipate unfolding in “House of the Dragon” is the heart-wrenching scene where Princess Rhaenyra meets her end by being devoured by Sunfyre, following her capture by King Aegon’s forces. It’s a grim turn for Rhaenyra indeed, but for fans like myself who admire Sunfyre, there’s more excitement ahead as we witness this dragon’s continued storyline post its devastating injury at the Battle at Rook’s Rest.
9. Syrax
In “House of the Dragon,” while Syrax isn’t the biggest dragon among those fighting for Princess Rhaenyra, it holds a special place as her personal mount. Named after a Valyrian deity, this distinctive dragon boasts vibrant yellow scales and horns that resemble well-groomed hair, setting it apart in the series.
As a gamer, I’d put it like this: Though Syrax may be smaller compared to other dragons, she’s no pushover. Take the time Rhaenyra reclaimed a stolen egg from Prince Daemon at Dragonstone – just her presence was enough to send chills down his spine. In Season 2 of “House of the Dragon,” she teamed up with Vermithor and Silverwing to give Prince Aemond and Vhagar a taste of fear they won’t forget soon. But fans will have to hold their breath until Season 3, when we finally get to see her in full battle glory.
A significant factor contributing to Syrax’s smaller stature is that it was bonded with Rhaenyra at a young age. Here’s hoping fans of Princess Rhaenyra will witness some spectacular feats involving her and the dragon in upcoming episodes, potentially including the capture of King’s Landing.
8. Seasmoke
Although Seasmoke isn’t the largest dragon, it is often overlooked due to its unique design. This dragon boasts a hue that complements its rider, Laenor Velaryon, giving them a striking resemblance. Regrettably, Laenor chooses to abandon Seasmoke when he stages his own death and departs in exile during the first season.
In Season 2 of “House of the Dragon,” the absence of Seasmoke leads to repercussions, as it’s clear that the dragon yearns for its original master, Rhaenyra. Multiple characters vie for control over Seasmoke, including Daemon’s daughter Rhaena and Ser Steffon Darklyn. However, Darklyn meets a tragic end when Seasmoke, acting unruly, incinerates him. Eventually, Seasmoke selects Addam of Hull, the illegitimate son of Corlys Velaryon, as its new rider.
As per “Fire & Blood,” Seasmoke is noticeably smaller than Vermithor by a factor of three. However, this smaller size gives Seasmoke greater agility and speed in flight. Regrettably, during the Second Battle of Tumbleton, Seasmoke’s diminutive stature proved to be its downfall when compared to Vermithor. This unfortunate event is likely to create one of the most awe-inspiring moments in “House of the Dragon.
7. Drogon
The dragon called Drogon, named after Khal Drogo, wasn’t merely cherished by Daenerys Targaryen, but also adored by many fans of “Game of Thrones.” Among Daenerys’ three dragons, it is Drogon that grows the fastest, as it isn’t hindered by confinement like Viserion and Rhaegal. This swiftly growing dragon poses a significant threat, particularly to those who oppose Daenerys. In Season 5, it was the first dragon to be ridden in the entire TV series.
In the epic series “Game of Thrones,” Drogon stands out with numerous significant moments, such as the intense battles like the Battle of the Goldroad in Season 7, the Battle of Winterfell in Season 8, and also when it torched Kraznys as a hatchling on Daenerys’ command. Despite the dragons in “House of the Dragon” being larger, we get to witness Drogon evolve into one of the most impressive dragons we’ve encountered thus far.
In the later seasons, poor Drogon endures significant sorrow. His brother Viserion meets a tragic end at the hands of the Night King, while Rhaegal falls victim to Euron Greyjoy’s Iron Fleet in one of the most controversial moments from “Game of Thrones.” To add insult to injury, in the final episode, Daenerys is betrayed and killed by her lover Jon Snow. Instead of punishing Jon with fire, Drogon instead unleashes his flames to demolish the Iron Throne. Afterward, he carries Daenerys’ body away, disappearing into the unknown.
6. Meleys
Although Meleys outshone all existing dragons in “Game of Thrones,” unfortunately, it met its end in the latest season of the spinoff series. Known as the “Red Queen” due to its brilliant scarlet scales, Meleys was an ideal mount for Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, who never became queen but rode it while adorned in armor with red trimmings.
In the initial stages, Meleys was the mount of Princess Alyssa Targaryen, mother of King Viserys I and Prince Daemon, as depicted in an intriguing vision experienced by Prince Daemon during season 2 of “House of the Dragon.” Despite Daemon’s attempts to claim Meleys as a young boy, it chose Rhaenys instead, due to apparent reasons. One of the most memorable scenes in “House of the Dragon” occurs when Rhaenys mounts Meleys and exits the Dragonpit amidst King Aegon II’s coronation, foreshadowing an impending large-scale conflict.
Regrettably, Rhaenys’ demise in “House of the Dragon” Season 2 marks the unfortunate fate of Meleys too, as they were both slain by Vhagar during the Battle at Rook’s Rest. Later, Vhagar’s decapitated head was displayed triumphantly through King’s Landing streets. At least Meleys had a valiant struggle against one of Westeros’ largest dragons before its final moments.
5. Caraxes
Although it’s not the largest dragon depicted in “House of the Dragon,” Caraxes certainly is the most memorable. With its dark red scales and serpentine neck, the dragon is nicknamed the “Blood Wyrm.” It was originally ridden by King Jaehaerys’ son Prince Aemon, though after Aemon was killed in the Fourth Dornish War, Caraxes was left unmounted.
Throughout “House of the Dragon,” Caraxes is frequently seen due to being Daemon Targaryen’s mount. In one early scene, its impressive size is showcased during a conflict between Daemon and Otto Hightower at Dragonstone. The dragon is also present with Daemon in Season 2 when they visit Harrenhal. Interestingly, Harrenhal would later be the location of Caraxes’ downfall, as described in “Fire & Blood.
In the television show, Caraxes’ design was influenced by Chinese dragon mythology, giving it a unique and intriguing presence among the series’ dragons. As per “Fire & Blood”, Caraxes is only half the size of Vhagar, the steed of Prince Aemond from “House of the Dragon,” which we’ll delve deeper into shortly.
4. Dreamfyre
It’s a shame that Dreamfyre hasn’t been seen on screen more. The dragon belongs to Queen Helaena Targaryen, sister-wife to Aegon II. As a result, Dreamfyre doesn’t see much action in “House of the Dragon,” despite being one of the few dragons in the series who comes from the era of Aegon I. Even in Season 2, when Aemond tries to convince Helaena to join him in battle with Dreamfyre, Helaena refuses to use her dragon to burn innocent people, which, as far as characters in this franchise goes, is pretty humanitarian of her.
In one of Dreamfyre’s few scenes in the first season, it scares away Aemond Targaryen when the young boy is attempting to visit the Dragonpit, which is a pretty humorous moment if you’re an audience member who thinks Aemond is one of the few “House of the Dragon” characters who wouldn’t survive today.
One key aspect regarding Dreamfyre that remains uncertain is whether she is the mother of the eggs that eventually hatched into Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons: Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion. Despite not having any major appearances in “House of the Dragon” so far, devoted fans should pay close attention to Dreamfyre as future seasons unfold.
3. Vermithor
Due to its distinctive dark gold hue, Vermithor is affectionately known as “the Bronze Fury.” This majestic creature was once the steed of King Jaehaerys I, the grandfather of Viserys I, and made a brief appearance in the opening episode of “House of the Dragon.” As of the beginning of the HBO series, Vermithor remains unclaimed; it appeared only once when Daemon Targaryen visited Dragonmont during his unsuccessful attempt to forge a bond with the dragon.
In Season 2 of “House of the Dragon,” it’s Vermithor who orchestrates a grim slaughter of Valyrian illegitimate children. Rhaenys repeatedly sends people to try and claim Vermithor, but they all meet a tragic end by being burned alive – except for one: Hugh, a blacksmith from King’s Landing and the bastard son of Princess Saera, miraculously tames and rides Vermithor instead.
As a gamer diving into the world of “House of the Dragon”, what strikes me as particularly fascinating is the fact that Vermithor, one of the mightiest dragons, apparently hatched post Aegon I’s demise. Given the dragons we’ve encountered in this series thus far, its colossal size seems quite unusual. Here’s hoping Daemon doesn’t feel too envious seeing Hugh ride Vermithor, as he’s managed to tame it in “House of the Dragon.
2. Vhagar
Among the dragons seen in “House of the Dragon,” Vhagar stands out as the largest. During Aegon’s Conquest, it was mounted by Aegon’s sister-wife Visenya. Vhagar was instrumental in many of the most brutal battles during the conquest, including the Field of Fire, where Aegon and his troops overcame the Gardeners and Lannisters.
Later on, Laena Velaryon, Daemon’s wife, takes possession of the dragon. Unfortunately, during childbirth, she succumbs to fatal injuries and commands Vhagar to incinerate her as a form of mercy. Subsequently, Aemond Targaryen, son of King Viserys and Alicent Hightower, gains control over Vhagar. However, even he struggles to subdue the fierce beast. Eventually, Vhagar is accountable for the deaths of Lucerys, Rhaenyra’s son, and Arrax, one of the most tragic losses in the first season of “House of the Dragon.
In the second season, Vhagar is the cause of much violence, as she slays Rhaenys and Meleys during the Battle at Rook’s Rest. Only those who have read George R. R. Martin’s novella “The Princess and the Queen” are privy to Vhagar’s final destiny, which promises an exhilarating visual spectacle when it unfolds on screen.
1. Balerion
In the realm of dragons, it’s challenging to envision one larger than Vhagar; perhaps this is why “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon” allow our minds to fill in the details. One such dragon shrouded in myth and history is Balerion the Black Dread. This formidable creature was once mounted by Aegon I during his domination of Westeros. It played a significant role in the demolition of Harrenhal, and its influence extended to the creation of the Iron Throne, fashioned from the weapons of Aegon’s vanquished adversaries.
Balerion, the dragon, was previously mounted by Viserys I before he became king, but it eventually passed away due to old age. In the series “House of the Dragon” and “Game of Thrones,” its skull can still be found in the Red Keep’s catacombs in King’s Landing. Luckily for HBO’s visual effects department, Balerion has yet to appear in all its glory, apart from these remains on screen.
Sadly, Balerion suffers harm in the storyline of “Game of Thrones.” During Daenerys Targaryen’s assault on King’s Landing, her attack results in the skull of the dragon being damaged. Tragically, the remains of the dragon’s snout are crushed amidst the debris that takes the lives of Cersei and Jamie Lannister. Interestingly, it seems significant that Balerion’s skull is shattered just one episode prior to the demise of the Targaryen dynasty, even if it was not the conclusion of “Game of Thrones” we had hoped for.
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2024-12-18 22:31