House of the Dragon’s dysfunctional family trees are a little easier to decipher than the hodgepodge of houses, bloodlines and characters in Game of Thrones . Thanks to the focus on the Targaryen lineage, humans aren’t the only major characters in the show. Dragons — albeit CGI versions — with their own personalities, skills and traits are perhaps the coolest thing about the show. Bound to the Targaryens by blood magic, their powers extend beyond the physical.
Now that the TV series is deep into the Dance of the Dragons civil war storyline, it’s good to know which dragon is which, their history, and their overall role in the past, present, and future of House Targaryen. Drawn from House of the Dragon and the books The World of Ice and Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire, here’s a look at some of the key animals in the series—and their riders.
But be warned: If you wait to watch Season 2 of House of the Dragon until the August 4 finale airs on HBO and Max, there will be spoilers ahead.
Read more: Max: The 34 Absolute Best TV Shows to Watch
Dragons in House of the Dragon, Dead and Alive
Balerion: This is the OG of Targaryen dragons and formerly the most powerful in Westeros. Nicknamed “the Black Dream”, Balerion was born in Old Valyria and was one of the five dragons the Targaryens moved to Dragonstone for the Doom. He was the eldest and largest, and the first to be bound to Aegon “The Conqueror” Targaryen I, and then his son, Maegor I. According to the book’s lore, Balerion’s fiery breath forged the Iron Throne, made from the swords of Aegon’s opponents.
After a hiatus, Balerion became Princess Aerea’s dragon and the pair disappeared into parts unknown for over a year. They both returned in poor condition, with the princess infected with a mysterious ailment. Balerion returned injured and took a 40 year hiatus before Prince Viserys (Rhaenyra’s father) bonded with him. The Black Dread died soon after and did not last a year with Viserys. He was over 200 years old when he died and the Targaryens have revered him ever since.
The skull of Balerion in the House of the Dragon, showing that dragons in lore have black bones.
Vhagar: The grand dame Vhagar was born on Dragonstone, and her first rider was Princess Visenya Targaryen, the elder sister and eventual wife of Aegon the Conqueror. As part of Aegon’s Conquest, Vhagar fought many battles and killed thousands of people, flying alongside Balerion and Meraxes and their dragonrider siblings, Aegon and Princess Rhaenys. Nearly 30 years after Visenya’s death, Vhagar became Prince Baelon’s dragon for over 20 years. During that time, she flew on missions with Caraxes and Vermithor, two dragons who are now part of the “Dance of the Dragons” storyline in House of the Dragon.
The series revealed that Laena Velaryon was Vhagar’s next rider after Baelon died, and after she burned her beloved princess in season 1, Vhagar was later claimed by Prince Aemond. There have been rumors that Vhagar may be the grandmother of Caraxes and Meleys, but that has not been confirmed. With House of the Dragon continuing, fans shouldn’t miss the upcoming “Battle Above the Gods Eye” featuring Vhagar and Daemon’s Caraxes. It could top the tragic battle that cost Luke.
Melissen: In a heartbreaking scene in Season 2, viewers saw Meleys meets her end with her rider, Princess Rhaenys at Rook’s Rest. Known as the astonishingly swift “Red Queen,” Meleys was claimed from the dragonpit at Dragonstone by Princess Alyssa Targaryen, Viserys’ and Daemon’s mother. Alyssa’s marriage to her older brother Baelon meant that Meleys and Vhagar often flew together — for recreation and war.
Several years after Alyssa’s death, Rhaenys bonded with Meleys and they rode until the end. Rhaenys arrived on Meleys for her own wedding to Lord Corlys and the pair spent years on military missions. In season 2 of House of the Dragon, they met their demise, but not before Meleys unfortunately took out Sunfyre, King Aegon II’s dragon.
Caraxes: We know Daemon’s dragon, Caraxes, from both seasons of House of the Dragon, but its history begins with Prince Aemon Targaryen, Alyssa and Baelon’s older brother, and Rhaenys’ father. Caraxes, nicknamed the “Blood Wyrm,” often accompanied Meleys and Vhagar on brother-sister dragon rides with Aemon, Baelon, and Alyssa. Experienced in battle, the dragon was later claimed by Daemon after Aemon’s death.
Daemon Targaryen and Caraxes.
Syrax: Team Black’s Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen is Syrax’s dragon rider. Their bond is so strong that Syrax knows of Rhaenyra’s pain during her miscarriage and her grief when she sees the cloak of her dead son, Luke. Syrax is less experienced in battle than Caraxes and spends much of her time chilling in the pit. In book lore, Syrax is said to have produced a few batches of dragon eggs, including the four eggs that Rhaena is sent to protect in season 2 of House of the Dragon. Rhaenyra is the only one to claim her in the series. For now, this dragon is still alive.
Sunbeam: Sunfyre was critically injured in episode 4 of the show’s second season, and bits of the young dragon’s golden scales and blood are scattered throughout the forest near Rook’s Rest. Is he dead? We don’t know yet — but King Aegon II is the only one known to ride this majestic dragon.
Moondancer: Baela Velaryon’s dragon mount, Moondancer, is fast and intelligent, and has only ever had the princess as her rider. Her on-screen story differs slightly from what’s written in the Dance of the Dragons war book, so fans will have to wait and see what becomes of her in the TV series.
Dreamfire: The blue-scaled dragon was first claimed by Princess Rhaena Targaryen, daughter of King Aenys I and granddaughter of King Aegon I. Years after Rhaen’s death, Viserys and Alicent’s daughter Haelena claimed her, but the queen of Team Green rarely rides her. Currently, Dreamfyre sits in the dragonpit at King’s Landing.
Vermitor: A dragon younger than Vhagar but older than Caraxes, Vermithor was once the dragon of King Jaehaerys Targaryen I. He is thought to have been around 100 years old by the time war broke out between the Greens and Blacks, and has spent time with Silverwing. Vermithor has not had a rider since becoming king, but that could soon change.
Vermax: A young dragon, Vermax, hatched from an egg given to Rhaenyra’s eldest son, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Jace). The dragon has been to the Wall where the Starks are and has flown around Westeros to help Jace on his embassy missions. We’ll see what becomes of Vermax as Season 2 progresses.
Tyraxes: Tyraxes hatched from an egg given to Prince Joffrey, Rhaenyra’s youngest son with Ser Harwin Strong. The dragon is smaller than Arrax and Vermax, and is ridden by Joffrey’s siblings Jacaerys and Lucerys. At the beginning of Dance of the Dragons, Joffrey flew to the Vale on his mother’s orders. Stay tuned to see what happens next for this dragon and its rider.
Thundercloud: Stormcloud, who has not yet been ridden, has been given to baby Aegon III, one of Rhaenyra’s children with Daemon. Look out for this dragon as House of the Dragon continues, and what happens to Prince Aegon III.
Silver wing: Silverwing is an elder dragon that originally belonged to Queen Alysanne Targaryen. She was used primarily for transportation and pleasure and has a strong aversion to the Wall in the North. Silverwing has not had a rider since that queen‘s death, but is still connected to the civil war in House of the Dragon. Keep an eye on her.
The Cannibal: Wild and untamed, true to its name, the Cannibal is a riderless dragon that lives on Dragonstone Island. It has not yet appeared in House of the Dragon, but it is known to feed on dragon carcasses and humans. Powerful, ancient, and large, it is one of the most fearsome dragons in the franchise.
