The Most Ferocious Dragons Unleashed: Game of Thrones vs House of the Dragon!

The HBO series Game of Thrones captivated audiences with its captivating characters, captivating locations, and, of course, its magnificent dragons. One of the most fascinating aspects of the series was the House of The Dragon, which breathed new life into the world of Westeros. This particular storyline delved into the historical event known as the Dance of the Dragons, a dark and tragic chapter in Game of Thrones history that saw the demise of numerous awe-inspiring dragons.

Unlike in Game of Thrones, where Daenerys Targaryen possessed three dragons, House of The Dragon is set during the Targaryens' reign at the height of their power. This era was characterized by the existence of many Targaryen dragon riders and their colossal dragons. The first season of House of The Dragon introduced new dragons, and the second season promises to bring even more excitement as it delves into the events of the Dance of the Dragons and the devastating Storming of the Dragonpit. While fans of the largest dragons in Game of Thrones may be disappointed by the outcome, they can still anticipate thrilling dragon-centric content leading up to this event.

17 Moondancer

16 Tessarion

: Moondancer, a dragon from the House of Targaryen, formed a bond with Baela Targaryen. This dragon had a striking appearance with pale green scales adorned by pearl-white accents. Moondancer possessed a youthful and slender physique, granting her exceptional speed and agility. However, during her initial appearances, she lacked the size to carry the 13-year-old Baela on her back. It was only later, when Moondancer reached a size barely larger than a warhorse and weighed less, that Baela was able to mount her. Unfortunately, Sunfyre killed Moondancer and consumed the young dragon, but not before Moondancer inflicted a mortal injury upon Sunfyre, revealing her courageous mettle. Moondancer is among the dragons expected to make an appearance in House of the Dragon.

Tessarion and Daeron make an appearance in House of the Dragon

Tessarion, also referred to as "the Blue Queen," was the mount of Daeron Targaryen, the youngest offspring of King Viserys I Targaryen and Queen Alicent Hightower, amid the Dance of the Dragons. Though not the largest dragon in Westeros, Tessarion poses a serious threat due to its sizable stature. Despite their absence from the first season of House of the Dragon, the showrunners have disclosed that Daeron and Tessarion have not been entirely excluded from the series. Instead, they were located in Oldtown during the events depicted in the last few episodes. Fans can anticipate the introduction of both Daeron and Tessarion in Season 2 of House of the Dragon​​​​.

15 Sunfyre

Sunfyre by Robert O’Leary

Sunfyre, known for his stunning golden scales, is hailed as one of the most beautiful dragons in the Game of Thrones universe. Revered enough to serve as the mount for King Aegon II Targaryen, his presence in House of the Dragon is expected to become more prominent as the Dance ensues. Towering over his counterpart Tessarion, the dragon ridden by Aegon's brother Daeron, Sunfyre played a pivotal role in shaping the potentially dark ending of House of the Dragon. While awe-inspiring, Sunfyre is also exceptionally perilous. In the books, his immense power is exemplified by his conquests over Moondancer and Grey Ghost, solidifying his status as one of the most formidable dragons in the Game of Thrones universe.

14 Grey Ghost

Residing near Dragonstone, Grey Ghost is a solitary and elusive wild dragon. Its distinctive scale coloration, a blend of grey and white, inspired its name. Although Grey Ghost's appearance in House of the Dragon is brief, the original novella reveals a tragic fate - it is slain by Sunfyre, the dragon of Aegon II, during a fierce battle. While Grey Ghost may not have been the largest dragon in the franchise, its youth suggested the potential for significant growth had it reached full maturity. Regrettably, before it could attain its full size, Grey Ghost succumbed to Sunfyre, a slightly smaller dragon, who prevented it from becoming one of the largest dragons in Game of Thrones.

13 Quicksilver

Quicksilver, a dragon with deep roots in Westerosi lore, has a fascinating history. This majestic creature was once bonded to a member of the renowned Targaryen dynasty. In fact, she had the privilege of serving as the personal dragon of both King Aenys I and his son Prince Aegon Targaryen. Although Quicksilver was only a quarter of the size of the formidable Balerion, who ultimately ended her life, this diminutive size should not be underestimated. After all, Balerion was widely acknowledged as one of the largest dragons in Game of Thrones. The epic clash between these two ancient beasts marked a historic event, as it was the first dragon battle to occur in the skies since the disastrous downfall of Valyria.

12 Syrax

Named after a Valyrian goddess, Syrax is the dragon that Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen rides. She is Rhaenyra's companion both in her youth and throughout the duration of the war. In Season 2's Dance of the Dragons, Syrax will fight alongside Rhaenyra. While not as massive as other dragons during that era, Syrax is certainly a formidable force and will undoubtedly prove to be a strong combatant during the war. Syrax is also a young dragon, around the same age as the Princess. Unlike other dragons in Game of Thrones, she did not grow to be one of the largest due to being kept in chains and not having the need to hunt for her own food.

11 Drogon

Drogon hails from the Dothraki Sea, and it is none other than Daenerys Targaryen who holds sway over him. In memory of her deceased husband, Khal Drogo, she bestowed upon the dragon the name Drogon. Some speculate that Drogon may very well embody the essence of Balerion the Black Dread, the biggest dragon to have ever graced history. Amongst the dragons documented in the television series, Drogon stands as the most renowned and is believed by many to be the final of his kind. Daenerys's three dragons are led by Drogon, whose unrivaled size and ferocity make him a challenging endeavor to control. Encompassing a colossal wingspan of twenty feet, he claims the distinction of being one of the grandest dragons featured in the realm of Game of Thrones.

10 Meleys

Dubbed "The Red Queen," Meleys met her demise in the thick of the Targaryen Civil War, famously referred to as The Dance of Dragons. In House of the Dragon, Meleys serves as the steadfast steed of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Despite her comparatively smaller size, this fiery dragon compensated with remarkable swiftness, earning her the reputation of one of the fastest creatures in Westeros. However, it was her lesser stature in relation to the colossal dragons that ultimately spelled her defeat in a battle that held no significant impact on the course of the civil war.

9 Caraxes

With a moniker like "The Blood Wyrm," it is evident that Caraxes, although not among the largest dragons, earned a reputation as one of the most fearsome creatures of its era. Aemon and Daemon Targaryen, the two Targaryens who forged a bond with Caraxes, held a deep affection for him. At the outset of House of the Dragon, Caraxes rivaled the enormous size of Drogon from Game of Thrones season 8, measuring approximately 100ft long—a dragon of immense proportions. Nonetheless, even in that era, Caraxes possessed a sleeker build. However, as the Dance of the Dragons unfolded, Caraxes had diminished to about half the size of Vhagar.

8 Dreamfyre

Dreamfyre, the original dragon of Rhaena Targaryen, possessed unparalleled beauty, rivaling even the great Targaryen dragons. Though she did not engage in fierce battles, her elegance was a source of immense pride for her two riders, Helaena Targaryen being the other. While Dreamfyre may not have directly participated in the Dance, her presence loomed large within the narrative of the war. Many were fascinated by her glistening silvery-blue scales and believed that she had the potential to be a formidable weapon. In a fateful turn of events, she broke free during the storming of the pit, demolishing half of the Dragonpit wall. Tragically, Dreamfyre perished amidst the chaos, managing to eliminate the majority of the dragon slayers who were buried beneath the ruins and debris.

7 Silverwing

Silverwing by Green Ronin Publishing

While Silverwing fought in multiple battles, she stands out as one of the exceedingly rare dragons who managed to survive the cataclysmic Dance and subsequently became the object of desire for numerous Targaryens who lacked their own dragons. The legend of Silverwing endured long after the demise of the dragon era. Known for her advanced age, she lived an impressive 93 years. Silverwing, an elder and dignified dragon, served as the mount for Queen Alysanne Targaryen, consort of King Jaehaerys. Additionally, King Jaehaerys shared a profound bond with Vermithor, as the two dragons would coil together when they slept, albeit Vermithor being marginally smaller in size. Nonetheless, Silverwing remained among the largest dragons depicted in the narrative of Game of Thrones.

6 Sheepstealer

Sheepstealer, an enigmatic and untamed dragon, earned his name due to his fondness for mutton and his aversion to human interaction. Unlike most dragons, Sheepstealer formed a unique bond with a young girl named Nettles, rather than a member of the Targaryen family. Throughout time, this dragon grew in size and played a small but noteworthy role in the Dance, an event where Nettles managed to tame the beast by offering him fresh sheep. Much like other dragons, Sheepstealer's tale is infused with tragic elements. Despite being described as slender, this remarkable creature was one of the largest dragons in the Game of Thrones universe, even at the age of over 50.

5 Vermithor

Among the grand dragons in the realm of Game of Thrones, Vermithor, the bronze dragon, carried illustrious rulers such as King Jaehaerys Targaryen, who reigned before King Viserys Targaryen. Although not as colossal as Balerion, Vermithor, also known as the Bronze Fury, had a slightly smaller stature than some other legendary dragons in the history of Game of Thrones. Despite this, he retained the distinction of being the second-largest living dragon in existence. With his massive wings and a lifespan of nearly a century by the onset of the Dance of the Dragons, Vermithor played a pivotal role during the conflict, overshadowing dragons like Daemon with his sheer magnitude.

4 The Cannibal

Illustration by Douglas Wheatley from the book Fire & Blood.

Dubbed the Cannibal, this fearsome dragon gained notoriety for his insatiable appetite for consuming the remains of fellow dragons and even young hatchlings. Unlike many other dragons, he was never ridden and was often regarded as a menace to other dragons, including the Grey Ghost. The Cannibal remains shrouded in mystery, as little is known about him aside from his savage behavior towards other dragons and those who provoke him. Possessing a truly alarming size, it remains a subject of debate as to whether he ceased growing upon death. If he still lives, he is estimated to be nearly 200 years old, ranking him among the largest dragons in the Game of Thrones universe, and thus likely to make an appearance in House of the Dragon.

3 Vhagar

2 Meraxes

Vhagar, initially ridden by Aegon The Conqueror's sister/wife, played a prominent role in numerous battles and was the largest dragon in the world during the start of the Dance. Her immense size made her a formidable force in combat. By her final battle, Vhagar had earned a near-divine reputation on the battlefield. Her demise in The Battle Above God's Eye signaled the beginning of the end for The Dance of the Dragons. In House of the Dragon, Vhagar rivaled Balerion in size during Aegon’s Conquest, making them the two largest dragons in Game of Thrones.

Meraxes, one of the three dragons that King Aegon The Conqueror and his sisters rode, perished more than a century prior to the events of House of The Dragon, making it a significant figure in the history of Westeros. Upon the initial invasion of Westeros by the Targaryens and their allies, the Velaryons (a family absent from the Game of Thrones series), Queen Rhaenys Targaryen, Aegon's sister and wife, took to the skies on the silver dragon during the Conqueror's Balerion. Tragically, it was in this battle that both Rhaenys and her dragon met their demise. Described as larger than Vhagar, this detail can be found in the A Game of Thrones novel.

1 Balerion

Known as "The Black Dread," Balerion earned a fearsome reputation as the largest dragon among the Targaryen lineage and one of the most colossal dragons in the entire fantasy genre. Balerion's name has left an indelible mark on the history of Westeros, even long after dragons became extinct. The sole Targaryen dragon hailing from the Freehold of Valyria, Balerion possessed unstoppable power and dominance on the battlefield during his prime. Aegon the Conqueror mounted The Black Dread and led him into countless battles, using his mere presence to force armies and kings to submit to his rule.