The Ultimate Ranking of the Most Epic Dragons in Legend of Zelda

Set in the fantasy genre, The Legend of Zelda franchise has featured numerous mythical creatures throughout its extensive forty-year existence. While some creatures are unique to the series, such as the endearingly quirky Chuchus and the unnerving Like-Likes, many draw inspiration from common fantasy elements. One of these widely recognized elements is the dragon.

Dragons hold a prominent place within the fantasy genre, often depicted as either formidable adversaries imbued with magic or as wise and benevolent entities. Within The Legend of Zelda series, dragons have been portrayed in various roles, showcasing both sides of this spectrum. However, with numerous dragons featured in the series, which ones stand out as the best?

This article contains spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

11 Barba

Barba, the central antagonist in The Adventure of Link's Three-Eye Rock Palace, boasts an exclusive appearance that was somewhat restrained by the technological constraints of that era. Throughout this dungeon, players are exclusively exposed to Barba's comical-looking head and neck gradually emerging from the molten pools of lava.

10 Aquamentus

: Barba, initially depicted as a terrifying, serpentine creature covered in scales, can easily instill fear in even the bravest of heroes merely through its appearance alone. Its offensive strategy involves launching fiery projectiles directly from its menacing jaws. Interestingly, it is worth noting that in TheLegend of Zelda: Encyclopedia and NES Remix 2, this formidable adversary was actually rebranded as Volvagia, adding another intriguing entry to the ever-growing list.

Aquamentus can be found in both the original Legend of Zelda game and Oracle of Seasons. His character sprite showcases an exceptional example of classic Western dragon aesthetics. With a sturdy, green dinosaur-like physique, a prominent unicorn-like horn on his head, and diminutive yet highly impractical wings, Aquamentus typically assumes the role of the initial formidable boss encountered in the early stages of the game.

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Like many other dragons on this list, Aquamentus possesses a fire-based attack as its primary offensive move. In the original game, it releases three fireballs towards Link and can be defeated by damaging its body with bombs. In Oracle of Seasons, however, Aquamentus showcases a variation in its attack pattern by expelling fire rings instead, requiring players to target and damage its horn. Although Aquamentus is not particularly formidable in either game, its design is emblematic of the era it belongs to.

9 Argorok

Argorok, serving as the seventh boss in the immensely popular game Twilight Princess, stands out with its significantly darker design compared to other enemies. Referred to as the Twilit Dragon, this formidable adversary is a towering armored creature that protagonist Link must confront within the City in the Sky.

8 Valoo

Argorok implements powerful gusts of wind and unleashes fiery breath in an attempt to overpower Link. As its resilient armor gradually diminishes, a vulnerable weak spot reveals itself on the creature's back. While certain enthusiasts have expressed disappointment at the perceived simplicity of this arduous encounter against a formidable boss, the atmospheric design nonetheless radiates a captivating essence.

Valoo, also known as the Spirit of the Skies, is one of the most endearing dragon characters in the series. Only appearing in Wind Waker, Valoo resides on top of Dragon Roost Mountain and serves as a guardian for the Rito people who inhabit the island. However, when Link first encounters Valoo, the dragon is seething with anger after being relentlessly tormented by Gohma.

7 Dinraal

Valoo, while lacking in combat abilities as he is not an adversary himself, carries significant significance in the Rito community. His scales are bestowed upon Rito youngsters upon reaching adulthood, empowering them to sprout wings. Valoo's vibrant and dynamic appearance adheres to essential characteristics of traditional Western dragon designs.

Dinraal, one of the highly celebrated dragons in the renowned Breath of the Wild game, is undeniably a fan-favorite among gamers. Its captivating design draws inspiration from Eastern dragons, gracefully displaying a serpentine form instead of a more prehistoric appearance. Dinraal personifies the fiery essence and is intricately connected to the Spring of Power.

Being a spirit of fire, Dinraal is encompassed by scorching flames that will instantly engulf anyone who dares to approach too closely. Surprisingly, instead of being a fearsome foe, Dinraal serves as a veritable treasure trove of invaluable resources in the form of exquisitely crafted scales, razor-sharp claws, menacing fangs, and fragments of majestic horn. Link, our intrepid hero, can gracefully soar towards Dinraal and cleverly acquire these sought-after items by adeptly launching an arrow at precisely targeted spots on its magnificent body. Furthermore, Dinraal magnificently returns to play a pivotal role in the awe-inspiring saga titled Tears of the Kingdom.

6 Farosh

Farosh, the embodiment of lightning, shares a striking resemblance to Dinraal as they both emanate their distinctive elements. Farosh makes appearances in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Her presence predominantly graces the Faron region, with occasional sightings in the Gerudo Highlands. She holds a significant connection to the Spring of Courage, along with The Serpent's Jaws shrine quest.

Farosh, much like Dinraal, provides the same resource materials that can be obtained by shooting arrows at different sections of the dragon's body. These valuable resources can be utilized to enhance armor, create powerful elixirs, or sold for a substantial profit. While Farosh's overall design is akin to both Dinraal and Naydra, she stands apart with a single striking horn adorning her head.

5 Naydra

Naydra, the ice spirit component in Breath of the Wild and the Tears of the Kingdom's elemental dragons, holds a more significant role in the storyline compared to the other dragons. Infected by Malice, Naydra depends on Link's assistance to break free from its effects. Remarkably, even while infected, Naydra remains serene and non-aggressive.

4 Volvagia

Naydra is similarly linked to a Spring, just like the other characters. The Spring of Wisdom, identified as Naydra's associated Spring, serves as the destination for Hyrule's princesses to partake in a purification ritual. Additionally, in the memory scenes unveiled within Breath of the Wild, this location is also frequented by Zelda as she endeavors to awaken her dormant powers.

One of the most beloved games in the franchise introduces us to Volvagia, a highly coveted dragon in The Legend of Zelda. Volvagia takes center stage as the Fire Temple boss in Ocarina of Time, showcasing its mesmerizing fiery, snake-like appearance. Battling against Volvagia requires a great deal of skill and careful timing to emerge victorious.

Unsurprisingly for the formidable antagonist within the Fire Temple, Volvagia showcases its dominance through a variety of fire-based attacks, including fiery breath and dislodging flaming rocks from the ceiling. By utilizing a hammer, players can momentarily stun Volvagia, allowing them to ultimately vanquish the foe with a sword and reveal a portal to the Sacred Realm. The striking combination of Volvagia's fiery appearance and its distinct design solidify its status as a memorable adversary within the franchise's rich history.

3 Gleeok

When it comes to the history of Legend of Zelda, Gleeok is undoubtedly the most prominent dragon. This formidable creature has made appearances in various games such as the original Legend of Zelda, Oracle of Seasons, Phantom Hourglass, and now, it triumphantly returns in Tears of the Kingdom. Throughout its multiple appearances, Gleeok has consistently taken the form of a formidable, large multi-headed dragon.

2 Demon Dragon

introduces a new twist to the recurring enemy of Tears of the Kingdom. Alongside the traditional Gleeok, there are now Flame, Frost, and Thunder variations as well as the formidable King Gleeok, boasting multiple heads representing each element. Engaging these elemental beasts proves to be quite challenging, but their vulnerability lies in their large eyes.

The Secret Stones, a new addition to the Legend of Zelda mythology in Tears of the Kingdom, bring a fresh element to the lore. These powerful artifacts, brought to Hyrule by the Zonai, possess the ability to enhance the skills of their possessors. However, these stones hold a forbidden secret: they have the capability to turn those who consume them into dragons. As the game reaches its climax, the Demon King Ganondorf, in a desperate attempt, consumes his stone, ultimately transforming into the fearsome Demon Dragon.

This transformation, however, comes with its drawbacks. The individual will be transformed into an all-powerful immortal dragon, but at the cost of their sanity and identity. Consequently, the resulting Demon Dragon becomes an untamed and savage force solely driven to annihilate Hyrule. While bearing resemblance to the three dragons encountered in Breath of the Wild, it possesses distinct variations in color and structure that set it apart. Engaging in battle against the Demon Dragon may seem straightforward, yet it remains an exceptionally formidable adversary to confront.

1 Light Dragon

In contrast to the Demon Dragon's savage destructive power, the Light Dragon takes on a more benevolent role as it gracefully traverses the skies of Hyrule, much like its counterparts Dinraal, Farosh, and Naydra. Harnessing the power of the Light Dragon enables players to gather valuable resources, including scales, talons, horns, fang shards, and spike shards. Most notably, it is through the assistance of the Light Dragon that Link is able to reclaim the legendary Master Sword, which had been undergoing a centuries-long process of restoration.

The Light Dragon's impressive features pale in comparison to its true reason for topping this list. In the Dragon's Tears quest line, a major twist reveals that Tears of the Kingdom reveals the Light Dragon as Princess Zelda in dragon form. Stranded centuries in the past with a broken Master Sword, Zelda selflessly sacrificed her sanity to deliver it safely to Link. Despite knowing the consequences, she condemned herself to this existence to save her people and her chosen hero.