Spoilers ahead for the first season of House of the Dragon.
Sometimes long-running shows have disappointing endings. Case in point: the divisive final season of Game of Thrones. But despite the complicated feelings about the finale, HBO's prequel House of the Dragon has been wildly popular since its premiere. Fans are not-so-patiently waiting for HOTD Season 3, especially after Season 2's cliffhanger finale. The GOT spinoff has certainly lived up to its title, as there are a ton of dragons flying around owned by the major characters from the two warring families. But with so many firebreathing monsters part of the Targaryen family tree, some fans might be wondering: who has each dragon in House of the Dragon?
While we only met three of them in Game of Thrones, dragons are major political and battle tool in House of the Dragon (which can be streamed with a Max subscription). And in-universe there are currently more dragons in existence since before the Doom of Old Valyria, which is referenced in both shows. Both season of HOTD saw some dragons getting new riders, as well as new beasts coming on the scene. So here's a quick list of where all of the dragons currently are in the Game of Thrones prequel. House of the Dragon Season 3 is expected to put the winged creatures in full-blown war. Unfortunately a few of the winged beasts has already been killed off. Let's break it all down.
Syrax (Rhaenyra Targaryen)
The first dragon that fans really got to known during House of the Dragon's Season 1 premiere episode is Syrax. She's ridden by series protagonist Rhaenyra Targaryen, and has distinctive yellow scales. Unlike some of other dragons flying around Westeros, Syrax is still relatively on the young side by the time we meet her, with some fans wishing it grew at the same pace as its rider.
Syrax is known for being nimble and fast in the air, but hasn't experienced any real battle. But perhaps this will change since war has broken out in Westeros, and the Dragon Riders are forced to saddle up and meet in the battlefield. Syrax didn't get as much screen time in Season 2, mostly because it's so dangerous for Rhaenyra to engage in battle herself.
Vhagar (Aemond Targaryen)
Vhagar is the dragon in the Game of Thrones prequel that has arguably had the most fascinating life so far. She's the oldest and largest dragon in the realm, literally double the size of Daemon's dragon Caraxes. Her countless years in the battlefield go back to Queen Viesenya Targaryen, who rode her as the Targaryens conquered Westeros.
When we meet Vhagar in House of the Dragon, she's old and tired, but still a powerful tool in the Great Game. She's eventually claimed by Laena Velaryon, who expressed interested in the Queen of All Dragons from an early age. After her death, Aemond Targaryen became her new rider, claiming her the night of Laena's funeral. This was a major power move for the Hightowers, was painful for Laena's children, and was the catalyst behind the physical conflict that eventually took Aemond's eye. Now that war has broken out, Vhagar is the biggest weapon in Westeros.
The Season 1 finale saw dragon warfare happen, as Vhagar went against his rider's orders and killed both Lucerys Velaryon and his dragon Arrax. More recently Vhagar brutally killed Meleys (and presumably Rhaenys), as well as his brother's dragon Sunfyre. Although even Vhagar's power is limited, with Aemond fleeing in Season 2 upon seeing how many new dragon riders are at Dragonstone.
Caraxes (Daemon Targaryen)
Caraxes is another winged creature from House of the Dragon that has gotten his fair amount of screen time so far. He's the dragon belonging to Matt Smith's Daemon Targaryen, and is nicknamed Blood Wyrm. His appearance really stands out among the other dragons we've seen in the Game of Thrones universe, with a lean build, and a super long neck. The red scales also make his appearance all the more foreboding.
Throughout House of the Dragon we've seen how ferocious Caraxes can be in battle, brutally killing friends and foes when ordered to attack by his rider. Daemon is seen using his dragon for as both a wartime and political tool, and it's traveled with him as he spent time abroad in Pentos, as well as his occupation of Harrenhal. And I'm hoping to see him back in the battle during Season 3, especially as he didn't get to do much throughout the back half of Season 2.
Seasmoke (Addam of Hull)
Seasmoke is one of the dragons that we actually saw engage in battle throughout HOTD.s first season. He's a medium aged silver dragon that originally bonded with Laenor Velaryon. Laenor rides Seasmoke during an epic battle against the Crab Feeder in Season 1, burning enemy forces and even sending soldiers flying throughout that memorable sequence.
Unfortunately, Seasmoke was out of commission after Laenor Velaryon faked his own death and fled Westeros in disguise. Since he's still alive, fan wondered if Seasmoke could still bond with any other Dragon Rider. In Season 2 Seasmoke could be seen flying around Dragontone, anxious for a new companion. And after burning Ser Steffon Darklyn, Seasmoke eventually seeks out Addam of Hull and claims him as his new rider in the Season 2 Episode 6, titled "Smallfolk". Lucky for Rhaenyra, he immediately pledged himself to her cause and is Team Black. Some fans think him claiming a new rider mens that Laenor died offscreen.
Meleys (Rhaenys Targaryen)- DECEASED
Meleys aka The Red Queen was the dragon ridden by Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best). In her youth she was supposed to be even faster than other dragons like Vhagar, although she presumably doesn't see much action before the Targaryens started feuding.
We originally only got to see Meleys briefly, with the Queen That Never Was riding it to King's Landing for The Green Wedding. But the red dragon got its first major scene in Episode 9 "The Green Council." After the Hightowers stage a coup and crown Alicent's son Aegon as the King, Rhaenys suddenly interrupts the ceremony by bursting through the floor on dragon back. But rather than killing the Greens with dragon fire, she and Meleys ultimately depart King's Landing for Dragonstone. She went into battle in the Season 2 episode "The Red Dragon and the Gold", and was successfully fighting off Sunfyre... before being ambushed by Vhagar and dying in the Battle at Rook's Rest.
Vermax (Jacaerys Velaryon)
Vermax is one of the younger dragons currently factoring into House of the Dragon. He's owned by Rhaenyra's oldest son Jacaerys Velaryon, who is currently meant to be her heir. He's got green scales and orange wings, offering yet another cool design for the creatures in the Game of Thrones prequel.
Vermax returned in Season 2 during the episode "Regent," briefly seen as Jacaerys was seen treating The Freys in The Twins. It's clearly grown a long time since the time jump, as it's pretty big... just not compared to older dragons like Vhagar.
Arrax (Lucerys Velaryon)- DECEASED
Throughout the last few episodes of House of the Dragon Season 1, Alicent, Rhaenyra, and Laena's children have grown up and become more prominent characters. This includes Lucerys Velaryon, who was Rhaenyra's younger son and the heir to Driftmark. Like his older brother, Luke also had a dragon of his own, who he presumably bonded with since birth.
Not much was about Arrax before the Season 1 finale, which was the first time we saw him appear in House of the Dragon. In "The Black Queen" Luke and Jace request to help get Rhaenyra allies by traveling to Westeros Houses via dragon back. Unfortunately, both Luke and his dragon were killed when Aemond chases them in the air and eventually loses control of Vhagar. Vhagar chomps them both up easily, which helps to start all out war with the Blacks and Greens.
Vermithor (Hugh Hammer)
The Season 1 finale of House of the Dragon teased how heavily dragons will factor into the upcoming war in Westeros. That episode saw Matt Smith's Daemon Targaryen seemingly attempt to claim a second dragon, and it turns out that the hulking creature was none other than Vermithor aka The Bronze Fury.
Vermithor originally was ridden by King Jaehaerys, who was seen in House of the Dragon's opening scene back from Episode 1. The massive dragon (the second largest one in all of Westeros behind Vhagar) hadn't had a rider in the years since the late King's death. But that changed in Season 2, when Rhaenyra gathered up Targaryen bastards to try and claim him. Hugh Strong ended up being successful, which should greatly include his family's status. And now he's got the second biggest dragon in the entire show.
Dreamfyre (Helaena Targaryen)
Heleaena Targaryen is a uniquely intriguing and funny character in House of the Dragon. Alicent's only daughter is a bit of an oddball, often speaking to herself and having a fascination with bugs. She also has prophetic dreams, predicting events like Aemond losing his eye in order to procure Vhagar.
Despite being somewhat of an outside in the family, Helaena does have a dragon of her own. Appropriately named Dreamfyre, in the House of the Dragon books she's got a blue/silver appearance. She's an older/larger dragon previously ridden by King Aenys Targaryen's daughter and eldest child, Princess Rhaena Targaryen. Helaena seemingly doesn't ride her much, but we'll have to see if this changes as the dragons of her family are more weaponized. So far Dreamfyre was only seen briefly in Season 1, in the Season 2 finale Aemond asks his sister to engage in battle on the dragon. It remains to be seen if this actually happens in the third season, as she doesn't want to fight.
Sunfyre (Aegon Targaryen) - DECEASED(?)
Another dragon that fans had been waiting to see get some screen time in House of the Dragon is Sunfyre. He's the dragon of Aegon Targaryen, who Alicent and her father put on the Iron Throne. Sunfyre was fairly young, and was still growing during its appearances on the series.
One of the reasons why fans were so eager to see Sunfyre in House of the Dragon is because of the way the dragon's appearance is described in George R.R. Martin's writing. He's described as the most beautiful dragon in Westeros, thanks to its golden scales that glisten as it flies. Luckily we got the first glimpse of Sunfyre in the House of the Dragon Season 2 trailers, and the dragon took center stage in Episode 4 during the Battle at Rook's Rest. It was taking a serious beating from Meleys before Vhagar showed up, and for episodes the exact state of Sunfyre is still unclear. But in the Season 2 finale Aegon told Larys Strong that he believed his dragon is also dead.
Moondancer (Baela Targaryen)
Another dragon fans had been looking out for is Moondancer. She's ridden by Baela Targaryen, who is one of the daughters of Daemon and Laena. She was referenced when we saw that family in Pentos, especially related to how Rhaena doesn't have a dragon of her own. Moondancer finally got to take center stage in Episode 3 of Season 2, where Baela spots and chases Cole and Gwayne into the woods in the Crownlands.
Silverwing (Ulf White)
Like Vermithor, Silverwing is another large and powerful dragon that's been residing underneath Dragonstone. While Rhaenyra is eager to use Silverwing to possibly battle Vhagar, there is a big problem: she didn't have a rider. That changed when the leader of Team Black recruited smallfolk to try and claim dragons. Although it was actually Silverwing who chose Ulf White after he accidentally found her sleeping with her eggs. But their bond is already strong enough that Ulf was able to fly over King's Landing with her at the end of that same episode.
The egg Rhaena Targaryen had in her crib as a child never hatched, and she's spent much of her time lamenting over not having a dragon. But in Season 2 when Lady Arryn mentioned a large wild dragon that resides in The Vale, you can see how interested Rhaena is.
She spends the Season 2 finale braving the elements and searching alone for said dragon, who fans of the book have identified as Sheepstealer. One of the final moments of the season sees them finally come face to face, but we're left on a cliffhanger. Rhaena nearly died from trying to claim a dragon before, will she succeed this time?
Tyraxes (Joffrey Velaryon)
Joffrey Velaryon is one of Rhaenyra's younger children, and hasn't had any actual lines of dialogue in the show so far. He's got his own baby dragon Tyraxes, and they're both heading to The Vale after Lady Jeyne Arryn requested dragons as protection for backing Rhaenyra's claim to The Throne. Unfortunately she was only given two very small dragons, which won't help much.
Stormcloud (Aegon the Younger)
Like Tyraxes, Stormcloud is another small dragon sent away by Rhaenyra to avoid any possible bloodshed on Dragonstone. Stormloud is bonded to Rhaenyra's young son Aegon aka Aegon the Younger, and was briefly seen in the Season 2 episode "Smallfolk". While she's without a dragon herself, Lady Rhaena Targaryen was tasked with protecting the dragon as well as Rhaenyra's youngest kids as they seek protection in The Vale.
Tessarion (Daeron Targaryen)
Daeron Targaryen is one of Alicent's third son, and one that we hadn't actually seen in the flesh for most of House of the Dragon so far. He was mentioned in Season 2, as was his dragon Tessarion-- both of whom are residing in Oldtown with House Hightower. It sounds like the Greens are officially calling him into battle after Rhaenyra assembled a dragon army, as the blue dragon was briefly seen flying over armies in HOTD's Season 2 finale. After all, the Greens are in desperate need for dragonriders after Rhaenyra assembled an army of dragons for The Blacks.
The 4 Dragon Eggs
When Rhaenyra sent away her youngest children and their dragons to (hopefully) protect them in Pentos, she also tasked Rhaena Targaryen with another important mission: protecting four dragon eggs in case disaster occurs on Dragonstone. These eggs came from her dragon Syrax, and three of them are believed to be the eggs that would eventually hatch into Daenerys Targaryen's dragon children Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion.
Of course, there are some lingering questions surrounding the dragons of House of the Dragon, especially prior to them all actually engaging in impending war. Unfortunately, it might be some time before our questions are answered. Season 2 was able to film in the midst of the strikes, thanks to being filmed outside of the US and its unions. But now it's in the rear view, and the fandom has to wait for another season to be written, filmed, and eventually aired.
