The dragons, magical flying reptiles that can breathe fire, are definitely a highlight of the show – House of the Dragon. We were first introduced to these beasts in Game of Thrones and were completely in awe of their strength and abilities. The GOT era was limited to only 3 dragons – Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion, while HOTD will feature around 17 dragons throughout its seasons. We’ve already encountered two of the giant creatures so far – Syrax and Caraxes.
From the source material, we know that the Dragons keep growing. In season 8 of Game of Thrones, Drogon had a wingspan of about 60 meters and he was only 7 years old! In House of the Dragon, some of these flying beasts are over several hundred years old. It makes us wonder, what is the biggest and most brutal dragon that has ever been ridden by a Targaryen? Well, here’s a list of five of these beasts that we think are the most brutal.
5. Solar Fire:
Also known as Sunfyre the Golden, according to Archmaester Gyldayn, was the most beautiful dragon ever seen in the known world. He had golden skin and a golden flame.
Despite his youth, he was huge and a fearsome fighter. King Aegon II rode the dragon during the Targaryen Civil War – Dance Of The Dragons. During the battle he managed to kill Meleys but was injured and injured with a torn wing. Despite his wounds, he managed to kill three twenty of his enemies who had come to kill him, managed to return to Dragonstone where he once again fought for his rider before succumbing to his wounds. His tenacity is truly unmatched.
4. Vermithor:
It was a fearsome dragon that was smaller than only Balerion and Vhagar. She was the ride of Jaehaerys I Targaryen and after his death she was ridden by Hugh Hammer – a blacksmith bastard. The Dragon was so strong and brutal that she killed both Seasmoke and Tessarion before collapsing and dying from her injuries.
3. Meleys:
She was also known as the Red Queen and was ridden by Princesses Alyssa Targaryen and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Although she might not have been that tall, she could easily overtake Caraxes and Vhagar. She was old, cunning, and deadly in battle.
She died in battle with Vhagar and Sunfyre. However, according to Archmaester Glydayn, she would have had a chance if it was a one-on-one fight with the Dragons. She had managed to lock her jaw around Sunfyre’s neck but was overpowered when Vhagar intervened.
2. Carax:
Ridden by Daemon Prince Targaryn himself, Craxes already made a memorable appearance at the start of HOTD Season 1. The fearsome Dragon is red, huge and learns in structure and has formidable fighting skills.
While we’ve yet to see what he’s capable of in the HBO series, in the books his greatest show of strength was battling and killing none other than the mighty Vhagar. A show of force of such magnitude propelled him to number two on our list.
1. Vhagar:
She is the oldest, largest, and most powerful living dragon in Westeros. Named after one of the ancient Valyrian gods, it’s big enough “to ride a horse down its throat”. Its fire was so weak that it could melt a knight’s armor and cook him inside. Besides Black Dread and Meraxes, she aided King Aegon I Targaryen in his conquest of Westeros.
While we may not get to see Balerion, Vhagar is the next big thing in the GOT spinoff. At the time of Dance of the Dragons, she would be 180 years old and nearly as tall as Black Dread.
As we already met Laena Velaryon in episode 2. She is almost the age where she bonds with Vhagar in the books. So, we might see the mighty beast sooner rather than later on screen.
Honorable Mention – Balerion:
Balerion, also known as Black Dread, may not have been seen in the HBO series, but seeing his skull makes us wonder what a gigantic beast he must have been.
He was ginormous with a wingspan that could shadow an entire city, and was equally strong and powerful. Its scales and wings were black, as was its fire. Its flames were so powerful they would melt metal and stone.
He was the last dragon to see the Valyrian Freehold and one of the three dragons who helped conquer Westeros. At the end of the war, it was Balerion who forged the Iron Throne by melting the swords of Aegon the Conqueror’s enemies.
