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 2, especially after the violent Season 1 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. The first season of HOTD saw some dragons getting new riders, so here's a quick list of where all of the dragons currently are in the Game of Thrones prequel. And unfortunately one of these 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 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, and it should be interesting to see her grow as Rhaenyra does.
Syrax is known for being nimble and fast in the air, but hasn't experienced any real battle or hunts. But perhaps this will change if war eventually breaks out in Westeros, and the Dragon Riders are forced to saddle up and meet in the battlefield. Syrax hasn't been seen in a few episodes, but she's been laying eggs for various members of the Targaryen family as it grows.
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. If and when war breaks out, smart money says Vhagar will be a serious weapon.
The Season 1 finale saw this already happen, as Vhagar went against his rider's orders and killed both Lucerys Velaryon and his dragon Arrax. It was a brutal scene, one that started the bells of war.
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. And I'm hoping to see him back in the battle sooner rather than later.
Seasmoke (Laenor Velaryon)
Seasmoke is one of the new dragons that we've seen actually engage in battle throughout HOTD so far. He's a young silver dragon that's bonded with Laenor Velaryon, presumably since birth. 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 is presumably out of commission as Laenor Velaryon faked his own death and fled Westeros in disguise. But since he's still alive, Seasmoke shouldn't be able to bond with any other Dragon Rider. Could this fact be used to prove that his death was staged all along? We'll have to see. In the Season 1 finale it was revealed that Seasmoke was still dwelling at Driftmark in the wake of his rider's "death."
Meleys (Rhaenys Targaryen)
Meleys aka The Red Queen is 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 nowadays. But that might change if a civil war begins in Westeros.
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 it's first major scene in Episode 9 "The Green Council." After the Hightowers stage a coup and crown Alicent's song 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. Although I'm curious to know how many common folk were killed during this escape.
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.
Unfortunately we haven't seen Vermax since House of the Dragon's latest time jump, and as such it's unclear how much it might have grown since Jace was training in the Dragon Pit. But their bond should presumably be even stronger, even if we haven't seen him actually riding the creature.
Arrax (Lucerys Velaryon)- DECEASED
Throughout the last few episodes of House of the Dragon, Alicent, Rhaenyra, and Laena's children have grown up and become more prominent characters. This includes Lucerys Velaryon, who is 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 dragonback. 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 will no doubt start all out war among the Targaryens.
Vermithor (Daemon Targaryen?)
The Season 1 finale of House of the Dragon teased how heavily dragons will factor into the upcoming war in Westeros. The trailer for the episode saw Matt Smith's Daemon Targaryen 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 claimed by King Jaehaerys, who was seen in House of the Dragon's opening scene back from Episode I. The massive dragon (the second largest one in all of Westeros) hadn't had a rider in the years since the late King's death, but that might change in Season 2. It looks like Daemon might has bonded with the massive dragon, but that remains to be seen. But clearly dragons are going to be heavily factoring into the action of the show's sophomore season.
While that rounds up all the dragons whose appearance has been confirmed, we've seen various other winged creatures flying around-- especially during Laena's funeral. Some of them might be the dragons below, whose rider we know but who haven't gotten their own scenes yet.
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 seemingly 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, and some fans think they might have spotted her in the background of a scene. Helaena seemingly doesn't ride her much, but we'll have to see if this changes if the dragons of her family are truly weaponized.
Sunfyre (Aegon Targaryen)
Another dragon that fans have 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 are trying to keep on the Iron Throne. Sunfyre is still be fairly young, but that might change given the various time jump that have already occurred throughout the show's first season.
One of the reasons why fans are 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 glumpse of Sunfyre in the House of the Dragon Season 2 trailers.
Moondancer (Baela Targaryen)
The final unseen dragon that fans have been looking out for is Moondancer. She's the dragon of owned 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. The alliance between Houses Targaryen and Velaryon was made stronger than to both twins' engagements, as well as the power of Moondancer.
Of course, there are some lingering questions surrounding the dragons of House of the Dragon. For instance, it's unclear if Rhaenyra's sons Joffrey, Aegon, or Viserys have dragons of their own. After all, Syrax is shown to be continuing laying eggs for the family. We'll just have to see how it shakes out, and which dragons ultimately live or die throughout the series.
Luckily for fans, we're getting ever closer to returning to Westeros for the second season of House of the Dragon. Season 2 was able to film in the midst of the strikes, thanks to being filmed outside of the US and its unions. And HOTD is expected to premiere its new season sometime in the summer of 2024.
