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 (which can be streamed with a Max subscription), 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 House of the Dragon's Season 2 full trailer showed off some of the dragons we hadn't had time with before. Unfortunately one of the winged beasts has already been killed off in the Season 1 finale. 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. And most recently Vhagar brutally killed Meleys (and presumably Rhaenys).
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 (Addam of Hull)
Seasmoke is one of the dragons that we've seen actually engage in battle throughout HOTD. 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 can 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 Season 2 Episode 6, titled "Smallfolk". Whether or not Addam joins Team Black in battle as a result remains to be seen.
Meleys (Rhaenys Targaryen)- DECEASED
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. 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, 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
The Season 1 finale of House of the Dragon teased how heavily dragons will factor into the upcoming war in Westeros. Thaat 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 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. Clearly dragons are heavily factoring into the action of the show's sophomore season, with Jaecaerys and Rhaenyra now looking for more Targaryen relatives that might become Dragon Riders. Only time will tell if one of them actually claims Vermithor.
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. 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.
Sunfyre (Aegon Targaryen) - STATUS UNKNOWN
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 are trying to keep on the Iron Throne. Sunfyre is still be fairly young, but seems to have grown quite a bit throughout 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 the exact state of Sunfyre is still unclear.
Moondancer (Baela Targaryen)
Another dragon fans had 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. 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.
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 youngest children, and one that we haven't actually seen in the flesh during House of the Dragon so far. But he was mentioned in Season 2, as was his young dragon Tessarion-- both of whom are residing in Oldtown with House Hightower. We'll just have to wait and see when either of them pop up.
Silverwing
Like Vermithor, Silverwing is another large and powerful dragon that's currently residing underneath Dragonstone. While Rhaenyra is eager to use Silverwing to possibly battle Vhagar, there is a big problem: she doesn't have a rider. Only time will tell if Team Black manages to find more Targaryen relatives, and whether or not they successfully claim the dragon which as previously ridden by Queen Alysanne Targaryen.
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. Luckily for fans, our answers will be here before we know it. Season 2 was able to film in the midst of the strikes, thanks to being filmed outside of the US and its unions. And it's already a wildly successful second go on the air.
