A Who’s Who of the Dragons in ‘House of the Dragon’

House of the Dragon‘s dysfunctional family trees are a little easier to decipher than the hodgepodge of houses, bloodlines and characters in Game of Thrones. Thanks to the focus on Targaryen lineage, humans aren’t the only main characters in the series. Dragons — albeit CGI versions — with their own personalities, abilities and features are arguably the coolest thing about the show. Bound to the Targaryens through blood magic, their powers range beyond the physical. 

Now that the TV series is wing-deep in the Dance of the Dragons civil war storyline, it’s good to know which dragon is which, their history and their overall role in the past, present and future of House Targaryen. Drawn from House of the Dragon and the books The World of Ice and Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire, here’s a look at some of the most important beasts in the show — and their riders.

Be warned, though: If you’re holding off on watching season 2 of House of the Dragon until after the finale airs on HBO and Max on Aug. 4, there are spoilers ahead. 

Read more: Max: The 34 Absolute Best TV Shows to Watch

Dragons in House of the Dragon, dead and alive

Balerion: This is the OG of Targaryen dragons and formerly the most powerful in Westeros. Nicknamed “the Black Dread,” Balerion was born in old Valyria and was one of five dragons the Targaryens moved to Dragonstone before the Doom. He was the eldest and largest and first bound to Aegon “The Conqueror” Targaryen I, and then his son, Maegor I. According to book lore, Balerion’s fiery breath forged the Iron Throne, which is made from the swords of Aegon’s adversaries.

After a break, Balerion became Princess Aerea’s dragon, and the pair famously went missing in parts unknown for more than a year. They both returned in bad form, with the princess infected with a mysterious condition. Balerion came back injured and took a 40-year break before Prince Viserys (Rhaenyra’s dad) bonded with him. The Black Dread died shortly after and didn’t last a year with Viserys. He was over 200 years old when he perished, and the Targaryens have revered him ever since.

Vhagar: The grande dame Vhagar hatched in Dragonstone, and her first rider was Princess Visenya Targaryen, who’s Aegon the Conqueror’s older sister and eventual wife. As part of Aegon’s Conquest, Vhagar fought many battles and killed thousands of humans, flying alongside Balerion and Meraxes and their sibling dragonriders, Aegon and Princess Rhaenys. Nearly 30 years after Visenya’s death, Vhagar became Prince Baelon’s dragon for over 20 years. During that time, she flew out on missions with Caraxes and Vermithor, two dragons who are now part of the “Dance of the Dragons” storyline in House of the Dragon.

The series showed that Laena Velaryon was Vhagar’s next rider after Baelon died, and after she burned her beloved princess in season 1, Vhagar was later claimed by Prince Aemond. There are rumors that Vhagar is possibly grandmother to Caraxes and Meleys, but it’s not confirmed. As House of the Dragon continues, fans shouldn’t miss the upcoming “Battle Above the Gods Eye,” featuring Vhagar and Daemon’s Caraxes. It may outdo the tragic fight that took Luke.

Meleys: In a heartbreaking scene in season 2, viewers saw Meleys meet her end with her rider, Princess Rhaenys at Rook’s Rest. Known as the amazingly swift “Red Queen,” Meleys was claimed from the dragon pit at Dragonstone by Princess Alyssa Targaryen, Viserys’ and Daemon’s mother. Alyssa’s marriage to her older brother Baelon meant that Meleys and Vhagar often flew together — for recreation and war.

Several years after Alyssa’s death, Rhaenys bonded with Meleys and they rode to the very end. Rhaenys arrived at her own wedding to Lord Corlys on Meleys, and the duo spent years going on military missions. In season 2 of House of the Dragon, they meet their demise, but not before Meleys sadly takes out Sunfyre, King Aegon II’s dragon. 

Caraxes: We know Daemon’s dragon, Caraxes, from both seasons of House of the Dragon, but his history began with Prince Aemon Targaryen, the elder brother of Alyssa and Baelon, and Rhaenys’ father. Nicknamed the “Blood Wyrm,” Caraxes often accompanied Meleys and Vhagar on flights on sibling dragon rides with Aemon, Baelon and Alyssa. Experienced in battle, the dragon was later claimed by Daemon following Aemon’s death. 

Syrax: Team Black’s Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen is Syrax’s dragonrider. Their bond is so strong that Syrax is in tune with Rhaenyra’s pain during her miscarriage and her grief when she sees her dead son Luke’s cloak. Syrax is less experienced in battle than Caraxes and spends much of her time chilling in the pit. In book lore, Syrax is said to have produced a few batches of dragon eggs, including the four eggs that Rhaena has been entrusted with protecting in season 2 of House of the Dragon. Rhaenyra is the only one to claim her in the series. For now, this dragon is still alive.

Sunfyre: Sunfyre was severely wounded in episode 4 of the show’s second season, and bits of the young dragon’s golden scales and blood are scattered in the forest at Rook’s Rest. Is he dead? We don’t know yet — but King Aegon II is the only one known to ride this majestic dragon. 

Moondancer: Baela Velaryon’s dragon mount, Moondancer, is quick and intelligent and has only had the princess as her rider. Her on-screen story shifts a little bit from what’s in the book about the Dance of the Dragons war, so fans will see what becomes of her in the TV series.

Dreamfyre: The blue-scaled dragon was first claimed by Princess Rhaena Targaryen, King Aenys I’s daughter and King Aegon I’s granddaughter. Years after Rhaen’s death, Viserys and Alicent’s daughter Haelena claimed her, but the Team Green queen barely rides her. Currently, Dreamfyre sits in the dragon pit at King’s Landing.

Vermithor: A dragon that’s younger than Vhagar but older than Caraxes, Vermithor was once the dragon for King Jaehaerys Targaryen I. He’s thought to be about 100 years old by the time war breaks out between the Greens and the Blacks and has spent time with Silverwing. Vermithor hasn’t had a rider since the king, but that could soon change. 

Vermax: A young dragon, Vermax hatched from the egg given to Rhaenyra’s eldest son, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Jace). The dragon has been to the Wall where the Starks are and flown around Westeros to help Jace on envoy missions. We will see what becomes of Vermax as season 2 forges on.

Tyraxes: Tyraxes hatched from the egg given to Prince Joffrey, Rhaenyra’s youngest son with Ser Harwin Strong. The dragon is smaller than Arrax and Vermax, ridden by Joffrey’s siblings Jacaerys and Lucerys. At the start of Dance of the Dragons, Joffrey flew to the Vale under his mother’s orders. Keep watching the show to see how things play out for this dragon and its rider.

Stormcloud: Yet to be ridden, Stormcloud was gifted to baby Aegon III, one of Rhaenyra’s kids with Daemon. Look out for this dragon as House of the Dragon continues, and what happens to Prince Aegon III.

Silverwing: Silverwing is an older dragon who originally belonged to Queen Alysanne Targaryen. She was mainly used for transport and funsies and has a strong distaste for the Wall in the North. Silverwing hasn’t had a rider since that queen‘s death but is still connected to the civil war in House of the Dragon. Keep an eye out for her. 

The Cannibal: Wild and untamed and living up to its name, the Cannibal is a dragon without a rider who lives on Dragonstone Island. It hasn’t made an appearance yet in House of the Dragon, but it’s known for eating dragon carcasses as well as humans. Powerful, old and big, it’s one of the most terrifying dragons in the franchise.