Image via HBO
Updated Aug 10, 2026, 5:11 AM EDT
Born with Autism (formerly classified as Asperger syndrome), Tyler B. Searle has been obsessed with storytelling since he was old enough to speak. He gravitated towards fairy tales, mythology, the fantasy genre, and animated movies and shows aimed at family audiences. When not writing, Tyler enjoys watching more cartoons and reading fantasy books in his home in Ontario, Canada.
Sign in to your Collider account
Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the HBO show House of the Dragon.Dragons are by far the most beloved and recognized creatures in fantasy. Thanks to their very nebulous definition, nearly every culture around the world has at least one creature that can be considered a dragon. In modern times, the most recognized dragons on television come from HBO's series based on the works of George R. R. Martin, Game of Thrones, and its prequel, House of the Dragon.
In Martin's works, dragons are massive beasts of a vaguely magical nature best known as the war mounts of the Valyrian Empire and the Targaryen kings of Westeros. Following a Targaryen civil war called The Dance of the Dragons, they went extinct but returned when Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) hatched three eggs with blood magic. Now that Season 3 of House of the Dragon has reached its conclusion, it's as good a time as any to look back on the best dragons the show has given thus far before watching them die.
20 Stormcloud
Rider: Prince Aegon "The Younger" Targaryen
Image via HBOIt is tradition for a dragon egg to be placed in the cradle of a Targaryen baby, hoping it will hatch and bond with the child. Such was the case for Stormcloud, the dragon to Princess Rhaenyra's (Milly Alcock and Emma D'Arcy) fourth son, Aegon the Younger (Jacke and Rory Hard and Gruff and Jude). Since he is still a hatchling, he is unable to go to war, so he is sent away from the fighting.
There is virtually nothing to say about Stormcloud in the show, since he's such a young dragon. He has a little more to do in the book, namely saving Aegon from the Battle of the Gullet before dying, but the show omitted Aegon and his brother, Viserys, from the naval conflict. Thus, we can only be left to speculate on what will happen with Stormcloud in Season 4.
19 Arrax
Rider: Prince Lucerys Velaryon
Image via HBODue to being unable to have children with her first husband, Ser Laenor Velaryon (Matthew Carver, Theo Nate, and John Macmillan), Rhaenyra slept with Ser Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr) and had three children. However, all three hatched dragons, like Arrax, the mount of Rhaenyra's second son, Prince Lucerys Velaryon (Harvey Sadler and Elliot Grihault). By the time of the Dance of the Dragons, Arrax is large enough to fly and takes Luke on a mission to win the Baratheons of Storm's End to Rhaenyra's cause.
Arrax, unfortunately, doesn't last long, being devoured alongside his rider after a tense chase with the mightiest dragon at the time named Vhagar. Still, he proves himself a brave and worthy mount in his short time and doesn't hesitate to attack the much larger dragon to keep Luke safe. It's a tragic moment that shows the bond dragons have for their riders, while also ending any chance of this war ending peacefully.
18 Tessarion
Rider: Prince Daeron Targaryen
Image via HBOThe youngest son of Queen Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey and Olivia Cooke) and King Viserys I (Paddy Considine), Daeron (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) was raised in Oldtown with his cousin, Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton). She is nicknamed the Blue Queen due to her vibrant-blue scales, and grows large enough to ride midway into the Dance of the Dragons. Thus, Daeron flies her over Ormund's army as they march through the Reach, but due to Ormund's dislike of dragons, Daeron is not allowed to ride her as much as he'd like.
Tessarion is certainly one of the prettiest dragons on the show, but it's a shame that she isn't given anything to do this season. What scenes we do get between her and Daeron do seem to hint at the two of them having a good bond, but we'll have to wait until Season 4 to see how strong it is. This is an unfortunate habit with House of the Dragon, and it's a shame that it comes at the expense of the dragons.
17 Vermax
Rider: Prince Jacaerys Velaryon
Image via HBORhaenyra's eldest son, Jacaerys Velaryon (Leo Hart and Harry Collett), rode the green dragon Vermax. He was the largest of the young dragons by the time of the Dance, allowing Jace to ride him to treat with his mother's allies and project power. Sadly, his size was not enough to save him or his rider during the Battle of the Gullet, where they were killed by pirates under the command of Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn).
Vermax is another young dragon who sadly doesn't get a lot of moments to shine. Still, what time he does get is well-used, whether it's helping Jace with politics or burning enemy ships. His death is also one of the most tragic in the series, as he is pulled beneath the waves to bleed out and drown at the same time.
16 Meraxes
Rider: Queen Rhaenys Targaryen
Image via HBOWhen Aegon I Targaryen began his conquest of Westeros, he tasked his favorite sister-wife, Rhaenys, with claiming the Stormlands. She rode Meraxes, the second-largest of the initial three Targaryen dragons, named after one of the gods of Old Valyria. After bringing the Stormlands to heel, she flew with the other two dragons in the Field of Fire, but, years later, was shot down and killed in the First Dornish War.
Unlike Balerion the Black Dread, who is spoken of with much relevance years after his death, Meraxes is barely mentioned on the show outside of brief lore descriptions. That said, she is still one of the dragons who created modern-day Westeros, so she cannot be completely discredited. Her skull can be seen in Dragonstone, identified by the damage to her left eye socket from the scorpion bolt that brought her down.
15 Dreamfyre
Riders: Princess Rhaena Targaryen and Queen Helaena Targaryen
Image via HBOOne of the few adult-sized dragons on the side of Aegon II (Ty Tennant and Tom Clynn-Carney), Dreamfyre has been with House Targaryen since the reign of its third king, Maegor the Cruel. She was originally ridden by Maegor's niece and queen, Princess Rhaena, but spent most of her life on the other side of Westeros during her rider's self-imposed exile. When Rhaena died, Dreamfyre remained riderless until she bonded with Helaena Targaryen (Evie Allen and Phia Saban), Aegon II's sister and queen.
While Dreamfyre hasn't done much in the show yet, she has had a lot of impact on the lore of Westeros. The egg that Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) stole to get his brother's attention was laid by Dreamfyre, and there are theories that she laid the eggs that would eventually hatch Daenerys' three dragons. Though Helaena didn't ride her too often, she is still one of the largest dragons in Westeros, and could wreak untold destruction if she's ever let out of the Dragonpit.
14 Moondancer
Rider: Lady Baela Targaryen
Image via HBOOne of the younger dragons on the side of the Blacks, Moondancer, is bonded to the eldest of Daemon's daughters by Laena Velaryon (Savannah Steyn and Nanna Blondell), Baela (Shani Smethurst and Bethany Antonia). Since she isn't large enough to engage the Green dragons, Rhaenyra commands Baela to fly Moondancer on reconnaissance missions. They gave the Hand of the King, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), a fright on his way to subdue the Crownlands, then later partook in the Battle of the Gullet.
Moondancer is another dragon who can't do much due to her age, but the production crew manages to give her personality through her movements and design. Like her rider, Moondancer is brave despite her age and is eager to prove herself. Her design is also striking thanks to her tiger stripes and mohawk-like frills, allowing her to stand out.
13 Syrax
Rider: Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen
Image via HBOA gorgeous golden-green dragon, Syrax, was chosen as the mount of Princess Rhaenyra. Despite her size, Syrax is another dragon who has not seen battle, and rarely even goes out to hunt. However, she has accompanied Rhaenyra on numerous important missions, from stopping Daemon from stealing a dragon egg to asserting Rhaenyra's position as Queen of Westeros.
Though an adult dragon, Syrax has little to no combat experience, as demonstrated by how brutally she is savaged by the wild dragon, Sheepstealer. Nevertheless, she and her rider maintain a good connection, to the point where Syrax can feel her labor pains and lays eggs of her own, giving the two a bond through motherhood. Her design is also quite beautiful, with a more rounded face than the other dragons, which makes her look fierce but also more matronly.
12 Rhaegal
Rider: Jon Snow
Image via HBO
The second largest of Daenerys' dragons, Rhaegal, was named after her eldest brother, Prince Rhaegar (Wilf Scolding), who died fighting Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) at the Battle of the Trident. Identified by his green and bronze scales, Rhaegal is very much the middle child of the family, though he's closer to his younger brother Viserion than his elder, Drogon. In preparation for the battle against the Night King (Richard Brake and Vladimir Furdik), Daenerys allows Jon Snow (Kit Harington) to ride him.
Rhaegal is easily the most forgettable of the three dragons from Game of Thrones. Everything he does is in the company of a second or third dragon, which leaves him with few chances to do much. His actions in Season 8 sadly continue this trend: he is taken out of the Battle of Winterfell fairly quickly, then gets killed in the next episode because Daenerys infamously "kind of forgot about the Iron Fleet."
11 Sheepstealer
Rider: Lady Rhaena Targaryen
Image via HBONot all of the dragons in Westeros are fully under House Targaryen's control. One, named Sheepstealer, is a wild dragon who has never known a rider, and so flies where he wishes across Westeros. When he left Dragonstone and traveled to the Vale of Arryn, he was eventually claimed by Baela's twin, Rhaena (Eva Ossei-Gerning and Phoebe Campbell), but a wild dragon is not so easily broken in.
Sheepstealer's time in the wild has turned him into a formidable opponent, as seen when it took three adult dragons to subdue him. He also has one of the most distinct designs, with gnarled scales and an underbite, which further sells him as a dragon who has had to fight and hunt every day of his life. Rhaena's attempt to tame him further highlights the unpredictable nature of dragons, and how they are not horses, but dangerous beasts who have the potential to kill thousands with a breath.
Collider Exclusive · Game of Thrones Personality Quiz Which Game of Thrones House Do You Belong To? Stark · Lannister · Targaryen · Baratheon · Tyrell
Five great houses. Five completely different answers to the same question: how do you hold power in a world that will take it from you the moment you stop paying attention? Eight questions will determine where your loyalties — and your nature — truly lie.
🐺Stark
🦁Lannister
🐉Targaryen
🦌Baratheon
🌹Tyrell
FIND YOUR HOUSE →
01
Someone powerful is acting dishonourably and everyone knows it. What do you do? In Westeros, the answer to this question has ended more than one great house.
ACall it out, openly and on the record. If honour means anything, it has to mean something when it's costly. BUse it. Information about someone else's dishonour is leverage — and leverage is power. CAct decisively to correct it — with or without the approval of those around me. DChallenge them directly. Strength settles disputes more honestly than courtroom manoeuvring. ENavigate carefully — build alliances, apply quiet pressure, and create a situation where the right outcome becomes inevitable.
NEXT QUESTION →
02
What is the source of your power? Every house endures because of something. What is it for yours?
AThe loyalty of people who trust me — earned over generations, not bought with gold. BWealth, intelligence, and the willingness to use both without sentiment. CA legacy so fearsome and a vision so total that opposition becomes unthinkable. DPhysical strength, military force, and the respect that comes from being the kind of person nobody wants to fight. ECharm, connection, and the ability to make powerful people feel that my success is also theirs.
NEXT QUESTION →
03
Who do you truly fight for? Strip away the banners and the words. The honest answer tells you everything.
AMy family and my people — those who depend on me and have kept faith with me through everything. BMy family — the ones who share my blood, even when they exhaust me, even when they disappoint me. CMy cause — a vision larger than any single person, including me. DMyself, and those few who've proven themselves worth fighting beside. EMy house — its name, its future, the position I intend to leave it in when I'm gone.
NEXT QUESTION →
04
How do you deal with your enemies? A house's method reveals its character as clearly as its words ever could.
AHonestly — I face them directly, and I give quarter when it's warranted. BThoroughly — I don't leave loose ends, and I don't make the same enemy twice. CDecisively — fire answers questions that diplomacy only delays. DHead-on — I'd rather meet a threat on the battlefield than behind closed doors. EElegantly — I prefer to make former enemies into allies, or at least into people who owe me something.
NEXT QUESTION →
05
What kind of ruler do you believe in? Westeros is full of answers to this question. Most of them end badly.
AA just one — someone who serves the realm rather than using it, who leads by example rather than fear. BA capable one — someone smart enough to navigate the game, ruthless enough to win it, and realistic about what winning costs. CA transformative one — someone who doesn't just rule what exists but reshapes what's possible. DA strong one — someone whose authority is beyond question because the alternative is obviously worse. EA wise one — someone who understands that the realm is fed by more than armies, and that a full stomach keeps more peace than a sharp sword.
NEXT QUESTION →
06
You suffer a devastating loss. How does your house respond? How a house handles defeat tells you more about it than how it handles victory.
AWe grieve, properly and together — and then we endure, because endurance is what we do. BWe adapt. We reassess. And we ensure that whoever caused this loss comes to regret it completely. CWe burn hotter. Setbacks don't soften us — they clarify what needs to happen next. DWe hit back. Grief and revenge are the same motion in our house. EWe regroup quietly, rebuild our position, and return when we're ready — on our terms, not theirs.
NEXT QUESTION →
07
Which of these truths about Westeros do you most believe? Every house has a philosophy. This is yours.
AThe lone wolf dies, but the pack survives. Nothing matters more than the people you protect. BA Lannister always pays their debts — in gold or in kind. Reputation is built on consistency. CI am the blood of the dragon. Some destinies are written before the person who carries them is born. DOurs is the fury. When we move, we move completely — and we don't stop until it's done. EGrowing strong means knowing when to bloom and when to wait. Patience is its own kind of power.
NEXT QUESTION →
08
The Iron Throne is within reach. What do you do? The answer reveals not just your ambition — but your character.
AClaim it only if the realm needs me to — and rule in a way that makes it worth having. BEnsure someone who owes us sits in it. The power behind the throne is safer than the throne itself. CTake it. It was always meant to be mine — I feel that in my bones and in my blood. DSeize it — with both hands, without hesitation. Opportunity in Westeros does not wait to be asked. EPosition my house to be indispensable to whoever sits there — influence outlasts any single reign.
REVEAL MY HOUSE →
The Maester Has Spoken Your House Is…
Your answers point to the great house whose words, values, and way of surviving in Westeros match your own. Bend the knee — or don't. That's very much up to you.
🐺 House Stark
Winter is Coming — and you have always known it. You prepare not out of fear but out of duty, because the people who depend on you deserve someone who takes the long view.
- You lead with honour even when it costs you, because you understand that a reputation built on integrity is the only one worth having.
- Your loyalty to family and people runs deep — not as sentiment but as a code that doesn't bend when things get difficult.
- The North endures because Starks endure — not by being the cleverest players in the game, but by being the kind of people others are willing to follow into the cold.
- You are that kind of person. The pack survives. The lone wolf dies. You already know which one you are.
🦁 House Lannister
You understand the game — its rules, its exceptions, and exactly when the rules become the exception. You play it without illusions and without apology.
- You are sharper than most people realise, and you have learned to use that gap to your advantage.
- A Lannister always pays their debts — and you always keep your word, because your word is an instrument of power, and instruments must be kept in working order.
- You love your family with a ferocity that sometimes blinds you, and you know it, and you do it anyway.
- The lion doesn't concern itself with the opinion of sheep. Neither, in the end, do you.
🐉 House Targaryen
You carry a sense of destiny that is difficult to explain and impossible to ignore — the feeling that you are not simply participating in the world but meant to reshape it.
- You are capable of extraordinary things, and you know it, and that knowledge is both your greatest strength and your most dangerous quality.
- Fire and blood are not just words to you — they are a philosophy about what change requires and what it costs.
- The Targaryens at their best were transformative rulers who broke chains and defied the limits of what anyone thought possible.
- At your best, so are you. The dragon has three heads. You are one of them.
🦌 House Baratheon
You are a force — direct, powerful, and difficult to ignore when you enter a room or a conflict. You do not negotiate with challenges. You meet them.
- Ours is the fury — and yours is a kind of intensity that commands attention, respect, and occasionally fear from those who underestimate what's behind it.
- You value strength and straight dealing. You'd rather know where you stand in a fight than navigate a web of courtly whispers.
- The Baratheons built their house on the back of one of the greatest military victories in Westerosi history — and then struggled with what came after.
- The lesson of your house is that winning is not the end of the story. Governing is. You are learning that too.
🌹 House Tyrell
You understand that power does not always announce itself — that sometimes it arrives with flowers, good wine, and a smile that doesn't quite reach the eyes.
- Growing strong is your house's motto, and you live it: patiently, strategically, always investing in the relationships and resources that will matter most when it counts.
- You are charming by choice and calculating by nature — a combination that makes you one of the most effective players in any room you enter.
- The Tyrells fed King's Landing and shaped its politics without ever sitting on the Iron Throne — and they were arguably more powerful for it.
- You know that the person who controls the food controls the kingdom. And you always know where the food is.
↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ
English (US) ·