Complete Guide to the Dragons in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3

From the smallest hatchlings to the oldest and most fierce dragons in the realm, here’s your guide to the titular creatures in ‘House of the Dragon’.

Warning: This post contains SPOILERS for the first two seasons of House of the Dragon.

In the Game of Thrones universe, dragons are nuclear weapons. Obtaining one risks triggering an arms (and wings and clawed feet) race, because the mere threat of a dragon is often an effective military deterrent. With the ability to travel great distances through the air and level entire cities, dragons aren’t an artillery weapon to be used on the battlefield; they’re weapons of mass destruction that should only be called on as a last resort.

At least, this is how it should work. But as the third season of HBO’s Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon begins, these winged WMD’s are being wielded by highborn and smallfolk alike. It’s an untenable armament that’s going to get worse – much worse – before it gets better.

To set the stage for the long-awaited return of House of the Dragon, which premieres Sunday, June 21 at 9pm ET on HBO and HBO Max, here’s a closer look at the show’s dragons and those who command them. To watch House of the Dragon season 3, along with Game of Thrones and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on HBO and HBO Max with Sling, follow the link below to subscribe today.

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Dragons Ridden by The Blacks (Supporters of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen)

https://youtu.be/DQUFWWoriC0?si=An-9ZLB9FFyF2rp5

Syrax

• Rider: Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy).
• Size: Adult, grown huge and formidable.
• Dragon Biography: Syrax has yellow scales and is named after a Valyrian goddess. She has laid several clutches of dragon eggs, but has not hunted in years and is kept restrained on Dragonstone.
• Notable Moments: In "The Heirs of the Dragon" (Season 1, Episode 1), Rhaenyra commands Syrax to cremate the bodies of her mother Aemma and infant brother Baelon. In "The Red Sowing" (Season 2, Episode 7), Syrax roars alongside Vermithor and Silverwing to deter Aemond and Vhagar from attacking Dragonstone.
• Rider Biography: Queen Rhaenyra was the chosen heir of King Viserys I. Following the usurpation of the throne, she leads the "Blacks" to fight for her birthright, actively recruiting bastard dragonseeds to match the Greens' power.

Caraxes

• Rider: Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith).
• Size: One of the older and larger adult dragons.
• Dragon Biography: Known as the "Blood Wyrm" for his red scales, Caraxes is a fearsome, battle-hardened dragon with yellow eyes, a beard of horns, and a uniquely long, serpentine body.
• Notable Moments: In "The Rogue Prince" (Season 1, Episode 2), Caraxes and Daemon have a tense standoff with Rhaenyra and Syrax at Dragonstone. In "Second of His Name" (Season 1, Episode 3), Caraxes plays a pivotal role in the Siege of Bloodstone during the War for the Stepstones.
• Rider Biography: Prince Daemon is the unpredictable "Rogue Prince", brother to King Viserys I, and eventually the husband to his niece, Queen Rhaenyra. A fierce warrior who wields the Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister, Daemon leads Rhaenyra's armies in the Riverlands.

Vermax

• Rider: Prince Jacaerys "Jace" Velaryon (Leo Hart).
• Size: Young.
• Dragon Biography: Vermax is a young dragon featuring olive-green scales, orange eyes, and orange frills.
• Notable Moments: In "The Princess and the Queen" (Season 1, Episode 6), young Jacaerys trains Vermax to heel and breathe fire. In "The Black Queen" (Season 1, Episode 10), Vermax and Jace fly as envoys to the Eyrie and Winterfell.
• Rider Biography: Jacaerys is Rhaenyra's eldest son and heir apparent. Eager to prove himself, he plays a key role as a diplomat, successfully securing alliances with Houses Arryn, Stark, and Frey.

https://youtu.be/l5ga4DcK7ls?si=I71N87DN3D_GqnMw

Moondancer

• Rider: Lady Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia).
• Size: Young.
• Dragon Biography: Moondancer is a nimble, young dragon with pale green scales.
• Notable Moments: In "The Burning Mill" (Season 2, Episode 3), Baela patrols on Moondancer and spots Ser Criston Cole's army advancing toward the Crownlands, forcing them to take cover.
• Rider Biography: Lady Baela is the elder daughter of Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lady Laena Velaryon. She serves as an active scout and advisor for Rhaenyra's Black Council and is betrothed to Prince Jacaerys.

Seasmoke

• Rider: Ser Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan), and later Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty).
• Size: Adult, of fighting size but nimbler than older dragons.
• Dragon Biography: Seasmoke is a pale, silver-grey dragon with light green eyes. He resided riderless on Driftmark for years after Laenor faked his death, before actively seeking out a new rider.
• Notable Moments: In "Second of His Name" (Season 1, Episode 3), Laenor rides Seasmoke into battle to cut off the Crabfeeder's escape route. In "Smallfolk" (Season 2, Episode 6), the restless dragon actively chases down Addam of Hull on a beach and claims him as his new rider.
• Rider Biographies: Ser Laenor was Rhaenyra's first husband, who faked his death to live a free life in Essos with his lover. Addam of Hull is the bastard son of Lord Corlys Velaryon; formerly a shipwright, he becomes an eager and loyal dragonrider for Rhaenyra's cause.

Vermithor

• Rider: Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew).
• Size: Adult, the second-largest and second-oldest living dragon in Westeros.
• Dragon Biography: Known as "The Bronze Fury" for his bronze scales and ferocious nature, Vermithor is the mate of Silverwing. He remained riderless in the Dragonmont for almost 30 years after the death of his original rider, King Jaehaerys I.
• Notable Moments: In "The Black Queen" (Season 1, Episode 10), Daemon Targaryen ventures into the Dragonmont and sings to the massive, unclaimed beast. In "The Red Sowing" (Season 2, Episode 7), Vermithor slaughters dozens of dragonseeds in a fiery rampage before boldly being claimed by Hugh.
• Rider Biography: Hugh is a blacksmith from King's Landing and a bastard grandson of King Jaehaerys I. Desperate to provide a better life for his wife and sick daughter, he answers Rhaenyra's call for dragonseeds and miraculously survives to claim the Bronze Fury.

Silverwing

• Rider: Ulf White (Tom Bennett).
• Size: Adult, one of the older and larger dragons.
• Dragon Biography: Silverwing is a silver-gray dragon with blue eyes. She was previously the mount of Queen Alysanne Targaryen and was the mate of Vermithor, remaining unclaimed on Dragonstone for decades after Alysanne's death.
• Notable Moments: In "The Red Sowing" (Season 2, Episode 7), Ulf stumbles into Silverwing's lair where she docilely accepts him as her rider. They immediately take a joyride over King's Landing, causing a massive commotion.
• Rider Biography: Ulf White is a commoner, a sot, and a raconteur from King's Landing who often boasted of having Targaryen blood. He becomes a dragonrider somewhat accidentally when he surrenders to Silverwing out of terror.

Former Dragons of the Blacks

https://youtu.be/gYGp5BQ69UM?si=de2ZC4vbXtacaE2Y

Arrax (Deceased)

• Rider: Prince Lucerys "Luke" Velaryon (Deceased).
• Size: Young and small (about five times smaller than Vhagar).
• Dragon Biography: Arrax was a young dragon with pearlescent white scales. He is notable for being the first dragon killed during the Dance of the Dragons.
• Notable Moments: In "The Black Queen" (Season 1, Episode 10), Arrax and Lucerys travel to Storm's End as envoys but are chased and devoured by Vhagar amid a severe storm.
• Rider Biography: Prince Lucerys was the second son of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and her legal husband Ser Laenor Velaryon, though his biological father was Ser Harwin Strong. He was the heir to Driftmark before his tragic death.

Meleys (Deceased)

• Rider: Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Deceased).
• Size: Adult, large, and known as one of the swiftest dragons in the world.
• Dragon Biography: Known as the "Red Queen", Meleys had scarlet red scales. After her tragic death at Rook's Rest, her severed head is paraded through the streets of King's Landing, horrifying the smallfolk.
• Notable Moments: In "The Green Council" (Season 1, Episode 9), Meleys and Rhaenys famously burst through the floor of the Dragonpit, interrupting Aegon II's coronation before fleeing to Dragonstone. In "The Red Dragon and the Gold" (Season 2, Episode 4), she fiercely battles Sunfyre and Vhagar at Rook's Rest before being killed.
• Rider Biography: Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best), known as "The Queen Who Never Was", was the wife of Lord Corlys Velaryon. She was famously passed over for the Iron Throne in favor of Viserys I due to her gender, but remained a formidable political and military force until her death.

Dragon Hatchlings

Tyraxes

• Rider: Prince Joffrey Velaryon.
• Size: Hatchling.
• Dragon Biography: A hatchling that is sent to the Eyrie with Rhaena Targaryen to fulfill a promise to Lady Jeyne Arryn, who is displeased because she expected a formidable adult dragon.
• Notable Moments: Mentioned in season 2 when dispatched to the Vale.
• Rider Biography: Joffrey is Rhaenyra's third son, biologically fathered by Harwin Strong.

Stormcloud

• Rider: Prince Aegon "the Younger" Targaryen.
• Size: Hatchling.
• Dragon Biography: Stormcloud is a dragon hatchling with dark grey scales. He is sent to the Eyrie alongside his young rider to keep him safe from the war, before departing for Pentos.
• Notable Moments: Mentioned during season 2 as being sent away for protection.
• Rider Biography: Aegon the Younger is the eldest son of Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen.

Dragons of the Greens (Supporters of King Aegon II Targaryen)

https://youtu.be/asX8elKftVU?si=XXeQDkx-CF9lakY1

Sunfyre

• Rider: King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney).
• Size: Young.
• Dragon Biography: Known as "Sunfyre the Golden," he possesses magnificent golden scales and is unique for understanding commands in both the Common Tongue and High Valyrian. He is left severely injured and grounded after the Battle at Rook's Rest.
• Notable Moments: In "The Red Dragon and the Gold" (Season 2, Episode 4), Aegon impulsively flies Sunfyre into the Battle at Rook's Rest. Sunfyre is severely mauled by Meleys and then blasted with dragonfire by Vhagar, crashing to the ground.
• Rider Biography: Aegon II is the hedonistic eldest son of Viserys I and Alicent Hightower who usurps his half-sister's throne. He is left bedridden, severely burned, and with broken bones after Rook's Rest.

Vhagar

• Rider: Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell).
• Size: Ancient, making her the oldest, largest, and most powerful dragon in the known world.
• Dragon Biography: Known as the "Queen of All Dragons", Vhagar has deep jade-green scales and is the last living dragon to have participated in Aegon's Conquest. She is massive enough to swallow a horse whole.
• Notable Moments: In "The Princess and the Queen" (Season 1, Episode 6), Vhagar reluctantly incinerates her rider, Laena Velaryon, at Laena's command to end a painful, fatal childbirth. In "Driftmark" (Season 1, Episode 7), she is secretly claimed by young Aemond. In "The Black Queen" (Season 1, Episode 10), she disobeys Aemond's commands and violently chomps Arrax and Lucerys out of the sky. In "The Red Dragon and the Gold" (Season 2, Episode 4), Vhagar ambushes and crushes Meleys' neck, killing Princess Rhaenys.
• Rider Biographies: Lady Laena Velaryon was Daemon's second wife, who claimed Vhagar as a teenager before choosing a dragonrider's death. Her current rider, Prince Aemond Targaryen, is Viserys' and Alicent's second son who lost his eye in a fight while claiming Vhagar. Aemond is a fierce, ruthless warrior who serves as Prince Regent after Aegon is incapacitated.

Dreamfyre

• Rider: Queen Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban).
• Size: Adult, making her one of the older dragons in the known world.
• Dragon Biography: Dreamfyre is an adult dragon with pale blue scales who hatched during the reign of Aegon the Conqueror. She is rarely ridden by her current bonded rider.
• Notable Moments: In "The Queen Who Ever Was", Aemond demands that Helaena ride Dreamfyre into battle, but she refuses.
• Rider Biography: Queen Helaena is the sister-wife of King Aegon II Targaryen. She possesses a unique interest in bugs and makes cryptic prophecies about the future, grappling with severe grief and distress as the war escalates.

Tessarion

• Rider: Prince Daeron Targaryen.
• Size: Young.
• Dragon Biography: Known as "The Blue Queen", Tessarion boasts dark cobalt blue scales and copper-colored wings and frills.
• Notable Moments: In "The Queen Who Ever Was" (Season 2, Episode 8), Tessarion finally takes to the wing and flies over the Hightower army as they march to war.
• Rider Biography: Prince Daeron is the youngest child of Viserys I and Alicent Hightower. He was raised away from the capital as a ward of House Hightower in Oldtown.

‘House of the Dragon’: Dragons by Size

https://youtu.be/77V_n3-EryM?si=JOI4IrS8FZX8awKW

To give you an idea of their size, here are the dragons in House of the Dragon from largest to smallest, including which side of the war each is on:

The Ancients (The Largest)

• Vhagar: She is the oldest, largest, and most powerful dragon in the known world (Team Green, Prince Aemond Targaryen).
• Vermithor: Known as the "Bronze Fury," he is explicitly stated to be the second-largest and second-oldest living dragon in Westeros (Team Black, Hugh Hammer).

The Older & Larger Adults

• Dreamfyre: An adult dragon that hatched during the reign of Aegon the Conqueror, making her one of the older and larger dragons in the world. (Team Green, Queen Helaena Targaryen).
• Silverwing: The mate of Vermithor, she is also recognized as one of the older and larger second-generation beasts (Team Black, Ulf White).
• Caraxes: Prince Daemon's mount is battle-hardened and described as one of the older and larger adult dragons with a uniquely long, serpentine body (Team Black, Prince Daemon Targaryen).

Formidable Adults

• Syrax: Queen Rhaenyra’s dragon is fully grown and described as having become huge and formidable by the time of the civil war (Team Black, Queen Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen).
• Sheepstealer: A wild, unclaimed dragon from Dragonstone that migrated to the Vale, described as a large and formidable adult (No affiliation or rider).
• Seasmoke: An adult dragon of fighting size, though relatively young and nimbler than the older dragons. He is roughly one-third the size of Vermithor (Team Black, Addam of Hull).

The Young Dragons

• Tessarion: A young dragon who is just reaching fighting age. She is noted to be of comparable size to Seasmoke, making her about one-third the size of Vermithor (Team Green, Prince Daeron Targaryen).
• Sunfyre (Severely Injured/Status Ambiguous): King Aegon II's young golden dragon. Status: Sunfyre was severely mauled by Meleys and blasted by Vhagar's fire at Rook's Rest. He remains grounded and unable to fly, and Aegon bitterly presumes that he is likely dead (Team Green, King Aegon II).
• Vermax: A young dragon bonded to Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Team Black).
• Moondancer: A nimble, young dragon bonded to Lady Baela Targaryen (Team Black).

The Hatchlings (The Smallest)

• Tyraxes: A very young dragon hatchling bonded to Prince Joffrey Velaryon, recently sent to the Vale for protection (Team Black).
• Stormcloud: A young hatchling bonded to Prince Aegon "the Younger," also sent away to the Vale before departing for Pentos (Team Black).

To watch the season premiere of House of the Dragon season 3 on Sunday, June 21 at 9pm ET on HBO and HBO Max with Sling, use the link below to subscribe today!

https://main--sling--aemsites.aem.page/aemedge/fragments/try-sling-combo-max