Let’s face it—when it comes to Game of Thrones, the dragons steal the show every time. Sure, we’re all here for the politics, betrayals, and swords clashing, but the moment a dragon takes flight, nothing else matters. With House of the Dragon breathing new life into the Targaryen saga, now’s the perfect time to spotlight the most powerful fire-breathers in Westerosi history. From battle legends to wild unpredictable terrors, these dragons weren’t simply mounts—but game-changers. Prepare for a trip through fire, blood, and a healthy dose of winged mayhem.
10. Morning
Although Morning never fought in combat, don’t overlook her. Being the sole dragon from Syrax’s last clutch to emerge alive after the Dance of the Dragons, merely having her as a presence was sufficient to disturb the Greens. Seared into Rhaena Targaryen’s heart, Morning was hope in the eyes of the Blacks—even though she never unleashed her wrath. Occasionally, just surviving the craziness of the Dance was a win in itself.
9. Morghul
Morghul was never ridden and was young when anarchy broke out in King’s Landing, but he fell like a fighting warrior. At the notorious Dragonpit Riot, he battled tooth and nail against a band of dragon-despising revolutionaries, burning dozens before a killing spear brought his struggle to an end. His brief but passionate defense made him a legend among the dead.
8. Dreamfyre
Few dragons had a legacy as great as Dreamfyre’s. Bred originally to Rhaena Targaryen and then to Queen Helaena, Dreamfyre could even be the origin of Daenerys’s dragon eggs, as per fan theories. When the Dragonpit was stormed, Dreamfyre exploded out of her bonds and died in a blaze of glory, killing attackers and herself as she caused the dome to come crashing down in one final act of rebellion.
7. Stormcloud
Although his tale was short, Stormcloud’s act of heroism was not to be forgotten. When young Aegon III was ambushed en route to Pentos, Stormcloud took a miraculous flight—his first ever—and flew the boy to safety. Mortally injured doing so, Stormcloud passed away not long after, but not before shaping the course of history by saving the future king.
6. Tessarion
The Blue Queen was as stunning as she was lethal. Cobalt-draped in scales and spewing blue flames, Tessarion was an invaluable asset to many battles during the Dance, particularly at the First Battle of Tumbleton. Young as she was, she held her own in a three-dragon confrontation before being finally felled by an arrow. Her combination of elegance and sheer power saw her stand out.
5. Silverwing
Silverwing was not the fiercest dragon, but she was one of the wisest—and one of the longest-lived for sure. She was once ridden by Queen Alysanne and then developed a reluctant friendship with Ulf the White. Though she witnessed bloodshed aplenty during the Dance, she lived through it all, ultimately withdrawing to the wild. There is something quietly potent about a dragon who survives while so many others perish.
4. Arrax
Arrax was continuing to grow when he and his rider, Lucerys Velaryon, came to their sorrowful demise in the air Storm’s EEndTrying to scare Vhagar with dragonfire in a last-ditch effort, Arrax inadvertently sealed his fate. The ensuing air battle resulted in destruction, the dragon and boy being torn from the air. That moment turned the war—and shattered the hearts of fans worldwide.
3. Vermax
Jacaerys Velaryon’s loyal friend, Vermax, was instrumental in the Battle of the Gullet, striking a decisive blow against the Triarchy. But victory was fleeting. Vermax flew too close to the deck, crashed into a vessel, and died, with Jacaerys dying soon thereafter. Their demise was a bitter milestone in Rhaenyra’s campaign—a reminder that even the most powerful bond between dragon and rider cannot always overcome destiny.
2. Sheepstealer
A livestock-eating wild dragon, Sheepstealer was out of reach for generations before Nettles—a resourceful and persistent girl—earned his trust the old-fashioned way: through food and patience. Huge and volatile, he never experienced full-scale combat but was always a presence to be reckoned with. He disappeared with Nettles into the Mountains of the Moon, leaving behind more legend than fact. Mystery does sometimes serve to enhance the myth.
1. The Cannibal
No dragon evokes terror greater than the Cannibal. Anciebeyond memory, this animal acquired its title by eating hatchlings, eggs, and even its brethren. No rider ever broke him—no, not through lack of trying. He survived the Dance and vanished into the mists of time unbroken and untamed. His enormity, ferocity, and aloofness put him at the head of this pyre list.
George R.R. Martin on Dragons
George R.R. Martin has been adamant that his dragons are not just fantasy animals—they’re predators, period. “They fly and breathe fire, yes, those traits seemed essential to me,” Martin once explained. “They have two legs (not four, never four) and two wings.” His dragons don’t talk, don’t collect treasure, and don’t obey human laws. Their personalities tend to be echoes of their riders, for better or ill.
Whether you swear your loyalty to Team Black, Team Green, or simply enjoy watching dragons get busy, one thing’s sure: these fire-breathing legends played a hand in determining the course of the Seven Kingdoms. Some rescued kings, others set cities aflame—but each left in their path charred legends that still linger today. Ready for more? Because when it comes to dragons, Westeros has only just warmed up to roar.