Anyone watching Game of Thrones always think about the dragon ranking in the whole GoT universe. And now with House of the Dragon, we have a lot more dragons, and a lot more to think about. As a big fan of the George R.R Martin’s creative work, and GoT, I have always compared characters, dragons, and powers from the fantasy world of Westeros. In this blog you’ll learn about the powers, sizes, battles, and much more about the dragons. Please note I’ll also include dragons like Balerion the dread which were only discussed in the series.
Ranking Dragons in GoT and House of the Dragon
My dragon ranking list only includes the dragons which appeared or were mentioned in Game of Thrones, and House of the Dragon series (until the latest seaon 2). I am not including all the dragons in George R.R Martin’s books.
Balerion the Black Dread
If you have watched Got than you have heard about Balerion the Dread more than a few times. Even only his skull was larger than a carriage. We have seen the largest dragon of Daenerys Targaryen and his head was much much smaller than a carriage.
Balerion was one of a kind. He was the largest dragon recorded in the entire Targaryen history. May be there were some even larger than him, but we don’t know about them. His rider was Aegon the Conqueror who is also mentioned many times in the series. He was the one who combined the seven kingdoms, and laid the foundation of the iron throne.
Balerion was undisputed, he helped burn the Harrenhal, which was the largest fortified structure ever built in Westeros. According to Tywin Lannister, it could withstand a siege of a million strong army from the ground but dragons came from above. Balerion also founght in multiple battles and once defeated the largest army ever assembled. In short, he was sthe key factor in uniting all seven kingdoms. No other dragon could come even closer to his destructive power, size, and battle experience.
Vhagar
In my dragon ranking, Vhagar comes second. She is the largest known dragon who once fought besides Balerion. She was young at that time, but after the death of Balerion due to old age, she gradually grew in size and beacme teh largest living dragon.
Her first rider was Queen Visenya Targaryen as seen in the House of the Dragon. Presently, she is tamed by Aemon Targaryen. She is so powerful that she can cut a normal dragon in half while only using her jaw strength. Recently in the Dance of the Dragons she killed Lucerys Velaryon, and his dragon Arrax. In pre-GoT era she is the ultimate beast among dragons – an apex predator.
Drogon
The last dragons seen were 300 hundred years ago, and the largest ones were no larger than cats. It is told during the Game of Thrones. So, in the era of John Snow, Night King, and Cersi Lannister etc, there were no dragons. Until, Daenerys Targaryen stepped into fire along with three dragon eggs and gave birth to three new dragons.
She name the two dragons after her brothers, and third dragon after Khal Drogo, her late husband. Dogon is the largest and most fierce dragon of Daenerys. He fought countless battles and was only a few years old, when Daenerys died in Kings Landing.
In my opinion, dragons live for centuries, and currently Drogon is in his initial years. I think, it will continue to grow into a more massive beast. I don’t know if he’ll match Vhagar, or Balerion in size. But his experience in battles have made him the greatest apex predetaor in the GoT era.
He has black scales and red eyes. He alone destroyed the greatest Iron Fleet, along with the city of Kings Landing which coprised of over 1 million indiviuals. He also dogged countless scropion (wall/ship mounted ballitas which shot lethal arrows capable of killing a dragon). His other notable feats are destorying Lannister army, and at the end burning & melting iron throne.
Finally, Drogon is probably the first dragon who have killed more humans in a single day than any of the other dragons in my dragon ranking in their entire life times.
Caraxes (The Blood Wyrm)
Perhaps the most terrifying, and cunning dragons of all. He was Caraxes also know as blood wyrm. He was ridden by Prince Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon. He has a very long neck and looks more like a serpent. He has crimson-like scales, and is extremly agressive.
His final battle with Vhagar was one of the best dragon vs dragon battle in history of Westeros. Atlthough, it has yet to occur in the House of Dragon. So, sorry for teh spoilers, you can skip this part if you wish.
So, he fought with Vhagar greatly wonding her. Naturally, he also died, but at the end Vhagar who was already very old and wonded, also died. This epic event took place over Harrenhal’s Lake. Caraxes other notable feats are the the war of Stepstones, destroying numeroues foes for Price Daemon, and more.
He may not be the most strongest, or biggest in my Dragon ranking list, but he is certainly the most deadliest ones.
Syrax
Syrax is one of the larger dragons but of course it was still very small in comparison with Vhagar. Her main perk is her high agililty, and flight speed making her a force to reckon with. She is overall yellow/golden scale, green eyes, and is overall golden in color and looks like a perfect ride for a king or queen. Her rider was Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.
Syrax played a vital role in the early stages of the dance of the dragons. Rhaenyra’s bond with her on a while another level. When they fight together she is more fierce, intelligent, and productive. Other than Drogon, she is perhaps one of the most loyal dragons to ever live. Also, she laid three dragon eggs during the series.
Meraxes
Silver scales and golden eyes — she was one of the largest dragons to accompany Balerion during the conquest of Westeros. Ridden by Queen Rhaenys Targaryen, she fought alongside Aegon as he conquered all seven kingdoms and forged the Iron Throne.
She burned entire cities in Dorne before being killed by a giant scorpion bolt to the eye. She remains one of the most discussed dragons after Balerion, thanks to her massive size and strength. Her death marked a turning point in Targaryen military dominance — a reminder that dragons were no longer invincible.
Meleys (The Red Queen)
You have already seen her in action — Meleys, the Red Queen. She is ridden by Princess Rhaenys Velaryon in the House of the Dragon series, and her presence on the battlefield is nothing short of breathtaking. Draped in crimson scales with pink wing membranes, she is as elegant as she is deadly.
Meleys is renowned as the fastest dragon in recorded history, able to outpace and outmaneuver nearly any opponent in the skies. Her agility made her a nightmare for larger, slower dragons, allowing her to execute maneuvers that seemed impossible. In the Dance of the Dragons, she fought bravely against both Vhagar and Sunfyre — a battle where she faced overwhelming odds yet held her ground with unmatched ferocity.
She wasn’t the largest, but speed was her greatest weapon, making her capable of strikes and escapes that no other dragon could match. In the right hands, she could easily be counted among the greatest dragons ever to grace the skies of Westeros.
My Thoughts on Dragon Ranking in Westeros – Got & House of Dragon Series
As a big fan of dragons in any series, anime, TV, or movies I can frankly say that they are the most entertaining creatures in fiction world. A dragon is the combination of speed, flight, fire, and power all combined into one. What is not there to like?
Especially, in a huge budget series like Game of Thrones, or House of Dragon, dragons take that excitement on a whole another level. Whether is is Balerion the Dread, Drogon, or Vhagar – all of them bring an extra dose of Westerosi charm when we watch the series.
In short, and it is my personal opinion, without dragons Got or House of Dragon don’t have much to show. You will learn what I am saying in the upcomong HBO’s series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. It is also based in Westeros, and tells the tales of Ser Duncan the Tall, and Egg (Aegon V Targaryen). But if you are into the knights, you will love it. Here is a small chart showing the timeline as it happens around 90 to 100 years before the Robert’s Rebellion and GoT. Thoughts?
