Dragons, the magical flying reptiles that can breathe fire are definitely a highlight of the show-  House of the Dragon. We were first introduced to these beasts in Game of Thrones and we were in complete awe of their strength and capabilities. The GOT era was limited to only 3 dragons – Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion, while HOTD will feature around 17 dragons throughout its seasons. We have already met two of the giant creatures so far – Syrax and Caraxes.

From the source material, we know that the Dragons never stop growing. By season 8 of Game of Thrones, Drogon had a wingspan of around 60 metres and he was only 7 years old! In House of the Dragon, some of these flying beasts are over hundreds of years old. That makes us wonder, which is the largest and the most brutish Dragon that has ever been ridden by a Targaryen? Well, here is a list of five of those beasts which we think are the most brutal.

5. Sunfyre:

Also known as Sunfyre the Golden, according to Archmaester Gyldayn, was the most beautiful dragon ever seen in the known world. He had a golden skin and a golden flame.

Despite being young, he was huge and a formidable fighter. King Aegon II rode the Dragon during the Targaryen civil war – Dance Of The Dragons. During the battle, he managed to kill Meleys but was injured and wounded with a torn wing. Despite his injuries he managed to kill threescore of his enemies who came to kill him, managed to go back to dragonstone where he fought yet again for his rider before succumbing to his injuries. His tenacity is truly unmatched.

4. Vermithor:

She was a fearsome dragon who was smaller than only Balerion and Vhagar. She was the ride of Jaehaerys I Targaryen and after his death was ridden by Hugh Hammer – a blacksmith’s bastard. The Dragon was so strong and brutish that she killed both Seasmoke and Tessarion before collapsing and dying of her wounds.

3. Meleys:

She was also known as the Red Queen and was ridden by Princesses Alyssa Targaryen and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Though she might not have been as large but could easily outpace Caraxes and Vhagar. She was old, cunning and deadly in battle.

She died during a battle with Vhagar and Sunfyre. However, according to Archmaester Glydayn, she would have had a chance if it was a one on one fight with the Dragons. She had managed to close her jaw around Sunfyre’s neck but was overpowered when Vhagar intervened.

2. Caraxes:

Ridden by Prince Daemon Targaryn himself, Craxes has already made a memorable apperance in the beginning of the season 1 of HOTD. The fearsome Dragon is red, huge and learn in structure and has formidable battle skills.

Though we are yet to see what he’s capable of in the HBO series, in the books, his greatest show of strength was battling and killing none of other than the mighty Vhagar. A show of strength of such magnitude has landed him on the second position in our list.

1. Vhagar:

She is the oldest, largest, most powerful living Dragon in Westeros. Named after one of the old Valyrian Gods, she is large enough that “one could ride a horse down her gullet”. Her fire was so not that it could melt a Knight’s armour and cook him inside. Besides the Black Dread and Meraxes, she helped King Aegon I Targaryen with his conquest of Westeros.

Although we might not get to see Balerion, Vhagar is the next big thing in the GOT spin-off. By the time of Dance of the Dragons, she would be 180 years old and almost as large as the Black Dread.

As we have already met Laena Velaryon in episode 2. She’s almost the age when she binds with Vhagar in the books. So, we might see the mighty beast sooner than later on the screen.

Honourable mention – Balerion:

Balerion, also known as the Black Dread might not been seen in the HBO series, but seeing his skull only makes us wonder what a gigantic beast he must have been.

He was ginormous with a wingspan that could shadow a whole town, and was equally strong and powerful. His scales and wings were black, and so was his fire. His flames were so powerful they would melt metal and stone alike.

He was the last dragon to see the Valyrian Freehold and one among the three dragons who helped conquering Westeros. At the end of the war, it was Balerion who forged the iron throne by melting the the swords of Aegon The Conqueror’s enemies.