Who Each Dragon’s Rider Is in House of the Dragon & Whether the Show Differs From the Books

Syrax — Rhaenyra Targaryen 

Rhaenyra Targaryen boldly bonded with Syrax at the young of seven years old. Rhaenyra named her after a Valyrian goddess and was her very first rider. Syrax is not known to be as strong in battle and doesn’t enjoy hunting for herself. The bond between Ryaenyra and Syrax held strong and was proven during the times they shared pain when Rhaenyra gave birth, and shared the same grief as Rhaenyra during the death of Lucerys. It’s also believed that Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons are from Syrax in The Game of Thrones.  

Caraxes — Daemon Targaryen 

Caraxes, also known as the Blood Wyrm, is fierce in battle with his rider Daemon Targaryen. While Caraxes isn’t quite as big as some of the other dragons, makes up for it with his distinctive long neck and quick movements. The final showdown between Caraxes and Vhagar shows just how brutal the dragon can be in combat.  

Seasmoke — Laenor Velaryon 

A young, agile dragon, Laenor Velaryon pairs well with Seasmoke in the beginning. However, the bond ends shortly after Laenor fakes his death, leaving Seasmoke to linger alone in Driftmark. Seasmoke later chases Addam of Hull to bond with speculation to the fact that he’s related to Laenor. This action alludes to the fact that Laenor may have actually passed away for real. 

Meleys — Rhaenys Targaryen 

Meleys is considered to be one of the fastest and most experienced dragons in all of Westeros. She was previously ridden by Alyssa Targaryen, who died during childbirth early on in the series. Meleys was then chained down in the dragon pit and freed by Rhaenys Targaryen. Meleys and Rhaenys fell due to the combined attack from Vhagar and Sunfyre.     

Vermax — Jacaerys Velaryon

Vermax bonded with Jacaerys Velaryon as a cradle egg. Each of Rhaenyra’s children were presented with cradle eggs to see if her children were legitimate. The hatching of Vermax proved so even though his real father is Ser Harwin Strong. While both are still very young, they share a final moment during the Battle in the Gullet where they die at sea.    

Arrax — Lucerys Velaryon 

Arrax was a young bold dragon who was murdered by Vhagar while being ridden by Lucerys during a thunderstorm. Both Lucerys and Arrax plummeted into the sea, so their death wasn’t truly confirmed until their remains washed up onto shore. Their death catapulted the true beginning of the Dance of the Dragons, where many other dragon-to-dragon battles are seen soon afterwards. 

Moondancer — Baela Velaryon 

Daughter of Daemon Targaryen and Laena Velaryon, Baela Velaryon is the one to ride Moondancer. Their most notable moment is when they battle against Sunfyre and Aegon Targaryen during the Fall of Dragonstone. Moondancer was eventually blinded by Sunfyre and didn’t make it out alive. 

Vhagar — Aemond Targaryen 

Named after one of the old gods of Valyria, Vhagar is the largest dragon of all and part of the top three dragons who helped to lead the conquest of Westeros. Vhagar had a few riders, but her original one was Visenya Targaryen, who rode alongside Aegon the Conqueror during his pursuits. Laena Velaryon was then the second rider of Vhagar, but she died by commanding him to incinerate her during the grief of losing her son. Aemond Targaryen later sneaks into the dragon pit to claim Vhagar. 

Sunfyre — Aegon Targaryen II

Aegon Targaryan claimed Sunfyre at only 13 years old. They held a strong bond together, but sustained significant injuries during the battle of Rook’s Rest. They do, however, meet again on the battlefield. Sunfyre is also the dragon responsible for burning and eating Rhaenyra Targaryen later in the series. 

Dreamfyre —  Helaena Targaryen 

Dreamfyre originally claimed Rhaena Targaryen, but was later bound to Helaena Targaryen. Helaen barely rode Dreamfyre. When Helaena died, Dreamfyre was visibly struck with grief and broke away from her chains in the dragon pit. However, she died as she was escaping the storming of the dragon pit– a time period in the series where many dragons lost their lives.  

Stormcloud — Aegon the Younger 

Aegon the Younger, is also known as Aegon III and is the firstborn son of Daemon and Rhaenyra. He witnessed Rhaenyra be murdered by Sunfyre, and is traumatized by the scene. Paired with Stormcloud, he only rides him briefly before Stormcloud is killed when Aegon was only 12 years old. 

Vermithor — Hugh the Hammer

One of the biggest dragons in Westeros, Vermithor had the rider Jaehaerys I Targaryen 100 years prior to the timeline of The House of the Dragon. Due to team black needing more riders for the dance of the dragons, he claims Hugh the Hammer, a Targaryen bastard and blacksmith from Dragonstone. 

Tyraxes — Joffrey Velaryon

Both Tyraxes and Joffrey Velaryon pass away during the storming of the dragon pits. They were bonded at birth. In an attempt to save Tyraxes, Joffrey attempts to ride Syrax, but she drops him to his death.  

The Wild Dragon in the Vale (Sheepstealer) — Rhaena Targaryen 

Rhaena Targaryen first encounters Sheepstealer during a walk in the Vale, where she finds scorched Earth and burned sheep. When Rhaena first confronted Jeyne Arryn about the Sheepstealer’s origins, she replied, “Rumor of it began shortly after the war. Ranging more broadly for food, my Maestar surmised. It is large and formidable but, alas, wild.”

In the book though, Nettles is the true rider. The showrunners, however, blended the characters Nettles and Rhaena together. Due to this, there’s some speculation that the future of this dragon and rider partnership could stray even farther from the books.

Balerion — Aegon the Conqueror 

While Balerion is never seen alive in the show, he plays a significant part in the story due to his first rider being Aegon the Conqueror. Balerion helped Aegon conquer Westeros. He was one of the largest dragons to ever exist, and he was later ridden by Viserys in his final days. Both passed away from old age. 

Silverwing — Ulf the White 

Silverwing is the only dragon who didn’t kill anyone for trying to claim her. She was originally ridden by Alysanne Targaryen. and then later during the dragonseeds project she allowed herself to be claimed by Ulf the White. Unfortunately, Ulf dies at the hands of Ser Hobert Hightower from poison wine, and Silverwing isn’t known to have claimed another rider afterwards.  

Tessarion — Daeron Targaryen 

Tesarion was placed in Daeron Targaryen’s cradle as an infant, strengthening the potential for a bond. Daeron is the youngest son of Alicent and Viserys. While we won’t be seeing him in season 2, there is speculation his character will make an appearance in season 3.   

Morghul — Jaehaera Targaryen

Although Jaehaera Targaryen was paired with Morgul, the dragon died during the storming of the pits before he could ever be ridden. In the books, Jaehaera also died tragically by jumping out of the window and landing on the spikes below. Eerily, she follows the same fate as her mother Helaena. 

Shrykos — Jaehaerys Targaryen 

Known as the twin to Jaehara, Jaehaerys Targaryen also never got to ride the dragon he was bound to at such a young age. Jaehaerys died during a brutal murder, and Shrykos suffered a similar fate during the attack on the dragon pits.