Top 10 Dragon Attacks in The GOT Universe
#10: The Battle of the Goldroad
After Daenerys arrived in Westeros, her dragons are unleashed on the Lannister forces at the Battle of the Goldroad. The scene broke records for how many people they set on fire, and felt like something we’d been waiting years for. The behind-the-scenes are almost as captivating as the final product, making it a major achievement for special effects. While it looks stunning, it’s teeming with questionable writing decisions, hence why it’s not higher on our list. For instance, Daenerys burns a caravan loaded with food and supplies, something she dearly needs. Plus Tyrion is perilously close to the battle for no apparent reason, other than to monologue and look shocked.
#9: The Stepstones
It took only three episodes for us to get a stellar action sequence in “House of the Dragon.” The war for the Stepstones was difficult for Daemon to settle. Their foes, the Triarchy, have a cunning plan to hide in caves to shield themselves from dragon fire, then wear them down with archers. Daemon concocts a genius plan to feign surrender, lure them out, and then decimate them with a surprise attack by Seasmoke and Caraxes. It didn’t have the same weight to it as later battles during the civil war, but it was an exciting taste of what was to come.
#8: The Battle of Meereen
The Siege of Meereen is a plotline so challenging to wrap up that it’s a major factor in the books’ lengthy delay. It was finally concluded in the penultimate episode of season six, when Daenerys rides Drogon straight into the Masters’ forces. Rhaegal and Viserion aren’t far behind, resulting in a mesmerising action sequence, kicking off one of the most visually stunning episodes in TV history. After roughly two seasons of watching the dragon queen struggle to subdue Meereen, hearing her coldly utter “dracarys” before setting a fleet ablaze was a rush like no other.
#7: Pyat Pree’s Death
One of the most mystical sequences in the series came when Daenerys entered the House of the Undying. The Warlocks of Qarth were introduced to us via Pyat Pree, a blue-lipped plotter who sought to steal Dany’s dragons. Both the viewers and their mother were worried they were too small to defend themselves. This underestimation resulted in Pree being roasted alive. It was the first time we saw the dragons used as weapons, which made it one of the most satisfying moments in season two. We can’t help but wonder why Pree got so close to Dany and her dragons, though; if he kept his distance, there’s a chance they’d still be locked away there.
#6: Vhagar vs Arrax
The sight of Vhagar's hulking body descending from the clouds is one of the most haunting scenes in the series. We’ve known for decades that Vhagar is one of history’s grandest dragons, but hearing it is different to seeing it. The difference in size between her and Arrax is insane, and you’re left instantly feeling like there’s no way for Lucerys to survive. In the books, Vhagar is only a fifth of Vhagar’s size, but here that fact feels impossible to believe. It’s one of the first scenes where we see dragons refusing to obey, resulting in the first flying fatality of the civil war.
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#5: The Pits
The show majorly altered the Meereen plotline for season five, but one scene it nailed was Daenerys’ rescue from the fighting pits. Our dragon queen is surrounded by the Sons of the Harpy, which makes us think this might be the end for her. That all changes as soon as we hear the screeches of Drogon approaching, who rushes to save his queen. The soundtrack here is phenomenal, which pairs with the visuals to make an enthralling conclusion. It culminates in Daenerys finally riding her beloved Drogon. It’s also significant for nearly being her final scene in the novels right now, with fans waiting over fifteen years to see her and Drogon return to Meereen.
#4: Sheepstealer’s Arrival
Not everyone was happy with the Battle of the Gullet being delayed a season. Thankfully, after a two-year wait, the episode we got was remarkable. The lengthy sequence was loaded with epic dragon attacks, featuring five in total. The most chaotic was Sheepstealer, who recently bonded with Rhaena but was far from tame. The pair unleashed a wave of indiscriminate destruction upon the battlefield, attacking basically anything it saw, including Vermax and Moondancer. Both survived the encounter, but Vermax was killed by crossbow bolts shortly after. With him died his rider, Jace, who was mercilessly shot to death by Triarchy soldiers.
#3: Rook’s Rest
The clash at Rook’s Rest is easily one of the greatest battles in TV history. This mind-blowing set piece featured a cunning trap laid by Criston Cole, which resulted in the death of Rhaenys and her mount, Meleys. We also get potentially Aemond’s most brutal moment, with Vhagar engulfing Aegon and Sunfyre in flames, permanently disfiguring both of them. It was the first significant clash of the war, and we couldn’t look away for a second. Our favorite moment may be the shot where Vhagar finally arrives, with his overwhelming size never failing to captivate us.
#2: Sunfyre’s Return
Many “House of the Dragon” plotlines have divided fans online, but Aegon’s arc in season 3 is one universally adored. Seeing the deposed king wander Westeros, growing and learning the whole way, has been a delight. It peaked at the end of episode seven, when Aegon is nearly captured by Rhaenyra’s men. Rather than cowering, he bravely refuses to surrender, aware of how the odds are overwhelmingly against him. Well, turns out he had not only luck on his side, but a weapon of mass destruction: Sunfyre. The golden dragon arrives behind him, and it doesn’t take long for the beast to save his rider. The attention to detail in Sunfyre’s design is astounding, with his scars matching his king’s.
#1: Astapor
Not everyone instantly adored Daenerys’ plotline. With her being on another continent, it felt less relevant than most arcs. Well, one scene it’s impossible to dislike came in Astapor, when she purchased an Unsullied Army with Drogon. Seeing her turn to Kraznys and speak fluent Valyrian to him gave us goosebumps, then things only got better when she utters her iconic line, “dracarys”. No matter how many times you watch this show, this scene will always send a shiver down your spine. When we think of dragon attacks, this is always the first that comes to mind, and to us is the champion of them all.
Do you have a favourite dragon fight in Westerosi history, and did we mention it today? Let us know down in the comments below!