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The expansive universe of A Song of Ice and Fire is renowned for its exceptional swordsmen. Legends like Ser Arthur Dayne, known as the Sword of the Morning, and Ser Aemon Targaryen, the Dragonknight, are celebrated for their unparalleled prowess and chivalry. In the Game of Thrones era, fighters such as Jaime Lannister, Sandor Clegane, and the honorable Brienne of Tarth stood among the top-tier combatants.

House of the Dragon introduces some of the finest swordsmen of its time, who played major roles in the Dance of the Dragons and beyond. This list focuses on these formidable fighters, exploring their backgrounds, allegiances, and pivotal roles in the unfolding drama of the Targaryen civil war. While some have had more opportunities to display their skills on screen than others, all have earned their place on this list.

Ser Steffon Darklyn Was Loyal And Willing to Die Claiming a Dragon Portrayed by...

Politics is an integral part of House of the Dragon. Every single character spends the entire show scheming, playing at gaining power, and wrestling with the limits of their ambition. Their conflict has led to a Westeros-wide war that already has thousands of deaths to its name.

As high as the stakes are, the characters cannot always behave rationally. If they did, there would not be a war at all. While the lead-up to the war began in season 1, House of the Dragon season 2 has included some confusing character decisions that have had devastating consequences.

Daemon Abandoned Rhaenyra After a Fight

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IMDb Score

Season 2, Episode 2, "Rhaenyra the Cruel"

8.3/10

Rhaenyra and Daemon have always had a complicated relationship. He spent much of her youth grooming her, before marrying her after they faked Laenor Velaryon's death. Yet, despite putting ample effort into manipulating Rhaenyra into a marriage, Daemon abandoned her after their season 2 argument.

Warning! This article contains major Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7 and George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!

Jacaerys rejects the idea of Targaryen bastards claiming dragons, believing it undermines his own legitimacy as Rhaenyra's named heir. The dragonseeds' presence threatens Jacaerys as reminders of his true parentage and illegitimacy. Jacaerys resents his dark hair, symbolizing his illegitimacy, unlike Jon Snow's lucky black hair that concealed his Targaryen ancestry.

Although Jacaerys was the one who suggested it in the first place, he begs Rhaenyra not to go through with her plan to have Targaryen bastards claim dragons in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7. After losing Rhaenys and Meleys, it was clear that Team Black needed to find more dragonriders in order to gain the strength required to fight Vhagar in battle. Jacaerys suggested finding people with Targaryen blood who were...

The characters in House of the Dragon are, with very few exceptions, bad people. Some are more likable than others, but the vast majority of them are fine with murder, incest, and all sorts of terrible violence. And they also all tend to make very bad decisions.

The high position of every major House of the Dragon character largely depends on them keeping a cool head and making decisions that will benefit them and their family. But often they're blinded by arrogance, honor, or both and simply can't do this. Their actions are human, but audiences aren't always impressed by them.

Rhaenyra and Steffon's Dragon Plan Wasn't Well Thought Out

Related House of the Dragon: Who Rides Seasmoke After Laenor?

With Laenor Velaryon gone on House of the Dragon, the dragon Seasmoke searches for a new rider who's much closer to home than some people realize.

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Warning: Contains Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6, "Smallfolk," and major Spoilers for the book Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin.

Rhaenyra's death in House of the Dragon is foreshadowed in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6. Seasmoke burning Ser Steffon Darklyn while Rhaenyra and one of her sons watch is a sign of things to come, as she is killed in similar fashion later in the story. Rhaenyra's death is a pivotal moment towards the endgame, likely to occur in season 4 or 5, depending on the length of the show.

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6, "Smallfolk," includes one scene that teases a brutal moment I'm really not prepared for: Rhaenyra Targaryen's death. Having read George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, I know where Rhaenyra's story ends up, but that doesn't mean looking forward to that destination, because the journey with the character is already so good (in...

Quick Links Ser Steffon Darklyn Fails to Tame Seasmoke Seasmoke Reaches Out for Addam of Hull Seasmoke Claiming Addam Breaks Every Rule in the Book

The following contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 6, "Smallfolk," which premiered Sunday, July 21 on HBO.

Claiming a dragon is a respected Targaryen tradition, but very rarely is it the other way around on House of the Dragon or Fire & Blood. When Rhaenyra Targaryen attempts to have a member of her council claim Laenor Velaryon's dragon, Seasmoke, little did she know that Seasmoke already had his eyes on someone else. That someone was not far from Dragonstone, on the island of Driftmark with Velaryon blood running through his veins.

At the end of Season 2, Episode 6, "Smallfolk," Queen Rhaenyra is informed that an unknown rider has taken Seasmoke as their dragon around the village of Spicetown in Driftmark. What viewers know that Rhaenyra doesn't...

Except for the battle of Rook’s Rest, the second season of “House of the Dragon” has suffered from painstakingly slow pacing, which barely allows the narrative to move forward as a whole. It seems like a repetitive pattern is padding up the majority of the episodes, with sudden, sparse shifts in the plotline, and the sixth one, titled “Smallfolk,” is no exception. As seen previously, Daemon is still being haunted by nightmares, finding it ever more challenging to unite the Riverlands to side with the Blacks. With Aegon recovering from his grievous injuries, Aemond seizes control as King Regent. Small councils on both sides of the political divide—Blacks and Greens—continue undermining their female leaders while making war strategies. The only interesting development was Mysaria promising Rhaenyra she’d use her still existing connections in King’s Landing to strengthen the Blacks’ hold in the capital of the realm,...

House of the Dragon: Why Did Rhaenyra Choose Steffon Darklyn To Mount Seasmoke in S2? - Main Image

Of all the potential riders that could mount Seasmoke, why did Rhaenyra choose Ser Steffon Darklyn in House of the Dragon season 2? Apart from being her most loyal Queensguard, what else did he have to offer on the table?

Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, so proceed with caution.

Ser Steffon Darkly, Rhaenyra's Most Loyal Queensguard

Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen is running out of options on who could become the next dragon rider on Seasmoke. The beast had been looking for the perfect rider who could mount him to battle.

The thing is, the Kingsguard's Lord Commander, Ser Steffon Darklyn is a distant family member of House Targaryen.

He is the great-great-grandson of Aeriana Targaryen, which makes him part of their growing family tree. On the HBO show,...

Episode 5 of House of the Dragon season 2 was the prototypical slow-down episode we have gotten used to in this world. After the massive war, we saw Prince Aemond jocking for position to take his seat on the throne while Jace found himself wheeling and dealing to help his mother prepare for the next phase of this war. As Queen Rhaenrya attempts to find a rider for the dragon, Aemond starts to make his plans to take over the Riverlands and Harrenhal.

SUGGESTEDHouse of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 5 Recap and Spoiler Review – Who Will Take Over as King for Aegon? House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 6. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO. House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 6 Recap and Spoiler Review

Lannisters have summoned Prince Aemond to help with Harrenhal, but Aemond is not pleased with his actions. Aemond suggests that Criston head to Harrenhal, but Criston fights back, saying he...

Warning! This article contains major Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 and George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, on which the show is based!

Criston Cole's story culminates in his shocking death, foretold by his final conversation with Lord Darklyn. The Butcher's Ball marks the end of Cole's story in House of the Dragon, as his betrayal comes full circle in a fatal battle. Fans can anticipate Cole's demise around halfway through the third season of House of the Dragon, setting the stage for more intense conflict.

The dark Criston Cole moment that will have everyone cheering is officially set up by a scene before the Battle at Rooks Rest in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4. While initially quite a likable character as he began a budding romance and connection with Young Rhaenyra, Criston Cole has quickly become the most hated House of the Dragon character. From...

Warning! Spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon season 1 and the book Fire & Blood.Ser Steffon Darklyn's role might have changed in House of the Dragon from its Fire & Blood source material, but Daemon dropping his name and that of the dragon Seasmoke in the season finale foreshadows a major plot point to come. The status of Laenor Velaryon's Seasmoke at the end of season 1 is uncertain after Laenor faked his own death and left the Seven Kingdoms. Assuming House of the Dragon follows Fire & Blood, Steffon will attempt to mount Seasmoke during the climactic event known as the Sowing, which will not end well.

Daemon's namedrops hint that Steffon might have more of a central role in House of the Dragon season 2, especially if he participates in the Sowing. That event likely occurs next season and involves Prince Jacaerys Velaryon calling all "dragonseeds," Targaryen bastards and their descendants, to...