7 Most Powerful Targaryens in the Game of Thrones Universe, Ranked
Game of Thrones always alluded to the incredible power the Targaryens wielded before their eventual downfall. From Aegon the Conqueror's arrival in Westeros to Daenerys Targaryen's return with dragons more than a century later, no family has wielded more influence over the Seven Kingdoms than House Targaryen. Their dynasty ruled Westeros for nearly 300 years and was responsible for some of the most significant wars, political reforms, and historical turning points.
There are many factors at play when putting each member of the family side-by-side and measuring their power. While the strength of the dragons is certainly a big advantage, other Targaryens display better political maneuvering, military victories, or the ability to reshape the realm itself. Some members of the house had much more influence and power than others.
7 Rhaenyra Targaryen is Hugely Important to House of the Dragon
In House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra Targaryen entered the Dance of the Dragons with one of the strongest claims to the Iron Throne. Over the course of the show's episodes, she has evolved from a rebellious teen to a kind, competent woman. Named heir by Viserys I and publicly acknowledged by many of Westeros' great houses, she commanded the loyalty of Dragonstone, numerous powerful bannermen, and several fierce dragonriders, including her sons and Daemon Targaryen. She rides Syrax, one of the most formidable dragons in House of the Dragon.
Rhaenyra was frequently underestimated; her diplomatic knowledge was scoffed at for being naive, but it was because of this that she gained her fiercest allies. Furthermore, the ingenuity she displayed by accepting bastards and giving them power tipped the scales in her favor and gave her a great advantage. Although the Dance ultimately ended in her faction's defeat, her influence on the Targaryen dynasty was enormous. Every subsequent Targaryen king descended from her bloodline through Aegon III, making her one of the most historically important figures in House of the Dragon. With her reputation, legitimacy to the throne, fleet of dragons and bannermen, and control of the major chokepoint, she wields a lot of power, but she hasn't successfully consolidated her rule.
6 Aemond Targaryen's Disastrous Judgment Holds Him Back
Aemond possesses an enormous destructive potential. After Laena Velaryon's death, Aemond claimed Vhagar, becoming the rider of the largest living dragon in Westeros and arguably the single greatest military threat during the Dance of the Dragons. Furthermore, he effectively served as House Green's military leader, leading campaigns through the Riverlands and helping secure several victories for his faction. He also possesses a direct claim to the Iron Throne and incredible skill with a sword, cementing him as an incredibly powerful figure. However, his strengths more or less end there.
Despite being ruthless, Aemond never builds lasting political alliances. His pitfalls also center around his insecurities, ambition, and propensity to overcompensate for the humiliations he suffered as a child. This clouds his judgment and makes him extremely reckless, often going on increasingly dangerous campaigns, like when he burned down the entirety of Sharp Point. He still inspires fear across the continent as one of the most dangerous men in the realm, but he could've been an even smarter tactician if he had used better judgment.
5 Daemon Targaryen is Calculating And Violent
Daemon Targaryen is an extremely calculating, violent, and strategic figure, and it's often better to have him on your side than against. He spends much of his life accumulating power through military victories, political alliances, and tactical marriages. While he has gripes about his brother's succession and role, or lack of, in the Small Council, he maintains a level-headedness that makes him a frightening warrior both on the battlefield and in matters of court. His dragon Caraxes is one of the most formidable in House of the Dragon, though his sheer ability as one of the best warriors in his generation makes him just as terrifying without his dragon.
Daemon commanded the City Watch of King's Landing, established himself in the Stepstones, and later became one of the central figures of the Black cause in the Dance of the Dragons. Daemon might sound perfect on paper, but he has proven to be a double-edged sword for everyone and himself. By assassinating Aegon's son, he lost Rhaenyra many allies and cost her her reputation. He often causes chaos and repeatedly displays impulsive behavior, and he repeatedly finds himself one step away from ultimate authority without ever quite reaching it.
4 Visenya Targaryen Had a Complicated Legacy
While Aegon receives much of the credit for the Conquest, Visenya Targaryen was indispensable to its success. Riding Vhagar alongside Aegon and Rhaenys, she helped establish Targaryen rule over Westeros, but her influence also extended far beyond the battlefield. Visenya played an active role in governance, founded the Kingsguard following an assassination attempt against Aegon, and then helped secure the succession of her son Maegor.
Visenya possessed a lot of military strength, political influence, and dragon power, but much of her power was exercised through Aegon, rather than independent of him. She never ruled Westeros in her own right and spent much of her life strengthening another ruler's position instead of her own. Her role in elevating Maegor to the throne also remains one of the most controversial decisions in Targaryen history, permanently complicating her legacy.
3 Daenerys Brought Dragons Back
Unlike every other legendary Targaryen who started from somewhere, either with a dragon, a royal lineage, or the prestige of a powerful house, Daenerys had, more or less, nothing. She went on to achieve something no Targaryen had accomplished in more than a century: bringing dragons back. Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion transformed her from an exiled princess into one of the most powerful individuals in Game of Thrones.
Daenerys was a conqueror and warrior unlike anything Westeros or Essos saw, but her influence went far beyond military strength. Daenerys conquered Slaver's Bay, ruled Meereen, and commanded armies like the Unsullied and Dothraki while inspiring loyalty across Westeros and Essos. By the time she arrived in Westeros, she possessed more military and political power than almost any claimant to the Iron Throne.
2 Jaehaerys I Targaryen Had the Longest Rule
House of the Dragon begins when Jaehaerys I is looking to name a successor after decades on the Iron Throne, but his accomplishments do not need to be shown on-screen to understand just how incredible they are. Alongside Queen Alysanne, he was a peacemaker and a diplomat who stabilized the realm and transformed the Iron Throne into a genuinely respected institution. Claiming Vermithor, one of the most majestic dragons in the franchise, he understood the power of his dragons and used them to keep his people in line.
Jaehaerys I's biggest prowess lay in his state-building capabilities. By overseeing the construction of Kingsroad, standardizing laws across the kingdoms, and reconciling the crown with The Faith of the Seven through The Doctrine of Exceptionalism (which argued that the dragonlords of Valyria were subject to different traditions), he successfully fostered a thriving reign not just for himself but also for future generations of his power. Jaehaerys I's wit made him the best politician in House Targaryen's history. With a massive dragon, the support of the Faith, and a unified House, it's no wonder his reign was the longest and most prosperous.
1 Aegon I Targaryen's Achievements Are Unmatched
No Targaryen wielded more power than Aegon I. Backed by the largest dragon in the franchise's history, Balerion, he scorched Harrenhal and thousands more during his conquest of Westeros. He began with a small force of 3000 men, forged the Six Kingdoms into a single realm through conquest, and established the political order that would define Westeros for centuries. Just as he was a battle genius, he was equally brilliant when it came to state-building.
Aegon I's achievements remain unmatched in Targaryen history. He created the Iron Throne, founded King's Landing, and established Targaryen supremacy over Westeros. Between his own titanic Balerion, his sisters' towering dragons, the legendary Valyrian steel Blackfyre, and the undying support of a large legion of men, he was the most powerful Targaryen and one of the most influential people the Seven Kingdoms ever produced.
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