House of the Dragon offers an in-depth look at the legends of dragons and their riders within the Game of Thrones universe. This series illustrates how dragon mythology has shaped the effects on Westeros over generations. Each dragon represents an aspect of its rider's personality while also standing out as a symbol of power in this universe. Dragons may be morally neutral, but they can be wielded for good or evil purposes by their riders.

The dragons featured in House of the Dragon create a significant impact in this universe by reflecting the best and worst traits of their riders. The stories may differ from the source material of the novel; however, the influence of dragons on Westeros's culture and events is clear. For instance, Vermithor, who is riderless, showcases the history of dragons, while some dragons like Syrax follow a parallel path with their riders' stories. Each HotD dragon has its own unique personality and displays its powers in different ways.

It is traditional for dragon eggs to be placed alongside the cradles of Targaryen babies to help them bond with the hatchling. What happens to young Aegon (played by Jake and Rory Heard along with Gruff and Jude) reflects this tradition; Aegon forms a bond with a hatchling dragon named Stormcloud. Despite being just a hatchling, Stormcloud sacrifices itself while carrying young Prince Aegon to safety during the Battle of Gullet.

Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) has formed a bond with Arrax. In the first season of House of the Dragon, Lucerys flies to Storm's End with Arrax to secure House Baratheon's loyalty. However, the duo gets caught in a storm and encounters Vhagar and Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell). Vhagar causes a catastrophic event by killing both Arrax and Lucerys, leading to a major upheaval in the universe. Arrax may be one of the smaller dragons in House of the Dragon; however, its death alongside Lucerys sends shockwaves throughout this universe.