How does vhagar die

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Vhagar dies during the Dance of the Dragons civil war in 129 AC. She is killed in a dragon duel over the God's Eye lake when she clashes with Caraxes, the dragon of Prince Daemon Targaryen. Both dragons and their riders perish in this battle, with Vhagar falling into the lake after being fatally wounded.

Key Facts

Vhagar dies in 129 AC during the Dance of the Dragons
She is killed in battle over the God's Eye lake
Her opponent is Caraxes, ridden by Prince Daemon Targaryen
Both dragons and riders perish in the encounter
Vhagar falls into the God's Eye lake after being fatally wounded

Overview

Vhagar was one of the three great dragons originally ridden by Aegon the Conqueror and his sisters during the War of Conquest that unified the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros around 2 BC. Named after one of the gods of Old Valyria, Vhagar hatched from a dragon egg at Dragonstone and was initially ridden by Visenya Targaryen, Aegon's elder sister. After Visenya's death in 44 AC, Vhagar had several riders including Baelon Targaryen and later Laena Velaryon. By the time of the Dance of the Dragons (129-131 AC), Vhagar was approximately 181 years old, making her the largest and oldest living dragon in Westeros, with a wingspan estimated at over 200 feet. She was ridden by Aemond Targaryen during this civil war, which pitted two branches of House Targaryen against each other for control of the Iron Throne.

How It Works

Vhagar's death occurs during the Battle Above the God's Eye, a pivotal confrontation in the Dance of the Dragons. The battle begins when Prince Daemon Targaryen, riding Caraxes, challenges his nephew Aemond Targaryen, who rides Vhagar. The two dragons engage in aerial combat high above the God's Eye lake. During their clash, Caraxes manages to latch onto Vhagar's neck despite Vhagar's greater size and age advantage. Daemon leaps from his saddle onto Vhagar, killing Aemond with his sword Dark Sister. As both dragons are mortally wounded, they plummet into the lake below. The impact and their injuries prove fatal, with Vhagar sinking into the depths of the God's Eye. This dragon duel represents one of the most dramatic and consequential moments in the civil war, demonstrating that even the oldest and largest dragons were vulnerable in combat.

Why It Matters

Vhagar's death significantly impacted the course of the Dance of the Dragons and Westerosi history. As the largest living dragon, her loss represented a major blow to the greens' military strength. The battle marked the end of an era where dragons dominated warfare in Westeros. Vhagar's death, along with the subsequent deaths of most other dragons during the civil war, contributed to the decline of dragon-riding in Westeros and ultimately led to the extinction of dragons in that world. The event has been memorialized in songs and stories, symbolizing the destructive nature of civil war even among the most powerful beings.