House of the Dragon is set to release this August, and even the most cynical of Game of Thrones fans are, at the very least, raising their eyebrows in interest. After all, this series follows one of the more fascinating periods of Westeros history, the Dance of the Dragons.
HBO has also seemingly learned from its mistakes with Game of Thrones. Most importantly, they are adapting one of George R.R. Martin's "completed" works. Fire and Blood, the sourcebook, focuses on the history of the Targaryen dynasty. With that history, comes many powerful Targaryens.
Rhaegar Targaryen
Rhaegar Targaryen, though most famed for his death against Robert, was one of the Targaryen bloodline's most influential and skilled members. Unlike his father, he was kind, beloved by the people, and actively took part in keeping the realm safe and happy.
His skill in battle was also given great renown, even by the likes of Barristan Selmy. The seeds of destruction were sown when Rhaegar won the tourney at Harrenhal, where he gave the crown of roses to Lyanna Stark, instead of his own wife. Though he lost against Robert, there's no shame in losing against an incredibly mighty warrior.
Brynden Rivers, the Bloodraven
Brynden Rivers, better known to most show fans as the Three-Eyed Raven, wasn't always a talking tree. Before he was the Bloodraven, he was Lord Commander of the Night Watch. Great leaders and warriors are the only ones deserving of such a title. Brynden was both in good measure.
Unlike many of his relatives, Brynden preferred the bow and arrow. His sharpshooting, though uncharacteristic, also fit him to a tee. He is a man defined by the power of his sight. Now, as Bloodraven, he is practically an old god, and the full extent of his true seer power remains a mystery.
Daemon Targaryen
It is said that House Targaryen produces both great men and terrible monsters. Daemon Targaryen has the honor of being both. He is the wielder of the Valyrian Steel sword Dark Sister, the same sword wielded by Visenya Targaryen. He is a noble warrior whose military influence is great.
It was Daemon who became the first (and to this day, greatest) Lord Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing in recorded history. He's an incredibly tenacious fighter, despite his seemingly noble exterior. He's also notable for riding Caraxes, one of the most fearsome dragons since Balerion the Black Dread.
Maekar Targaryen
Maekar Targaryen was proud of his military prowess, for better or for worse. Although he was unpopular with his siblings, nobody could deny his combat skill. He was the anvil to King Baelor's hammer. He did not wield a sword, but instead, a great mace that crushed his enemies.
He's dangerous enough that unlike his father, son, brother, and grandson, he never dealt with a full-fledged Blackfyre rebellion. He ruled with shockingly relative peace. His military discipline and strength made him a great frontline general. However, like Stannis, he often flew under the radar in contrast to his more charismatic brothers.
Aegor Rivers
Aegor Rivers is one of Aegon IV's "Great Bastards", and were among one of the fiercest warriors of the Blackfyre Rebellion. He was often paired with Bloodraven and actually mirrored his combat style. Bloodraven was strategic, stealthy, and struck from a distance. Aegor was tenacious, a prodigy with melee weapons, and was better with improvised tactics.
When they found themselves on opposite sides, It was Aegor who gouged out Bloodraven's eye after he murdered Daemon Blackfyre. As the Blackfyre Rebellion started to fade, he fled to the Free City of Tyrosh, where he found the Golden Company. This army of sellswords would soon become one of the most famed and feared mercenary companies in Westerosi history.
Maegor the Cruel
Maegor the Cruel is very much deserving of that adjective. He is by far the most hated Targaryen king to have ever lived. Even in ASOIAF's present, his name is used in the same breath as a curse. He was responsible for putting the Faith Militant rebellion down and did so with much bloodshed.
Maegor the Cruel was the only descendant of Visenya Targaryen to hold the throne. Though he inherited her martial prowess, he never inherited her sense of justice or any semblance of sanity. He lived through violence, and unlike many Targaryen kings, he died on his own terms, on the Iron Throne with all of his enemies under his heel.
Visenya Targaryen
Visenya Targaryen was the chief military adviser of Aegon I, and she proved worthy of that title many times over. She rode the dragon Vhagar and was the original wielder of the legendary sword Dark Sister. She was a ruthless and pragmatic fighter, just as likely to charge an enemy's front as ambush them from the shadows.
Despite the rampant sexism in Westeros, Visenya still overcame the bigotry by proving her skill in battle. In fact, Visenya created the Kingsguard, the institution that held most of the greatest warriors Westeros had ever seen. She was also responsible for many concerns of governance under Aegon's rule.
Daemon Blackfyre
Daemon Blackfyre was the first and greatest of the Blackfyre pretenders. His name is derived from the ancestral sword he wields, Blackfyre, the same sword that Aegon I wielded in his conquest of Westeros. He was tall, strong, and exceedingly handsome, and was Targaryen in all but name.
His skill in combat was so great that Blackfyre was given to him when he was 12, as a mere squire. On the battlefield, he was an avatar of the Warrior himself. He was practically invincible in direct combat. He lost simply because of his honor, helping Gwayn Cobray after besting him in combat. Had he just charged forward, Bloodraven wouldn't have had the time to shoot him down with a rain of arrows.
Aemon Targaryen, The Dragonknight
Aemon Targaryen, the Dragonknight, is considered by many to be the finest knight that had ever lived. Unlike most Targaryens, who'd rather be princes or kings, Aemon chose to become Kingsguard. Soon, he rose to the rank of Lord Commander and was far more beloved than the king he served.
In many ways, Aemon Targaryen is everything Jaime Lannister wished to be. Although both were great swordsmen who loved their families, Jaime is reviled by all around him. It's quite telling when fighters such as Barristan Selmy and cynics like Varys agree that Aemon was the most honorable Targaryen to have ever lived.
Aegon the Conqueror
Aegon the Conqueror is the first and greatest of the Targaryens that arrived in Westeros. With his two sister-wives, he conquered the realm with a small army and three dragons. Aegon may not be the fighter that his descendant Aemon was, but he more than makes up for it by being the standard of what a king should be in Westeros.
All kings after Aegon strive to follow his example. A frontline leader who was ruthless in battle but fair in governance. Although he offered peace first, he does so because he had the security of Balerion the Black Dread. A dragon so massive, that his shadow covered entire towns in flight. At the end of the day, Aegon I is the entire reason why the Targaryen dynasty exists.