What If Daenerys Had Balerion in the Great War?

This is one of those “alternate Westeros timelines” that keeps popping up in forum discussions—and for good reason. Giving Daenerys Targaryen Balerion the Black Dread , the largest dragon in recorded history, would fundamentally reshape the Great War against the Night King. Let’s break it down from multiple angles: military impact, narrative consequences, and whether it actually guarantees victory.

The Power Gap: Drogon vs. Balerion

Before imagining outcomes, it’s important to understand just how massive the upgrade is.

  • Drogon (canon)
    • Large, powerful, but still relatively young
    • Vulnerable to ballistae (as seen with Rhaegal)
    • Struggles against the undead swarm when overwhelmed
  • Balerion (prime era)
    • Large enough to swallow mammoths whole
    • Black flame hot enough to melt stone (Harrenhal-level destruction)
    • Psychological weapon—armies broke just seeing him

If Daenerys had prime Balerion , the battlefield dynamic changes instantly.

Battlefield Scenario: The Battle of Winterfell

1. Opening Engagement

Instead of cautious aerial strikes:

  • Daenerys could incinerate entire sections of the undead army in one pass
  • Balerion’s fire likely burns hotter and longer, meaning:
    • Fewer undead reanimating
    • Greater area denial

Key shift: The Dothraki charge wouldn’t be wiped out so quickly. Balerion could provide sustained air cover.

2. Against the White Walkers

This is where things get interesting.

  • White Walkers are vulnerable to dragonfire (as shown)
  • With Balerion’s scale:
    • Multiple Walkers could be targeted in a single sweep
    • Their formations would collapse faster

However:

  • The Night King still has ice spear accuracy
  • Even Balerion is not invincible

3. The Night King vs. Balerion

This is the real “boss fight” scenario. Possible outcomes:

  • Scenario A: Balerion overwhelms Viserion
    • Zombie Viserion likely gets outmatched quickly
    • Balerion’s size and strength could destroy him mid-air
  • Scenario B: Night King targets Daenerys
    • The Night King might ignore the dragon and aim for the rider
    • A single successful spear throw could still end things
  • Scenario C: Direct confrontation
    • If Balerion lands and engages near the godswood, the battle could end faster
    • The Night King might be forced into earlier exposure

Strategic Impact Beyond Combat

Morale Shift

  • Northern armies would be far less terrified
  • The undead would seem less unstoppable
  • Leaders like Jon Snow could fight more aggressively

Reduced Losses

  • Fewer casualties among:
    • Dothraki
    • Unsullied
    • Northern infantry

This matters because post-war politics change dramatically if armies survive.

Would Arya Still Get the Kill?

This is where storytelling diverges.

  • In canon, Arya’s stealth and timing win the war
  • With Balerion:
    • The Night King might be forced into earlier confrontation
    • Arya could still strike—but the setup changes

Alternative possibilities:

  • Jon Snow gets a direct duel
  • Daenerys herself confronts the Night King
  • Or Arya still delivers the final blow, just under less desperate conditions

The Hidden Risk: Overconfidence

There’s a strong argument that Balerion could actually create new problems :

  • Daenerys might rely too heavily on raw power
  • Strategic coordination could weaken
  • The Night King could adapt:
    • Targeting Balerion specifically
    • Using storms or visibility to neutralize him

Post-War Consequences

If Daenerys wins with Balerion:

  • She becomes even more unstoppable politically
  • King’s Landing likely falls faster
  • Resistance against her rule weakens drastically

This raises a darker possibility:

A stronger Daenerys in the Great War might lead to an even more dominant—and potentially more dangerous—rule afterward.

Multi-View Takeaways

Optimistic View

  • The Great War ends faster
  • Fewer casualties
  • Humanity wins decisively

Realistic View

  • Balerion gives a huge advantage, but doesn’t guarantee safety
  • The Night King remains a lethal wildcard

Critical View

  • The war becomes easier, but the aftermath becomes more unstable due to Daenerys’ increased power

TL;DR

If Daenerys had Balerion in the Great War, the battle at Winterfell would likely be shorter, less costly, and more one-sided early on. However, the Night King would still pose a serious threat, and the biggest ripple effect might not be the war itself—but how unstoppable Daenerys becomes afterward. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.