The Deathgripper is a fearsome, predatory dragon species introduced in How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Known for its aggressive nature, terrifying appearance, and venomous capabilities, the Deathgripper is considered one of the most dangerous dragons ever discovered. These dragons are ruthless, cunning, and uniquely weaponized, especially in the hands of Grimmel the Grisly, who uses them as living instruments of war and control.
Appearance[]
Deathgrippers are large, sleek, and menacing dragons with a design reminiscent of a monstrous scorpion or mantis. Their bodies are streamlined for speed and agility, covered in dark red, black, and orange armor-like scales that offer strong protection. They possess two large wings and four legs, the front limbs ending in razor-sharp, scythe-like claws that resemble insect pincers.
Their most distinctive feature is the large, curved stinger at the tip of their tail, which contains highly potent venom capable of paralyzing or killing prey. They also have horned, devilish heads with glowing yellow eyes, fang-filled jaws, and a split frill along the sides of their heads that flares when enraged. Their visual presence alone is enough to terrify most opponents.
Behavior[]
Deathgrippers are naturally aggressive, territorial, and extremely intelligent. In the wild, they are apex predators, hunting with lethal precision and often attacking without provocation. Their behavior is predatory by instinct—they stalk, ambush, and overwhelm their prey with venom and brute force. They are known to be solitary hunters, rarely forming packs unless under strict control.
Despite their brutality, Deathgrippers exhibit high problem-solving skills and awareness of tactics, making them even more deadly. They are capable of understanding commands and showing loyalty—but only when dominated by a superior force. Under control, they can operate in perfect coordination, as demonstrated by Grimmel’s Deathgrippers.
Abilities[]
The Deathgripper is a lethal, weaponized dragon, boasting a suite of natural abilities that make it one of the most formidable species in the How to Train Your Dragon universe:
- Venomous Stinger: Their most dangerous weapon is their tail stinger, filled with a fast-acting venom. This venom can paralyze dragons or humans instantly, making the Deathgripper ideal for hunting or subduing enemies with surgical precision.
- Flame Attack: Deathgrippers breathe highly corrosive, green fire, capable of melting metal, burning through fortifications, and causing devastating damage in combat.
- Flight and Agility: Despite their size, Deathgrippers are exceptionally fast and maneuverable flyers, using their powerful wings to dart through the sky and perform complex aerial maneuvers.
- Claw Combat: Their front scythe-like limbs can slash, grab, and even pin down prey. These claws are as dangerous as their tails, making close combat deadly.
- Tactical Intelligence: Unlike many aggressive dragons, Deathgrippers are strategically minded. They assess threats, follow orders, and can be trained—though often only through force or chemical control.
Grimmel’s Deathgrippers[]
The most notorious Deathgrippers in the franchise are the four elite dragons owned by Grimmel the Grisly, the infamous dragon hunter. These Deathgrippers were enslaved using their own venom, which Grimmel weaponized against them by tranquilizing and drugging them into submission. As a result, these dragons are not merely tamed—they are mind-controlled, operating more like biological weapons than independent creatures.
Each of Grimmel’s Deathgrippers is obedient to his every command, performing complex tactical operations including ambushes, coordinated assaults, and defensive formations. They are completely devoid of personal will while under Grimmel's control, yet their movements suggest they remain aware of their surroundings—adding a tragic layer to their role as unwilling instruments of destruction.
During The Hidden World, Grimmel uses them to track, attack, and eventually capture Toothless and the Light Fury. Their deadly efficiency in battle makes them nearly unstoppable, forcing Hiccup and the Dragon Riders to develop intricate strategies just to hold them off.
Ultimately, in the climactic battle, the Deathgrippers lose their master when Grimmel is defeated, and they are presumably freed from his chemical control. Their fate afterward remains unknown, but it is implied they may return to their natural instincts—or find peace after a life of forced servitude.