Wookieepedia

READ MORE

Wookieepedia
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
Wookieepedia
In a galaxy far, far away....
190,479
pages
in: Legends articles, Quotes with obsolete sourcing, Pages with broken file links, Star Destroyer variants
English

Changes: Star Destroyer/Legends

< Star Destroyer
Back to page
Edit
({{IDRIVEcur}})
(Removed {{IDRIVEcur}})
(35 intermediate revisions by 18 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Eras|imp|reb|new|njo|leg}}
  
{{Eras|imp|reb|new|njo|leg}}
−
{{IDRIVEcur}}
  
−  
 
{{Youmay|the type of [[warship]]|[[The Emperor's New Clothes]]' song "[[Star Destroyer (song)|Star Destroyer]]"}}
  
{{Youmay|the type of [[warship]]|[[The Emperor's New Clothes]]' song "[[Star Destroyer (song)|Star Destroyer]]"}}
   
 
[[Image:ISD_arrow.jpg|thumb|225px|right|An [[Imperial II-class Star Destroyer|''Imperial II''-class Star Destroyer]].]]
  
[[Image:ISD_arrow.jpg|thumb|225px|right|An [[Imperial II-class Star Destroyer|''Imperial II''-class Star Destroyer]].]]
−
{{Quote|We won't last long against those Star Destroyers!|[[Admiral]] [[Ackbar]] during the [[Battle of Endor]]|Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi}}
 +
{{Quote|At that close range, we won't last long against those Star Destroyers!|[[Admiral]] [[Ackbar]] during the [[Battle of Endor]]|Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi}}
   
 
'''Star Destroyer''' was a term used to describe a certain type of large [[capital ship]] used by the [[Galactic Republic]],<ref name="Revenge of the Sith: Incredible Cross-Sections">''[[Revenge of the Sith: Incredible Cross-Sections]]'', p. 4-5</ref> the [[Galactic Empire]],<ref name="Imperial Sourcebook1">''[[Imperial Sourcebook]]'', p. 61</ref><ref name="Star Wars: Incredible Cross-Sections">''[[Star Wars: Incredible Cross-Sections]]'', p. 6-7</ref> the [[New Republic]],<ref name="Cracken's Threat Dossier">''[[Cracken's Threat Dossier]]''</ref> the [[Imperial Remnant]], the [[Galactic Federation of Free Alliances]],<ref name="The Unifying Force">''[[The Unifying Force]]''</ref> and the [[Galactic Empire (post-Remnant)|new Galactic Empire]].<ref name="Star Wars: Legacy">''[[Star Wars: Legacy]]''</ref>
  
'''Star Destroyer''' was a term used to describe a certain type of large [[capital ship]] used by the [[Galactic Republic]],<ref name="Revenge of the Sith: Incredible Cross-Sections">''[[Revenge of the Sith: Incredible Cross-Sections]]'', p. 4-5</ref> the [[Galactic Empire]],<ref name="Imperial Sourcebook1">''[[Imperial Sourcebook]]'', p. 61</ref><ref name="Star Wars: Incredible Cross-Sections">''[[Star Wars: Incredible Cross-Sections]]'', p. 6-7</ref> the [[New Republic]],<ref name="Cracken's Threat Dossier">''[[Cracken's Threat Dossier]]''</ref> the [[Imperial Remnant]], the [[Galactic Federation of Free Alliances]],<ref name="The Unifying Force">''[[The Unifying Force]]''</ref> and the [[Galactic Empire (post-Remnant)|new Galactic Empire]].<ref name="Star Wars: Legacy">''[[Star Wars: Legacy]]''</ref>
Line 21: Line 19:
 
[[Image:RepublicVSRemnant.JPG|right|200px|thumb|A [[Victory I-class Star Destroyer|''Victory''-class Star Destroyer]] in action.]]
  
[[Image:RepublicVSRemnant.JPG|right|200px|thumb|A [[Victory I-class Star Destroyer|''Victory''-class Star Destroyer]] in action.]]
   
−
Star Destroyers that bore the distinctive wedge-shape, which came to be associated with the ship type, were in the service of the later [[Republic Navy]], around the time of the Clone Wars. The two most famous designs at the time were the ''[[Victory I-class Star Destroyer|Victory I]]''- and ''[[Venator-class Star Destroyer|Venator]]''-classes, born out of the success of the [[Acclamator I-class assault ship|''Acclamator''-class assault ship]].<ref name="The New Essential Chronology">''[[The New Essential Chronology]]''</ref><ref name="Revenge of the Sith: Incredible Cross-Sections" /> Later Star Destroyers like the ''[[Imperial I-class Star Destroyer|Imperial]]''- and ''[[Tector-class Star Destroyer|Tector]]''-classes became infamous for their service in the [[Imperial Navy]].<ref name="Revenge of the Sith: Incredible Cross-Sections" /> Other dagger-shaped ships, such as the [[Immobilizer 418 cruiser]], were described as resembling small Star Destroyers.<ref name="The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels">''[[The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels]]''</ref>
 +
Star Destroyers that bore the distinctive wedge-shape, which came to be associated with the ship type, were in the service of the later [[Republic Navy]], around the time of the Clone Wars. The two most famous designs at the time were the ''[[Victory I-class Star Destroyer|Victory I]]''- and ''[[Venator-class Star Destroyer|Venator]]''-classes, which were considered massive during their time. The design was born from the success of the [[Acclamator I-class assault ship|''Acclamator''-class assault ship]].<ref name="The New Essential Chronology">''[[The New Essential Chronology]]''</ref><ref name="Revenge of the Sith: Incredible Cross-Sections" /> Later Star Destroyers like the ''[[Imperial I-class Star Destroyer|Imperial]]''- and ''[[Tector-class Star Destroyer|Tector]]''-classes became infamous for their service in the [[Imperial Navy]].<ref name="Revenge of the Sith: Incredible Cross-Sections" /> Other dagger-shaped ships, such as the [[Immobilizer 418 cruiser]], were described as resembling small Star Destroyers.<ref name="The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels">''[[The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels]]''</ref>
   
 
During the Clone Wars, larger [[Rothana destroyer|destroyer]] and [[Rothana battleship|battleship]] designs based on the ''Acclamator''-class were produced by [[Rothana Heavy Engineering]], though it is unknown if they were ever called "Star Destroyers".<ref name="Roleplaying Game Revised Core Rulebook">''[[Roleplaying Game Revised Core Rulebook]]''</ref> Additionally, during the early stages of the war, [[Grizmallt]] was one of several worlds researching ways to surpass [[Rothana]]'s early success-story, but the ship classes resulting from this plan, if any, are unknown.<ref name="Attack of the Clones: Incredible Cross-Sections2">''[[Attack of the Clones: Incredible Cross-Sections]]'', p. 23</ref>
  
During the Clone Wars, larger [[Rothana destroyer|destroyer]] and [[Rothana battleship|battleship]] designs based on the ''Acclamator''-class were produced by [[Rothana Heavy Engineering]], though it is unknown if they were ever called "Star Destroyers".<ref name="Roleplaying Game Revised Core Rulebook">''[[Roleplaying Game Revised Core Rulebook]]''</ref> Additionally, during the early stages of the war, [[Grizmallt]] was one of several worlds researching ways to surpass [[Rothana]]'s early success-story, but the ship classes resulting from this plan, if any, are unknown.<ref name="Attack of the Clones: Incredible Cross-Sections2">''[[Attack of the Clones: Incredible Cross-Sections]]'', p. 23</ref>
Line 112: Line 110:
 
*''[[CIS Shadowfeed Dispatch 15:2:29 Edition|CIS Shadowfeed Dispatch 15:2:29 Edition: Breaking News: Confederacy Storms Duro]]''
  
*''[[CIS Shadowfeed Dispatch 15:2:29 Edition|CIS Shadowfeed Dispatch 15:2:29 Edition: Breaking News: Confederacy Storms Duro]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]]''
  +
*''[[LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game]]'' {{Nc}}
 
*''[[Republic HoloNet News Special Inaugural Edition 16:5:24]]''
  
*''[[Republic HoloNet News Special Inaugural Edition 16:5:24]]''
 
*''[[Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader]]''
 
*''[[Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader]]''
Line 122: Line 121:
 
*''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]]''
 
*[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (novel)|''Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope'' novel]] {{1st}} {{1stID|Imperial cruiser}}
  
*[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (novel)|''Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope'' novel]] {{1st}} {{1stID|Imperial cruiser}}
  +
*''[[LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy]]'' {{Nc}}
 
*''[[Star Wars Empire 7: Sacrifice]]''
  
*''[[Star Wars Empire 7: Sacrifice]]''
 
*''[[Star Wars Empire: A Little Piece of Home]]'' {{Mo}}
  
*''[[Star Wars Empire: A Little Piece of Home]]'' {{Mo}}

Revision as of 03:56, 3 September 2007

Click here for Wookieepedia's article on the Canon version of this subject.  This article covers the Legends version of this subject. 
This article is about the type of warship. You may be looking for The Emperor's New Clothes' song "Star Destroyer".
ISD arrow

An Imperial II-class Star Destroyer.

"At that close range, we won't last long against those Star Destroyers!"
―Admiral Ackbar during the Battle of Endor[src]

Star Destroyer was a term used to describe a certain type of large capital ship used by the Galactic Republic,[1] the Galactic Empire,[2][3] the New Republic,[4] the Imperial Remnant, the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances,[5] and the new Galactic Empire.[6]

Characteristics

Star Destroyers dwarfed the frigates and cruisers in the Galactic Empire's standard warship scale,[2][3] but were smaller in scale than Imperial Star Cruisers.[7] During the Clone Wars, Star Destroyers were considered medium-weight warships.[1] With the extensive increase in warship-sizes during the time of the Empire, Star Destroyers gradually became denoted as smaller vessels in the Imperial Navy.[8]

File:Imperial Venator.jpg

Imperial Venator-class Star Destroyers.

Their size encompassed ships ranged from about 900 meters[9] to multiple kilometers in length,[10][11] but even smaller and larger vessels would also have the term applied to them.[12][13] In the time of the second Galactic Empire, their Star Destroyers were described as the largest and most powerful warships of the time, thus taking over the traditional roles of Star Dreadnoughts and other large battleships of centuries past.[6] Many Star Destroyer classes throughout the different eras doubled as carriers. In many cases, they contained an entire wing of starfighters.

History

The Interdictor-class cruiser, a distant technological predecessor of the Star Destroyer, was in the service of the old Galactic Republic and, later, the Sith Empire, 4,000 years before the Battle of Yavin. It appears the Republic abandoned the design after Malachor V, where they fell into Sith hands. An example of these ships included Leviathan.[14] However, the design of Ravager would survive until later.[15]

File:RepublicVSRemnant.JPG

A Victory-class Star Destroyer in action.

Star Destroyers that bore the distinctive wedge-shape, which came to be associated with the ship type, were in the service of the later Republic Navy, around the time of the Clone Wars. The two most famous designs at the time were the Victory I- and Venator-classes, which were considered massive during their time. The design was born from the success of the Acclamator-class assault ship.[16][1] Later Star Destroyers like the Imperial- and Tector-classes became infamous for their service in the Imperial Navy.[1] Other dagger-shaped ships, such as the Immobilizer 418 cruiser, were described as resembling small Star Destroyers.[17]

During the Clone Wars, larger destroyer and battleship designs based on the Acclamator-class were produced by Rothana Heavy Engineering, though it is unknown if they were ever called "Star Destroyers".[18] Additionally, during the early stages of the war, Grizmallt was one of several worlds researching ways to surpass Rothana's early success-story, but the ship classes resulting from this plan, if any, are unknown.[19]

File:NebulaSD.jpg

A Nebula-class Star Destroyer.

While Star Destroyers were the heaviest combatants in many fleets composed of down-scaled cruisers and frigates, they performed an escort role when in the presence of larger warships such as the Empire's Executor-class[20] or the battleships found in the Republic Navy.[1]

Larger ship types like Star Cruisers, Star Battlecruisers, and Star Dreadnoughts were referred to in military colloquialism as "Super Star Destroyers" (sometimes omitting the "Super" prefix),[7] based on their similar dagger-shape and the popularity of the name "Super-class Star Destroyer", which was a front used to cover for the construction of the Executor-class Star Dreadnought.[21] The New Republic also adopted the dagger-shape in their later Star Destroyer designs. However, it should be noted that not all vessels known as Star Destroyers adhered to the dagger aesthetic.[4] During and after the Clone Wars, the Republic victories of the war would be attributed to these starships, rather than the Jedi.[1]

PellaeonStarDestroyerLegacyEraSeanCooke

Three Pellaeon-class Star Destroyers.

The Venator-, Imperial-, Tector-,[1] Executor-,[7] Eclipse-, and Sovereign-class ships were produced by Kuat Drive Yards,[22] mostly at Kuat, but also at countless other facilities around the Galaxy. The Victory- and Republic-classes were produced by Rendili StarDrive,[9][4] and the Nebula-class was produced by the Republic Engineering Corporation.[4]

Even though the Galactic Alliance continued to use and produce Star Destroyers, they later decided to name their new ships "battle carriers" in order to avoid reminding people of the old Imperial terror symbols.[23] By the time of the Sith-Imperial War, the resurgent Empire utilized the Pellaeon-class Star Destroyer, which was described as the most powerful warship of its time.[6]

Star Destroyer and related warship classes

In rough chronological order, the following designs of Star Destroyers and Super Star Destroyers were produced:

File:ISD egvv.jpg

Imperial-class Star Destroyer schematics.

In addition, Kuat Drive Yards and other ship manufacturers produced several designs with the dagger aesthetic prior to the outbreak of the Clone Wars, but many of these ships lacked the range for any operations outside sector defense and were not designated Star Destroyers. Some examples included:

There were also ships occasionally compared with and/or referred to as Star Destroyers:

Behind the scenes

RMQ-ISDbridge

Concept art by Ralph McQuarrie of an Imperial-class Star Destroyer bridge.

On the commentary track of the Revenge of the Sith DVD, George Lucas referred to General Grievous's ship, a Providence-class carrier/destroyer, as a "Star Destroyer." This might mean that the term "Star Destroyer" is not supposed to be restricted to dagger-shaped warships, which fits with the existence of the Bakura-class. However, this was likely just a generalization.

Interestingly enough, the term "Star Destroyer" is used both for different classes of destroyers and as a general term for most dagger-shaped warships in use by the Empire, from smaller frigates like Demolisher to giant dreadnoughts like Executor and Eclipse. This has created some confusion, as many sources often do not specify what kind of warship they are talking about, other than writing "Star Destroyer" or "Imperial Star Destroyer". Since many stories have historically focused on the mile-long Imperial-class, it is used as a default reference unless stated otherwise.

In the subtitles for the movies of the original trilogy, "Star Destroyer" is commonly mistyped as "stardestroyer."

Appearances

Sources

By type
Storyboards Concept art Digital renderings
File:RMQ-stardestroyer.jpg

Concept art by Ralph McQuarrie of Star Destoyers over Hoth.

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Revenge of the Sith: Incredible Cross-Sections, p. 4-5
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Imperial Sourcebook, p. 61
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Star Wars: Incredible Cross-Sections, p. 6-7
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Cracken's Threat Dossier
  5. ↑ The Unifying Force
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Star Wars: Legacy
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Star Wars: Complete Locations, p. 171
  8. ↑ Star Wars: Complete Locations, p. 143
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Imperial Sourcebook, p. 60
  10. ↑ Attack of the Clones: Incredible Cross-Sections, p. 11
  11. ↑ Dark Forces: Soldier for the Empire, p. 12
  12. ↑ Star Wars: Droids
  13. ↑ Imperial Sourcebook, p. 63
  14. ↑ Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
  15. ↑ Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
  16. ↑ The New Essential Chronology
  17. ↑ The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels
  18. ↑ Roleplaying Game Revised Core Rulebook
  19. ↑ Attack of the Clones: Incredible Cross-Sections, p. 23
  20. ↑ Star Wars: Complete Locations, p. 142
  21. ↑ Starship Battles Preview 1
  22. ↑ Dark Empire Sourcebook
  23. ↑ Betrayal
Deutsch
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
More Fandoms