A Dagger In The Stars, History Of The Star Destroyer

"Have you ever seen what a Star Destroyer can do to the surface of an unshielded planet? Stones run like water and sand turns to glass." ―Carnor Jax to Mirith Sinn. Star Destroyers have long been associated with massive firepower, and a sense of fear that would strike the hearts of all opposition. Carrying enough weapons to destroy entire star systems, from which their name was derived, these massive warships have long been a part of galactic history, in some form or another. Below, you will find a list of some past, present, and future (relatively speaking) versions of this titanic warship, and just how formidable they are. Via [SWTor Strategies ]

Mandalorian Warship

Not much is known about these warships used by the Mandalorians during the Mandalorian Wars as part of the Neo-Crusader fleet. Sporting 4 main thrusters, and several smaller auxiliary thrusters, anti-capital ship missiles, the ships were strong and fast enough to drive the Republics command ship Courageous from the battlefield. At the Battle of Serroco, many of these ships fired nuclear missiles at the planets surface. The Republic fleet assumed the missiles were aimed at the fleet themselves, and incorrectly deployed countermeasures. The missiles flew harmlessly past the fleet and began impacting on the planets surface, destroying over 27 population centers, which in turn led to the failure of the Republic fleet.

Interdictor-class Cruiser

With a design that shared similarities with the Star Destroyer, such as the raised bridge and 3 primary/4 auxiliary engine configuration, the Sith Interdictor-class was used extensively during and after the Jedi Civil War. Armed with with 5 medium Turbolaser cannon batteries, 6 light Point-defense cannon batteries, 3 Tractor beam batteries, and a Gravity well prohector, the ship was comparable in power to a modern Victory II-class, with the advantages of the Immobilizer 418 cruiser. The most notable instance of this design was the Leviathan, commander by Republic defector Admiral Saul Karath, and flagship of the Sith Lords Revan and Malak. After the fall of the Star Forge, many of the remaining ships were used by Darth Nihilus at the Battle of Telos IV. These ships would be used as a design basis for the future Immobilizer 418 cruisers.

Centurion-class

Intended to be a replacement for the Inexpugnable-class command ship during the Mandalorian War, the Centurion ended up seeing more action during the Jedi Civil War, making up the heavyweights of Darth Revan's fleet. Equipped with 6 medium Turbolaser cannon batteries, 6 heavy Ion cannon batteries, 6 Point-defense cannon batteries, 6 Tractor beam batteries, and even Proton torpedo launchers, these ships posed a much greater threat than the older Interdictor classes. The most notable ship was Darth Nihilus' ship, the Ravager. Originally serving the Republic at the Battle of Malachor V, the Ravager was destroyed, only to be salvaged by Nihilus for his personal use. During the battle of Telos IV, Meetra Surik, Visas Marr, and Canderous order managed to plant proton charges on its weak points, and destroy the ship after Meetra dueled and killed Nihilus, ending his onslaught.

Harrower-class

This ship formed the back bone of the Imperial Navy during the Great Galactic War, Cold War, and Galactic War with the Galactic Republic. Sporting many heavy weapons batteries ranging from Turbolasers, to Quad lasers and Concussion missile launchers, they were a force to be reckoned with. These ships were more than capable of holding there own against small fleets, capable of dealing massive damage with its many weapons, and its compliment of over 95 starfighters. During a ground assault, these ships could also wreak havoc by being able to deploy over 7,300 ground troops with numerous support shuttles, potentially turning the tide against beleaguered Republic forces. It is said that these ships cost more than a decades worth of energy and materials output of a major planetary mining colony.

Acclamator-class

Designed by Rothana Heavy Engineering, the Acclamator was one of the first series of ships used in the beginning of the Clone Wars. Not designed for direct combat like the Acclamator II, the Acclamator I carried only 12 Quad Turbolaser batteries and 24 Point-defense batteries with 4 Proton torpedo tubes. Troop transport was the design in mind with this class, being able to carry over 320 74-Z speeder bikes, 80 LAAT Gunships, 48 AT-TE Walkers, and 36 SPHA Walkers along with over 16,000 Clone Troopers with support personnel. It should also be noted they they were capable as being fielded as carriers, being able to ferry and launch over 156 V-19 Torrent Starfighters into battle.

Victory-class

The product of a rivalry between Kuat Drive Yards and Rendili StarDrive and designed by Walex Blissex, the Victory I saw limited deployment and use midway through the Clone Wars, but nonetheless would later inspire the creation of the larger and more powerful ISD I and II. It filled the role of planetary defense, assault, ground troop support and ship-to-ship combat. It possessed armaments somewhat similar to that of an Acclamator, but unfortunately sported highly under powered engines. It could transport up to 2,040 troops and several ground vehicles, and 2 squadrons of starfighters. It possessed a unique feature that allowed it to enter a planets atmosphere, by deploying a set of atmospheric maneuvering surfaces located along the ships flanks.

Venator-class

Designed by Lira Blissex, daughter of Walex Blissex, and produced by Kuat Drive Yards and Allanteen Six Shipyards, the Venator was by far the most successful starship employed by the Republic during the Clone Wars. Blistering with 8 DBY-827 Heavy Dual Turbolaser Turrets, 2 medium Turbolaser cannons, multiple standard Turbolasers, 52 Point-defense cannons, and 4 Heavy Proton Torpedo tubes, the Venator could dish out devastating amounts of fire power and take it in return. The DBY-827's had two tracking modes, one that could hit a target at a distance of 10 light minutes, and the second that could rotate the turret in 3 seconds to engage in close-range attacks. Almost all reactor power could be routed to the weapons when needed, resulting in a flotilla of Venators easily being able to crack the shields of a Trade Federation Battleship. At the suggestion of Anakin Skywalker, many ships of the Open Circle fleet were outfitted a heavy SPHA Turbolaser in the ventral hanger, which were used with considerable effect during the battle of Coruscant.

Imperial I-class

At 1,600 meters in length, bristling with Turbolasers, Ion cannons, Tractor beams, many other armaments, and a thick, nigh-impenetrable armor, these behemoths made up the workforce of the Galactic Empire, and even saw use during the Vong Invasion and beyond. These ships carried over 46,000 crew members, and could field multiple fighter squadrons and defend itself from a decent sized fleet. Over 25,000 of these ships were deployed around the galaxy to enforce the will of the Emperor, with just 1 of these being capable of conquering whole star systems. In the end, many were destroyed or captured during the fratricidal warfare that consumed the Empire after the fall of the Emperor. Booster Terrik managed to claim one of these vessels after the Battle of Thyferra that concluded the Bacta War. Despite its poor condition, she served as a mobile base of operations for the New Republic, and eventually a Jedi Sanctuary during the Vong invasion, all while sporting a coat of the signature Rebel red.

Pellaeon-class

Commisioned decades after Yuuzhan Vong invasion, and named after the late Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, the Pellaeon-class was produced by Kuat Drive Yards to serve for the Fel Empire. She carried slightly more armament than the older Imperial-II class Star Destroyers, but had the advantage of also carrying an Interdiction field, allowing it to pull ships from Hyperspace. It carried a respectable starfighter compliment, and could make an impressive 0.75 past lightspeed. After the betrayal of the new Sith Order under Darth Krayt, some of these ships chose to rebel and follow Emperor Roan Fel into exile, while many others were captured by the Galactic Alliance Remnant during the Second Imperial Civil War.