{{Short description|Large armed Imperial starships that are often the centerpiece of attacks on rebels}} '''Star Destroyers''' are capital ships in the fictional ''Star Wars'' universe. Star Destroyers were produced by Kuat Drive Yards, later Kuat-Entralla Engineering, and serve as "the signature vessel of the fleet" for the Galactic Republic, Galactic Empire, the First Order, and the Sith Eternal in numerous published works including film, television, novels, comics, and video games.<ref name="SW.comISD">{{cite web|url=https://explore/encyclopedia/technology/imperialstardestroyer|title=Star Wars: Databank: Imperial Star Destroyer|publisher=Lucasfilm|access-date=2011-12-22}}</ref><ref name="BF">''Battlefront: Twilight Company''</ref>
A single Star Destroyer could project considerable influence over a star system in the name of the Empire: each can be deployed individually as both a forward operating base and as mobile weapon systems platform responsible for safeguarding multiple planets, trade routes, and systems, and carried enough firepower to subdue an entire planetary system or annihilate a small rebel fleet.
Notable examples of Star Destroyers include the precursor ''Venator''-class Star Destroyer (prequel trilogy), the ubiquitous ''Imperial''-class Star Destroyer (original trilogy), and the recent ''Resurgent''-class and ''Xyston''-class Star Destroyer (sequel trilogy). Numerous other classes of "Star Destroyers" share the basic triangular "dagger" hull; the successful v-shaped designs are explained in ''Legends'' as reflecting the Empire's "Tarkin's Doctrine" military philosophy and originating from Sith ideological influence, and have been adapted by numerous factions for a wide variety of applications.
Numerous Star Destroyer models and toys have been released. The iconic scene in ''Star Wars'' (1977) featuring the Imperial Star Destroyer's first appearance where it pursues a Corellian corvette has been called a milestone in special effects history.
== Imperial Star Destroyer == {{Infobox fictional vehicle | name = ''Imperial''-class Star Destroyer | image = ImperialstarDestroyer480ppx.png | image_size = | alt = | caption = A pair of ''Imperial II''-class Star Destroyers and a group of TIE fighters pursue the ''Millennium Falcon'' in ''The Empire Strikes Back''. | first_major = Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) | first_minor = <!-- or |first_issue=; Per MOS:MINORWORK - minor works include TV episodes, chapters, songs and game missions --> | first_date = | last_major = | last_minor = <!-- or |last_issue= --> | last_date = | based_on = | affiliation = Galactic Empire | maker = Kuat Drive Yards<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> | launched = | decommissioned = | captain = | fighters = {{plainlist| *72 TIE fighters<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> }} | aux_vehicle = {{plainlist| *20 AT-ATs<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> *30 AT-STs or AT-DPs<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> *15 ITTs<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> *8 ''Lambda''-class shuttles<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> *''Sentinel''-class landing craft<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> *Single-walker landing barges<ref>Lund, et al. (2016), p. 143</ref> }} | class = Battleship<ref name=USWNE314/> | registry = | armaments = {{plainlist| *Heavy turbolaser turrets (6)<ref name=SWCVNE137/> *Heavy ion cannon turrets (2)<ref name=SWCVNE137/> *Heavy turbolaser batteries (60)<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> *Ion cannons (60)<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> *Tractor beam projectors (10)<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> }} | defense = {{plainlist| *Deflector shield generators<ref name=SWCVNE137/> *Armor Plating<ref name=SWCVNE137/> }} | max_speed = | propulsion = {{plainlist| *Ion engines<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> *Class 2 hyperdrive<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> }} | chassis = | power = | mass = 40 million tons<ref>Aaron, J. (2017). Star Wars Vol. 4: Last Flight Of The Harbinger. United States: Marvel Entertainment. Pg. 3</ref> | length = {{convert|1,600|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> | width = | height = | population_volume = {{plainlist| *9,235 officers<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> *27,850 enlisted personnel<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> *9,700 stormtroopers<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> *Visiting Sith Lords }} }} === Concept and design ===
In draft scripts for the film that would become ''Star Wars'', the term "Stardestroyer" refers to two-man fighters flown by what would become the Galactic Empire.<ref name="SW.comISD" /> The film's second draft features four Star Destroyers chasing a single Rebel ship,<ref name="taylor-115">Taylor, p. 115</ref> but the tremendous costs incurred by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) when production began helped lead Lucas to use a single "terrifyingly large" Star Destroyer instead of four.<ref name="taylor-121-22">Taylor, pp. 121-22</ref> ILM built a {{convert|91|cm|sp=us|adj=on}} shooting model that was about half the size of the model for the ''Tantive IV'' the Star Destroyer was chasing.<ref name="SW.comISD" /> Lucas asked ILM to build a larger Star Destroyer model to match the ''Tantive IV''<nowiki/>'s scale, but ILM convinced him that the Dykstraflex camera invented for the film made this unnecessary.<ref name="taylor-171-73">Taylor, p. 171-73</ref> Nevertheless, they added additional hull details to the Star Destroyer model.<ref name="taylor-171-73" /> The 13-second opening shot was the first special effects piece ILM completed,<ref name="taylor-171-73" /> and its success was an essential test for the Dykstraflex.<ref name="taylor-171-73" />
ILM built a {{convert|259|cm|sp=us|adj=on}} Star Destroyer, equipped with internal lighting to provide a better sense of scale, for ''The Empire Strikes Back'' (1980).<ref name="SW.comISD" /> According to chief model maker Lorne Peterson, the new Star Destroyer model was scaled to appear two and a half miles long, though their official length was revised in later sources.<ref name="Walker45">{{cite book|last=Walker|first=Landry|title=The Moviemaking Magic of Star Wars: Ships + Battles|publisher=Abrams Books|date=2019|location=United States|pages=45|isbn=978-1-4197-3633-9}}</ref>
The ''Imperial I''-class Star Destroyers are white, as shown in ''A New Hope'', ''Rogue One'', and ''Solo''. The ''Imperial II''-class Star Destroyers in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi'' are grey.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/4/7/11383684/rogue-one-star-wars-trailer-theory|title = Why the Star Destroyer looks different in the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story trailer|date = 7 April 2016}}</ref>
=== Depiction === The iconic ''Imperial''-class Star Destroyer first appears in the opening scene of ''Star Wars'' (1977), where the Imperial Star Destroyer ''Devastator'' (carrying Darth Vader) chases the CR90 Corvette ''Tantive IV'' (carrying Princess Leia) above Tatooine after the latter had fled from Scarif.<ref name=USWNE314>Barr, et al. (2019), p. 314</ref><ref name=SWCVNE137>Dougherty, et al. (2020), p. 135-137</ref> Background literature describes ''Imperial''-class Star Destroyers as the chief warship of the Imperial Navy and symbol of Imperial might. These enormous capital ships are used to enforce the Emperor's will, bolster Imperial-backed governments, and act as mobile headquarters for senior Imperial commanders.<ref name=USWNE314/> In addition to their powerful armament, a Star Destroyer carries troops and vehicles for ground operations and a full wing of TIE fighters (typically 48 fighters, 12 bombers and 12 boarding craft).<ref name=USWNE314/><ref name=SWCVNE137/> A single Star Destroyer is considered sufficient to overwhelm a rebellious planet, though major industrialized worlds may be assaulted by a fleet of six Star Destroyers with support cruisers and supply craft.<ref name=SWCVNE137/> Deep-crust survival bunkers are regarded as a last refuge in the event of planetary bombardment by Imperial Star Destroyers.<ref>Lund, et al. (2016), p. 139</ref> At the Empire's height there were over 25,000 Star Destroyers in existence, requiring roughly 925 million crew.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whatculture.com/tv/star-wars-10-things-you-didnt-know-about-star-destroyers?page=6|title=Star Wars: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Star Destroyers - 5. There Were Thousands Of Destroyer Ships At The Height Of The Empire's Reign|last=Hornbuckle|first=Jon|date=2 December 2022|website=WhatCulture|access-date= 5 October 2024}}</ref>
Darth Vader's ''Devastator'' is the last of the ''Imperial I''-class ships to be built by Kuat Drive Yards before switching to the ''Imperial II''-class, a fleet of which take part in the Battle of Hoth as depicted in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' (1980).<ref name=SWCVNE137/> Designated Death Squadron, this fleet of Star Destroyers is led by Darth Vader aboard the ''Executor'', first in a new class of Super Star Destroyer.<ref name=USWNE330>Barr, et al. (2019), p. 330</ref> Although the battle is won by Imperial forces, Vader orders his Star Destroyers to focus on capturing the ''Millennium Falcon'' rather than hunt down the escaping Rebel transports, allowing many to escape.<ref>Lund, et al. (2016), p. 142</ref> The ''Falcon'' manages to evade this pursuit by hiding in the sensor blind spot of the Star Destroyer ''Avenger''.<ref>Dougherty, et al. (2020), p. 144</ref> These ships play a major role in the Battle of Endor as depicted in ''Return of the Jedi'' (1983). During the battle, Imperial Star Destroyers prove vulnerable to fleets of starfighters flown by skilled Rebel pilots, who exploit the ships' exposed bridges and deflector shield generators to cause damage.<ref name=USWNE314/> A year after their defeat at Endor, the Empire makes a last stand at Jakku. During the battle, Imperial Star Destroyers use their tractor beams to drag New Republic ships down to the planet's surface, where their wrecks form the Graveyard of Ships as seen in ''The Force Awakens'' (2015).<ref name=SWCL174>Lund, et al. (2016), p. 174</ref>
=== Analysis === Examining what it would take to realistically build an Imperial Star Destroyer, it was estimated in 2016 that such a vessel would cost $636 billion USD. However, getting the parts into space to construct the Star Destroyer would require an additional US$44.4 trillion in launch costs, suggesting that asteroid mining and refining technologies would have to be developed first to make it more economical.<ref>{{cite web|title=How Much Would It Cost To Build The Star Destroyer From Star Wars|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1858246/how-much-cost-build-star-destroyer-star-wars/|website=/Film|access-date=28 March 2026}}</ref> More recent estimates suggest a cost of over US$100 trillion based on the Imperial Star Destroyer's stated weight of approximately 40 million tons, making it outside the scope of any nation to build on their own.<ref>{{cite web|title=Star Wars: The Staggering Price It Would Take to Build a Real Star Destroyer|url=https://3dvf.com/en/star-wars-the-staggering-price-it-would-take-to-build-a-real-star-destroyer/|website=3DVF|access-date=28 March 2026}}</ref>
Joe Pappalardo of ''Popular Mechanics'' argues that the Imperial Star Destroyer is a poorly-designed spaceship, being asymmetrical with its superstructure jutting out in one direction. Additionally, while its wedge shape would make sense for atmospheric travel, it serves no purpose in space. He argues a more realistic and effective design would be symmetrical and bowl-shaped like a saucer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/movies/news/a28088/star-wars-the-last-jedi-dreadnought-star-destroyer|title=The Problem with The Last Jedi's New Star Destroyer|website=Popular Mechanics|date=18 December 2017|access-date=20 June 2021}}</ref>
=== Cultural influence === Lego has released multiple different Star Destroyer kits over the years, from small sets with just 21 pieces to the largest versions with thousands of pieces.<ref name=CBRLego>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/lego-star-wars-destroyer-sets-ranked/|title=Every Star Destroyer LEGO Star Wars Set, Ranked|last=Puent|first=Shea|date=12 August 2023|website=CBR|access-date= 5 October 2024}}</ref> These include two Ultimate Collector Series models, the first of which was released in 2002. Measuring {{convert|37|in|adj=on}} long and {{convert|23|in|adj=on}}, it sold for $269.99 until being retired in 2007. The second UCS Star Destroyer was larger, {{convert|43|in|adj=on}} long and {{convert|26|in|adj=on}} wide, and sold for $699.99 between 2019 and 2022.<ref name=SRLego>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-biggest-lego-sets/|title=The 15 Biggest Star Wars LEGO Sets Of All Time|last=Erdmann|first=Kevin|date=22 September 2024|website=Screen Rant|access-date=5 October 2024}}</ref><ref name="lego75252">{{cite web|url=https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/imperial-star-destroyer-75252|title=Imperial Star Destroyer™ - 75252|work = Lego Shop|publisher=Lego|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref>
== Super Star Destroyer == === Concept and design === For ''The Empire Strikes Back'', George Lucas wanted Darth Vader's new flagship, ''Executor'', to be huge and to play a greater role in the film. According to chief model maker Lorne Peterson, the ''Executor'''s model was {{convert|6|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} long and constructed with over 150,000 individual lights. The resulting model was so heavy it required additional support to keep from overwhelming the Dykstraflex's mechanical structure. The ship was originally scaled to appear {{convert|16|miles|km}} long according to Lorne, though later sources would amend this figure.<ref name="Walker45"/>
=== Depiction === Within the ''Star Wars'' universe, the term "Super Star Destroyer" is a colloquialism used to refer to any ship larger than an Imperial Star Destroyer.<ref name=Walker197>Walker (2018), p. 197</ref> The largest and most powerful of these is the ''Executor'', which first appeared in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' (1980) as the personal flagship of Darth Vader.<ref name=USWNE330/> The first in a line of ''Executor''-class Star Dreadnoughts, the ship is over {{convert|19,000|m|abbr=on}} in length, propelled by thirteen colossal engines and a Class 1 hyperdrive. Its armament includes over 5,000 turbolasers, ion cannons and tractor beam projectors and it can carry more than 1,000 vessels.<ref name=Walker197/> The crew of the ''Executor'' numbers in the hundreds of thousands.<ref name=SWCVNE137/> Its command tower, rising above the ship's technoscape on a thick stalk, is a standard model found on other Star Destroyers – including a pair of geodesic domes containing communication transceivers, sensors and deflector shield projectors – and allows for an unobstructed view of the battlefield.<ref name=SWCL171>Lund, et al. (2016), p. 170-171</ref> At least twelve of these vessels were built by the Empire, including the ''Executor'', ''Annihilator'', ''Ravager'' and ''Arbitrator'', but the exact number is unknown thanks to Imperial propaganda and black budgets.<ref name=SWCL171/>
From the bridge of the ''Executor'', Darth Vader leads Death Squadron during the Battle of Hoth and afterwards in pursuit of the ''Millennium Falcon''. It later serves as the Imperial command ship during the Battle of Endor.<ref name=USWNE330/> At Endor, intense bombardment by the Rebel Alliance fleet cause the ship's shields to fail, allowing Rebel starfighters to strafe the command tower. During this attack an A-wing piloted by Arvel Crynyd crashes into the command bridge, destroying the main navigation complex and causing the vessel to lose control.<ref name=SWCL171/> The ''Executor'' is lost when the second Death Star's gravity well pulls the ship into its surface, destroying the vessel and damaging the Death Star itself.<ref name=Walker197/> At Jakku where the Empire made its last stand, the Super Star Destroyer ''Ravager'' is one of the wrecks which make up the Graveyard of Ships.<ref name=SWCL174/>
=== Analysis === Rhett Allain, an associate professor of physics at Southeastern Louisiana University, examined the death of the ''Executor'' in a ''Star Wars'' Day-themed article for ''Wired''. According to him, the ''Executor'' impacted the second Death Star traveling at {{convert|3.5|km/s|mph|abbr=on}}, which—assuming the collision was strictly a result of gravitational interaction between the two objects—would require a super-dense Death Star to achieve such an impact velocity. Additionally, the ''Executor'' had a near constant angular velocity of 0.159 radians/second during the scene where it rotates to face the Death Star. For the crew at the front of the ship, this would result in a centripetal acceleration of 39 G.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/05/happy-may-4th-lets-break-super-star-destroyers-super-death/|title=Happy May the 4th! Let's Break Down a Super Star Destroyer's Death|first=Rhett|last=Allain|magazine=Wired|access-date=2021-07-02}}</ref>
If a model of the ''Executor'' was built to scale and placed hovering over New York City, it would cast a shadow over the island of Manhattan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/movies/a17039/heres-what-a-super-star-destroyer-would-look-liked-parked-over-manhattan/|title=Here's What a Super Star Destroyer Would Look Like Parked Over Manhattan|date=24 August 2015|publisher=Popular Mechanics|access-date=2021-07-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/8/25/9204537/star-wars-super-star-destroyer-new-york-city|title=The biggest Star Wars ship casts a shadow the size of Manhattan|date=25 August 2015|publisher=The Verge|access-date=2021-07-02}}</ref>
=== Cultural influence === Like the Imperial Star Destroyer, the Super Star Destroyer has also been merchandised. Lego released a {{convert|125|cm|adj=on}} 3,152-piece model of the ''Executor''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://shop.lego.com/en-US/Super-Star-Destroyer-10221|title=Super Star Destroyer™ - 10221|work=Lego Shop|publisher=Lego|access-date=2018-04-18}}</ref> Kenner wanted to use a less ominous name than ''Executor'' for the toy playset of Darth Vader's meditation chamber.<ref name="SW.comSD">{{cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/superstardestroyer/?id=bts |title=Super Star Destroyer |publisher=Lucasfilm|access-date=2021-07-02|work=Star Wars Databank |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213015446/http://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/superstardestroyer/?id=bts |archive-date=2007-12-13 }}</ref> An advertisement agency's list of 153 alternatives included Starbase Malevolent, Black Coven, Haphaestus VII, and Cosmocurse;<ref name="SW.comSD" /> ultimately, the toy was labeled "Darth Vader's Star Destroyer".<ref name="SW.comSD" /> In 2006, Wizards of the Coast created an ''Executor'' miniature as part of its ''Star Wars'' Miniatures Starship Battles game.<ref name="wizards">{{cite web|url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=starwars/article/SBPreview1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311033249/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=starwars/article/SBPreview1|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 11, 2007|title=Starship Battles Preview 1|date=2006-10-19|publisher=Wizards of the Coast|access-date=2007-07-12}}</ref> An electronic Super Star Destroyer toy released by Hasbro "is the rarest among Hasbro's Collector Fleet".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11709 |title=Star Wars: Cargo Bay – Electronic Super Star Destroyer |access-date=2007-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618214306/http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11709 |archive-date=18 June 2013 }}</ref>
== Venator Star Destroyer == {{Infobox fictional vehicle | name = ''Venator-class'' Star Destroyer | image = VenatorClassStarDestroyer.png | image_size = | alt = | caption = A ''Venator''-class Star Destroyer as depicted in ''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'' | first = ''Star Wars: Clone Wars'' (2005) | last = ''Star Wars: The Bad Batch'' (2021-2023) | based_on = | affiliation = {{plainlist| * Galactic Republic<ref name=SWCVNE80/> * Galactic Empire<ref name=SWCVNE80/> }} | maker = Kuat Drive Yards<ref name=SWCVNE80/> | launched = 22 BBY{{efn|name=BBY|Years before the Battle of Yavin}} | decommissioned = 19-14 BBY{{efn|name=BBY}}{{efn|In Legends continuity, the ''Venator'' served the Empire well into the Galactic Civil War, but in a reduced role.}}<ref name="Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order">{{cite video game|title=Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order|developer=Respawn Entertainment|publisher=Electronic Arts|date=2019-11-15|scene=Bracca|version=1.0|language=English}}</ref> | class = Battleship/Carrier<ref name=USWNE303/> | registry = | fighters = {{plainlist| *420 starfighters<ref name=SWCVNE80/> }} | aux_vehicle = {{plainlist| *40 LAAT gunships<ref name=SWCVNE80/> *20 AT-TEs<ref name=SWCVNE80/> }} | armaments = {{plainlist| *Heavy turbolaser turrets (8)<ref name=SWCVNE80/> *Medium dual turbolaser turrets (2)<ref name=SWCVNE80/> *Point-defense laser cannons (52)<ref name=SWCVNE80/> *Proton torpedo tubes (4)<ref name=SWCVNE80/> *Tractor beam projectors (6)<ref name=SWCVNE80/> }} | defense = Deflector shields<ref name=SWCVNE80/> | max_speed = | propulsion = {{plainlist| *Ion engines<ref name=SWCVNE80/> *Class 1 Hyperdrive<ref name=SWCVNE80/> }} | chassis = | power = | mass = | length = {{convert|1,137|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=SWCVNE80/> | width = {{convert|548|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=SWCVNE80/> | height = {{convert|268|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=SWCVNE80/> | population_volume = 7,400<ref name=SWCVNE80/> }}
=== Concept and design === The design of the ''Venator''-class Star Destroyers appearing in ''Revenge of the Sith'' (2005) are meant to bridge the appearance of the ''Acclamator''-class transports in ''Attack of the Clones'' (2002) and the ''Imperial''-class in the original trilogy. This included making use of the Imperial Star Destroyer bridge set for interior shots of the Venator as a connecting theme. Additionally, the changing coloration of the Star Destroyers is meant to represent the downfall of the Republic and rise of the Empire. At the start of the film they are given a red paint scheme first established in ''The Phantom Menace'' (1999) as representing the Republic, but by the end they are colorless.<ref name="venator">{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/republicattackcruiser/index.html|title=Star Wars: Databank: Republic attack cruiser|publisher=Lucasfilm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208170059/http://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/republicattackcruiser/?id=bts|archive-date=2008-02-08|url-status=dead|access-date=2021-07-02}}</ref>
=== Depiction === The ''Venator''-class Star Destroyer makes its first theatrical appearance in ''Revenge of the Sith'' during the opening Battle of Coruscant. Within the ''Star Wars'' setting, these ships are regarded as the most powerful capital ships of the Republic Navy during the Clone Wars, serving double duty as battleships and starfighter carriers.<ref name=USWNE303>Barr, et al. (2019), p. 303</ref> These massive ships require a relatively small crew to operate, a deliberate feature compensating for the fact that the Separatists can produce battle droids faster than the Republic can grow clone troopers.<ref name=SWCVNE80>Dougherty, et al. (2020), p. 78-80</ref> As a true warship, the ''Venator''-class can feed nearly its entire reactor output (which at maximum power consumes 40,000 tons of fuel per second) into its heavy turbolasers to devastating effect.<ref name=SWCVNE80/> As a carrier, the Star Destroyer can rapidly deploy hundreds of starfighters, including ARC-170s, V-wings, Z-95 Headhunters and Jedi interceptors, from a {{convert|.5|km|abbr=on}}-long dorsal flight deck. While strong deflector shielding is employed around the armored bow doors, they are slow to open or close, presenting a weakness in the vessel's design.<ref name=USWNE303/><ref name=SWCVNE80/><ref name=Walker194>Walker (2018), p. 194</ref>
During the Clone Wars these Star Destroyers, referred to also as Republic attack cruisers or Jedi cruisers, play an important role combating Separatist fleets and providing supporting fire for ground forces.<ref name=USWNE303/> Thanks to their superior firepower, the ''Venator''-class has a strong advantage against Separatist warships, and a small flotilla of attack cruisers can easily blast through the deflector shields of a Trade Federation Battleship.<ref name=SWCVNE80/> At the Battle of Coruscant, over a thousand attack cruisers are deployed to defend the planet,<ref name=Walker194/> one of which (the Star Destroyer ''Guarlara'') delivers a devastating barrage to the ''Invisible Hand'' at point-blank range.<ref name=SWCVNE80/> After the end of the Clone Wars and creation of the Galactic Empire, these Star Destroyers will continue to serve for decades in the Imperial Navy until eventually replaced with the ''Imperial''-class Star Destroyer.<ref name=SWCVNE80/>
=== Cultural influence === There have been five different Lego sets of the Venator released since 2009, with the most recent one revealed in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blocksmag.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-venator|title=Everything you need to know about the Venator|website=Blocks|date=14 September 2023|access-date=5 October 2024}}</ref> This version of the Venator, part of the Ultimate Collector Series, was released in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'' TV show. Measuring {{convert|43|in|adj=on}} long, {{convert|21|in|adj=on}} wide and {{convert|12.5|in|adj=on}} tall, the set consists of 5,374 pieces and comes with a commemorative plaque, at an original retail price of $649.99.<ref name=SRLego/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brothers-brick.com/2023/09/12/lego-star-wars-75367-ucs-venator-class-republic-attack-cruiser-officially-revealed-online/|title=LEGO Star Wars 75367 UCS Venator-Class Republic Attack Cruiser officially revealed online|website=The Brother's Brick|date=12 September 2023|access-date=5 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/lego-star-wars-venator-class-republic-attack-cruiser-75367-review|title=Lego Star Wars Venator-Class Republic Attack Cruiser review|last=Stokes|first=Ian|website=Space.com|date=10 January 2024|access-date=5 October 2024}}</ref>
For the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, noted modder Sander van der Velden created a custom-built PC made to look like a Venator Star Destroyer. Built around a fully-functional, liquid-cooled PC, the surrounding case was constructed in the shape of a Venator using aluminum and 3D printed material. The final product required 400 hours of work to complete.<ref>{{cite web|title=CES 2016: Star Wars Star Destroyer PC Case Mod is Jaw-Dropping|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/01/10/ces-2016-star-wars-star-destroyer-pc-case-mod-is-jaw-dropping|website=IGN|date=10 January 2016|access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2015/12/31/Man-builds-Star-Destroyer-model-containing-working-PC/3931451592893/|title=Modder builds 'Star Destroyer' model containing working PC|website=UPI.com|access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamersnexus.net/news-pc/2259-star-wars-destroyer-case-mod-ces|title=Up Close with the Star Wars Destroyer Case Mod at CES 2016|website=GamersNexus|date=7 January 2016 |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://3dprint.com/113357/3dp-star-destroyer-pc-case/|title=3D Printing Used in Creating This Amazing Star Wars Star Destroyer PC Case, Will Be at CES 2016|website=3DPrint.com|date=January 2016|access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref>
== Resurgent Star Destroyer == {{Infobox fictional vehicle | name = ''Resurgent''-class Star Destroyer | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | first_major = Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) | first_minor = <!-- or |first_issue=; Per MOS:MINORWORK - minor works include TV episodes, chapters, songs and game missions --> | first_date = | last_major = | last_minor = <!-- or |last_issue= --> | last_date = | based_on = | affiliation = First Order | maker = Kuat-Entralla Engineering<ref name=USWNE338>Barr, et al. (2019), p. 338</ref><ref name=SWCVNE197>Dougherty, et al. (2020), p. 192-197</ref> | launched = | decommissioned = | captain = | fighters = {{plainlist| *Two wings of TIE fighters<ref name=USWNE338/><ref name=SWCVNE197/> }} | aux_vehicle = {{plainlist| *Over 100 assault vehicles<ref name=USWNE338/> }} | class = Capital Ship<ref name=USWNE338/> | registry = | armaments = {{plainlist| *Over 1,500 tubolasers and ion cannons<ref name=SWCVNE197/> *Point-defense turrets and missile emplacements<ref name=SWCVNE197/> *Tractor beam projectors<ref name=SWCVNE197/> }} | defense = {{plainlist| *Deflector shield generators<ref name=SWCVNE197/> *Armor Plating<ref name=SWCVNE197/> }} | max_speed = | propulsion = {{plainlist| *Ion engines<ref name=SWCVNE197/> *Hyperdrive<ref name=SWCVNE197/> }} | chassis = | power = | mass = | length = {{convert|2,916|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=SWCVNE197/> | width = | height = | population_volume = {{plainlist| *19,000 officers<ref name=USWNE338/><ref name=SWCVNE197/> *55,000 enlisted personnel<ref name=USWNE338/><ref name=SWCVNE197/> *Over 8,000 stormtroopers<ref name=USWNE338/><ref name=SWCVNE197/> }} }}
In ''Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' (2015), set 30 years after the fall of the Empire, a new class of Star Destroyer is introduced in service to the First Order. The ''Finalizer'', the first of the ''Resurgent''-class Star Destroyers built in secret by Kuat-Entralla Engineering, serves as the flagship for both Kylo Ren and General Hux.<ref name=USWNE338>Barr, et al. (2019), p. 338</ref><ref name=SWCVNE197>Dougherty, et al. (2020), p. 192-197</ref>
=== Concept and design === Various concept art for a new class of Star Destroyers was created in the development of ''The Force Awakens'', with a finalized designed — drawn by VFX art director James Clyne — approved in July 2014. Clyne had experimented with using negative spaces in creating the Star Destroyer, similar to his earlier work on ''Star Trek Into Darkness''. He said he had fun working on it as director J. J. Abrams was heavily involved in the process and offered suggestions.<ref>{{cite book|last=Szostak|first=Phil|title=The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens|publisher=Harry N. Abrams|date=2015|pages=130, 210|isbn=9781419717802}}</ref> Clyne also drew concept art for the ''Finalizer'''s hangar, and when it came time to build the set at Pinewood Studios, he relocated there for a month to supervise the construction.<ref>Szostak, Phil (2015), pp. 160</ref>
=== Depiction === ''Resurgent''-class Star Destroyers are described in background literature as a clear violation of the treaties between the New Republic and the First Order. The development of such capital ships is kept a secret for many years by the First Order — constructed deep within the Unknown Regions — but once they become aware General Leia and the Resistance go to great lengths to track and report on such vessels to the New Republic. However, Leia is considered a warmonger by many in the Senate and so her warnings are dismissed until it is too late.<ref name=USWNE338/><ref name=SWCVNE197/>
While evoking the traditional ''Imperial''-class Star Destroyer, the ''Resurgent''-class is said within ''Star Wars'' literature to incorporate a number of fixes to the former's design flaws. These include a less-exposed command bridge with an emergency backup in case it is destroyed; better-defended shield generators; and a larger fighter complement that can be more quickly launched from dorsal flight decks and side hangers.<ref name=USWNE338/><ref name=SWCVNE197/> The ship's turbolasers, powerful enough to slug it out with capital ships or reduce planetary surfaces to molten slag, have greater firepower and faster recharge rates than Imperial models thanks to the use of Kyber focusing crystals.<ref name=SWCVNE197/> For planetary assaults, the ship carries a full legion of over 8,000 stormtroopers and over a hundred assault vehicles, including walkers. While lacking the resources to produce as many of these ships as once served the Empire, the ''Resurgent''-class is nevertheless meant to symbolize the First Order's power and return to Imperial glory.<ref name=USWNE338/><ref name=SWCVNE197/>
The ''Finalizer'' features as the command ship for both Kylo Ren and General Hux during their journeys in ''The Force Awakens'' and ''Star Wars: The Last Jedi'' (2017). However, sometime before as the events of ''Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'' (2019), Resistance hero Finn manages to sneak aboard and severely damaged the ship. This forces Ren to transfer his command over to a new ''Resurgent''-class Star Destroyer, the ''Steadfast'', and reduces Hux to a junior member of the First Order Supreme Council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/5-things-we-learned-from-the-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-visual-dictionary|title=5 Things We Learned from the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Visual Dictionary|last=Floyd|first=James|website=StarWars.com|date=28 February 2020|access-date=5 October 2024}}</ref>
=== Cultural influence=== When the ''Finalizer'''s name was first revealed, Brent McKnight of MovieWeb felt like it was both silly and frightening, saying "[i]t sounds like something a little kid would come up with, but it's also super ominous and intimidating at the same time." He also observed the design was instantly recognizable as a Star Destroyer while having appropriate differences to represent the thirty years that took place between its introduction in the story and the original.<ref name="CinemaBlend">{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Star-Wars-Force-Awakens-Star-Destroyer-Has-Terrifying-Name-79827.html|title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens' New Star Destroyer Has A Terrifying Name|last=McKnight|first=Brent|website=CinemaBlend|date=28 August 2015|access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> B. Alan Orange of MovieWeb also felt the design of the ''Finalizer'' was intimidating and scary while still being instantly recognizable as a Star Destroyer. They also believed it had the "perfect pulp name", keeping in theme with the movie's new superweapon, Starkiller Base.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/star-wars-7-force-awakens-star-destroyer-finalizer/|title=Star Wars 7 Star Destroyer Gets a Menacing Name|last=Orange|first=B. Alan|website=MovieWeb|date=29 August 2015|access-date=5 October 2024}}</ref>
YouTube content creator "LegoSpencer" was inspired to build a model of the TIE fighter hangar bay on the ''Finalizer'', a process which took six weeks to complete.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-fan-builds-epic-lego-star-destroyer-hangar-bay/|title='Star Wars' fan builds epic LEGO Star Destroyer hangar bay|date=10 June 2016|website=CBR|access-date=5 October 2024}}</ref>
The opening scene of ''The Last Jedi'' shows a fleet of ''Resurgent''-class Star Destroyers appearing above the Resistance base on D'Qar. Using the principal of angular resolution and their known length, Professor Rhett Allain determined the Star Destroyers had an angular size of .75 degrees, putting them at a distance of 221 kilometers. The same ships would still be visible if they were in low Earth orbit at about 400 kilometers (the same as the International Space Station) but with an angular size of .4 degrees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/story/lets-use-star-wars-to-explain-the-concept-of-angular-size/|title=Let's Use Star Wars to Explain the Concept of Angular Size|last=Allain|first=Rhett|website=Wired|date=18 April 2018|access-date=8 March 2026}}</ref>
== Mega Star Destroyer == {{Infobox fictional vehicle | name = ''Mega''-class Star Destroyer | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | first_major = Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) | first_minor = <!-- or |first_issue=; Per MOS:MINORWORK - minor works include TV episodes, chapters, songs and game missions --> | first_date = | last_major = | last_minor = <!-- or |last_issue= --> | last_date = | based_on = | affiliation = First Order | maker = Kuat-Entralla Engineering<ref name=USWNE341>Barr, et al. (2019), p. 340-341</ref><ref name=SWCVNE227>Dougherty, et al. (2020), p. 222-227</ref> | launched = | decommissioned = | captain = | fighters = | aux_vehicle = {{plainlist| *8 ''Resurgent''-class Star Destroyers<ref name=USWNE341/><ref name=SWCVNE227/> }} | class = Dreadnought<ref name=USWNE341/><ref name=SWCVNE227/> | registry = | armaments = {{plainlist| *Heavy turbolasers<ref name=USWNE341/><ref name=SWCVNE227/> *Heavy ion cannons <ref name=USWNE341/><ref name=SWCVNE227/> *Antiship missile batteries<ref name=USWNE341/><ref name=SWCVNE227/> *Tractor beam projectors<ref name=USWNE341/><ref name=SWCVNE227/> }} | defense = {{plainlist| *Deflector shield generators<ref name=USWNE341/><ref name=SWCVNE227/> *Armor Plating<ref name=USWNE341/><ref name=SWCVNE227/> }} | max_speed = | propulsion = {{plainlist| *Sublight engine arrays<ref name=USWNE341/><ref name=SWCVNE227/> *Hyperdrive<ref name=USWNE341/><ref name=SWCVNE227/> }} | chassis = | power = | mass = | length = {{convert|13,234|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=SWCVNE227/> | width = {{convert|60,543|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=SWCVNE227/> | height = {{convert|3,975|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=SWCVNE227/> | population_volume = {{plainlist| *2,225,000 personnel<ref name=USWNE341/><ref name=SWCVNE227/> }} }}
The ''Mega''-class Star Dreadnought ''Supremacy'' made its first theatrical appearance in ''Star Wars: The Last Jedi'' (2017). Described as the command ship for Supreme Leader Snoke, it was stated to be {{convert|60|km|abbr=on}} wide, making it significantly larger than any previous Super Star Destroyer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-last-jedi-snoke-star-destroyer-revealed/|title=Last Jedi: Snoke's Mega Star Destroyer Revealed|last=Nolan|first=Liam|website=CBR.com|date=2 September 2017|access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref>
=== Concept and design === Director Rian Johnson came up for the idea of basing the ''Supremacy'' on a flying wing, picking the final exterior look from concept art created by design supervisor Kevin Jenkins. "It's a big flying city," said Jenkins. "Vader's ''Executor'' is simply a headquarters, but Snoke doesn't have a planet, so he lives on the ship."<ref>{{cite book|last=Szostak|first=Phil|title=The Art of Star Wars: The Last Jedi|publisher=Harry N. Abrams|date=2017|pages=78|isbn=9781419727054}}</ref> The ''Supremacy'''s bridge was also designed by Jenkins, who wanted it to mirror the wideness of the ship itself.<ref>Szostak, Phil (2017), pp. 89</ref>
=== Depiction === Described as the only ''Mega''-class Star Destroyer in the galaxy,<ref name=Walker202>Walker (2018), p. 202</ref> the ''Supremacy'' serves not only as the flagship but as the capital of the First Order. Rather than choosing one of the settled planets claimed by the First Order, this decision for a mobile headquarters is said to represent the Order's dream of restoring the Empire and expanding upon it. Built at a staggering cost within the Unknown Regions, the existence of "Snoke's boudoir" is only a rumor among Resistance personnel until it finally reveals itself.<ref name=USWNE341/><ref name=SWCVNE227/>
Thousands of heavy turbolasers, antiship missile batteries, heavy ion cannons and tractor beam projectors gives the ship firepower equivalent to an entire fleet. The vessel also possesses an industrial capacity that would rival most planets, with asteroid mining complexes, foundries, production lines, research labs and training centers. Six external and two internal stations allow ''Resurgent''-class Star Destroyers to dock with the ''Supremacy''. A majority of the ship's 2,225,000 crew are adolescents still in training to become stormtroopers and officers.<ref name=USWNE341/><ref name=SWCVNE227/>
The ''Supremacy'' reveals itself in ''The Last Jedi'' at the head of the fleet pursuing the Resistance after their flight from D'Qar, having used the immense processing power of its vast number of computer arrays to track them through hyperspace. This pursuit continues in realspace, with the ''Supremacy'' destroying the majority of the Resistance fleet while the ''Raddus'' continues to survive thanks to its experimental deflector shields. However, running low on fuel, the Resistance hatches a plan to secretly escape aboard cloaked U-55 orbital loadlifters to nearby Crait. The plan is foiled when the cloaked ships are revealed by DJ (Benicio del Toro) and the ''Supremacy'' turns its cannons on the helpless shuttles. Desperate, Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo (Laura Dern) turns the ''Raddus'' around and rams the ''Supremacy'' at lightspeed, splitting the Mega-Destroyer in two.<ref name=USWNE341/><ref name=SWCVNE227/>
=== Analysis === Martin Docherty of Space.com looked at the possible physics behind the scene in ''The Last Jedi'' where Vice Admiral Holdo destroys the ''Supremacy'' by ramming it at lightspeed with the ''Raddus''. Using the estimate that the ''Raddus'' massed 8.88 billion kilograms and was traveling at 99.9% of the speed of light, it would have a Lorentz factor of 22.366 and impact with a final kinetic energy of 17 × 10<sup>27</sup> joules. Such an impact would create shrapnel which, while moving slower than lightspeed, would still cause immense damage, as was seen in the movie.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/star-wars-the-last-jedi-holdo-maneuver-physics|title=Would Star Wars: The Last Jedi's Holdo Maneuver actually work?|last=Docherty|first=Martin|website=Space.com|date=23 September 2021|access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref>
Rhett Allain, an associate professor at Southeastern Louisiana University, examined the turbolaser shots fired by the ''Supremacy'' in ''The Last Jedi'' and observed how these shots arced through space as opposed to flying straight as in previous movies. Noting that these shots took 1.58 seconds to reach the ''Raddus'', he estimated they were traveling 100,000 meters per second with an apparent vertical acceleration of 2.4 × 10{{sup|4}} meters per second squared.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/story/somethings-off-with-the-turbolaser-shots-in-the-last-jedi/|title=Something's Off With the Turbolaser Shots in The Last Jedi|last=Allain|first=Rhett|website=Space.com|date=11 May 2018|access-date=12 May 2025}}</ref>
=== Cultural influence === Upon the first reveal of the ''Supremacy'', B. Alan Orange noted that, despite the ship's unique design, it still retained a familiar shape which immediately identified it as belonging to the First Order.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/snoke-star-destroyer-sith-ring-star-wars-last-jedi/|title=Snoke's Mega Star Destroyer & New Sith Weapon Revealed in Star Wars 8|last=Orange|first=B. Alan|website=MovieWeb|date=1 September 2017|access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref> Corey Larson of Screen Rant believed that, regardless of the film's wider reputation, the introduction of the ''Supremacy'' and its subsequent destruction during ''The Last Jedi'' represented one of the coolest additions to the franchise from the Star Wars sequel trilogy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-10-coolest-ships-ranked/|title=The 10 Coolest Ships In Star Wars, Ranked Worst To Best|last=Larson|first=Corey|website=Screen Rant|date=21 February 2024|access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref> John Orquiola meanwhile felt the ship represented an ongoing superweapon problem with the franchise. While crediting Rian with not introducing another Death Star-like weapon, it still showed that the First Order, like the Empire before it, was obsessed with equating size with power and creating "unbeatable" superweapons which are eventually destroyed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-last-jedi-superweapon-death-star-supremacy/|title=Star Wars Still Has A Superweapon Problem|last=Orquiola|first=John|website=Screen Rant|date=18 December 2018|access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref>
== Sith Star Destroyer == {{Infobox fictional vehicle | name = ''Xyston''-class Star Destroyer | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | first_major = Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) | first_minor = <!-- or |first_issue=; Per MOS:MINORWORK - minor works include TV episodes, chapters, songs and game missions --> | first_date = | last_major = | last_minor = <!-- or |last_issue= --> | last_date = | based_on = | affiliation = Sith Eternal | maker = Kuat-Entralla Engineering<ref name=SWCVNE255>Dougherty, et al. (2020), p. 254-255</ref> | launched = | decommissioned = | captain = | fighters = TIE Daggers<ref name=SWCVNE255/> | aux_vehicle = | class = Star Destroyer<ref name=SWCVNE255/> | registry = | armaments = {{plainlist| *40 heavy turbolaser batteries<ref name=SWCVNE255/> *40 ion cannons<ref name=SWCVNE255/> *40 point-defense laser cannons<ref name=SWCVNE255/> *35 variable-ordance warhead launchers<ref name=SWCVNE255/> *10 heavy tractor beam projectors<ref name=SWCVNE255/> *Axial superlaser<ref name=SWCVNE255/> }} | defense = {{plainlist| *Deflector shield generators<ref name=SWCVNE255/> }} | max_speed = | propulsion = {{plainlist| *Sublight enginers<ref name=SWCVNE255/> *Hyperdrive<ref name=SWCVNE255/> }} | chassis = | power = | mass = | length = {{convert|2,406|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=SWCVNE255/> | width = | height = {{convert|682|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=SWCVNE255/> | population_volume = 29,585<ref name=SWCVNE255/> }}
In ''Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'' (2019), a resurrected Darth Sidious unveils a new class of Star Destroyer as part of the Sith Eternal's fleet, the Final Order.
=== Depiction === Identified by in-universe sources as ''Xyston''-class but referred to informally as Sith Star Destroyers, these ships resemble the older ''Imperial I''-class Star Destroyers but much larger and with more automation to reduce crew requirements. They are built on Exegol by automated factories described as dating back to the old Sith Wars, but which Darth Sidious modernized upon the creation of the Empire.<ref name=SWCVNE255>Dougherty, et al. (2020), p. 254-255</ref> Construction is continued after its fall thanks to Sith loyalists on the executive boards of many ship manufacturers secretly funneling resources to the project. Automation is incorporated to reduce crew size, many of whom are the children of Sith Loyalists trained their entire lives for this purpose.<ref name=SWE448>Brooks, et al (2024), p. 448</ref> The distinguishing feature of these Sith Star Destroyers is an axial superlaser powerful enough to shatter a planet. Such power is made possible by a solar ionization reactor channeling the energy of a miniature sun through kyber crystals. However, hangar space and storage are sacrificed to make room for the superlaser, and the connection between superlaser and reactor would result in the destruction of the entire ship if one or the other were destroyed.<ref name=SWCVNE255>Dougherty, et al. (2020), p. 254-255</ref>
Emblazoned with the red markings of the Sith Eternal fleet, hundreds of these Sith Star Destroyers are ready when Allegiant General Pryde (Richard E. Grant) is ordered by Palpatine to deploy them across the galaxy. The icy world of Kijimi is the first to be destroyed by the Star Destroyer ''Derriphan''. However, before the rest of the fleet carry out this plan, the Resistance attacks their base on Exegol, and thanks to the timely arrival of the Citizen's Fleet are able to destroy them.<ref name=SWE448/>
=== Cultural influence === While impressed with the ships themselves, Adrienne Tyler was also very disappointed with how ''The Rise of Skywalker'' - similar to its treatment of other story elements - did not fully develop where they came from and how they operated, instead leaving these details to be explained in companion books.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-9-empire-star-destroyer-fleet-explained/|title=Star Wars 9: The Secret Empire Star Destroyer Fleet Explained|website=Screen Rant|date=31 August 2019|access-date=8 March 2026}}</ref> J.R. Zambrano meanwhile felt the ships exemplified the laziness of the film's crazy excesses and criticized how despite their planet-destroying power a makeshift fleet of civilians was able to destroyed them all.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2021/08/star-wars-the-ship-that-nearly-killed-a-franchise-the-sith-enternals-xyston-class-star-destroyer-breakdown.html|title=Star Wars: The Ship That Nearly Killed A Franchise, The Sith Eternal’s Xyston-class Star Destroyer Breakdown|website=Bell of Lost Souls|date=15 August 2021|access-date=8 March 2026}}</ref>
== List of other Star Destroyers == *'''Victory Star Destroyer''': The ''Victory''-class Star Destroyer originally featured only in Star Wars Legends novellas (see below). It first appeared in the new Star Wars canon in the 2014 novel ''Tarkin'', written by James Luceno, and was first depicted in ''Darth Vader 6: Vader, Part VI'', a 2015 comic book written by Kieron Gillen and illustrated by Salvador Larroca. The ''Victory'' Star Destroyer is the Imperial Navy's starting vessel in the core set of Fantasy Flight Games's ''Star Wars: Armada'', a table top miniatures game released on March 27, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shutupandsitdown.com/review-armada-wave-two/|title = Review: Star Wars Armada, Wave 2 - Shut up & Sit Down}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://holowriting.com/2015/06/07/star-wars-armada-victory-class-star-destroyer-tactics/|title = Star Wars: Armada - Victory-class Star Destroyer Tactics | Holo Writing|date = 7 June 2015}}</ref> The ''Victory I-''class was plagued with many issues that it developed a negative reception in the Republic Navy and the succeeding Imperial Navy. A retrofitting program under the Empire upgraded existing ''Victory'' ''I'' Star Destroyers into the ''Victory II''-class in an attempt to address its flaws, but many still remained. *'''Interdictor Star Destroyer''' - The ''Interdictor''-class Star Destroyer was first introduced in Legends before being introduced in canon in ''Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series''. This variant is a derivative of the ''Imperial''-class Star Destroyer as well as the successor to the ''Interdictor-''class heavy cruiser. The ''Interdictor''-class was equipped with four spheroidal gravity well projectors that were used to prevent ships from jumping into hyperspace, as well as forcibly removing ships from it.
== ''Star Wars Legends'' == In April 2014, most of the licensed ''Star Wars'' novels, games, and comics produced since 1976 (and prior to 2014), were rebranded by Lucasfilm as Star Wars Legends; and therefore declared non-canon to the franchise.<ref name="THR Legends">{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lucasfilm-unveils-new-plans-star-698973|title=Lucasfilm Unveils New Plans for ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe|last=McMilian|first=Graeme|date=April 25, 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=May 26, 2016}}</ref><ref name="SW Legends">{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page|title=The Legendary ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe Turns a New Page|date=April 25, 2014|publisher=StarWars.com|access-date=May 26, 2016}}</ref>
Star Destroyers feature in numerous ''Legends'' publications, with a considerable amount of additional notable information. According to West End Games' ''Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game'' sourcebooks and other texts, ''Imperial''-class Star Destroyers are constructed by Kuat Drive Yards and hold a distinguished place in the Imperial Navy, symbolizing the Empire's military might with a peak number of more than 25,000 vessels.<ref name="ImpSB">{{cite book|title=Star Wars Imperial Sourcebook|last=Gorden|first=Greg|publisher=West End Games|year=1993|isbn=0-87431-210-8|edition=2nd}}</ref> Like the ''Venator'' and ''Victory''-class ships that precede it, the ''Imperial''-class is a multi-role capital ship combining the roles of a battleship, starfighter carrier, and troopship. Notable for its massive size and overwhelming firepower compared to its fore-bearers; a single ''Imperial''-class ship is capable of singlehandedly taking on a fleet of enemy vessels or "reducing the surface of a planet to a slag" (known as "Base Delta Zero"), and its mere presence is often enough to deter rebellion.<ref name="ImpSB" /> At {{convert|1600|m|sp=us}} long, ''Imperial''-class Star Destroyers are crewed by 9,235 Officers, 27,850 enlisted personnel, and 275 Gunners. The ''Imperial I'' is armed with 60 turbolasers, 60 ion cannons, and 10 tractor beam projectors for space combat.<ref name="ImpSB" /> The standard complement is 72 TIE fighters (including 12 TIE Bombers and 12-24 TIE Interceptors), and a variety of support craft including shuttles and transports. Unlike other comparable capital ships like the Mon Calamari MC80 Star Cruiser of the Rebel Alliance (later New Republic), an ''Imperial''-class Star Destroyer carries a full array of ground forces (including 9700 stormtroopers, 20 AT-ATs and 30 AT-STs) with dropships for rapid deployment to planetary surfaces, plus a prefabricated base if a permanent planetary garrison is required.<ref name="ImpSB" />
Though the Imperial Navy also has smaller capital ships like Nebulon-B Escort Frigates and CR90 Corvettes (the films show these vessels being used exclusively by the Rebel Alliance), ''Imperial''-class Star Destroyers are usually the default choice for frontline deployments. At the Battle of Endor the Rebel Alliance captured two ''Imperial''-class Star Destroyers and added them to the New Republic fleet; they serve alongside Mon Calamari Cruisers in General Han Solo's task force as told in the X-wing series of novels and Dark Empire comics.<ref name="DESB">{{cite book|title=Dark Empire Sourcebook|last=Horne|first=Michael Allen|date=June 1993|publisher=West End Games|isbn=0-87431-194-2}}</ref> Although the New Republic eventually upgrades its starfleet with newer ship types, the ''Imperial''-class Star Destroyer remains in service well into the ''New Jedi Order'' era and fights during the Yuuzhan Vong War.<ref name="NJOSB">{{cite book|title=The New Jedi Order Sourcebook|last=Wiker|first=J.D.|publisher=Wizards of the Coast|isbn=0-7869-2777-1|author2=Steve Miller|year=2002}}</ref>
Described in ''A Guide to the Star Wars Universe'' (1984) as being {{convert|8|km|sp=us}} long, ''Executor''-class Super Star Destroyers were later described as being {{convert|19|km|sp=us}} long.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/super-star-destroyer|title=Super Star Destroyer|website=StarWars.com|publisher=Lucasfilm|access-date=December 28, 2016}}</ref> In addition to Vader's command ship ''Executor'', ''Star Wars'' novels introduce the prison ship ''Lusankya'' and stealth-armored '' Knight Hammer'' as other in the class.<ref name="Isard">{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/character/ysanneisard/index.html|title=Isard, Ysanne (Expanded Universe)|publisher=Lucasfilm|access-date=2007-12-15|work=Star Wars Databank|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212232624/http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/ysanneisard/index.html|archive-date=2007-12-12}}</ref><ref name="Darksaber155" /> Kevin J. Anderson's novel ''Darksaber'' describes a Super Star Destroyer as being "worth twenty Imperial Star Destroyers".<ref name="Darksaber155">{{cite book|title=Darksaber|url=https://archive.org/details/starwarsdarksabe00kevi|url-access=registration|publisher=Bantam Spectra|year=1996|isbn=0-553-57611-9|pages=[https://archive.org/details/starwarsdarksabe00kevi/page/155 155–156]|author=Anderson, Kevin J.|author-link=Kevin J. Anderson}}</ref>
The ''Forces of Corruption'' expansion pack to the game ''Star Wars: Empire at War'' introduced the ''Aggressor''-class Star Destroyer. Its plans were kept aboard the first Death Star, where they were studied along with other ship designs. Following the Battle of Yavin, the Zann Consortium stole the designs stored in a data pod amidst the wreckage of the battle station, as well as a prototype that Tyber Zann took as his flagship and christened the ''Merciless'', which was heavily modified over three years before being unveiled over Carida. The ''Aggressor''-class featured a bridge and shield generators similar to the ''Imperial-''class, as well as two fire-linked cannons fixed on its forward hull that fired an ion blast that disabled shields, followed by a plasma blast for maximum damage.
The description "Star Destroyer" and "Super Star Destroyer" are applied to several another massive dagger/triangle-shaped warships in ''Star Wars'', such as the ''Pellaeon''-class Star Destroyer in the ''Legacy'' comic series (2006–2010), and the reborn Emperor Palpatine's flagships ''Eclipse'' and ''Eclipse II'' Super Star Destroyers in the Dark Empire series (1991–1995). The ''Eclipse''-class was perhaps the ultimate Super Star Destroyer or Star Dreadnought in the Expanded Universe, incorporating a Death Star-type superlaser but miniaturized and more advanced, and gravity well projectors to prevent enemies from jumping to hyperspace, and having strong enough shields/armor to be able to ram enemy vessels. Curtis Saxton, in the unofficial ''Star Wars Technical Commentaries'' (he has since been the author of the official ''Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Incredible Cross-Sections'' and ''Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Incredible Cross-Sections''), has advocated using the term ''Imperator''-class in lieu of ''Imperial''-class. Saxton argues that "Imperial Star Destroyer" is a somewhat generic term, as the vast majority of Star Destroyer types are operated by the Galactic Empire's Imperial Navy which technically means they are all "Imperial Star Destroyers", although the ''Imperator''/''Imperial''-class Star Destroyers are by far the most common type. Similarly, the "Super Star Destroyer" moniker has been used for numerous unrelated vessels of varying sizes and classes, so fans have suggested labeling the class instead of by the lead ship such as ''Executor''-class and ''Eclipse''-class, with some referring to them instead as a "Star Dreadnought" (sometimes spelled "Star Dreadnaught") to emphasize their massive size relative to Star Destroyers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theforce.net/jedicouncil/interview/saxton.asp|title=TheForce.Net - Jedi Council - Interviews | Curtis Saxton}}</ref> Author Jason Fry introduced the "Anaxes War College System" which specifically divide warships into different types depending on their size and power, which explain all the differently sized "Super Star Destroyers" appearing in the Expanded Universe (now ''Star Wars'' Legends), supplementing the contradictory classification systems used in Star Wars lore previously, becoming reference material in the ''Star Wars'' Sourcebooks by West End Games.
The ''Victory''-class Star Destroyer first described in the early ''Star Wars'' novella, was initially designed as a direct predecessor to the ''Imperial''-class during the development of ''A New Hope'', which would make it a follow-up to the ''Venator''-class seen in ''Revenge of the Sith''. The ''Victory'' appears very similar in appearance to the ''Imperial''-class which succeeded it; albeit the ''Victory'' being considerably smaller in scale (900 meters in length versus 1600 meters), adds atmospheric maneuvering "wings" on the port and starboard sides (according to ''Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game'' sourcebooks, the ''Victory I''-class can enter a planetary atmosphere which is a unique attribute not found in the ''Victory II'' and ''Imperial''-class Star Destroyers), and a shorter conning tower with different elements on the command bridge. The ''Victory''-class was developed from a prototype Star Destroyer model created by Colin Cantwell for ''A New Hope'', with the final design being used for the basis of the ''Imperial''-class.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Han Solo Adventures|title-link=The Han Solo Adventures|last=Daley|first=Brian|date=28 June 2011|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-0-307-79548-9|pages=354|author-link=Brian Daley}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Star Wars: Han Solo and the Corporate Sector Authority|last=Horne|first=Michael Allen|publisher=West End Games|year=1993|isbn=0-87431-199-3|pages=91–92}}</ref>
==See also== * List of ''Star Wars'' spacecraft * List of ''Star Wars'' starfighters
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==Bibliography== {{refbegin}} * {{cite book|last1=Barr|first1=Patricia|last2=Bray|first2=Adam|last3=Jones|first3=Matt|last4=Horton|first4=Cole|last5=Wallace|first5=Daniel|last6=Windham|first6=Ryder|title=Ultimate Star Wars New Edition|publisher=DK Publishing|date=2019|location=United States|isbn=978-1-4654-7900-6}} * {{cite book|last1=Brooks|first1=Dan|last2=Crouse|first2=Megan|last3=Richau|first3=Amy|last4=Ratcliffe|first4=Amy|last5=Wainerdi|first5=Brandon|last6=Zehr|first6=Dan|title=Star Wars Encyclopedia:The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy|publisher=DK Publishing|date=2024|location=United States|isbn=9780593960547}} * {{cite book|last1=Dougherty|first1=Kerrie|last2=Fry|first2=Jason|last3=Hidalgo|first3=Pablo|last4=Reynolds|first4=David West|last5=Saxton|first5=Curtis|last6=Windham|first6=Ryder|title=Star Wars Complete Vehicles New Edition|publisher=DK Publishing|date=2020|location=United States|isbn=978-0-7440-2057-1}} * {{cite book|last1=Luceno|first1=James|last2=Reynolds|first2=David West|last3=Windham|first3=Ryder|last4=Fry|first4=Jason|last5=Hidalgo|first5=Pablo|title=Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary|publisher=DK Publishing|date=2018|location=United States|isbn=978-1-4654-7547-3}} * {{cite book|last1=Lund|first1=Kristin|last2=Beecroft|first2=Simon|last3=Dougherty|first3=Kerrie|last4=Luceno|first4=James|last5=Fry|first5=Jason|title=Star Wars: Complete Locations|publisher=DK Publishing|date=2016|location=United States|isbn=978-1-4654-5272-6}} * {{Cite book |last=Taylor|first=Chris|title=How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise|publisher=Basic Books|year=2014|oclc=889674238|type=eBook|author-link=Chris Taylor (journalist)|ref=taylor}} * {{cite book|last1=Walker|first1=Landry Q.|title=Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles|publisher=DK Publishing|date=2018|location=United States|isbn=9781465482716}} {{refend}}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
=== Sources === {{refbegin}} {{refend}}
==External links== * {{Star Wars Databank|subject=imperial-star-destroyer|text=Imperial Star Destroyer}} * {{Star Wars Databank|subject=super-star-destroyer|text=Super Star Destroyer}} * {{Star Wars Databank|subject=executor|text=Executor}} * {{Star Wars Databank|subject=finalizer|text=Finalizer}} * {{Wookieepedia|Star Destroyer}} * {{Wookieepedia|Super Star Destroyer}} * {{Wookieepedia|Venator-class Star Destroyer|Venator Star Destroyer}} * {{Wookieepedia|Resurgent-class Star Destroyer|Resurgent Star Destroyer}} * {{Wookieepedia|Xyston-class Star Destroyer|Sith Star Destroyer}} * {{Wookieepedia|Category:Star Destroyers}}
{{Star Wars universe|state=collapsed}}
Category:Star Wars spacecraft Category:Fictional story elements introduced in 1977 Category:Fictional military vehicles
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