Star Destroyer/Legends



Star Destroyer was the term used to describe a certain type of large capital ship used by the Galactic Republic, the Galactic Empire, the New Republic, the Imperial Remnant, and the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances.

Although Star Destroyers dwarfed the heavy cruisers at the top of the Galactic Republic's standard warship scale, they were not as big as large Star Cruisers.

History
The Interdictor-class cruiser, a distant technological relative of the Star Destroyer, existed in the service of the old Galactic Republic, and later, the Sith Empire, 4000 years prior to 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. However, the design of Ravager would survive until later.

Star Destroyers that bore a distinctive dagger-shape that came to be associated with the ship type were in the service of the later Republic, around the time of the Clone Wars. Star Destroyers were most well known for their service in the Imperial Navy. Other dagger-shaped ships, such as the Immobilizer 418 cruiser, have been described as resembling small Star Destroyers.



Larger Star Cruisers and Star Dreadnoughts were referred to in slang as "Super Star Destroyers", likely because they also shared the dagger shape of Star Destroyers. The New Republic also adopted the dagger-shape in their later Star Destroyer designs. However, it should be noted that not all Star Destroyers adhere to the dagger aesthetic.

While Star Destroyers were the heaviest combatants in many fleets composed of down-scaled cruisers and frigates, they perform an escort role when in the presence of larger warships such as the Empire's Executor-class Star Dreadnought or the battleships found in Galactic Republic armadas.

The Venator, Imperial, Tector, Executor, Eclipse,and Sovereign designs were produced by Kuat Drive Yards, mostly at Kuat, but also at countless other facilities around the Galaxy. The Victory and Republic designs were produced by Rendili StarDrive, and the Nebula design was produced by the Republic Engineering Corporation.

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.

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


 * The Victory I-class Star Destroyer
 * The Venator-class Star Destroyer
 * The Victory II-class Star Destroyer
 * The Imperial I-class Star Destroyer (formerly known as the Imperator-class)
 * The Tector-class Star Destroyer
 * The Star Destroyer Demolisher, classname unknown
 * The battlecruiser stolen by Crimson Jack, class name unknown
 * The battlecruisers used by General Tagge, class names unknown
 * The Star-Destroyer-class battlecruiser
 * The second battlecruiser commanded by Captain Wermis, class name unknown
 * The Imperial II-class Star Destroyer
 * The Executor-class Star Dreadnought (also known as the Executor-class Super Star Destroyer)
 * The Super Star Destroyer Vengeance, class name unknown
 * The battleship commanded by Admiral Giel, classname unknown
 * The Imperial Communications Ship, class name unknown
 * The Interdictor Star Destroyer
 * The Gauntlet-class Star Cruiser
 * The Sovereign-class Star Dreadnought
 * The Eclipse-class Star Dreadnought
 * The Republic-class Star Destroyer
 * The Bakura-class Star Destroyer
 * The Nebula-class Star Destroyer (more commonly known as the Defender-class)
 * The Rejuvenator-class Star Destroyer
 * The Chiss Star Destroyer
 * The Galactic-class battle carrier (not officially designated a Star Destroyer)
 * The Pellaeon-class Star Destroyer

In addition, Kuat Drive Yards 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. Some examples include:
 * Praetor-class Star Battlecruiser
 * Procurator-class Star Battlecruiser
 * Mandator I-class Star Dreadnought
 * Mandator II-class Star Dreadnought


 * Note: The Galactic Republic's Star Destroyer-predecessors, the Acclamator I-class (which first saw action at the Battle of Geonosis) and Acclamator II-class assault ships, are not considered Star Destroyers.

Behind the scenes

 * 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.

Appearances

 * Republic HoloNet News Special Inaugural Edition 16:5:24 in Star Wars Insider 84