Star Destroyer/Legends


 * For The Emperor's New Clothes song, see Star Destroyer (song)



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

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 could be.

Star Destroyers are most well known for their service in the Imperial Starfleet. The Empire's Star Destroyers bore a distinctive dagger-shape which came to be associated with the ship type. 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 are the heaviest combatants in many fleets composed of standard 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.

In rough chronological order, the following designs of 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
 * The Tector-class Star Destroyer
 * 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 Interdictor Star Destroyer
 * The Gauntlet-class Star Cruiser
 * The Super Star Destroyer Vengeance, class name unknown
 * The Sovereign-class Star Dreadnought
 * The Eclipse-class Star Dreadnought
 * The Republic-class Star Destroyer
 * The Nebula-class Star Destroyer (also known as the Defender-class)
 * The Bakura-class Star Destroyer
 * The Rejuvenator-class Star Destroyer

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

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

Additionally, 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. Examples of these ships include the Leviathan and the Ravager.

The Venator, Imperial, Executor, Tector, 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 Defender design was produced by the Republic Engineering Corporation.

Behind the Scenes

 * On the commentary track of the Revenge of the Sith DVD, George Lucas referred to General Grievous' 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.

Appearances

 * Republic HoloNet News Special Inaugural Edition 16:5:241 (Star Wars Insider 84)