Why The Imperial Star Destroyer Was The Empire’s Most Dangerous Ship

By Nathaniel Roark Published 1 hour ago

The Imperial Star Destroyer has always been the Empire’s deadliest ship, from its origins in the Republic Navy to the might of the Sith Eternal fleet.

Содержание

Summary
The Imperial Star Destroyer Was Designed To Concentrate Its Firepower
A Star Destroyer Carried A Vast War-Force
The Size Of The Imperial Fleet Made Star Destroyers Terrifying
Star Destroyers Were Among The Fastest Ships In The Galaxy
Imperial Star Destroyers Could Occupy A Planet

Summary

The Imperial Star Destroyer remains the deadliest ship in Star Wars, defining the Empire's dominance.
Star Destroyers had concentrated firepower and a vast war-force, making them terrifying.
Star Destroyers were among the fastest ships in the galaxy, occupying planets with speed and size.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

The Galactic Empire possessed an impressive number of ships in Star Wars, but the Imperial Star Destroyer was unquestionably the most dangerous. The Star Destroyer defined the Empire as it came on screen at the beginning of A New Hope, slowly encompassing the frame and overshadowing the planet below, conveying the Empire's absolute dominance over the galaxy. The ensuing chase lasted a few seconds before a tractor beam pulled in the Tantive IV, and the crew was overwhelmed by stormtroopers, setting up the Imperials as the ultimate bad guys.

However, Star Wars has introduced several cool ships since 1977, questioning whether the Star Destroyer is still the Empire's most dangerous. The Empire Strikes Back began this trend by featuring Darth Vader's flagship, the Executor, several times larger than a Star Destroyer. The Star Wars sequel trilogy continued these upgrades by giving the First Order prototype weapons and Supreme Leader Snoke's massive flagship, the Supremacy. Despite these additions to the franchise, the Imperial Star Destroyer remains one of the deadliest ships in Star Wars and is the Empire's most dangerous.

The Imperial Star Destroyer Was Designed To Concentrate Its Firepower

Star Destroyers are immediately recognizable for their triangular design, and there is an un-universe reason they were shaped in this manner. According to Build the Millennium Falcon #20, "The familiar arrowhead silhouette of the Star Destroyer can be traced back for millennia, as the capital ships of the Old Republic and other factions all discovered the efficiency of the wedge shape for concentrating firepower forwards." This concentrated forward firepower made the Star Destroyer ideal for large-scale attacks and for giving chance, as demonstrated by their first appearance in A New Hope, giving chase to the Tantive IV.

A Star Destroyer Carried A Vast War-Force

The standard complement on a Star Destroyer was 72 TIE fighters, including 12 TIE Bombers and between 12 and 24 TIE Interceptors, and there were also shuttles and transports.

The Empire would also need a large fleet for battles against multiple ships, so in addition to the Star Destroyer's efficient design, it was spacious enough to carry an array of fighters. The standard complement on a Star Destroyer was 72 TIE fighters, including 12 TIE Bombers and between 12 and 24 TIE Interceptors, and there were also shuttles and transports. TIE fighters could overwhelm an enemy ship, take on a squadron of rebel fighters, or follow a craft where a Star Destroyer couldn't follow, such as the pursuit of the Millennium Falcon in The Empire Strikes Back.

The Size Of The Imperial Fleet Made Star Destroyers Terrifying

Grand Moff Tarkin believed in ruling through fear of force rather than force itself, and the size of the Imperial fleet was enough to intimidate most systems. Over 25,000 Star Destroyers patrolled the Empire by the Battle of Yavin, dividing the galaxy into 1,024 regional sectors, with 24 Star Destroyers assigned each. Allegiant General Pryde of the First Order would later note that the range and power of a fleet was preferable to concentrating power in a superweapon like the Starkiller Base, and the Imperial fleet hunted down the rebels in the years following the Death Star's destruction.

Palpatine's fleet of 10,000 Star Destroyers on Exegol in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was less than half the number of ships in the Imperial Fleet.

Star Destroyers Were Among The Fastest Ships In The Galaxy

Star Destroyers were also fast ships despite their enormous size, keeping up with any craft while giving chase. The hyperdrive class dictates travel speed through hyperspace, and Imperial Star Destroyers had two hyperdrives. This meant they could travel faster than most vessels, which was particularly useful if an Imperial captain called for backup. It was also advantageous for setting up an ambush, as seen when the Imperial fleet surprised the rebels and kept them from escaping at the Battle of Endor.

Imperial Star Destroyers Could Occupy A Planet

A Star Destroyer's firepower, fighter complement, size, and speed meant that a single ship was enough to occupy an entire planet. They were also capable of atmospheric flight, meaning the Empire could launch a planetary invasion. This allowed the Empire to occupy thousands of planets at a time and crush any resistance with one Star Destroyer. When a rebel faction posed a challenge, captains could rely on other Star Destroyers to arrive quickly. The Imperial Star Destroyers were undoubtedly the most dangerous ships in Star Wars, and their power would only grow during the rise of the First Order.