The Droch-class boarding ship, also known as the Droch dropship, Separatist boarding ship, droid landing pod, or pod-hunter, represented a boarding craft model. It was produced by Colicoid Creation Nest and utilized by the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars in their conflict against the Galactic Republic.
These crafts were deployed during the initial phase of the Malevolence campaign to seek out and eliminate escape pods from destroyed Republic fleets. This was done to maintain the secrecy surrounding the Malevolence's existence. However, to fully realize the boarding ship's potential, a strategic mind like that of General Grievous of the Confederacy was necessary. They also facilitated troop deployments onto enemy starships, including the Venator-class Star Destroyer Tranquility and the Coronet.
The Colicoid Creation Nest-manufactured Droch-class boarding ship was among the diverse range of boarding and utility vessels employed by the Confederacy of Independent Systems' naval forces during the Clone Wars against the Galactic Republic. These were compact, starfighter-sized craft featuring a bell-shaped hull loosely inspired by the toothspike raptor from the planet Colla IV. They measured 18.5 meters in length, with an approximate radius of 8.8 meters. The engines were positioned where a bell's clapper would typically be, and four lengthy, retractable spikes, each approximately 11.4 meters long, encircled its base. A centrally located hatch within the base provided entry to a confined passenger area and a single-pilot cockpit.
True to its designation, the Droch-class was engineered for boarding operations against opposing vessels. Launched in large numbers from carrier ships, each could transport six fully armed troops or battle droids. They were capable of reaching a maximum speed of 850 kilometers per hour as they approached their targets, utilizing their spikes to penetrate and secure themselves to the target ship's hull. After attachment, a plasma cutting ring would create an opening, and a boarding tube would extend from the hatch, allowing the troops to enter the targeted vessel. These ships were also equipped with four turret-mounted twin light laser cannons, short-range sensors, and enough consumables to last for one day's time.
The Droch-class boarding ship made its debut in "Rising Malevolence," the second episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars' first season, an animated television series. The original broadcast date was October 3, 2008. The ship's identification was later provided in the 2017 reference book Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia, authored by Adram Bray, Cole Horton, and Tricia Barr, and published under the Dorling Kindersley imprint.