The Reprisal functioned as an Imperial II-class Star Destroyer within the ranks of the Imperial Navy during the era of the Galactic Civil War.
Approximately six months following the Battle of Yavin, the vessel found itself under the leadership of Captain Kendal Ozzel, serving as the focal point of Imperial Navy operations within the Shelsha sector. It was supported by several Dreadnaught Cruisers alongside smaller capital ships.
While under Ozzel's direction, the Reprisal participated in a retaliatory operation aimed at Teardrop. Subsequently, a tactical unit from the Imperial Security Bureau, led by Colonel Vak Somoril, was assigned to the ship to intensify the campaign against Rebel groups operating in the sector. Following events that drew the attention of both Darth Vader and Mara Jade, it seems Ozzel was reassigned to the Executor in Vader's fleet, though the Reprisal also seems to have fallen under Vader's authority around this time.
Roughly eight months after the Battle of Yavin, the ship was commanded by Commander Demmings alongside Captain Sankaran. It was officially stationed in a sector situated within the Outer Rim Territories, but was under the direct orders of Darth Vader as he attempted to locate the Rebel fleet and his son, Luke Skywalker. It is possible that it acted as the flagship for the local Sector Group.
The Reprisal was present at Tiss'sharl for a meeting where Vader presented Demmings to the leadership of the Tiss'sharl League as their designated liaison. During this meeting, reports surfaced indicating Skywalker's presence on Jabiim. The Reprisal promptly departed Tiss'sharl, spearheading a fleet to complete the violent subjugation of the rebellious planet. The Star Destroyer then remained stationed at Jabiim to oversee the final phases of the operation, during which a supply shuttle was hijacked by Tal Hesz.
Still acting as Vader's flagship, the Reprisal then launched attacks on Rebel positions, including a scout team and a CR90 corvette, with the objective of capturing prisoners who could reveal the Rebels' whereabouts. However, turbolaser fire from the Star Destroyer obliterated the targets completely. This led Vader to question the ship's reputation and nearly execute Demmings.
However, following a third strike, directed against a surface target located within the Ejolus system, Vader exposed that gunnery officer Lieutenant Garil Dox was a Rebel operative and a native of Alderaan. This was done in an effort to undermine Demmings' reputation for unwavering loyalty and competence by ensuring these missions failed.
Vader revealed to Dox that the Ejolus colony was actually a settlement populated by pacifists originating from his own homeworld. As the traitor was led away to the labor camps, Vader remarked coldly that Dox's willingness to destroy innocent civilians in an attempt to achieve his military objectives showed he had the potential to be a fine Imperial officer.