The Victory I-class Star Destroyer represented a specific model within the Victory-class Star Destroyer series, utilized by the forces of the Galactic Republic. Its reputation within the navy was less than stellar, due to persistent design flaws that necessitated frequent repairs. After the Proclamation of the New Order, these Victory I ships were taken over by the Imperial Navy of the Galactic Empire and subsequently underwent a service life extension initiative known as the Victory II program. This program led to the introduction of the Victory II-class Star Destroyer, although it did not completely resolve all the original vessel's shortcomings.
This particular Star Destroyer variant, the Victory I-class, had a length of 900 meters. Its capabilities included a class 1 hyperdrive system, along with an armament consisting of twelve quadruple turbolaser batteries, forty dual turbolasers, ten tractor beam projectors, and concussion missile launchers. The Victory-class Star Destroyer vessels were designed as versatile, heavy warships intended for both supporting planetary invasions and engaging in large-scale fleet engagements.
Victory I vessels serving under the Galactic Republic displayed a gray color scheme with red markings, and their shape resembled a dagger. A command tower was situated towards the rear of the ship, elevated above the main structure, and it housed two deflector shield generators on its top. An elongated antenna was positioned beside a dome on the port side. Furthermore, a spherical rod extended horizontally from the tower's starboard side. Adjacent to this rod was a rectangular structure located at the center of the tower. The Star Destroyer also featured a pair of protruding segments, one on each side of the hull, which partially covered the hull's side ridges.
The Victory I-class was first deployed by the Galactic Republic Navy during the height of the Clone Wars, having been fast-tracked into production following numerous delays and political disagreements. Consequently, the design contained several flaws that required constant attention and repairs from the crew to maintain operational readiness. The Victory-class subsequently earned a reputation as an unlucky vessel and a dangerous assignment.
After the transition from the Republic to the Galactic Empire, the Imperial Navy inherited the Victory-class Star Destroyers. These ships then underwent a life extension service program, resulting in the creation of the Victory II-class Star Destroyer. Despite extensive modifications, the Victory II-class was unable to completely eliminate all of the problems that plagued its predecessor.
The Victory I-class made its debut in the new Star Wars canon through an indirect reference in the entry for the Victory II-class Star Destroyer within Starships and Speeders, a 2020 Star Wars Roleplaying sourcebook by Fantasy Flight Games. It was later formally identified in "Starships of the Empire and the Rebellion," an encyclopedia entry from the Star Wars Encyclopedia series by De Agostini, released on October 12, 2021 in Spain and October 28 of the same year in France.
The Star Destroyer was then visually represented on a card for the Victory I-class Star Destroyer in "Rapid Reinforcements I," a new print-and-play expansion released by Atomic Mass Games as a downloadable PDF on April 7, 2022. The image used was a modified version of the box cover art from the Victory-class Star Destroyer Expansion Pack, originally released by Fantasy Flight Games on May 14, 2015.
- Starships and Speeders (First mentioned) (Indirect mention only)
- " Starships of the Empire and the Rebellion " — Star Wars Encyclopedia (First identified as Victory I-class Star Destroyer)
- Star Wars: Armada — Rapid Reinforcements (Card: Victory I-class Star Destroyer (Republic)) (First pictured)
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