Avenger
{{Top|title=''{{PAGENAME}}''}} {{Otheruses}} {{Expand|1}} {{Individual_ship |image=[[File:Avenger-ESBHD.jpg]] |name=''Avenger'' |designer= |manufacturer= |line=[[Imperial-class Star Destroyer|''Imperial''-class Star Destroyer]]<ref name="ESB">{{Film|V}}</ref> |model=[[Imperial II-class Star Destroyer|''Imperial II''-class Star Destroyer]]<ref name="SotEaR">{{EncyclopediaCite|Starships of the Empire and the Rebellion}}</ref> |type=[[Star Destroyer]]<ref name="ESB" /> |cost= |modifier= |sysmods= |length=1,600 [[meter]]s<ref name="ESBJN">[[Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (paperback novel)|''Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back'' junior novelization]]</ref> |width= |height= |mass= |max accel= |mglt= |max speed= |maneuverability= |engine=*[[Destroyer-I ion engine]]s (3)<ref name="Card Trader Stories">''[[The Original Trilogy Stories]]'' depicts the ''Avenger'' with what {{SWCT|Star Destroyer - Blueprints|Star Destroyer - ''Blueprints''}} identifies as [[destroyer-I ion engine]]s and [[gemon-4 ion engine]]s (which are for emergency use).</ref> *[[Gemon-4 ion engine]]s (4) {{C|emergency use}}<ref name="Card Trader Stories" /> |hyperdrive= |hdrange= |hdsystem= |poweroutput= |power=[[Solar ionization reactor]]<ref name="Card Trader ESB">{{Film|V}} depicts the ''Avenger'' with what {{SWCT|Star Destroyer - Blueprints|Star Destroyer - ''Blueprints''}} identifies as [[deflector shield generator dome]]s, a [[solar ionization reactor]], and a [[communications tower]].</ref> |shield gen=[[Deflector shield generator dome]]s (2)<ref name="Card Trader ESB" /> |hull= |sensor= |target= |navigation= |avionics= |maincomp= |countermeasures= |armament=*60 [[turbolaser]]s<ref name="ESBJN" /> *60 [[ion cannon]]s<ref name="ESBJN" /> |complement=[[Hyperdrive pod]]s<ref name="ESB" /> |bays=[[Hangar|Equipped]]<ref name="ESB" /> |escapepods= |crew= |skeleton= |passengers= |capacity= |cargohandling= |consumables= |lifesupport= |communications=[[Communications tower]]<ref name="Card Trader ESB" /> |othersystems= |availability= |role= |commission= |destroyed= |retired= |battles=[[Battle of Hoth]]<ref name="DBNeeda">{{Databank|captain-needa|Captain Needa}}</ref> |affiliation=[[Galactic Empire]]<ref name="ESB" /> |navy=[[Imperial Navy]]<ref name="ESB" /> |fleet=[[Death Squadron]]<ref name="ESB" /> |owners= |captains=[[Lorth Needa]]<ref name="ESB" /> |namedcrew=*[[M'Kae]]<ref name="ESB" /> *[[Nemet]]<ref name="ESB" /> *[[Carl Ashon]]<ref name="Standard Imperial Procedure">{{StoryCite|story=Standard Imperial Procedure|book=From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back}}</ref> *[[Unidentified Imperial officer (Avenger)|Unidentified Imperial officer (''Avenger'')]]<ref name="ESB" /> |registry= |aliases= }} {{Quote|Sir, we have a priority signal from the Star Destroyer ''Avenger.''"<br />"Right.|An Imperial officer and Firmus Piett|<ref name="ESB" />}} The '''''Avenger''''' was an [[Imperial II-class Star Destroyer|''Imperial II''-class Star Destroyer]] in the [[Imperial Navy]]'s [[Death Squadron]], under the [[Commanding officer|command]] of [[Captain]] [[Lorth Needa]]. As a part of the [[Galactic Empire]]'s [[Project Swarm]], the ''Avenger'' was one of the destroyers responsible for deploying thousands of [[Viper probe droid]]s across [[the galaxy]] in [[hyperdrive pod]]s, in an attempt to discover the [[Alliance to Restore the Republic|Rebel Alliance's]] secret [[Echo Base|base]]. ==Description== [[File:ImpStarDestroyer-TSS.png|thumb|left|270px|The ''Avenger'' in orbit of a planet.]] An [[Imperial-class Star Destroyer|''Imperial II''-class Star Destroyer]],<ref name="SotEaR" /> the ''Avenger'' was equipped with a [[hangar]] bay,<ref name="ESB" /> a [[communications tower]], a [[solar ionization reactor]], and two [[deflector shield generator dome]]s.<ref name="Card Trader ESB" /> Measuring 1,600 [[meter]]s long,<ref name="Length" /> it was propelled by three [[destroyer-I ion engine]]s and four emergency use [[gemon-4 ion engine]]s.<ref name="Card Trader Stories" /> The [[Imperial-class Star Destroyer|Star Destroyer]] carried with it numerous<ref name="ESB" /> [[hyperdrive pod]]s containing [[Viper probe droid]]s.<ref name="CE note">''[[Star Wars Character Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded]]'' establishes [[hyperdrive pod]]s, which were seen launching from the ''Avenger'' in [[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''Star Wars'': Episode V ''The Empire Strikes Back'']], carry [[Viper probe droid]]s and are equipped with [[hyperdrive]]s.</ref> ==History== ===Project Swarm=== The ''Avenger'' was a part of the [[Imperial Navy]] and [[Commanding officer|commanded]] by [[Captain]] [[Lorth Needa]].<ref name="TSBJN" /> Around [[3 ABY]],<ref name="Timelines" /> it arrived at a set of prearranged coordinates, and dispatched [[hyperdrive pod]]s with [[Viper probe droid]]s to thousands of [[planet]]s,<ref name="ESBJN" /> as part of [[Project Swarm]],<ref name="Timelines" /> along with many other Star Destroyers.<ref name="TESBJN" /> While the ''Avenger'', along with the ''[[Executor]]'' and five Death Squadron ISDs where in the [[Juris sector]],<ref name="Odyssey" /> one launched from the ''Stalker'' found that the rebel base was on Hoth and reporting this information to Death Squadron,<ref name="Battles" /> and thus Death Squadron used [[hyperspace]] to travel to the Hoth system.<ref name="TSBJN" /> Admiral Piett, in the newly-promoted admiral in command of the Squadron, deployed his Star Destroyers in a blockade formation.<ref name="Battles" /> ===Pursuing the ''Millennium Falcon''=== [[File:AvengerChaseFalcon-ST.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The ''Avenger'' and other Imperial forces pursuing the ''Millennium Falcon'' out of the Hoth asteroid belt]] After participating in the [[Battle of Hoth]],<ref name="DBNeeda" /> the ''Avenger'' and the rest of Death Squadron pursued the rebel [[Starship|vessel]] ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'', although its captain, Han Solo, evaded the Star Destroyer.<ref name="ESB" /> The ''Falcon'' flew further into the [[Hoth asteroid belt|asteroid field]] evading TIE fighters. To answer a call from Emperor Palpatine, the ''Executor'' left the asteroid field. After the ''Millennium Falcon'' underwent repairs in an asteroid cave, it was sighted by the ''Avenger''{{'}}s Captain Lorth Needa. He ordered the ship to fire and landed a shot on the ''Falcon''{{'}}s stern. Solo turned his ship around and charged the Star Destroyer, heading towards the bridge. Needa ordered for the shields to be raised but lost the ''Falcon''. The rebel ship had hidden itself on the back of the ''Avenger''{{'s}} conning tower in a sensor blind spot. Needa decided to take full responsibility for losing the ''Millennium Falcon'' and left to apologize to Vader. Aboard the ''Executor'', Vader ordered to disperse the fleet after killing Captain Needa. Following standard Imperial procedure, the ''Avenger'' dumped its garbage and flew into hyperspace while the ''Millennium Falcon'' detached and "drifted away with the garbage". ==Behind the scenes== The ''Avenger'' first appeared in the opening scene of the [[1980]] [[original trilogy]] film, [[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''Star Wars'': Episode V ''The Empire Strikes Back'']].<ref name="ESB" /> Although ''[[Star Wars Character Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded]]''<ref name="Character Encyclopedia">''[[Star Wars Character Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded]]''</ref> and [[Star Wars Helmet Collection 9|''Star Wars Helmet Collection'' 9]] both identify the Star Destroyer that deployed the probe droid to Hoth as the ''Avenger'',<ref name="HC9">{{HelmetCollectionCite|9|Weapons & Uniforms|Imperial Droids}}</ref> [[Star Wars: Complete Locations (2016)|''Star Wars: Complete Locations'']] conversely calls the vessel the ''[[Stalker]]''.<ref name="CL">[[Star Wars: Complete Locations (2016)|''Star Wars: Complete Locations'']]</ref> The ''Stalker'' was later confirmed to exist in canon by the [[2021]] book ''[[The Odyssey of Star Wars: An Epic Poem]]'', an adaptation of the [[original trilogy]] by [[Jack Mitchell]].<ref name="Odyssey">''[[The Odyssey of Star Wars: An Epic Poem]]''</ref> This article assumes that ''Complete Locations'' supplies the correct name, being the more recent source. ==Appearances== {{Mediacat|imagecat=Images of Avenger}} *{{SeriesListing|short}} ''[[The Original Trilogy Stories]]'' *''[[The Odyssey of Star Wars: An Epic Poem]]'' *''[[Star Wars: The Original Trilogy – A Graphic Novel]]'' *{{Film|V}} {{1st}} *''[[The Empire Strikes Back: So You Want to Be a Jedi?]]'' *[[The Empire Strikes Back: So You Want to Be a Jedi? (audiobook)|''The Empire Strikes Back: So You Want to Be a Jedi?'' audiobook]] *[[Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (paperback novel)|''Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back'' junior novelization]] *[[Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Screen Comix)|''Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back'' Screen Comix]] *[[Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Graphic Novel Adaptation|''Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back'' Graphic Novel Adaptation]] *{{StoryCite|story=Faith in an Old Friend|book=From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back}} {{Imo}} *{{StoryCite|story=Faith in an Old Friend|book=From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back (audiobook)|bformatted=''From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back'' audiobook}} {{Imo}} *{{StoryCite|story=Amara Kel's Rules for TIE Pilot Survival (Probably)|book=From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back|sformatted=Amara Kel's Rules for TIE Pilot Survival (Probably)}} *{{StoryCite|story=Amara Kel's Rules for TIE Pilot Survival (Probably)|book=From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back (audiobook)|bformatted=''From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back'' audiobook|sformatted=Amara Kel's Rules for TIE Pilot Survival (Probably)}} *{{StoryCite|story=Wait for It|book=From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back}} *{{StoryCite|story=Wait for It|book=From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back (audiobook)|bformatted=''From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back'' audiobook}} *{{StoryCite|story=Standard Imperial Procedure|book=From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back}} *{{StoryCite|story=Standard Imperial Procedure|book=From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back (audiobook)|bformatted=''From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back'' audiobook}} ===Non-canon appearances=== *''[[LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga]]'' ==Sources== {{Scroll_box|content= *<!-- 2014-07-01 -->{{SWE|characters|captain-needa|Captain Needa}} *<!-- 2013-09-04 -->{{ForceCollection|Admiral Ozzel|star=1}} {{Imo}} *<!-- 2013-09-04 -->{{ForceCollection|Admiral Ozzel|star=3}} {{Imo}} *<!-- 2015-03-11 -->{{SWCT|Captain Needa - Imperial Officer - Base Series 1|Captain Needa - Imperial Officer - ''Base Series 1''}} *<!-- 2015-09-04 -->''[[Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know]]'' *<!-- 2016-01-27 -->{{HelmetCollectionCite|2|Highlights of the Saga|The Capture of Han Solo}} {{Imo}} *<!-- 2016-04-05 -->''[[Star Wars Character Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded]]'' *<!-- 2016-05-04 -->{{HelmetCollectionCite|9|Weapons & Uniforms|Imperial Droids}} *<!-- 2016-09-27 -->[[Star Wars: Complete Locations (2016)|''Star Wars: Complete Locations'']] {{ID|''Stalker''}} *<!-- 2017-01-14 -->{{SW|url=series/star-wars-rebels/warhead-episode-guide|text="Warhead" Episode Guide | Star Wars Rebels}} *<!-- 2017-02-08 -->{{HelmetCollectionCite|29|Highlights of the Saga|The Empire Strikes Back!}} *<!-- 2017-02-08 -->{{HelmetCollectionCite|29|Weapons & Uniforms|Imperial Fleet}} *<!-- 2017-07-18 -->''[[Star Wars: On the Front Lines]]'' {{Imo}} *<!-- 2017-08-23 -->{{HelmetCollectionCite|43|Databank A-Z|Leia Organa}} {{Imo}} *<!-- 2017-09-XX -->{{BuildR2Cite|34|Building the Galaxy|Finishing the Effects Shots}} *<!-- 2017-11-15 -->''[[Star Wars: Geektionary: The Galaxy from A - Z]]'' *<!-- 2018-02-06 -->{{BustCollectionCite|2|Star Wars Universe|Stormtroopers}} {{Po}} *<!-- 2018-05-02 -->{{HelmetCollectionCite|61|Helmets|4-LOM}} *<!-- 2019-02-13 -->{{Topps|set=2019 Topps Star Wars Authentics|stext=2019 Topps ''Star Wars'' Authentics|cardname=Michael Culver as Captain Needa|link=https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/196978/cid/13649643/2019-Topps-Star-Wars-Authentics-A-MC-Captain-Needa|archiveurl=https://archive.vn/jonpx}} *<!-- 2019-10-04 -->''[[Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition]]'' *<!-- 2020-02-28 -->''[[Starships and Speeders]]'' {{Imo}} *<!-- 2020-12-04 -->{{Armada|Upgrade Card Collection|''Upgrade Card Collection''|cardname=''Avenger''|link=https://starwars-armada.fandom.com/wiki/Avenger}} *<!-- 2020-12-06 -->{{Topps|set=2020 Topps Star Wars Masterwork|2020 Topps ''Star Wars'' Masterwork|cardname=Captain Needa|link=https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/235301/cid/15633043/2020-Topps-Star-Wars-Masterwork-63-Captain-Needa|archiveurl=https://archive.vn/KFOYi}} *<!-- 2020-12-11 -->{{EncyclopediaCite|The Battle of Hoth and the Second Death Star}} *<!-- 2021-01-22 -->{{EncyclopediaCite|C-3PO (Star Wars Encyclopedia)}} {{Imo}} *<!-- 2021-05-04 -->[[Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga – The Official Collector's Edition|''Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga'' – The Official Collector's Edition]] {{Imo}} *<!-- 2021-10-12 -->{{EncyclopediaCite|Starships of the Empire and the Rebellion}} {{Po}} *<!-- 2021-10-28 -->''[[Star Wars: Battles that Changed the Galaxy]]'' *<!-- 2024-03-08 -->{{SWU|set=Spark of Rebellion|cardname=''Avenger''|link=https://starwarsunlimited.com/cards?cid=8240629990}} *{{Databank|captain-needa|Captain Needa}} *{{Databank|imperial-star-destroyer|Imperial Star Destroyer}} *{{Databank|millennium-falcon|''Millennium Falcon''}} *{{Databank|boba-fetts-starship|''Slave I''}} }}