Decimator (war machine)

The Decimator was a war machine developed by the Galactic Republic at the start of the Clone Wars. Equipped with shields and a long-range turbolaser that could target air and ground vehicles, the Decimator could engage and defeat craft as large as the All Terrain Tactical Enforcer. They were also able to ferry infantry around the battlefield, protecting them within the confines of the Decimator, though the vehicle itself was slow.

Developed at a secret testing facility located on Eredenn Prime and constructed at Alaris Prime by Wookiees, the Decimator was considered one of the most powerful combat vehicles of its era. However, before the Republic could use them, the Decimators were stolen by the Confederate General Sev'rance Tann. Tann used them to capture the energy-producing world Sarapin, striking fear into the inhabitants of the Core Worlds due to the ensuing blackouts. Her campaign provoked the Republic to send Jedi Master Echuu Shen-Jon to hunt down Tann and her Decimators. Shen-Jon ultimately succeeded at the Battle of Krant, and the Decimators saw no further action in the Clone Wars.

Characteristics
The Decimator's body was roughly rectangular in shape, save for a tower that rose from the rear of the vehicle along its midline. Just in front of the tower, in the center of the vehicle, was a large red orb that served a purpose in the firing mechanism. Even when not firing, energy circulated through the orb in green waves. When the weapon was activated, the energy would coalesce, causing the orb to glow a brilliant green, before launching a single, focused green beam toward its target.[1]

Decimators were described by historians as having "giant turbolaser cannons" as their main weapons.[3] Each Decimator was comparable in size, armor, and firepower to the largest Republic vehicles in service at the start of the Clone Wars, such as the All Terrain Tactical Enforcer. It was also described as possessing tremendous destructive power. Besides their firepower, Decimators also possessed the ability to transport up to ten infantry and were sheathed in thick layers of armor, as well as protective deflector shields. However, for all their firepower and armor, Decimators were restricted to operating from land and could not float over water or lava, nor could they directly cross over cliffs or thick forests,[1] despite possessing repulsorlifts for propulsion.

Role
With its powerful shields, turbolaser, and thick armor, the Decimator was suited to front-line combat. It could easily defeat comparable vehicles in combat, relying on its shields to absorb damage. The Decimator's weapon was limited to firing at just one target at a time and had to charge before it could fire again, which meant that getting off the first shot against comparable vehicles was not assured. The unique weapon of the Decimator could traverse to hit aircraft as well, though it still had to charge between discharges.[1]

The slow speed of the Decimator and low firing rate meant that it was better equipped to combat other front-line assault vehicles rather than greater quantities of swifter adversaries. In particular, opponents that could close inside the firing arc of the Decimator's main weapon, such as Jedi or close-range assault troops, were able to avoid its significant firepower. However, the ability to ferry ten additional infantry inside the Decimator meant that it could augment its defense by deploying these soldiers if the vehicle was threatened.