Even after the Expanded Universe was removed from canon, the sequel trilogy quickly introduced the First Order's superweapon, Starkiller Base. For better or worse, superweapons have long been a trope that Star Wars can't seem to leave behind. It is clear superweapons will always remain a significant part of Star Wars mythology.
Though most superweapons take the form of planet-destroying stations like the Death Star, some are more unique in how they operate. Further, the different methods used by the superweapons means that their power levels vary widely, with some much more devastating than others.
10 The Omega Frost Could Freeze Anything, Even In Space
The Omega Frost was one of the more unique superweapons in the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Developed by the Tagge Company, the Omega Frost consisted of two conductor towers that would flash-freeze anything caught in between them. Anything frozen would then become so fragile that it would shatter even the strongest metal materials.
The Omega Frost was tested on Tatooine, successfully freezing a Jawa Sandcrawler on the hot surface of the desert planet. The Omega Frost was attempted to be used on a larger scale in space against the Rebel Alliance fleet but was ultimately destroyed by Luke Skywalker. The Omega Frost has actually been mentioned in the new canon but is so far believed only to be Imperial propaganda.
9 The Infinity Gate Could Be Repurposed Into A Weapon
The Infinity Gate was a network of ancient Star Temples built by the Kwa race originating from Dathomir. The Kwa used the Infinity Gate as a method of transportation that predated hyperspace travel. It allowed them to teleport instantly across the planetary systems to colonize other worlds.
Though the Kwa did design the Infinity Gate as a superweapon, it could be used to generate an infinity wave that could suck all matter it comes into contact with into a pocket dimension. The Nightsisters attempted to use a Star Temple on Dathomir to destroy Coruscant with an infinity wave, but Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos ultimately foiled their efforts.
8 The Eye of Palpatine Was Ironically Never Used By The Emperor
The Eye of Palpatine was a secret Imperial battle station constructed shortly after the Republic was reformed into the Empire. The Eye of Palpatine was purposely designed to resemble a giant asteroid, both for camouflage and to hide its construction from the Imperial Senate. An AI assumed control of the Eye to maintain secrecy, and it came equipped with enough power to destroy a planet's outer crust.
Years after Palpatine's death, Emperor's Hand Roganda Ismaren reactivated the Eye of Palpatine. The AI resumed its programming and went to designated locations where troops were to be stationed for pick up, only after so many years, the Stormtroopers had long left their stations. The Eye instead picked up numerous unorthodox species like Gammoreans and Jawas and proceeded to brainwash them into believing they were Stormtroopers.
7 The Darksaber Looked Intimidating But Was Never Functional
Not to be confused with the Mandalorian artifact of the same name, the Darksaber was also the name of a superweapon that made use of Death Star technology. The Darksaber was a scaled-down version of the Death Star commissioned by crime lord Durga the Hutt that removed all unnecessary space like hangars and living quarters. The result was a battle station that was only the superlaser, giving it the appearance of a giant lightsaber.
Durga hired one of the original designers of the Death Star to work on the Darksaber, but the smaller design wasn't for increased efficiency but cost-cutting measures instead. The smaller design meant the station was more maneuverable and could recharge faster than the Death Star. However, Durga's cheapness meant it didn't work at all, and it was subsequently destroyed by colliding with asteroids.
6 The Infant of Shaa Was Strong In The Force
The Infant of Shaa is perhaps the most unique superweapon of all in that it utilizes the force. Shaa was a deity worshiped by the primitive Seylott people, and the infant of Shaa was a small idol carved in the deity's image that acted as a conduit of force energy. The idol was supposedly capable of unleashing a disturbance in the force so powerful that it could destroy an entire planet.
Jango Fett was hired to deliver the idol to galactic terrorist Ashaar Khorda, who planned to use the artifact to destroy the Republic on Coruscant. Thanks to Jedi Master Yarael Poof sacrificing his life to negate the idol's force energy, the attempt failed. Afterward, Fett returned the idol to its rightful place with the Seylott people.
5 The Tarkin Was The First Death Star II
The Tarkin, named after Grand Moff Tarkin, was another superweapon very similar in practice to the Death Star. The Tarkin was smaller than the Death Star and contained the most advanced shield generators possible without the previous station's design flaws. Nonetheless, Luke and Leia were still able to infiltrate the station and cause it to self-destruct when it fired its weapon.
The Empire constructed the Tarkin at the same time as the second Death Star, which was destroyed only a few months after. Marvel's Star Wars #51: Resurrection of Evil was the comic that featured the debut of the Tarkin superweapon. Ironically, the writers wanted to have the Empire build a second Death Star but were denied by Lucas because he planned for Return of The Jedi to feature the Death Star II just a few years later.
4 Dovin Basals Were The Yuuzhan Vong's Most Versatile Organisms
Though most planet-destroying weapons were created by the Empire or those looking to imitate them, the Yuuzhan Vong had their own method of destroying planets to avoid wasting resources in an extended conflict. Fans of the Expanded Universe will remember that the Vong used organic ships and weapons instead of technology.
Capable of gravitational manipulation, the dovin basal was the organism used in their ships' neuroengines for flight. However, dovin basals' gravitational manipulation abilities could also be used as a devastating weapon. Known as Yo'gand's Core method, a dovin basal could be dropped on a planet's surface, where it would then proceed to drag the planet's moon into colliding with the planet.
3 The Corsair Was The Original Starkiller Base
The First Order's Starkiller Base may have used the energy of a star to power itself, but it wasn't the first superweapon to do so. Thousands of years before the Empire, Sith Lord Exar Kun discovered the Corsair that initially belonged to Sith Lord Naga Sadow. The Corsair was both a starship and a weapon that was powered by ripping the core out of a star.
Kun gifted the Corsair to fellow Sith Aleema Keto and lured the republic into battle with the ship under Keto's command. Keto used the Corsair to absorb the power of the nearby star; however, she was unable to control the power and triggered a supernova in Kun's successful plan to rid himself of everyone present.
2 The Galaxy Gun Was The Empire's Most Powerful Superweapon
The Galaxy Gun was yet another superweapon built by the Empire after Palpatine's resurrection in a clone body. Considered the most destructive superweapon the Empire created, that Galaxy Gun was unique in that it fired particle disintegrating warheads instead of superlasers. The primary benefit of warheads instead of lasers is that the Galaxy Gun did not have to be in the same system as its target, unlike the Death Star.
Han would joke about the Empire's plan to deal with the Yuuzhan Vong would involve building a superweapon and calling it the "Nostril of Palpatine." However, Luke would wish that the New Republic had a weapon like the Galaxy Gun that was capable of quickly destroying the Vong World Ships.
1 The Shawken Device Could Theoretically Destroy The Entire Universe
The Shawken Device was a legendary superweapon created by an unknown individual on the planet Shawken. Though the device's creator was unknown, it was made to trigger a Big Bang-like reaction, triggering a chain reaction of worlds colliding until the entire universe was eventually destroyed and reborn.
Shortly after the fall of the Empire, the Shawken Device was accidentally activated. However, Luke Skywalker was quick to disable it. Though it is not known if the Shawken Device was even capable of universal destruction, if it did work, it would undoubtedly have been the most powerful of all.
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