Doomsday Machine vs. Death Star vs. Unicron

[GreenDragonKnight]

First and foremost let me make it clear: I have absolutely no desire to get another Trekkie/Warsie war under way. I just want people's opinions as to who (or what) is science fiction's ultimate Planet Killer. So, I listed the three I know of. There may be others I don't.

 

[DarrenTR1970]

Gatlantis (OS) or the re-imagined version from 'Space Battleship Yamato'. More commonly known to US audiences as 'The White Comet'.

The size of the original is described as being, 'half that of Earth.' However, that probably describes the comet/force field effect that surrounds the citadel and not the actual size itself, as it floats comfortably off the Sea of Japan in a few episodes. Although the technical manual says that the citadel is twelve kilometers wide by fifteen kilometers tall.

The version seen in "Space Battleship Yamato: 2202" is somewhere between the size of Jupiter and Saturn, and at one point, devours Saturn as it passes through the solar system.

The gravity created by the force field would most likely pull in and destroy the three you listed before they even got off a shot.

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[Silvercrest]

Fred Saberhagen's "berserker" machines.

Even ignoring the fact that they've been defeated by (in-universe) fictional encyclopedia entries, unorthodox board game tactics (several times!), and squash.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

From Star Trek, there were several. Species 8472 could use a number of ships to create a planet killing beam, the Xindi super weapon, red matter.

Then there were Vogon constructor fleets, the "Exponential Thermostellar Bombs" from Dark Star, Spaced Invaders had the "Doughnut Of Destruction" (assuming it's assembled correctly ).

 

[Redfern]

...the "Exponential Thermostellar Bombs" from Dark Star...

Were they exponential or rather existential given Bomb # 20 learned the concept of of phenomenology?

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Were they exponential or rather existential given Bomb # 20 learned the concept of of phenomenology?

Well, that one clearly evolved

 

[GreenDragonKnight]

From Star Trek, there were several. Species 8472 could use a number of ships to create a planet killing beam, the Xindi super weapon, red matter.

Then there were Vogon constructor fleets, the "Exponential Thermostellar Bombs" from Dark Star, Spaced Invaders had the "Doughnut Of Destruction" (assuming it's assembled correctly ).

Oh yeah I had completely forgotten about that; it's been so long since I watched VOY the whole way through.

 

[GreenDragonKnight]

Anyway, Unicron was supposedly invulnerable to everything but the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, but then, he was never put up against another Planet Killer. So, I dunno. Nor do I know why the original Transformers movie has been on my mind lately but I do know that it was far better than any of that crap Bay made.

 

[Farscape One]

I would have to go with the Doomsday Machine. It doesn't just destroy planets, it eats them. Essentially going on forever until there are no planets.

It was a stroke of luck Decker did what he did and made Kirk realize the solution. The Doomsday Machine was invincible otherwise.

 

[Silvercrest]

I dunno ... the Doomsday Machine's weakness is basically a very large amount of energy directed into its maw. The Death Star's superlaser could deliver it. YMMV on whether being "ray-shielded" could protect the DS from the DM's return fire — but personally, I'd give the victory to the DS.

Until Unicron shows up and eats them both.

 

[publiusr]

Doomsday Machine would choke him. Solid neutronium…toughest hull ever.

 

[Farscape One]

Another point in favor of the Doomsday Machine winning this contest... it would eat both.

 

[Silvercrest]

Mmm, neutronium! My favorite! I hope this one has that nifty raspberry filling!

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Isn't Unicron literally supposed to exist across all possible Transformers timelines? Meaning, there aren't multiple versions of him - just one being, existing in all of those infinite timelines simultaneously. Kind of hard to beat that!

 

[Farscape One]

That just means a bigger dinner for the Doomsday Machine.

 

[GreenDragonKnight]

You know, I've never been clear as to the origin, but I do remember an episode from the post-movie series where some alien scientist claims to have created Unicron at the beginning of time, but that would make this guy millions of years old, and leave open the question: where did the Autobot Matrix come from, and why was it (supposedly) the only thing that could be a danger to him?

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

I dunno ... the Doomsday Machine's weakness is basically a very large amount of energy directed into its maw. The Death Star's superlaser could deliver it.

But conventional offensive / defensive behavior has vessels shooting at the Doomsday Machine's hull--not into its maw. Hulls are seen as a point of potential weakness. That was the mistake Decker made with the Constellation, and there's no reason to think the Imperials aboard the Death Star would approach fighting it in a different manner.

The nature of the DM's weapon would seem to spell doom for the Death Star. Think of it: tiny X-Wing fighters and their weapons caused enough damage to rock the DS (crews losing their balance in hallways) in the original Star Wars. Further, in Return of the Jedi, The Executor crashing into the DS2's surface rocked the interior. With examples of that kind, I do not find it hard to believe that the Doomsday Machine's weapon would have any trouble ripping through any of the Death Stars.

Another point in favor of the Doomsday Machine winning this contest... it would eat both.

Pretty much.

 

[Silvercrest]

But conventional offensive / defensive behavior has vessels shooting at the Doomsday Machine's hull--not into its maw. Hulls are seen as a point of potential weakness. That was the mistake Decker made with the Constellation, and there's no reason to think the Imperials aboard the Death Star would approach fighting it in a different manner.

The nature of the DM's weapon would seem to spell doom for the Death Star. Think of it, tiney X-Wing fighters and their weapons caused enough damage to rock the DS (crews losing their balance in hallways) in the original Star Wars. Further, in Return of the Jedi, The Executor crashing into the DS2's surface rocked the interior. With examples of of that kind, I do not find it hard to believe that the Doomsday Machine's weapon would have any trouble ripping through any of the Death Stars.

You know, it also never occurred to me that the DS is also different because the other two are driven by a single intelligence, while the DS is run by a bunch of individual people. It leads to changes in reaction/response time and probably many other things ... among them, poor decisions about where to aim.

My previous response was partly facetious, but I maintain that Unicron would kick both of their tails. And that neutronium wouldn't stop him from chowing down. "Awww, marshmallow filling AGAIN?"

Although you have to say the line in Orson Welles' voice. A challenge to say the least.

 

[publiusr]

He could flick it away… but it would still be a bullet…something you don’t want to bite.

 

[Starscream2112]

Unicron would grab the Doomsday Machine and aim it at the Death Star destroying it. then Unicron would strap the Doomsday Machine to his side and use it as a weapon. Gun slinger Unicron!