The MC80 Star Cruisers,^[14] more commonly known as Mon Calamari star cruisers, were capital ships used by the Rebel Alliance during the Galactic Civil War. These immense vessels were a startling contrast to the dagger-shaped Imperial-class Star Destroyers, which were favored by the Imperial Fleet. Whereas the Imperial warship resembled a pointed dagger in shape, a Mon Calamari cruiser lacked hard angles and was covered with ovoid forms suggesting an organic sculpture. There were pods attached all around the ship, containing turbolasers, sensor arrays and viewing port, the latter fulfilling the ships' original intended role as an exploration and observation vessel. Each cruiser was of a unique design.^[1]Despite their smooth lines, these vessels were heavily armed with dozens of turbolasers, ion cannons, tractor beam projectors and shield generators.^[2] Several of these warships participated in the decisive Battle of Endor.^[11] The MC80A star cruiser was a variant of the MC80 star cruiser.^[15]