Battle between the Malevolent and the Endeavor The battle between the " Malevolent " and the " Endeavor , also known as the frigate duel — " Malevolent " vs . " Endeavor , was a space battle between the Alliance to Restore the Republic and the Galactic Empire noted for its level of power parity . The Battle . An Imperial EF76 Nebulon - B escort frigate , the " Malevolent " , and a Rebel EF76 Nebulon - B escort frigate , the " Endeavor " , engaged one another at range in deep space . Each frigate deployed its starfighter complement : TIE interceptors , bombers , and fighters from the " Malevolent " , A - wings , Y - wings , and Z - 95s from the " Endeavor " . The commanders of both frigates tasked their faster starfighters ( the TIE interceptors and A - wings ) with intercepting and shooting down the starfighter craft and warheads of the enemy strike force ( the TIE bombers and Y - wings ) , which had been given the mission of assaulting the enemy capital ship . Half of each complement of starfighters consisted of space superiority fighters ( the TIE fighters and Z - 95 Headhunters ) , which were ordered to escort their respective strike forces . The commander of the " Malevolent " knew that the Emperor ' s Eagles , an elite starfighter squadron equipped with TIE Avengers and Assault Gunboats , were lying in wait nearby . In the mission briefing for the Imperial pilots , the prospect of the Eagles swooping in to save the day ( and promptly taking all the credit ) was dangled as incentive for the fighter jockeys to accomplish their missions quickly and with minimal losses . Similarly , although the commander of the " Endeavor " was aware that elements of Rogue Squadron , the elite Rebel group , could reach the scene of the battle in time to play a decisive role , the mission briefing for Rebel personnel belied his feeling that it would be rather embarrassing for his crew and pilots to force the Rogues to show up and help win a mathematically even battle for them . Behind the scenes . As players can participate in the mission " Frigate Duel – Malevolent vs . Endeavor " in the computer game " " on either the Rebel or the Imperial side , both sides have conflicting mission objectives , and victory is not essential to access the next set of missions , the battle itself is considered canon but the canon outcome is unknown . The ships listed in this article are those found in the battle , using the default craft assigned to the player . Eagle Squadron will enter the battle as reinforcements either in TIE Avengers or Assault Gunboats . Rogue Squadron will enter the battle as reinforcements either in A - wings or X - wings . The frigate duel served to contrast the naming philosophy behind many Imperial ships as opposed to many Rebel ships . Imperial ships were often named , as was the " Malevolent " , for emotions or actions commonly characterized as antagonistic , tyrannical , or negative . ( Other examples include the " Accuser " , the " Rage " , and the " Dominator " . Rebel ships were often named , like the " Endeavor " , for emotions or actions signifying benevolence , boldness , or positivity . ( Other examples include the " Liberty " , the " Emancipator " , and the " Equity " . )