How did the First Order know the location of the base of the Resistance?

How did the First Order know the location of the base of the Resistance? - Black and white of crowd of people standing on city street with carton boards during social protest

In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, there is a very powerful weapon used by the First Order to destroy the Hosnian system. Their next target is the planet D'Qar. How did the First Order know the base of the Resistance was located on this planet?



Best Answer

The Rebels sent a recon ship to go and have a look at the Starkiller Base. Unbeknownst to the ship's crew, they were tracked back to the Ileenium System.

Note that the First Order don't actually know which of the (numerous) planets and moons in the system are host to the Rebel base. Luckily Snoke has a solution for that, blow up the local star.

Though visibly angry, Snoke’s tone remained unchanged. “Have we located the main Resistance base?”

Hux was clearly gratified to be the bearer of good news. “We were able to track their reconnaissance ship back to the Ileenium system. We are coordinating with our own reconnaissance craft in the area in order to lock down the specific location of their base.”

Snoke replied with cold satisfaction. “We do not need it. Prepare the weapon. Destroy their system.”

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Official Novelisation

This scene also appears in the film's screenplay, albeit with slightly different wording

Snoke is visibly furious.

SNOKE: Then the Resistance must be destroyed before they get to Skywalker.

GENERAL HUX: We have their location. We tracked their reconnaissance ship to the Ileenium system.

SNOKE: Good. Then we will crush them once and for all. Prepare the weapon.




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How did the First Order build Starkiller Base?

Using a star as a power source, an array of collectors on one side of the planet would gather dark energy in stages, redirecting it to the planetary core, where it was held in place by the natural magnetic field of the planet, as well as an artificial containment field maintained by the machinery the First Order had ...

Where was the resistance base in the rise of Skywalker?

A lush world in the Outer Rim, D'Qar is the principal base of General Leia Organa's Resistance. First surveyed by rebel pilots before the Battle of Endor, the planet's obscurity and lack of native intelligent life made it a perfect choice when Leia's new group needed a hidden base of operations.

Where is the resistance base in Rise of the Resistance?

Your adventure begins in Galaxy's Edge in the Resistance Forest, a region on the fictional planet Batuu. It's here where supporters of the Resistance gather while trying to avoid being spotted by First Order troops that roam the rest of the planet.

Where are the Resistance bases?

The Resistance base was located mostly underneath the surface of D'Qar, with only the facility's landing areas and antenna arrays exposed. Inside the base was a command center, as well as as multiple hangars, both above and underground, used to store T-70 X-wing starfighters.



How Did the First Order Find Starkiller Base - Star Wars Explained




More answers regarding how did the First Order know the location of the base of the Resistance?

Answer 2

It's said right out in the film, 1 hour 29 minutes in.

01:29:17,356 --> 01:29:19,451 Then the Resistance must be destroyed

01:29:19,567 --> 01:29:21,299 before they get to Skywalker.

01:29:21,410 --> 01:29:22,957 We have their location.

01:29:23,721 --> 01:29:26,274 We tracked their reconnaissance ship to the Illenium system.

01:29:27,006 --> 01:29:28,006 Good.

01:29:28,640 --> 01:29:31,339 Then we will crush them once and for all.

01:29:31,409 --> 01:29:32,857 Prepare the weapon.

This Reconnaissance ship was sent by the Resistance after Finn gives them info on the Starkiller Base Superweapon. A few minutes earlier, 1h22m:

01:22:26,428 --> 01:22:28,700 Finn's familiar with the weapon that destroyed the Hosnian System.

01:22:28,811 --> 01:22:29,861 He worked on the base.

01:22:29,939 --> 01:22:32,171 We're desperate for anything you can tell us.

01:22:32,282 --> 01:22:34,694 That's where my friend was taken. I've got to get there fast.

01:22:34,848 --> 01:22:38,748 And I will do everything I can to help, but first you need to tell us all you know.

A few touching Han/Leia moments:

01:25:08,300 --> 01:25:12,564 General, the reconnaissance report on the enemy base is coming.

Then some more Han/Leia, until we get to the planning scene:

01:32:00,976 --> 01:32:04,424 The scan data from Snap's reconnaissance flight confirms Finn's report.

So after Hosnian Prime's destruction, Finn tells the Resistance about Starkiller Base and the Resistance sends Temmin "Snap" Wexley to check it out. The First Order finds this reconnaissance ship and traces it back, targeting the Illenium system.

Logically, the First Order doesn't know know that it's the Resistance Headquarters, but they would know there is some Resistance presence there. And since the Starkiller super weapon can target Multiple planets at the same time, they can use their overwhelmingly superior power to destroy everything at the same time. There is no kill like over-kill. The Starkiller weapon targets all the planets, not just D'Qar.

A bit convoluted, but it's all right there in 10 minutes of dialog.

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