In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the First Order’s weapon Starkiller base was criticized by many for being a retread of the dreaded Death Star – a concept that was used twice in the original trilogy.
Even if Starkiller was theoretically cheaper and more efficient than a Death Star, there are only so many times the good guys can blow it up.
Apparently, Starkiller base is a more efficient use of resources than either of the Death Stars.
The First Order constructed the laser into the actual planet, transforming the world into a mobile command center that could reign terror across the galaxy.