Imperial Navy Cruiser: Difference between revisions
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'''Tyrant''' | '''Tyrant''' | ||
The ''Tyrant'' was initially conceptualized as a long-ranged plasma ordinance boat. Unfortunately design compromises (to not tax the plasma reactor) led to it to being armed instead [[Fail|with an ineffective mix of short-ranged batteries and long-ranged plasma macrocannon]]. The Navy is still trying to make the class work, but now has to | The ''Tyrant'' was initially conceptualized as a long-ranged plasma ordinance boat. Unfortunately design compromises (to not tax the plasma reactor) led to it to being armed instead [[Fail|with an ineffective mix of short-ranged batteries and long-ranged plasma macrocannon]]. The Navy is still trying to make the class work, but now has to scavenge the replacements to the short-ranged weapons either from enemy vessels or the odd [[Space Hulk]]. | ||
The ship is popular with [[Rogue Trader]]s, who mostly just strip out the plasma weaponry to maximize all that reactor power. | The ship is popular with [[Rogue Trader]]s, who mostly just strip out the plasma weaponry to maximize all that reactor power. | ||
Revision as of 06:03, 13 November 2019
The workhorse of the Imperial Navy's fleets, the Cruiser is a medium-sized warship, sitting at the midpoint between the Battleship and the Destroyer escort. Though they are less powerful than a Battleship, they are faster and much more common, and as such are used for typical fleet duties like sector patrols, planetary blockades, and lightning raids into enemy territory.
Ignoring the default Lunar Class, Cruisers fall into three broad categories: Ordinance-boats (those armed mostly with Macrocannons), Lance-boats (likewise, armed mostly with Lance batteries), and Carriers.
Cruiser Classes per Category
Basic
Lunar
The "standard" Imperial Cruiser, the Lunar-class is one of the oldest Cruiser designs still used by the Imperium. It's also easy-to-build and maintain, which explains its continued popularity with the Imperial Navy. Due to its standard load-out (Macrobatteries, Lances, and Torpedoes), the Lunar is very versatile, and easily slot into any fleet role given to it.
In Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 1 & 2, the Lunar-class is the generalist of the Cruisers, and can fill any role in a fleet. It's also one of the cheapest points-wise, which is a steal given how versatile it is.
Carriers
Dictator
A retrofit of damaged Lunar-class ships, where any destroyed Lance battery gets swapped out for a pair of Launch Bays for fighters and bombers. This elegant solution makes the Dictator even more effective than the Lunar at some roles, just don't expect it to win in a straight out broadside duel.
In Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 1 & 2, the Dictatoris an Imperial player's first serious Carrier (unlike the Defiant-class), but it's also the smallest available. Don't expect those two Launch Bays to do much, unless you run the Dictator in support for another Carrier.
Jupiter
Another jury-rig, the Jupiter "class" is made from the hulls of heavily-damaged Cruisers of other classes. Swap out the damaged weapons batteries with Launch bays, and you get a decently-armored carrier. Anything that manages to get close will ruin a Jupiter's day, however.
Lance-boat
Gothic
Take the Lunar, replace the Macrocannons with even more Lance batteries, and you get the Gothic-class. Due to its weaponry, this class can easily deal with heavier ship types, but often have to work in conjunction with another ship to deal with enemy shields. This weaponry is also its main weakness: unlike macro cannons, lance batteries are delicate things, making it much easier to destroy the ships weapons. Lances are also less effective than macro cannons in a short range broadside battle. Supported properly however, and the Gothic becomes an effective capital ship killer.
In Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 1 & 2, the Gothic does well against heavily-armored foes thanks to the armor penetration of its Lances. The fact that Lances never miss doesn't hurt either.
Ordinance-boat
Dominator
Another variant based on the Lunar-class hull, the Dominator is essentially a Retribution-class Battleship in miniature (minus the range of course). Armed with Macrocannons with a prow-mounted Nova Cannon thrown in, the class was designed primarily around planetary assaults, and in-universe was rarely seen in fleet actions. It can still provide support however, and any ship that gets within range of a Dominator is guaranteed to get hurt badly.
In Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 1 & 2, the Dominator can wreak havoc on enemy fleets with its regular armaments alone. Throw in its stasis bomb and disruption bomb abilities, and a properly-placed squadron of Dominators can slow enemies, strip their shields, and THEN blast them to kingdom come with the Nova Cannon.
Tyrant
The Tyrant was initially conceptualized as a long-ranged plasma ordinance boat. Unfortunately design compromises (to not tax the plasma reactor) led to it to being armed instead with an ineffective mix of short-ranged batteries and long-ranged plasma macrocannon. The Navy is still trying to make the class work, but now has to scavenge the replacements to the short-ranged weapons either from enemy vessels or the odd Space Hulk.
The ship is popular with Rogue Traders, who mostly just strip out the plasma weaponry to maximize all that reactor power.
In Battlefleet Gothic
Much like in-universe, the Cruiser will be the bread and butter of any Imperial Navy fleet. While having a Battleship is all good and well, any decent list out there will feature multiple Cruisers (of any flavor) simply due to their low point cost (one can get two Cruisers for the cost of a Battleship). Run with Destroyer squadrons for maximum fun.