Editing Imperial Navy Light Cruiser (section)

== Light Cruiser Classes ==

=== Basic ===

==== Dauntless ====

[[File:BFGADauntless.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Don't underestimate this.]]

Imperial scout cruisers have generally always had enough firepower to fight off a determined attack by escort-sized ships and can hold enough supplies to remain autonomous for months at a time, the Dauntless being no exception.

The fastest Light Cruiser class available, the ''Dauntless'' is also quite versatile thanks to its weapons load-out of [[Macrocannon|weapons battery broadsides]], prow-mounted [[Torpedo]] tubes, and front-facing [[Lance Weapon|Lance]] batteries. This combination of escort-like speed, and respectable armament and defense allows the Dauntless to be a significant thorn in the side of most opponents that it might face. Woe to the foolish skipper that underestimates a Dauntless due to its size, and few ever live to make that mistake twice. Compared to the Endeavour, it's faster and has the option for lances, making it effective at dealing with other light cruisers.

Some confusion exists over the exact shape of the Dauntless. In written descriptions, it's stated to lack the Imperial Navy's distinctive armoured prow - but the prow has been present on every official model and artwork. Adding to the confusion are its armour rules. On the tabletop, the Dauntless lacks the additional prow save bonus afforded to heavier Imperial vessels, suggesting that it's just down to the size of the vessel. However, in the BFGA video games, its prow armour is as strong as any other cruiser (and, hilariously, stronger than the Emperor-class), while in BFGA 2 it's the ONLY Light Cruiser hull to have a prow armour bonus, suggesting that it actually does benefit from an armoured prow. But then in the [[Rogue_Trader_(RPG)|Fantasy Flight Rogue Trader RPG]], while its prow armour is only marginally lower than a stock Lunar-class cruiser hull, the Armoured Prow is a specific upgrade for cruiser-tonnage vessels and not something innate.

This may just be a modelling issue; other Imperial light cruisers have a 'boxier' style with a different prow (as seen further down on this page), and nobody got around to retconning the Dauntless' model once those were introduced. It's also possible that it's just because the ship is so much lighter than a true cruiser; the prow ''is'' armoured, but the difference on a ship of that size isn't enough to make a difference on the six-point tabletop scale (as with how Tacticus power armour is supposed to be better than Aquila power armour but they're both a 3+ save). Finally, it could be that the Dauntless is based on a Lunar-class blueprint which was scaled down linearly; so even though it shares a shape with other vessels, the armour is actually significantly thinner and so doesn't afford additional protection (though that would raise the issues of why the rest of the ship doesn't have weaker armour...)

Whatever the case, the Dauntless is still pretty well-armoured in every depiction. Just remember to double-check whether the prow is only there for show in your system.

The ''Battlefleet Gothic: Armada'' games give you two variants of the Dauntless. The Mark-I version comes with a lance, while the Mark-II version mounts torpedoes.

*'''Length:''' 4.5km 
*'''Mass:''' 20 megatonnes; approx
*'''Crew:''' 65,000 crew; approx
*'''Acceleration:''' 4.3 gravities max sustainable acceleration

<gallery>
Battlefleet-gothic-armada-ii-imperial-navy-light-cruisers-advanced-ship-guide.png|The Mark II Torpedo boat version.
</gallery>

==== Defender ====

[[File:DefenderCruiser.jpg|300px|right|thumb|The quintessential bodyguards for all your Merchant needs.]]

More of an Escort ship than a true Cruiser.

The Defender-Class Escort Cruiser is a class of Light Cruiser used by the Imperial Navy. Popular as convoy flagships, these ships are ideal at fighting off pirate and [[Ork]] raiders attempting to capture Merchant Fleets.

The Defender is armed with a variety of weapons, including [[Macrocannon|broadside weapons batteries]], [[Lance Weapon|prow-mounted lance]] and three dorsal fleet defense turrets (think ginormous anti-air artillery (AAA/Triple-A) turrets). Some Defenders are fitted with prow [[Torpedo|torpedoes]] instead of lances.

*'''Length:''' 4.5km 
*'''Mass:''' 22 megatonnes; approx
*'''Crew:''' 67,000 crew; approx
*'''Acceleration:''' 3.8 gravities max sustainable acceleration; approx

=== Carrier ===

==== Defiant ====

[[File:BFGADefiant.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Captain's first carrier.]]

A carrier variant of the ''Endeavor'', the ''Defiant''-class replaces the [[Macrocannon|Macro turrets]] with a pair of small [[Lance Weapon|Lance turrets]] and Launch Bays. As such it is the smallest ship capable of providing [[Fury Interceptor|Fighter]], [[Starhawk Bomber|Bomber]], or [[Shark Assault Boat|Assault Craft]] support.

[[Awesome|It can even go into silent running stance like other light cruisers.]]

The Defiant is used as an escort for larger ships, and/or as a convoy strike craft carrier. Despite being a versatile class, its usefulness is hampered by its lack of defensive firepower. This relegates it to a support role in fleet actions, usually accompanied by other Light Cruisers to defend it.

Also, the Defiant is somewhat common. Perhaps the sizes of space battlefields means that having more numerous, smaller carriers ranging around to extend the reach of attack craft is more important than wet navies’ preference for fleet carriers. It does make sense.

This class is an escort carrier. In space.

*'''Length:''' 3.8km
*'''Mass:''' 22 megatonnes; approx
*'''Crew:''' 61,500 crew, including 6,100 pilots and support staff; approx
*'''Acceleration:''' 3.8 gravities max sustainable acceleration

==== Enforcer ====

[[File:EnforcerCruiser.jpg|300px|right|thumb|When you want to keep the Planetary Governor in line.]]

Essentially a police ship.

A mix Carrier-Cruiser akin to the [[Emperor-class Battleship]]. The Enforcer-Class System Control Cruiser was designed under the Gareox Prerogative, these Light Cruisers are intended to maintain the control of Imperial space at the System level.

The Enforcer uses its combination of [[Fury Interceptor|Attack Craft squadrons]] and <s>[[Lance Weapon|Lance]] weaponry</s> [[Bombardment Cannon]] to intimidate planetary populations and Governors into remaining in-line with the Imperium. The ships are effective against pirates and rebellious fleets but is less successful in large-scale ship-to-ship engagements. A shame no one had the brains to put them to use in helping the Imperial Guard.

*'''Length:''' 3.8-4km
*'''Mass:''' 21 megatonnes; approx
*'''Crew:''' 66,000 crew, including 2,800 pilots and support staff; approx
*'''Acceleration:''' 4.0 gravities max sustainable acceleration; approx

=== Lance-Boat ===

==== Endurance ====

[[File:BFGAEndurance.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Half of a Cruiser still hits as hard.]]

Less common than the other Endeavor variants, the ''Endurance''-class retains the [[Macrocannon|light Macro turrets]] and [[Torpedo|Torpedo launchers]] of its parent class, but exchanges the Macro batteries with a [[Lance Weapon|Lance]] deck and two [[torpedo]] tubes. All these systems are short-ranged, making the ship vulnerable to a larger, longer-ranged ship, with weapons that can outrange it as the larger ship can attempt to stay out of range, whilst plastering the hapless Endurance with fire from a standoff range

Less effective on its own, it's normally paired up with an Endeavor to bring the effective firepower of a true Cruiser to bear.

However, far more Endeavor class ships are produced, so in practice, often three or four Endeavours are grouped with a single Endurance, providing a fearsome pocket of resistance for any enemy Admiral. The Endurance is often seen operating with the Defiant Class Light Cruiser as well as the Endeavour class.

*'''Length:''' 3.8km
*'''Mass:''' 19 megatonnes; approx
*'''Crew:''' 62,000 crew; approx
*'''Acceleration:''' 3.8 gravities max sustainable acceleration; approx

=== Ordinance-Boat ===

==== Endeavor ====

[[File:BFGAEndeavor.jpg|300px|thumb|right|The OTHER half of said Cruiser.]]

Coming with [[Macrocannon|Macro turrets and batteries]], plus [[Torpedo|Torpedo launchers]] as standard, the ''Endeavor''-class is much more heavily-armed and armored compared to the ''Dauntless''. The large weapons batteries of the Endeavour class mean it can hold its own in a fleet engagement, usually equaling the fire-power of a full-size cruiser. These batteries have only a short-range, equaling that of the shortest cruiser battery ranges, this is sufficient however for the Endeavour's role as a heavy escort. Its small torpedo compliment serves merely as a distraction, rather than a serious threat to a capital ship; escorts, however, would do well to avoid them.

On the flip side, it's also much slower, which makes it less capable in the anti-piracy role compared to its contemporary. This means that outside of fleet engagements (where they take the role as heavy escorts) Endeavors are normally found as the flagships of convoys instead. Of course using more than one of two light cruisers to escort a convoy is stupid anyway seeing as pirates almost exclusively use raider type ships. The kind the extremely common, dirt cheap claymore and sword class frigates shred effortlessly.

Both the ''Endurance''-class and ''Defiant''-class are built off the same hull as the Endeavor.

*'''Length:''' 3.8km
*'''Mass:''' 22 megatonnes approx
*'''Crew:''' 67,500 crew; approx
*'''Acceleration:''' 3.9 gravities max sustainable acceleration

==== Siluria ====

[[File:Siluria.jpg|300px|right|thumb|The aborted fetus of light cruisers.]]

A very old and rare class of cruiser and a fuck ugly one at that.

The Siluria-Class Light Cruiser is an ancient design much older than the Dauntless Class Light Cruiser, numerous refits to surviving ships have kept them in service. These ships sports rows of [[Macrocannon|Weapons Batteries]] over [[Lance Weapon|Lance]] armaments and are best suited to supporting fleets rather than undertaking independent missions.

However, a full broadside from one of these ships is still capable of causing significant damage. They are commonly well-screened during battle until the moment arrives for them to unleash its arsenal of weaponry.

It also does not showcase the armored hull of most Imperial Navy ships, so it won't do hot in close combat, ''despite'' [[Derp|having weapons meant for close combat.]]

*'''Length:''' 3.8-4km
*'''Mass:''' 26 megatonnes; approx
*'''Crew:''' 70,500 crew; approx
*'''Acceleration:''' 3.6 gravities max sustainable acceleration; approx