Vanguard Class Light Cruiser

Vanguard Class Light Cruiser

The Vanguard Class Light Cruiser is a class of Light Cruiser used by the Space Marine Fleet.

Overview

Vanguard Cruisers are normally refitted Strike Cruisers rather than purpose-built. They have improved thrusters and defensive turrets, but this comes at the expense of weaker offensive weaponry so Vanguards are less capable in a planetary assault role. As a result, Vanguards are used as scouting vessels operating independently or as heavy escorts as part of a large Space Marine fleet.^[2]

Patterns

The Vanguard Light Cruiser comes in three main patterns:^[1]

• Mk.I — Armed with Torpedo launchers, Macrocannons, and launch bays for Attack Craft.
• Mk.II — Armed with Lances, Macrocannons, and Attack Craft launch bays.
• Mk.III — Armed with a single Bombardment Cannon, Macrocannons, and Attack Craft Launch Bays.

Known Vanguard Light Cruisers

• Cantatum Bellum — Black Templars. Part of the Angevin Crusade.^[3]
• Mitrah — Mentors.
• Obsidia — Salamanders. Fought in the Badab War.^[2a]
• Red Harbinger — Fire Hawks. Crippled and then captured by the Mantis Warriors in 350 904.M41.

See also

• Space Marine Vessels (List)

Sources

• 1: Battlefleet Gothic Armada 2
• 2: Imperial Armour Volume Ten - The Badab War - Part Two, pg. 46
• 3: Throne of Light (Novel), Chapter 17