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Imperial Battleships

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The Battleship is the ultimate type of ship for the Imperial Navy.

Contents

Apocalypse Class

'Apocalypse Class Battleship
'Apocalypse Class Battleship

The Apocalypse Class Battleship is a Lance attack craft. It has no other primary armament than its lances and a mighty Nova Cannon. However, despite its seemingly limited armament it is able to reduce enemy ships, from escorts to large capital ships, into blazing hulks within a frighteningly short period of time.1

The Apocalypse has a small weapons battery on its dorsal section, and banks of lances down the port and starboard hull. Normally the weapons batteries would be used to collapse the shields of an enemy ship, before the lances rip into the ship directly. Also, it is the only battleship armed with a Nova Cannon. This extremely long range weapon is able to obliterate whole squadrons of escorts in a single shot. The Apocalypse uses the Nova Cannon when closing in on the enemy.1

Notable Apocalypse Class ships include

Godefroy Magnificat
In action during the Sabbat Worlds Crusade. Destroyed 760.M417
His Will
Seen at the Third War for Armageddon1
Triumph
Seen at the Third War for Armageddon1

Emperor Class

The Emperor Class Battleship is a command fleet carrier. As such, it is heavy and slow to turn and lacks the armoured prow common to most Imperial ships. However, the armoured prow is replaced with a system of sensors, improving the ability of the Captain to make decisions and carry out orders. The ship is heavily shielded and present a massed defence from turrets that cover every direction except aft2.

The main armament of the Emperor class is made up of its 8 squadrons of attack craft. These are able to roam far from the ship, to engage enemy capital ships that would be out of range, or otherwise non-viable targets for the ships weapons batteries1.

Notable Emperor Class ships include:

Divine Right
Seen during the Gothic War1.
Dominus Astra
Under the command of Zaccarius Rath, was destroyed when its warp engines exploded in the centre of Hive Fleet Behemoth, sending most of the Tyranid forces into the warp where they were destroyed4.
Legatus Stygies
In action during the Age of Apostasy; survived a ramming attack during the Battle of Callavell4. Seen during the Gothic War2; escaped destruction during the Purgation of Ulthranx and destroyed the Chaos battleship Black Pain.5
Lord of Light
Second vessel to carry Lord Commander Solar Macharius during the Macharian Crusade, after the battle of Charaxdis and preserved in orbit of Macharia3. Also took part in the Gothic War, although this is in conflict with the previously mentioned background2.

Oberon Class

De Oberon-Klasse
Oberon Class Battleship
Oberon Class Battleship

The Oberon Class Battleship is a "jack of all trades". It is able to perform in all the roles of a battleship sized vessel, but excels in none. It was designed to be able to deal with any threat, and therefore not need to be escorted by a squadron of frigates. It lacks the swarming effect of the Emperor Class Battleship's attack craft, or the sheer amount of firepower that the Retribution or Apocalypse Class Battleships can deliver. The Oberon can, however, deliver a combined attack of ordnance, lances and weapons batteries, that the others can't.1

The Oberon is rarely now used in major fleet engagements, the more specialised ships being preferred by many Imperial Admirals. It is used instead for patrolling dangerous areas, where its ability to multi-task comes into its own. It can be a base for patrolling squadrons of attack craft, then taking the fight directly to the encountered enemy. Due to this, it can patrol large areas with only a small, or no escort, freeing those ships for other duties.1

The armament of the Oberon is greatly varied, having lances, weapons batteries and its waves of attack craft. The ship's array of weapons batteries is enough to be able to cause damage at long range, and with the aid of the lances, could probably cripple a cruiser-sized ship in short order. The attack craft meanwhile could either close in for the kill, protect the Oberon itself, or engage other targets.1

Notable Oberon Class ships include:

Green Lake
Seen at the Third War for Armageddon1

Retribution Class

The Retribution Class Battleship is a true "ship of the line", being able to deliver a devastating broadside assault on the enemy, but is also equipped with impressive ordnance capabilities. It features the distinctive armoured prow of the Imperial Navy which allows it to speed headlong at the enemy fleet, ignoring all but the heaviest fire brought against it. The ship is also as fast as the main cruisers of the Imperial fleet. Being able to keep up with them gives extra support that can be vital in a fleet engagement2.

The main armament of the Retribution class are its rows upon rows of mighty weapon batteries lining the sides. These are able to fire a devastating spread over extreme ranges, crippling enemy ships before they even get within range to return fire. If closing on an enemy vessel, torpedoes fired from the Retribution are equally capable of causing extreme damage. As with many Imperial battle craft, the ship is also equipped with a series of Lance turrets along the dorsal of the ship. These are more accurate than the flank batteries, but their numbers are fewer. They are normally used for finishing off an enemy ship that the main weapons have crippled, or providing return fire when the battleship is closing on its foes. Many a ship have fallen to the power of a close range broadside of a Retribution class2.

Famous Retribution Class ships include:

Bloodhawk
De Rubinfalke
Seen during the Gothic War2
Cardinal Boras
Seen during the Gothic War2
Saint Augusta
In service during the Age of Apostasy; fought in the Battle of Callavell.5
Pride of Russ
Belongs to the Great Wolf of the Space Wolves and is his flagship.

Obsolete Classes

Despoiler Class Battleship

The Despoiler Class Battleship was designed as a long range heavy fighter carrier in the mid-36th Millenium as part of the Gareox Prerogative, and was based upon schematics of the Death Guard vessel Terminus Est, the flagship of Typhus, found among the ruins of the perdita world of Barbarus - the former homeworld of the Death Guard. At the time, within the upper echilons of Battlefleet Tempestus command, the general feeling was that attack craft were overtaking all other forms of space combat and so plans for 15 Despoiler Class ships were put in to production. Only three were ever finished however as command realised that battleships were not being outmoded and production ceased. These ships were relegated to patrolling shipping lanes where their fast fighters could be used best against small pirate fleets.2

Little attention was given to the three Despoiler ships until the Merciless Death disappeared while on extended tour in the Amerikon Sector. Thirty years later it reappeared and destroyed sixteen unprotected Imperial transport ships during the Banardi Conflict (the ships being en-route to Banardi Prime). The Merciless Death was then cited in numerous conflicts, gradually edging closer to the Eye of Terror before disappearing in the 39th millennium. Soon after the remaining two disappeared after reportedly firing on friendly vessels before escaping into the warp. They have all been sighted since, during the Gothic War.2

Famous Despoiler Class ships include:

Merciless Death
Disappeared 250 years after construction before taking part in the Banardi Conflict and ultimately joining Chaos. Seen during the Gothic War.2
Fortress of Agony
Seen during the Gothic War.2
Damnations Fury
Seen during the Gothic War, has its prow lances replaced by torpedo tubes2.
Sword of Sacrilege
Chaos ship on which Rogal Dorn was killed. His fist was recovered and placed in a stasis chamber as a reminder to all Imperial Fists of their devotion to duty.6

Desolator Class Battleship

The Desolator Class Battleship was designed far back at the founding of the Imperium on technology lost to the Adeptus Mechanicus. Between M31 and M34, at least 5 Desolators turned against the Emperor's light and none now remain in service. The Eternity of Pain, renamed by its captain, is responsible for destroying several Imperial ships due to its higher powered lances and long range gun decks, since 453.M33. Another, the Torment, was captured by renegade pirates in the Spartan War and was later responsible for the destruction of the orbital defences around Ghori IV prior to an Eldar invasion.2

Notable Desolator Class Battleships include:

Eternity of Pain
Destroyed at least seven Imperial Battleships and other smaller craft since 453.M33.2
Torment
Captured by renegade pirates in the Spartan War and destroyed the orbital defences of Ghori IV prior to aiding an Eldar invasion of the world. Also seen in Ultima Segmentum where it attacked an Imperial convoy in the Jobe Sector.2

Sources


Vessels of the Imperial Navy
Type Design Class Obsolete Classes
Capital Ships Battleships Apocalypse • Emperor • Oberon • Retribution Despoiler • Desolator
Grand Cruisers Avenger • Exorcist • Governor • Vengeance Executor • Repulsive • Retaliator
Battle Cruisers Armageddon • Mars • Overlord Acheron • Hades • Styx
Cruisers Dictator • Dominator • Gothic • Lunar • Tyrant Carnage • Devastation • Murder • Slaughter
Light Cruisers Dauntless • Defiant • Endeavor • Endurance
Escorts Frigates Sword • Firestorm
Destroyers Cobra - Destroyer • Falchion - Escort
Freighters Armed Freighter • Defense Monitor • Escort Carriers • Fuel Transport • Q-Ship • Troop Transport
Small Craft Space Fury interceptor • Starhawk
Planetary Lightning • Marauder Bomber • Marauder Destroyer • Thunderbolt • Vulture Gunship
Transport Aquila Lander • Arvus Lighter • Valkyrie
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