From Lexicanum

Grand Cruisers are a type of ship used by the Imperial Navy. There are many variants in service.

Contents 1 Avenger Class 2 Exorcist Class 3 Governor Class 4 Vengeance Class 5 Obsolete Classes 6 Sources

Avenger Class

The Avenger class is a ship built for one purpose, and one purpose only. That is to take the fight to the enemy at short range, and deliver as much firepower as possible to them. It is therefore well suited to this task, having two decks of weapons batteries that are hugely powerful, but short ranged. Whilst having the startings of an armoured prow, it does not provide the protection of the later designs. This meant that the ship often took a battering as it closed on its enemy. Repairing this damage over and over may have led to the true development of the classic armoured prow design currently used in Imperial ship design.¹

The tactic used with the Avenger was to race into the heart of the enemy fleet, usually taking significant damage as it did so. Once there however, the damage taken could be repaid. With two decks of weapons batteries, there was no ship the avenger couldn't out-gun once it was in range. This tactic of slugging it out at extreme close range caused such disruption in the enemy fleet, that the following ships could pick and destroy their targets with ease. As the tactical doctrines of the Imperial Navy changed from close range firepower to long range duels, the Avenger lost its only role. This meant that the class was re-assigned to reserve fleets and patrol duties. However, it is sometimes brought back to frontline operations, when the situation dictates, and the guns of the Avengers roar once more.¹

Notable Avenger Class ships

Guardian of Aquinas

Of the Martian Defence Fleet¹

The Sword Infernus

Of Battlefleet Corona¹

Exorcist Class

The Exorcist class Grand Cruiser is a long range patrol vessel of the Imperial Navy. It is able to match the firepower of larger vessels and can launch attack craft from its flight bays. These advantages mean that on patrol, the fleet can dispatch an Exorcist and its escort squadrons as opposed to a larger force of several standard cruisers and additional escorts. The Exorcist is mainly deployed to remote areas such as the Eastern Fringe, or the galactic halo, due to their ability to act independently of a support fleet for long periods of time.¹

As the years have passed the Exorcist class has been viewed as obsolete, and many Admirals have switched to the Mars Class instead. The Exorcist is still, however, the best long range patrol ship available. This class has also proved popular in a dual role as colonization transport and or escort. As a transport its flight bays are fitted to carry new colonists and their equipment. Colony convoys are grateful for the company of an Exorcist cruiser due to its ability to out gun most pirate vessels, even when acting in its impromptu transport role. When used as a convoy escort, its flight bays launch attack craft to scout out the route ahead or protect the vulnerable transport ships from harm.¹

Notable Exorcist Class ships include:

"Warrior Knight"

Of Battlefleet Agripinaa¹

"Light of Ascension"

Fitted with increased power weapons batteries that suffered from a shorter range than normal for an Exorcist Class. Destroyed in 978.M41 as it defended the planet Tor Alpha by a Tyranid Hive Fleet entering from beyond the Eastern Fringe.¹

"Kingmaker"

Of Battlefleet Scarus.¹

Governor Class

The Governor class is a truly ancient design, being one of the first ever made for the Emperor's Great Crusade. Now there are only a few left, and none know how to repair them, let alone build new replacements for lost ships. Unfortunately this means that when one is badly damaged, the only option is to cannibalize it for parts to build newer classes of ship. It is said that they were a precursor to the Desolator Class Battleship.²

Although long obsolete, the class' rarity has gained it a reprieve, with many Admirals choosing it as their flagship if they are lucky enough to gain command of one. This is due to the prestige that commanding a Governor class brings. It is due to this that they haven't been assigned to rear line duties or mothballed into the reserve fleets like the other Grand Cruiser classes.²

Noted Governor Class ships include:

"Soevereiniteit"²

"Vergeltung Des Kaisers"²

Vengeance Class

The Vengeance class Grand Cruiser is a very old design, the first being launched before the Great Crusade. The design idea of the armoured prow is evident on the Vengeance, however it is not yet truly armoured, and provides no more protection then the standard hull armour. The ship design is now 10,000 or more years old, and is being slowly phased out. The remaining Vengeance class ships are currently in reserve fleets, or used to protect shipping lanes from pirates. They are very rarely used in full-scale engagements any more, due to their being outclassed by newer designs.¹

The ship has weapons batteries and two lances on each side of the ship, providing it with enough firepower to hold its own against a cruiser or squadron of escorts. The armament to the port and starboard of the ship is powerful enough, however the ship lacks any prow or dorsal armament, making it extremely vulnerable when closing with the enemy. It has better shields than a standard cruiser, but this fact alone cannot be expected to save it from a well co-ordinated attack. The turret layout of the ship is able to protect it from a few attack craft waves. However, if the attack is pressed home, it is likely that the attack craft will get through and cause damage to the hull.¹

Notable Vengeance Class Grand Cruisers include:

The Covenanter¹

Of Battlefleet Scarus

Vigilanti Eternas¹

Of Battlefleet Cadia

Obsolete Classes

• Executor
• Repulsive
• Retaliator

Sources

• ¹ To Clense the Stars
• ² Governor Grand Class Cruiser

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