Avenger Class Grand Cruiser

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 and then some. 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 Infurnus

Of Battlefleet Corona¹

Sources

• ¹:To Clense the Stars