Final thoughts on Savage; think about it this way, if an escort was equipped with str 6 forward only wbs (we're rounding up from 5.33 for comparison's sake) that were 15cm, then how would it compare to other vessels?
Compared to an Iconoclast:
Iconoclast loses: worse primary armor (side). No automatic AAF, less firepower at close range
Iconoclast gains: +5cm, 90' turns, LFR weaponry, better leadership overall, 5 points cheaper, +2d6 on aaf, more firepower at a distance, thus making it more defensive.
That is a lot to lose. Note that Savages have to be within 15cm of their enemy to be effective, this means that they will likely be within 15 the next turn, and the opponent will get more dice against them with their wbs.
We already talked about Swords of course, but to reitterate:
Sword loses: Less firepower at close range, no automatic AAF, Standard boarding modifier (like this matters on escorts...)
Sword gains: +1 turret, better off side armor, 90' turns, Longer range (and thus more defensive), +2d6 on AAF, better leadership, LFR weaponry.
The gains that a Savage has is not worth them being equal in price.
Anyways, I won't rant about the Savage anymore. It is notorious for being a terrible option, and I might find old tacticas to point it out.
One thing that's difficult about Savages is that they are difficult to play by themselves, they really only work well with other escorts. It is rather interesting how the fluff on them is true (although written of course by how they were played). Usually Enemy ships will be able to shoot at them a turn or two before the savages can fire back, or they pass them and are able to kill them from the sides or behind.
Firing a weapon at an abeam cruiser within 15cm without a range shift is bad.... and the savages die... terribly.