horizon, Admiral_d_Artagnan,
Think of it as a Battleship with better turning! Or hell, think of it as a 'light battleship'!
This gels nicely with the fewer hits of the Strike Cruiser. Just like with the Eldar capital ships having -2hits for their respective displacemens.
Having the GC type stops the Battle Barge from squadroning with the lower armour values of the Despoiler or Emperor. This is a valid exploit but it would have to be covered in the lower armour valued Battleships. I'd rather they were as affordable as possible.
Being of the lighter weight obviously makes it cheaper AND will allow its presence in even smaller games.
Having the better speed/turning allows it too keep up with the SC's and escorts. Rather than dragging them back.
Having better manuevrabilty also fits with the attack rating. (which reminds me I need to put the speical rules in for campaigns and scenarios).
Not being 'double' the size also makes the 3TH/2TH less weird.
The problem of the current BB: It's slow (this bit is quite important!), it's too expensive to include in most fleet lists, it has significantly less AC than SC's given its cost.
Cheers,
RayB HA