Dan, if you think the cardinal has use, then give me the use cases for taking it. That's what I asked for and since you are advocating adding a ship we don't currently have in, the burden of proof is on you to prove the ship has any reason to be included. I posit that any use case you bring forward is already covered by the the Acheron using the reserve rules as per FAQ2010.
How about those F/L/R torps?
(Yes, I know that's the first thing that everyone wants to remove but they are what makes it different than an Acheron)
I don't see the Acheron listed anyplace in FAQ 2010 as being allowed as a reserve for IN and frankly do we want to load up Bakka with
yet more reserves rules?
I can make a few fluff arguments (one of which being that the Cardinal Class
Sebastian Thor is STILL listed among the survivors of Circe), but the fact is that IA X already did bring it in, in an 'official but
totally forbidden' list (which I strongly recommend that we clean up into something that resembles sanity for BFG:R).
Bakka thematically revolves around speed. The fluff for Tempestus states that line of battle fleet actions are rare there and they primarily focus on dealing with fast raiders, but do not use AC. The only way you're going to deal with fast raiders without AC is either be fast yourself or have lots and lots of 60 cm wbs and lances.
What this list currently has: Lots and lots of slow cruisers and few escort options, with a few slower battleships
What this list should have to follow fluff: lots and lots of escort options and fast light cruisers with a few slower battleships.
That's my two cents, anyway.