So in light of the discussion about the Annihilator Grand Cruiser, and out of some boredom, I designed this baby next.
MODIFIEDGoliath Class Grand Cruiser
Virtually non-existant in modern Imperial fleets, the Goliath Class is believed to have been originally designed to escort heavy gunships into battle, particularly the Avenger Class, known for its fearsome broadsides. Its unique blend of ordnance carrying capacity and fearsome lance batteries make it very adept at filling the fleet support roll, a roll which sector commands have employed it in for millenia.
One shining example of the class was the Indomitable Spirit. Serving in the vanguard of the original Sabbat Worlds Crusade, the ship is rumoured to have been blessed by the Beati, Saint Sabbat, herself. Part of the renowned Iron squadron, the Spirit and her two Avenger sister ships reaped a bloody tally during the campaign, destroying no less than five battleship and grand cruiser class vessels, as well as many other capital and escort ships. After the campaign, the vessels were left at the core of Battlefleet Erinyes, representing the power and might of the Imperium in the region. However, by late M40, the forces of Chaos had reclaimed much of the hard won worlds and were threatening the collapse of Imperial rule in multiple subsectors. In an attempt to counter the threat, Battlefleet Erinyes mustered near the edge of an area of space known as the Sanguinary Worlds, which was infested with pirates and heretical forces and the greatest source of strife in the sector. As the fleet prepared to push into the hostile region, the Indomitable Spirit opened fire on her sister ships, crippling both of them with her powerful lance batteries. As the Spirit fled into the void, waves of starhawk bombers destroyed the bridges of the two stricken vessles, ensuring no pursuit was possible and thwarting Imperial efforts of bringing control back to the region.
When Warmaster Slaydo launched his second crusade of the Sabbat Worlds, Imperial forces encountered a Goliath Class on several occassions, idetifying it as the Soul Reaper. Whether this is the traitorous Indomitable Spirit or another vessel in the service of the arch-enemy has yet to be conclusively determined.
Goliath Class Grand Cruiser- 250
Type/Hits Speed Turns Shields Armour Turrets
Grand Cruiser/10 20cm 45* 3 5+ 3
Armament Range/Speed Firepower/Strength Fire Arc
Port LB Fighters: 30cm 3 squadrons -
Bombers: 20cm
(Assault Boats: 30cm)
Stbd LB Fighters: 30cm 3 squadrons -
Bombers: 20cm
(Assault Boats: 30cm)
Port Lances 60cm 2 L
Stbd Lances 60cm 2 R
Famous Ships: Indomitable Spirit, Soul Reaper, Undying Flame
For +5 points, the Goliath class may take assault boats (as listed in the profile above)
So what do you think?
How do the rules stack up? How does the fluff? The cost?
