The alternate Hood combines high speed with protection scaled for its 18-inch armament. During the trials, the AI repeatedly closes into secondary-battery range and gives away the ship's speed advantage. A faster battlecruiser should choose the engagement distance, keeping slower opponents at an unfavorable range while its own heavy guns can still engage. The game behavior turns range control into a clear tactical purpose for battlecruiser speed.
Chapter · 1:37:43-1:55:12
A battlecruiser's strength is controlling the range
The proposed 18-inch Hood exposes the tactical value of speed: a battlecruiser should stay beyond an opponent's most dangerous short-range weapons.