Royal Navy battlecruiser thinking assumed depth behind the fast ships. Tiger might damage an opponent, force it to withdraw, or slow it with gunfire or torpedoes before cruisers or battleships arrived to finish the action. Queen Elizabeth-class ships such as Warspite and Malaya represent the heavier force following behind. The design's value rested partly on what the fleet could bring up after the first contact.
Chapter · 55:30-56:50
Tiger's role in a layered battle fleet
A battlecruiser could damage and slow an opponent for the heavier ships following behind.