The type could intercept cruisers, compel merchant ships to stop, carry prize crews, and operate over long distances. Its purpose was to create overwhelming local superiority against ships below the battle line, not to exchange fire routinely with the enemy's strongest battleships. Capturing merchant ships could preserve valuable cargo and hulls while imposing economic losses on the enemy. The design is easiest to understand through this mission.
Chapter · 1:06:16-1:19:29
Battlecruisers as economic-warfare tools
High speed, heavy guns, endurance, and ample internal volume made battlecruisers suited to hunting raiders and controlling merchant shipping.