Q&A ยท 28:39-29:06

A German coastal battleship instead of a Panzerschiff

A true German coastal battleship would trade the Panzerschiff's reach and speed for armor and resemble contemporary Swedish designs.

Question

What would Germany have built if it chose a coastal battleship instead of the Panzerschiff?

Short answer

A slower, much more heavily armored regional ship resembling contemporary Swedish coastal-defense battleships.

Notes

The Panzerschiffe are already described as having some coastal-battleship characteristics. A more definite coastal-defence design would have much heavier armour and a lower speed. Contemporary Swedish ships are offered as the closest comparison. No specific alternative gun battery is provided.