Why Nelson and Rodney fall short of the top ten

Why do Nelson and Rodney rank below the leading ships on your list?

Their all-forward layout is striking, but they are too slow and fall short of what a less constrained design might have achieved.

The all-forward armament and unmistakable profile of Nelson and Rodney earn praise. Speed is the first reason they fall below the leading choices. Judged against unbuilt alternatives, another 5,000 tons might have produced more capable, better-proportioned ships. An impressive warship can still rank lower when its constraints dominate the finished design.