What tactics would Nelson use against the Spanish Armada?
Short answerHe could form a battle line, but would probably exploit his superior firepower by breaking the Spanish formation aggressively.
NotesA conventional line-of-battle engagement remained available to Nelson, but he would probably exploit his enormous advantage more aggressively. An approach in line abreast followed by breaking the Spanish formation is one possibility. The decisive condition is not tactical ingenuity alone: individual Trafalgar-era British ships could overwhelm several Armada warships. This is a counterfactual comparison of fighting systems rather than a plan Nelson ever had occasion to make.