What was the best purpose-designed battlecruiser?
Short answerPost-reconstruction HMS Renown, despite remaining limitations in her interwar equipment.
NotesPost-reconstruction Renown is the preferred choice among ships designed as battlecruisers. Her rebuilding and continued interwar additions improved the balance of speed, protection, systems, and practical service value. Some additions remained insufficient, and the ship never became flawless. The choice reflects how successfully a First World War hull was adapted into a capable later battlecruiser.