What makes a warship handy and nimble

What design features make one warship handier or more nimble than another?

Engine power and control, shaft arrangement, rudders, and length-to-beam ratio all shape maneuverability.

No single dimension makes a ship handy. Multiple shafts can improve control by varying thrust, while rudders determine how effectively that thrust becomes a turn. The ability to modulate propulsion across those shafts matters as much as their raw power. Length-to-beam ratio shapes turning circle and responsiveness, so designers must balance speed, seakeeping, and maneuverability together.