British and German battlecruiser roles

Early British battlecruisers followed the commerce-warfare logic of outrunning stronger opponents and outgunning faster ones. German battlecruisers tended to be slightly slower than their British counterparts, with protection and duties closer to those of second-line battleships. They could support the main battle line or provide an additional line when Germany lacked enough battleships to match its likely opponent. Japanese large cruisers had a comparable supporting role. At Jutland, Germany's combined capital-ship force still faced a larger British dreadnought force. Britain's response required battlecruisers capable of fighting the tougher German ships. Tiger belongs to that response.