Strict limits on capital-ship numbers make the traditional battlecruiser increasingly difficult to justify. A scarce capital ship must stand in the battle line while retaining enough speed for task-group and ocean operations, so the fast battleship becomes the practical convergence. Commerce defence and commerce raiding leave room for a separate large cruiser, armoured cruiser, or super-heavy cruiser category below the capital ships. Fast battleships absorb the battlecruiser's fleet role, while large cruisers cover distant trade and counter enemy raiders. The categories follow operational requirements and the number of hulls a navy can afford.
Chapter · 49:41-51:03
Capital-ship limits push fleets toward fast battleships
Limits on capital-ship numbers push fleets toward fast battleships, while commerce defence and raiding preserve a separate requirement for large cruisers below them.