Emperor and Retribution classes as battlecarrier and battleship

Which Warhammer ship is better, the Emperor class or the Retribution class?

It depends on the mission: the Emperor is closer to a battlecarrier, while the Retribution is the more conventional battleship.

Choosing between the Emperor and Retribution classes first requires a category. The personal preference leans toward the Emperor, but its aviation-centered role makes it closer to a battlecarrier. The Retribution is the clearer analogue to a proper battleship, so the better choice depends on whether the fleet needs air power or line-of-battle firepower.