Gothic-class Cruiser

The Imperial Gothic-class Cruiser is a lance boat that is very common in the Imperial Navy, with each Segmentum Battlefleet containing a large number of the vessels. The Gothic's six torpedo tubes give it the ability to attack at long range and break up enemy formations, allowing it to get to short range where it can bring the heaviest lance armament in the Gothic Sector to bear. However, while impressive on paper, the Gothic's lances simply cannot deal enough damage on their own to win a one-on-one duel with another Cruiser. This deficiency was most ably illustrated in two separate encounters of the Gothic War between the Gothic-class Righteous Fury and the Chaos Repulsive-class Grand Cruiser Bloodied Sword wherein the Righteous Fury barely escaped after suffering severe damage and inflicting little of its own.

With this weakness exposed, it was apparent that the Gothic-class Cruiser could only be successful when accompanied by other ships, calling for a change in tactics. Such a change would be pioneered by Captain Hodge of the Righteous Fury, pairing Gothic-class ships with either a second Cruiser or a squadron of Escorts. In combat, the Gothic-class ship would engage the enemy broadside while its partner would race around to attack the enemy from the bow or stern. The Gothic class truly came into its own with these new tactics, as they used the Gothic's Lances to good effect by knocking down the enemy's shields while preventing the enemy from escaping the Gothic's partners. This allowed the Gothic class to become a valuable asset in the later stages of the Gothic War, with the most notable such contributions being the destruction of the Chaos Cruisers Cackling Hate and Glorious Bloodbath.

Notable Gothic-class Cruisers

 * Righteous Fury - The Righteous Fury fought in the Gothic War. It was nearly destroyed by the Chaos Repulsive-class Grand Cruiser Bloodied Sword on two separate occasions, and its commander Captain Hodge pioneered the tactical changes that finally made the Gothic-class a valuable weapon.
 * Sword of Orion - The Sword of Orion fought in the Gothic War. It was one of five capital ships that participated in Admiral Mourndark's destruction of a major band of pirates in the Quinrox Sound.
 * Pallas Imperious - The Pallas Imperious was assigned to Battlefleet Armageddon before its destruction. Its hulk would then be used as the basis for the Ork Battleship Slamblasta.
 * Invincible - The Invincible fought and earned renown in the Gothic War.
 * Emperor's Wrath - The Emperor's Wrath fought and earned renown in the Gothic War.