Murder-class Cruiser

The Murder-class Cruiser was the mainstay of Battlefleet Obscurus between the 33rd and 37th millennia before being replaced by Lunar-class Cruisers. Almost five hundred were built during this run, albeit with a proportionate number turning traitor over the years and joining the forces of Chaos. Regardless of affiliation, Murder-class Cruisers were formidable adversaries, armed with a long-range Lance and a huge number of the best long-range plasma cannon batteries ever produced by the Adeptus Mechanicus and equipped with engines powerful enough to keep enemy ships at arm's reach. This firepower becomes even more impressive when Murder-class ships work together in groups, with the sheer combined number of Weapons batteries from two or three Murders being enough to bring down even the mightiest of Battleships. This was most ably demonstrated late in the Gothic War when the Murder-class Cruisers Monstrous, Steel Fang, and Doombringer destroyed the Imperial Battleship Relentless Persecution shortly after it was brought in from the nearby Ardekka Sector.

Notable Murder-class Cruisers

 * Plagueclaw - The Plagueclaw fought in the Gothic War. It is notable for having had the majority of its plasma cannons replaced with Lances.
 * Despicable Ecstasy - Like the Plagueclaw, the Despicable Ecstasy fought in the Gothic War and had many of its weapons batteries replaced with Lances.
 * Doombringer - The Doombringer fought in the Gothic War, combining with the Steel Fang and Monstrous to destroy the Imperial Battleship Relentless Persecution.
 * Steel Fang - The Steel Fang was one of the three ships that combined to destroy the Relentless Persecution.
 * Monstrous - The Monstrous was one of the three ships that combined to destroy the Relentless Persecution.
 * Deathblade - The Deathblade fought and earned renown in the Gothic War.
 * Unholy Dominion - The Unholy Dominion fought and earned renown in the Gothic War.