The Emperor Class Battleship is one of the oldest and largest warships still serving the Imperial Navy. It’s a carrier and a command ship rolled into one, and its attack craft have decided more battles than its guns.
What it is
The Emperor Class is a battleship built around its launch bays rather than its broadsides. Eight squadrons of attack craft, Furies and Starhawks, do the real work, ranging far beyond the ship to hit targets its guns can’t reach.
It also serves as a fleet command vessel. Admirals use them to coordinate whole battlegroups, which is why you’ll often find one at the centre of an Imperial formation.
Most were laid down during the Great Crusade, making the design roughly ten thousand years old. The Imperium still builds them because nobody’s improved on the template.
Armament and role
Its direct-fire weapons are secondary to the carrier wing: port, starboard, dorsal, and prow batteries exist mainly to defend the ship and finish off crippled targets.
In battle, an Emperor hangs back and lets its squadrons dictate the fight. That makes it a support asset, not a brawler. Put it in a line of battle and you’re wasting it.
- 8 attack craft squadrons (Fury Interceptors, Starhawk Bombers)
- Weapons batteries on all facings for close defence
- Fleet command facilities for coordinating battlegroups
- Operated by the Imperial Navy and the Basilikon Astra
Famous Emperor Class ships
The most famous is the Dominus Astra. At the Battle for Macragge it drove into the heart of Hive Fleet Behemoth and detonated its warp drives, dragging the Tyranid fleet into the warp with it and ending the battle.
Others include the Divine Right, recovered after ten thousand years fused into a space hulk, and the Fist of Righteousness, which led a relief fleet to break the Eldar siege of Kabaal III.
| Ship | Claim to fame |
|---|---|
| Dominus Astra | Destroyed Hive Fleet Behemoth at Macragge |
| Divine Right | Survived ten millennia inside a space hulk |
| Fist of Righteousness | Broke the Eldar siege of Kabaal III |
| Insomine Veritas | Fought in the Third War for Armageddon |
Where you’ll see it
The class originated in Battlefleet Gothic, where it’s a staple of Imperial fleet lists. It also appears in the Space Fleet miniatures range and shows up in novels and codexes when a story needs a flagship.
Some older sources come from fan-submitted magazine articles, so a few details may not match current lore. Treat the broad strokes as solid and the fine print with a pinch of salt.
Key facts
- The Emperor Class is an Imperial Navy carrier and command battleship.
- Its main armament is 8 squadrons of Fury Interceptors and Starhawk Bombers.
- Most were built during the Great Crusade, around ten thousand years ago.
- The Dominus Astra destroyed Hive Fleet Behemoth at the Battle for Macragge.
- It’s used by both the Imperial Navy and the Basilikon Astra.
FAQ
Is the Emperor Class Battleship a carrier or a battleship?
Both, but mostly a carrier. Its eight attack craft squadrons are its main weapon, and its guns are there to protect the ship rather than win the fight alone.
How old is the Emperor Class design?
Most were built during the Great Crusade, so roughly ten thousand years ago. The Divine Right was found fused into a space hulk after about that long, which backs up the age.
What’s the most famous Emperor Class ship?
The Dominus Astra. It ended the Battle for Macragge by detonating its warp drives inside Hive Fleet Behemoth, taking the whole Tyranid fleet into the warp with it.