Delta Force
Banned
Battlecruisers were designed with an emphasis on speed and firepower, with minimal protection. In the original role as scouts and cruiser killers, this wasn't an issue, because they could outgun any ship they could catch (pre-dreadnoughts, armored cruisers, etc.) and outrun any ship that outgunned them (dreadnoughts, other battlecruisers). However, in practice battlecruisers tended to be used in roles more befitting dreadnoughts, which proved devastating due to their lack of strong protection. Since a battlecruiser cost as much as a dreadnought, this was also a major waste of resources, especially since they couldn't even use their primary advantage - speed - in a battle line style engagement.
What if instead of pursuing large battlecruiser programs, the naval powers had also continued to develop and procure armored cruisers for hunting light cruisers? This would allow the cruisers to use infrastructure and shell stockpiles already in existence for smaller caliber guns that would otherwise be shut down and go to waste, such as those for the 9.2", 9.4", 10", 11", and 12" guns, which would all be sufficient for defeating light cruisers. It could potentially allow the smaller number of battlecruisers to be larger and more expensive per unit, improving protection levels to be comparable to those of battleships. That way, battlecruisers would be more suitable for the conditions of the line of battle, and would even have an advantage over battleships, being able to fight any battle on their terms.
What if instead of pursuing large battlecruiser programs, the naval powers had also continued to develop and procure armored cruisers for hunting light cruisers? This would allow the cruisers to use infrastructure and shell stockpiles already in existence for smaller caliber guns that would otherwise be shut down and go to waste, such as those for the 9.2", 9.4", 10", 11", and 12" guns, which would all be sufficient for defeating light cruisers. It could potentially allow the smaller number of battlecruisers to be larger and more expensive per unit, improving protection levels to be comparable to those of battleships. That way, battlecruisers would be more suitable for the conditions of the line of battle, and would even have an advantage over battleships, being able to fight any battle on their terms.