The Chalice-class was a bold but not entirely successful attempt to further develop the concept of the Battlecruiser. The theory seemed sound: a fast Heavy Cruiser, with light armour and powerful weapons that could outrun and outmanoeuvre anything it could not immediately destroy. During the bleak middle years of the Angevin Crusade, much was made by Imperial propagandists of the new, locally manufactured "super-cruisers" planned to roll up the numerous xenos and Heretic empires arrayed against the Emperor's forces. Even though they only came into service as the Crusade ended, hopes for these vessels were immense. Early Chalice-class captains were lauded as glamorous, swashbuckling adventurers in endless Vox reels and data plays.