#40 USS Denver - Done

Cover of Darkness: In night conditions, until this unit attacks or ends a Sea Movement phase in the same sector as another Ship, this unit can't be attacked unless the unit has the night fighter ability.

Could get behind any of these.

Even two of them. 1&2 would synergy well against a BB.

Are cruisers ever battleship counters?

You would be surprised. I have hit and vitalled many BB using cruisers. My favorite is an up close Boise with Rapid Fire and a Gotland spot for 12 dice...

Unless it's an Alaska...😉😂😂

I just think its a low priority role for your cruisers. So while in isolation it looks ok, in comparision with other USN cruisers, it just won't get picked.

I think this would be better than battleship killer -

DRIVE OFF: Once per game, at the end of the Surface Attack phase, choose one Destroyer or Torpedo Boat this unit attacked this turn. The target must immediately move one sector away from this unit. If that movement isn't possible, you can't use this ability.

I could see Drive Off as an alternative, and it could be flavourfully paired with Convoy Screen