The light corvette is the first attempt by Kushan scientists to create a multi-crew strike craft, and as such, it has a special problem. Without the speed of a fighter or the hitting power of a capital ship, the light corvette, even with its light, high-speed cannon, is relegated to harassing fire duty in most fleet contacts. It is best employed as a dangerous distraction. In large actions this can mean a flight of light corvettes will close first to draw out enemy fighter screens and leave the main body of the opposing fleet open to a first strike from heavier ships. Going in first leaves light corvette crews facing incredible dangers, but receiving little of the glory.

During the first attacks by the Turanic Raiders, the 'Cavalier'-class corvettes provided a much-needed supplement to the lightly-armed Arrow and Blade fighters. Quickly superseded by the heavier twin-turreted Hammer corvette, the Cavalier enjoyed a brief resurgence when the Hammer's slow speed proved a weakness against enemy capital ships. Through the early part of the Homeworld War, the Cavalier remained an economical combatant, with heavy enough weaponry to intimidate enemy fighter formations, while still retaining enough speed to survive against heavier opponents.

However, once the faster, more sophisticated Tempest-class corvettes entered service, Cavalier production all but ceased, and existing Cavalier units were assigned to resource escort, Mothership defense, harassment or other light duties. The Cavalier was retired along with many of the older designs after the successful conclusion of the Hiigara campaign.

In the early stages of a multiplayer game, light corvettes can be a very useful asset. They are powerful enough to make your opponent's resource collectors play elsewhere, yet not so expensive as to deprive your fleet of more important units. After the early game, however, they are of little use.