I run full Republic under Mace and I can say that since Thrawn has come around a couple of times I see myself actually falling out of the top 20 these days. I still always top my central US payout time though.
Facing any capital ship but Thrawn I have no problems winning. With Thrawn, that ultimate ability kills my clone sergeant which can neuter my attempts to kill TFP.
It's 100% the ultimate ability that makes Thrawn's capital ship so dangerous to my fleet. If it wasn't for that, I could win against those TIE fleets with no problem.
Fleet isn't a solved riddle, people just get hung up on using the ships that have the most useful pilots in other places or take advantage of bugged ships (FOTF).
One thing is certain, Thrawn is almost always the best capital ship to run with your fleet... except for my fleet. It doesn't work well without Mace.
