Here we are at the last CIS write up we have covered all the ships here at AMM and now we are on our last CIS commander TF-1726. I have gotten in a good chunk of games with him now so let’s look at the last of the CIS commanders for the initial waves of clone wars content.
TF is the second cheapest commander for the CIS 6 points ahead of general Grievous. However, this is extremely deceptive because TF is all about the raid tokens and you need ways to get raid tokens onto ships. One of the few ways CIS can get raid tokens is their B2 rocket troopers and that is going to be the main way you get tokens there are other ways to do this and we will talk about them later. One B2 rocket topper runs you 7 points that brings you to a minimum of 33 points and in my experience, you generally want 2 of them in your list so you are investing 40 points for your commander 26 for the commander, and an additional 14 points for the B2 to make your commander work. I want to make this clear because TF is not a cheap commander despite his base cost. Both Mar Tuuk and Kraken are cheaper options for offense, but TF has the potential to outclass them.
Providence Carrier (105) • TF-1726 (26) • Rune Haako (4) • Thermal Shields (5) • Intensify Firepower! (6) • B2 Rocket Troopers (7) • External Racks (4) • Quad Battery Turrets (5) = 162 Points
Munificent Comms Frigate (70) • B2 Rocket Troopers (7) = 77 Points
Hardcell Battle Refit (52) • Reserve Hangar Deck (3) = 55 Points
Hardcell Battle Refit (52) • Reserve Hangar Deck (3) = 55 Points
Squadrons: • 4 x Droid Tri-fighter Squadron (44) = 44 Points
Total Points: 393
It is that potential to outclass Mar Tuuk and Kraken that makes TF appealing but in order to do that you to be able to add in the two black dice, not just the one. It is the two black dice that make TF more valuable than the other offensively oriented commanders that is why at least two B2s are a must as you need to get two raid tokens on your target every round to get that two dice bonus on at least one of your ships during the round.
With all that said raid tokens can have value in and of themselves. A well-placed squadron raid token can really hurt a list that did not prepare for it. A navigate raid can keep a ship from escaping, or engineering from getting some health back. Well-placed raid tokens can be helpful, even in a few cases in my experience clutch however in most cases they are not. Most players will plan for the worst raid token they can get, in addition, token generation is not in short supply. This makes it necessary in my opinion that in order to gain enough value out of TF you need to consistently get the two black the small utility you get from the raid won’t push TF past other commanders if you are not getting that, so at least two B2 is a must.
Providence Carrier (105) • TF-1726 (26) • Rune Haako (4) • Thermal Shields (5) • Intensify Firepower! (6) • B2 Rocket Troopers (7) • External Racks (4) = 157 Points
Recusant Light Destroyer (85) • Ordnance Experts (4) • B2 Rocket Troopers (7) • External Racks (4) = 100 Points
Munificent Comms Frigate (70) = 70 Points
Squadrons: • DIS-T81 (17) • Phlac-Arphocc Prototypes (19) • Haor Chall Prototypes (16) • DBS-404 (17) = 69 Points
Total Points: 396
Now let’s address the elephant in the room, Jedi Hostage. I have major issues with this card, particularly on a providence a ship that wants to get into the fight and mostly stay there. They are going to get the card exhausted and die because there is no distinctive to attack them because they can’t salvo and reduce damage or redirect damage to a more ideal hull zone. So not only does this card decrease a providence’s office because of salvo and defense it’s just terrible. Now with that said getting raid tokens on ships for taking shots at your ship is helpful and one of my munificent was able to chuck 3 reds and 3 blacks out the side with a con fire token a long-range because of this card so it does have a place in a TF list, but do not put it on a providence. The best ship for Jedi Hostage is Recusant Support Destroyer with a flag bridge. It can go along the outskirts of the fight and stay out of danger from getting Jedi hostage exhausted.
Recusant Support Destroyer (90) • TF-1726 (26) • Flag Bridge (0) • B2 Rocket Troopers (7) • Linked Turbolaser Towers (7) • Patriot Fist (6) • Jedi Hostage (3) = 139 Points
Munificent Comms Frigate (70) • B2 Rocket Troopers (7) • Linked Turbolaser Towers (7) = 84 Points
Munificent Comms Frigate (70) • B2 Rocket Troopers (7) • Linked Turbolaser Towers (7) = 84 Points
Hardcell Transport (47) • Tikkes (2) • Slicer Tools (7) = 56 Points
Squadrons: • 4 x Vulture Droid Fighter Squadron (32) = 32 Points
Total Points: 395
One thing that is important to consider because you need to invest so much into TF those points have to come from somewhere in most cases they will come from your squadron investment. Most TF lists will be light on squadrons and even your screen of swarm fighters will be much less up to the task of holding of fighters because you have given up Reserved Hanger Decks for B2s in order to get TF to work. Your ability to pass our squadron raid tokens can come in handy, but an opponent prepared for that will easily be able to compensate in most cases. Because of this TF can be a commander very vulnerable to heavy squadron builds.
Providence Carrier (105) • TF-1726 (26) • Shu Mai (4) • Thermal Shields (5) • Jedi Hostage (3) • B2 Rocket Troopers (7) • Assault Concussion Missiles (5) • Point Defense Ion Cannons (4) • Quad Battery Turrets (5) = 164 Points
Hardcell Transport (47) • Bomber Command Center (8) = 55 Points
Hardcell Transport (47) • Tikkes (2) • Slicer Tools (7) = 56 Points
Squadrons: • General Grievous (22) • Phlac-Arphocc Prototypes (19) • DIS-T81 (17) • DBS-404 (17) • 2 x Droid Tri-fighter Squadron (22) • 2 x Hyena Droid Bomber Squadron (22) = 119 Points
Total Points: 394
TF can be used in heavy squadron builds, however in most cases that means fewer ships and that means fewer B2 and less opportunity to get raid tokens to trigger TF. If CIS ever gets access to assault squadrons I think TF heavy squad could work, but for now, it just does not seem that great you sacrifice too much and make it difficult to even make TF work.
Now I know I have been critical of TF in this AMM, however, he is good but I think a lot of people who are big fans of him look at him through rose-tinted glasses. I try to be as objective as possible and adding black dice is really good particularly 2 black dice add in a con fire command and it can just get so incredibly nasty. I really like TF with a Muni because it can spam a con-fire and get some crazy damage from TF’s black dice.
Recusant Support Destroyer (90) • TF-1726 (26) • B2 Rocket Troopers (7) • Flag Bridge (0) • Patriot Fist (6) • Jedi Hostage (3) = 132 Points
Providence Carrier (105) • Rune Haako (4) • Thermal Shields (5) • Intensify Firepower! (6) • B2 Rocket Troopers (7) • External Racks (4) • Quad Battery Turrets (5) = 136 Points
Munificent Comms Frigate (70) • B2 Rocket Troopers (7) = 77 Points
Squadrons: • 6 x Vulture Droid Fighter Squadron (48) = 48 Points
Total Points: 393
Another thing to address is black crit effects. I have just not found them worth it in the vast majority of cases with TF. Once I let go of black crit effects and just used the dice for extra damage things just fell into place and worked. So I would advise against making black crits the main focus of your TF builds.
Recusant Light Destroyer (85) • TF-1726 (26) • Ordnance Experts (4) • B2 Rocket Troopers (7) • Assault Concussion Missiles (5) • Linked Turbolaser Towers (7) = 134 Points
Recusant Light Destroyer (85) • Ordnance Experts (4) • B2 Rocket Troopers (7) • Assault Concussion Missiles (5) • Linked Turbolaser Towers (7) • Patriot Fist (6) = 114 Points
Munificent Comms Frigate (70) • Tikkes (2) • Linked Turbolaser Towers (7) = 79 Points
Squadrons: • Phlac-Arphocc Prototypes (19) • DIS-T81 (17) • DBS-404 (17) • Haor Chall Prototypes (16) = 69 Points
Total Points: 396
TF is a solid commander and I do really like him. Making raid just a little more valuable I think makes the game a little more interesting. I don’t think he is my favorite CIS commander that is a tough call between Mar Tuuk and Kraken for me as I like the flexibility I have with both commanders TF kind of pigeon holes you into very specific builds. If you think raid and B2s sound fun TF is deftly good he will be placing at tournaments and you will need to plan for raid tokens because of him. What do you think of TF and how have you played him? Until next time have a great week.
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