This isn’t true at all. Most of his value actually comes from being able to fight through creatures a typical 3/2 beaters can’t attack into or would trade with.
I think Vanguard is far better in this role, as it can attack into literally everything and survive, and without the need to exert and slow you down considerably.
In aggro I am more fearful of a Kitchen Finks than Thrun. Encountering small defenders is very common, especially for decks that try to stick a planeswalker into the battlefield. An exerted Initiate will kill a Restoration Angel. It is helpless against Gisela, the Broken Blade, Acidic Slime or Fire Imp. Once the toughness rises above exactly 4 Vanguard gains the edge again. Initiate cannot ever attack into a Polukranos or a titan and survive. A vanguard + Bolt will go 1-for-1 with a Consecrated Sphinx (well, its body). Every creature your opponent topdecks to block Initiate buys 2 full turns instead of one.
So, against ramp, counterburn, reanimator, supefriends, all types of combo decks and control it is better. Against creature-based midrange it is debatable. Against aggro Initiate is clearly better. In total, Vanguard > Initiate.
Vanguard has been fantastic for me, a contender for the best aggressive white two drop. He is hard to get rid of, evading most removals, mass removals and plows through blockers. A great holder of equipment. Also satisfying that he is so miserable as a target for your opponent's control magic effects. Paying 4 life with it is the same as the cost of drawing a card with Sylvan Library - you can usually afford to pay it 2-3 times a game, but instead of drawing a card you get a 3/1 into play for free, a much better payoff for aggressive decks.
Initiate is also cubeworthy, but is only great when the lifegain matters. Initiate is weak to control decks, weak to red burn and most importantly much slower against blockers. Any utility body blocker or even token will force you to exert initiate if you want to keep pressure. You gain life, but in most matchups you'd rather attack for 3 next turn.
I think Vanguard is far better in this role, as it can attack into literally everything and survive, and without the need to exert and slow you down considerably.
In aggro I am more fearful of a Kitchen Finks than Thrun. Encountering small defenders is very common, especially for decks that try to stick a planeswalker into the battlefield. An exerted Initiate will kill a Restoration Angel. It is helpless against Gisela, the Broken Blade, Acidic Slime or Fire Imp. Once the toughness rises above exactly 4 Vanguard gains the edge again. Initiate cannot ever attack into a Polukranos or a titan and survive. A vanguard + Bolt will go 1-for-1 with a Consecrated Sphinx (well, its body). Every creature your opponent topdecks to block Initiate buys 2 full turns instead of one.
So, against ramp, counterburn, reanimator, supefriends, all types of combo decks and control it is better. Against creature-based midrange it is debatable. Against aggro Initiate is clearly better. In total, Vanguard > Initiate.
The list on cube cobra
Read my blog on cube - Latest post January 15th 2022
Initiate is also cubeworthy, but is only great when the lifegain matters. Initiate is weak to control decks, weak to red burn and most importantly much slower against blockers. Any utility body blocker or even token will force you to exert initiate if you want to keep pressure. You gain life, but in most matchups you'd rather attack for 3 next turn.
The list on cube cobra
Read my blog on cube - Latest post January 15th 2022