I'll be the first to say I'm not the best...well, anything yet. I'm still pretty new to Magic and really starting to understand the nuances of deck-building. However, I REALLY want to use Thrun, the Last Troll in a competitive (FNM-level) format. I tried putting him in a Fauna Shaman/Stoneforge Mystic type build with Gaea's Revenge to make it anti-control, but against aggro/tokens it's not very good.
How do we use him really well? What sort of deck should he go in?
GW(x) is the right choice for running him, if you're wanting to main deck him as part of your decks focus. I've been playing around with GW and GWu with and without quest, and am looking forward to popping a copy in. As far as your deck having issues against aggro/swarm decks, you're in the right colors to fight those decks, you probably just need to work on your build. Squadron Hawks and Stoneforge Mystic are solid ways to fight against those types of decks, so with some tweaks your deck can probably stand a much better chance.
As far as the Gae's Revenge, I would get rid of those and focus on a lower curve. Vengevine is a good way to fight the control decks without being a dead card vs fast aggro.
Thrun regenerates. Against aggro consider day of judgment on turn 6, then keep beating. Bonehoard is great with the stoneforge package as are any of the new mirrodin swords.
I have a half-built G/w list with Stoneforge and Thrun. I think fetching a Sword of Vengeance with him is going to be the best way to ruin a lot of decks; Sword of Vengeance and Sword of Feast/Famine are going to be the best ways to make both aggro and control players slump in their seats.
Thrun's problem is that yeah, lots of players are running Hawks now. Those in themselves aren't a problem, they're just speedbumps, but the control game is all about tempo, and Hawks are a huge help there.
Also, I think any green aggro deck is going to want to run Lead the Stampede. I've been testing that card in both standard and extended, and it's a sick, sick card. I LOVE discarding Vengevines on turn 2, then swinging for 9+ damage turn 3.
How do we use him really well? What sort of deck should he go in?
Hes very good. Use him with equipment. Stoneforge is a good assister, as is Birds of Paradise since it can weild a piece of equipment.
Revenge is a SB card right now for against UB control. Its not even that amazing vs UW now because of everyone running Hawks.
As far as the Gae's Revenge, I would get rid of those and focus on a lower curve. Vengevine is a good way to fight the control decks without being a dead card vs fast aggro.
If you're concerned with aggro, consider RG - that gives you pyroclasm, slagstorm, lightning bolt, and raging ravine. If you mass burn, thrun still regenerates so you're fine.
You know your friends have played M:TG too much when you get it.
Thrun's problem is that yeah, lots of players are running Hawks now. Those in themselves aren't a problem, they're just speedbumps, but the control game is all about tempo, and Hawks are a huge help there.
Also, I think any green aggro deck is going to want to run Lead the Stampede. I've been testing that card in both standard and extended, and it's a sick, sick card. I LOVE discarding Vengevines on turn 2, then swinging for 9+ damage turn 3.
Tiamat, Chromatic Dragon RWUBG
Planeswalker - Tiamat
[+1] Sit on Nicol Bolas
[+0] Wait for him to beg for mercy, rule the multiverse.
[-7] Not necessary, she is the ultimate.
But, yeah, get gear, equip, profit.
Hero of the Planes Studio.
Standard:
Caw-Blade - Record: 31-9-3 (Retired)
Jund - Record: 4-1-1
Legacy:
Combo Elves - Record: 5-5
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"So you can Thrun and tel dat" (Phil Cape)