Trestle Troll MTG Card


Trestle Troll - Return to Ravnica
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Troll
Abilities Defender,Reach
Released2012-10-05
Set symbol
Set nameReturn to Ravnica
Set codeRTR
Power 1
Toughness 4
Number205
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byPeter Mohrbacher

Key Takeaways

  1. Trestle Troll excels at card defense, utilizing regeneration to thwart multiple attacks and preserve card advantage.
  2. Despite its defensive strength, the specific mana requirements might limit its inclusion in some multicolored decks.
  3. It shines in decks that prioritize endurance, making it a stalwart against aggressive, creature-focused opponents.

Text of card

Defender Reach (This creature can block creatures with flying.) : Regenerate Trestle Troll.

Unwelcome in Golgari colonies, he found his own dark place from which to represent the Swarm.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Trestle Troll’s regenerating ability can thwart multiple opponent attacks, effectively negating their card usage and providing a defensive advantage. Its capacity to stay on the battlefield can indirectly lead to maintaining card superiority.

Resource Acceleration: As a three-mana creature with a valuable defensive ability, Trestle Troll can be an efficient addition to strategies focused on ramping towards larger threats, ensuring you control the pace of the early game.

Instant Speed: While Trestle Troll itself isn’t played at instant speed, its regeneration ability can be activated instantaneously. This grants you the flexibility to decide the best moment to protect it from destruction, potentially during an opponent’s turn, without committing mana until necessary.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When it comes to the Trestle Troll, players will not be facing a discard requirement. However, having no card disadvantage tied to its abilities could still leave it overshadowed by other creatures that provide additional value upon entering the battlefield or when leaving the game.

Specific Mana Cost: One can’t overlook the specific mana cost of Trestle Troll, demanding one black, one green, and one colorless. This mana combination can sometimes be tricky to generate early in the game, especially in a multicolored deck that might struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, some players might expect a creature with a more aggressive stat line or impactful abilities. While a 1/4 creature with reach and regenerate isn’t negligible, there are instances where other creatures or spells could offer more offensive or versatile defensive capabilities for a similar, if not lower, mana investment.


Reasons to Include Trestle Troll in Your Collection

Versatility: Trestle Troll offers a robust defense option for any deck that values resilience. Its regenerate ability ensures that it can remain a consistent board presence, ready to block turn after turn.

Combo Potential: As a creature with defender, Trestle Troll pairs excellently with cards that capitalize on creatures with this attribute. It also works well in decks that benefit from the regeneration trait to strategically maintain battlefield control.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment heavy on aggressive strategies, Trestle Troll provides a cost-effective way to slow down opponents. Its ability to block multiple creatures each turn can be a game-changer against swarm decks.


How to beat

Trestle Troll is a unique defender in the world of Magic: The Gathering. This regenerating creature can be a real obstacle for players looking to break through the defensive lines. Trestle Troll’s regeneration ability makes it a recurring barrier, capable of defending turn after turn. To overcome this pesky troll, it’s crucial to use removal spells that can bypass its regeneration. Spells that exile, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, can effectively remove Trestle Troll from the battlefield without triggering its regeneration.

Additionally, in games where Trestle Troll becomes a persistent issue, adjusting your strategy could be the key to victory. Rather than attacking with creatures, shifting to direct damage spells or alternative win conditions could bypass the troll altogether. Burn spells, mill strategies, or overwhelming the board with numerous creatures can all outmaneuver the lone defender. Therefore, while Trestle Troll may seem daunting at first with its regeneration prowess, diverse strategies and removal tactics can smoothly clear the path to your triumph.


Cards like Trestle Troll

Trestle Troll is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering, carving its niche amongst defensive cards with its regenerative ability. It stands parallel to Axebane Guardian for its role in defending decks that focuses on tough creatures. However, Trestle Troll brings something different to the table with its capacity to regenerate, ensuring it sticks around to keep protecting your life total.

Considering Wall of Blossoms, we see another defender creature, but with a card draw upside instead of regeneration. The Wall offers an immediate benefit upon entering the battlefield but lacks the staying power provided by Trestle Troll’s regenerative ability. Mourning Thrull provides a life gain aspect upon dealing damage, yet again doesn’t have the durability of Trestle Troll.

Trestle Troll’s blend of defense with endurance makes it especially useful in games that drag on, allowing players to continuously thwart attacks. In contrast to creatures that provide other advantages but may lack longevity, Trestle Troll assures a persistent battlefield presence, fitting seamlessly into control or defender-oriented decks within Magic: The Gathering.

Axebane Guardian - MTG Card versions
Wall of Blossoms - MTG Card versions
Mourning Thrull - MTG Card versions
Axebane Guardian - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Wall of Blossoms - Stronghold (STH)
Mourning Thrull - Guildpact (GPT)

Cards similar to Trestle Troll by color, type and mana cost

Harald, King of Skemfar - MTG Card versions
Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager - MTG Card versions
Chatterfang, Squirrel General - MTG Card versions
Reyhan, Last of the Abzan - MTG Card versions
Shambling Shell - MTG Card versions
Wormwood Dryad - MTG Card versions
Stalker Hag - MTG Card versions
Hag Hedge-Mage - MTG Card versions
Quillspike - MTG Card versions
Rendclaw Trow - MTG Card versions
Glissa, the Traitor - MTG Card versions
Stonefare Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Dreg Mangler - MTG Card versions
Varolz, the Scar-Striped - MTG Card versions
Quagmire Druid - MTG Card versions
Catacomb Sifter - MTG Card versions
Autumnal Gloom // Ancient of the Equinox - MTG Card versions
Shaman of the Pack - MTG Card versions
Mournwillow - MTG Card versions
Charnel Troll - MTG Card versions
Harald, King of Skemfar - Kaldheim (KHM)
Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Chatterfang, Squirrel General - Modern Horizons 2 (MH2)
Reyhan, Last of the Abzan - Treasure Chest (PZ2)
Shambling Shell - The List (PLST)
Wormwood Dryad - Time Spiral (TSP)
Stalker Hag - Eventide (EVE)
Hag Hedge-Mage - Eventide (EVE)
Quillspike - Eventide (EVE)
Rendclaw Trow - Eventide (EVE)
Glissa, the Traitor - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Stonefare Crocodile - Duel Decks: Jace vs. Vraska (DDM)
Dreg Mangler - Return to Ravnica Promos (PRTR)
Varolz, the Scar-Striped - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Quagmire Druid - Commander 2013 (C13)
Catacomb Sifter - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)
Autumnal Gloom // Ancient of the Equinox - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)
Shaman of the Pack - Explorer Anthology 2 (EA2)
Mournwillow - Shadows over Innistrad Remastered (SIR)
Charnel Troll - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Trestle Troll MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Trestle Troll and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Trestle Troll has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks