Thrull Champion MTG Card
1994-11-01 - Number 44
2007-09-10 - Number 83
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Thrull |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
All Thrulls get +1/+1. oc T: Take control of a target Thrull. You lose control of target Thrull if Thrull Champion leaves play or you lose control of Thrull Champion.
"Those idiots should never have bred Thrulls for combat!" —Jherana Rure
Cards like Thrull Champion
Thrull Champion presents a unique opportunity for players who are fond of creature-centric strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Much like other creatures with the “lieutenant” ability, such as Thunderfoot Baloth or Stormsurge Kraken, Thrull Champion thrives when you control your commander, encouraging a deck built around this synergy. While Thunderfoot Baloth provides a substantial boost in power and trample to your other creatures, Thrull Champion’s advantage lies in its potential to protect and enhance other Thrulls, which can lead to growing an increasingly formidable army over time.
Additionally, Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder, is comparable as it resonates with a Thrull synergy strategy. However, Endrek Sahr focuses on producing Thrull tokens whenever you cast creature spells, while Thrull Champion shifts the tide by empowering existing Thrulls. Strategizing around these strengths can lead to profoundly different gameplay experiences, with the former capitalizing on quantity and the latter on the quality of your creatures.
In brief, the tactical decision to include Thrull Champion in your deck over similar creature synergy cards depends on how you prefer to leverage creature dynamics—the go-wide approach of token generation or the go-tall strategy of buffing a select tribe.
Cards similar to Thrull Champion by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Thrull Champion lets you return target Thrull from your graveyard to the battlefield. This not only recovers valuable creatures but keeps your hand full, ensuring you continually hold the upper hand.
Resource Acceleration: Thrull Champion provides an intrinsic synergy with Thrull creatures, potentially ramping up your board state at no extra mana cost. This accelerates your resource development, giving you access to more powerful spells earlier in the match.
Instant Speed: Although Thrull Champion itself isn’t an instant, it can instantly bring back Thrulls during any phase of your turn, offering flexible timing and surprise tactics against opponents.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Thrull Champion demands players to pitch another card from their hand to summon it. This potentially sets you back by lowering your hand size and might put you at a disadvantage especially when you’re already struggling with card availability.
Specific Mana Cost: Thrull Champion’s casting cost is highly specific, necessitating both generic and black mana. This requirement can be restrictive, making the card less flexible and potentially difficult to cast on curve in multi-colored decks that may not always have the right mana available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that’s above the curve for its stats and abilities, Thrull Champion might not always align with competitive expectations. Players often seek out more impactful creatures or game-changing effects at this mana range, reducing its appeal in decks that aim for efficiency and optimal plays.
Reasons to Include Thrull Champion in Your Collection
Versatility: Thrull Champion serves as a powerful addition to any deck that centers around creature synergies, particularly those in the Orzhov color pair. Its ability to confer +1/+1 counters means it easily adapts to both offensive and defensive roles on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: With Thrull Champion, there’s a pronounced potential for combos in decks that capitalize on its token-boosting ability. Manipulate the battlefield with ease, bolstering your creatures’ power and toughness, or engage in sacrificial tactics for greater benefits.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Thrull Champion shines by enhancing your board presence and making your creatures more formidable against opponents. Its relevance grows in environments where these strategies dominate, making it a valuable asset against the competition.
How to beat
Thrull Champion may seem like a daunting force on the battlefield, given its perpetual growth as it benefits from each Thrull under your opponent’s control. Distinct from other cards in its class, this creature’s strengths lie in its unique synergy with Thrull creatures, which can easily turn it into a substantial threat.
Neutralizing this card entails a strategic approach, often requiring a shift from conventional creature combat tactics. Ensnaring Bridge stands out as a clever choice—it restricts creatures with substantial power from attacking, directly addressing Thrull Champion’s progressive power increments. Another effective strategy is to deplete the opponent’s Thrull population. Board wipes like Wrath of God can clear the battlefield of Thrulls, rendering the Champion’s ability irrelevant. Subsequently, focus on removal spells that can directly target and eliminate the Champion, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, before its power becomes unmanageable.
Ultimately, when considering strategies against Thrull Champion, the key is to inhibit its ability to amass power by controlling the board and making timely removal plays. Succeed in doing so, and this formidable card loses its edge, giving you a path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thrull Champion MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires and Masters Edition, 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 Thrull Champion and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Thrull Champion Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 2007-09-10. Illustrated by Daniel Gelon.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 44 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 2 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 83 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thrull Champion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Thrull Champion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Can be used to steal another Thrull Champion. |
| 2007-09-16 | Gives himself +1/+1. |
| 2007-09-16 | Unlike many similar creatures, Thrull Champion untaps as normal during your untap step. Whether it’s tapped or untapped has no bearing on the control-change effect. |