If I use Thrill of the Hunt on Darius Trifarian, does it trigger his effect to get ready and +2?

Whether using Thrill of the Hunt to banish and re-play Darius, Trifarian triggers his ability depends on whether his re-entry becomes the second card played during your turn.

According to Rule 419.3.c and the logic established in FAQ #10575, playing a card via a game effect (like Thrill of the Hunt) counts as "playing a card." Crucially, Thrill of the Hunt itself is a card played; therefore, the sequence of events determines Darius's status.

Scenarios

1. Darius is the second card:

   • If you have played no other cards, and Thrill of the Hunt is your first card played, its resolution will put Darius onto the board as the second card played.
   • Result: Darius's ability triggers. He will gain +2 Might and ready himself, as he is on the board to "see" himself being the second card played (per FAQ #1119).

2. Darius is the third (or later) card:

   • If you have already played one or more cards before casting Thrill of the Hunt, the spell will count as at least the second card played, making the re-entered Darius the third card played or later.
   • Result: Darius's ability will not trigger. Per FAQ #7612 and #2069, the trigger condition is strictly tied to the second card played in a turn.

3. Darius is the first card:

   • This is impossible if using Thrill of the Hunt, as the spell itself must be played first, making it the first card played in the sequence.

Key Considerations

• Trigger Condition: As noted in FAQ #9135, Darius must be the second actual card played. Tokens do not count towards this "second card" condition (FAQ #8290).
• Playing via Effect: FAQ #10575 and #4088 clarify that the method of play (from hand vs. from an effect) does not disqualify him from the trigger, provided the timing is correct.
• Resolution: A card is considered "played" once its effects have fully resolved (Rule 419.4.a). Because Thrill of the Hunt plays the unit as part of its resolution, the unit enters the board before the "when you play" trigger check happens, allowing Darius to register his own arrival as the second card.

Summary: You do not need to play Darius from your hand to trigger him; you simply need his re-entry via Thrill of the Hunt to coincide with the "second card played" milestone for that turn.

Note: I could not fully verify this ruling against the retrieved rules.