is it possible? especially since i only have 1 elf bolt thrower... it seems like a waste to put it in any decks if i dont have 3.

Usually you want 3 of each of certain cards so you can have consistency at the start of the round. But some cards you don't really need until later in the game, so will only need 2 copies. Only having 1 copy will probably not win you games if you are making a deck built around this one card. I would say add 1 more.

well, let me ask one question then, have we gotten to the point where 1 core set and one of all BP's can be competitive?

Its really just a different format. Clamatius and I have been testing single set decks and are not even close to solving it. Dwarves seem really good, triple-faction Destruction control seems OK. Orc aggro seems OK too.

To answer your original question, no I don't think thrower is viable in single set. That's one of the best things about the format, actually.

Plus the Bolt-thrower deck is pretty badly over-rated in the first place so don't sweat it too much.

I'm not a really experienced player, so maybe you won't find this information useful, but here it is.

My group decided to play with only one copy of every W:I product. Since we don't have all cards in three copies, it is harder to choose a winning strategy and it forces that strategy to be more general. Instead of building my HE deck specifically for the Bolt Thrower (of which I have only one copy), I built it to develop an overwelming ecenomy. Than I looked for a way to turn this ecenomy into victory. The bolt thrower IS one of the answers, but not the only one. I added to the deck Runesmiths, Marvael's Legacy and Flames of the pheonix, all of which can give me victory if I have a strong economy.

Ultimatly, it may be worthwhile to put a single card in a deck. The bolt thrower gave me many victories, but it's not my only option.