Reloading Persist
Judge Level 2Remove the counter in time — and the Finks simply die again in style.
Cards involved
The pre-loaded Finks
Your Kitchen Finks (3/2, persist) have already died once and returned with a -1/-1 counter — currently 2/1. Persist: "When this creature dies, if it had NO -1/-1 counters on it, return it with one." Your opponent casts Doom Blade at them.
702.79aPersist is a triggered ability. “Persist” means “When this permanent is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, if it had no -1/-1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner’s control with a -1/-1 counter on it.”
What happens?
Is persist used up?
You control Power Conduit. Can you bring the Finks back once more?
Pick an answer to continue.
Persist isn't "used up" — it simply checks the creature's state as it died (702.79a, last known information). No counter at death means it fires again, no matter how often that has happened. Removing the counter in time "reloads" the ability.
702.79aPersist is a triggered ability. “Persist” means “When this permanent is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, if it had no -1/-1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner’s control with a -1/-1 counter on it.”
The play
You tap Power Conduit and remove the counter (Finks briefly 3/2 again). Doom Blade resolves, the Finks die without a counter — persist returns them with a fresh -1/-1 counter: a 2/1 on the board once more.
702.79aPersist is a triggered ability. “Persist” means “When this permanent is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, if it had no -1/-1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner’s control with a -1/-1 counter on it.”
Rule of thumb
Persist and undying check the moment of death via LKI. The famous combos are built on exactly this: Vizier of Remedies prevents the counter entirely — infinite persist loops (with a sac outlet) included.
702.79aPersist is a triggered ability. “Persist” means “When this permanent is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, if it had no -1/-1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner’s control with a -1/-1 counter on it.”
603.10aSome zone-change triggers look back in time. These are leaves-the-battlefield abilities, abilities that trigger when a player sacrifices a permanent, abilities that trigger when a card leaves a graveyard, and abilities that trigger when an object that all players can see is put into a hand or library.
Stack
Kitchen Finks
Your Finks — died once already, with a -1/-1 counter (2/1)
Power Conduit
: Remove a counter from a permanent
Doom Blade
Target: the Kitchen Finks
The stack is empty.
Battlefield
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