What it does
Persist is a triggered ability that activates when the creature dies. If it had no -1/-1 counters on it, it returns to the battlefield under its owner's control with a -1/-1 counter. That counter is the key: it ensures the creature can only persist once on its own, because the next time it dies it already has a -1/-1 counter and won't come back.
The common mistake is forgetting that the counter shrinks the creature, and that effects removing the counter (or "death triggers" reset on a new object) let you loop again. Each return is a brand-new object, so any enchantments, counters, or buffs are gone.
In Commander, Persist shines in sacrifice and blink decks. Pair it with a sacrifice outlet plus a way to remove the -1/-1 counter (like a +1/+1 counter to cancel it via state-based action) for infinite loops, often generating value, tokens, or aristocrat drains.
Iconic cards with Persist
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