Persist

[AgrusKos]

Does it ever hit the GY?

[Jroch314]

I would say yes. The wording is PUT into the graveyard, implying persist triggers once the creature lands in the graveyard. If it were say SENT to the graveyard or 'when this creature dies' then I would question it.

[Kaleo42]

Just like undying it is a triggered ability.
Creature "dies" (via effect of damage, etc)
Creature is put in the graveyard
Persist checks how the creature was before it died (did it have a counter?)
Persist goes on the stack if the conditions for it's trigger were correct
Priority passes
Persist resolves

This is important becuase {rest in peace} stops all this from happening because the ability triggers from the yard and priority passes (your chance to respond) before it leaves the graveyard and returns to the field.

[Double-O-Scotch]

Does this mean you can exile it when it hits the graveyard with say, {deathrite shaman} so it doesn't return to play?

[Greg54js]

Does this mean you can exile it when it hits the graveyard with say, {deathrite shaman} so it doesn't return to play?

Yes. The same way you can {purify the grave} of an instant targeted by {snapcaster mage}

[AgrusKos]

Ok, thanks guys