I have a Dark Petition and another instant or sorcery in my graveyard, and a Kess, Dissident Mage in play. If I cast the Dark Petition, does it see itself for Spell Mastery? I believe it does, because it doesn't see itself when you cast it from your hand. The key part is the Kess doesn't exile on cast, but states that "if a card cast this way would go into your graveyard this turn, exile it instead."
No, Dark Petition will not count itself for Spell Mastery.
When you cast a spell, the first thing you do is move it from where it is (normally the hand, but in this case the graveyard) and put it on the stack. Spell Mastery for Dark Petition is checked when the spell resolves. At that time Dark Petition is still on the stack, so can't count itself.
Thanks!
My Trades
Dark Petition
Kess, Dissident Mage
No, Dark Petition will not count itself for Spell Mastery.
When you cast a spell, the first thing you do is move it from where it is (normally the hand, but in this case the graveyard) and put it on the stack. Spell Mastery for Dark Petition is checked when the spell resolves. At that time Dark Petition is still on the stack, so can't count itself.
Hope that helps.
My Trades