This drove up his cost from 1 to 3
When this deck attacks it is typically because it is going super wide
If the target creature dies but that card leaves the graveyard before the persist ability resolves, it won't be returned to the battlefield
Also, once again, in 1v1 gameplay, you yourself will be one of the 2 players, meaning your equipment, controlled and owned by you, will fall off the creature because it can't be targeted or equipped by your stuff as soon as it has protection from you, making it quite the useless sword
Bad Mechanic Hosers (Nine-Ringed Bo, Tombfire, Root Cage, Trapfinder's Trick, etc) There are a number of mechanics Wizards of the Coast were clearly worried about when they printed them
I only wish it could put the creature onto the battlefield, rather than your hand, since the follow-up cost has potential to prevent you from casting the creature you just fetched