Serpent from Yoth

[...] I mean if Serpent from Yoth was never in play. Like it was discarded with Pawnbroker.[...]

Yes. Only cards that were in play can have effects trigger and they can only interact with other cards in play, unless that effect specifically names an out of play area. In this case Serpent from Yoth states specifically "After Serpent from Yoth enters the discard pile..." so it triggers, and it is important to note it is a Forced Effect so the game itself triggers the effect, the player must resolve it.

[edit2] hmm maybe i misintrpreted this or sth, i still find it too wierd to be true and my question was a bit of a mess, i just cut the part i thought makes most sense... the more i think of it the more this answer seems to refer to a different question [/edit2]

[Orginal:]
Can he trigger this ability when he was never in play? (domain, hand, deck discard)
Normally i'd say no, but other cards with that kind of effect have "from play" part, so maybe he can... especially with that crappy icons and cost of 4...

That card has errata in FAQ. It says something "After leaves from play"

Not really, FAQ entry says only:

Serpent from Yoth (F149)
Should read: “Forced Response: After
Serpent from Yoth...”

So my combo with
Servant from Out of Time (Core) or
Pawn Broker (IT)
works (Or i still dont get the rules...)

edit:

(1.15) Card States
If a card has an ability that triggers in
response to said card entering the discard
pile, that effect does not resolve or
trigger if that card had blank text due to
a card effect, was attached to a domain
as a resource, was discarded from hand,
discarded from a deck, or was insane
before it entered the discard pile, unless
that card specifically states it triggers
when it leaves that out of play area.

So i guess its just an awful card with crappy wording...

edit: turns out it does can work, it is just weird and uncommon
go go
Speak to the Dead (WitD)
edit:
turns out Im even more confused, if someone has some good info on this intercation, like talking with designer or tournament rulings, comment here please
currently I'm leaning forward - "from play only" ruling as it does make the most sense and is consistent with general rules

FAQ 25 VII 2013

Does Serpent From Yoth’s (Core F149)
Ability trigger when it enters my
discard pile from any zone?
Serpent From Yoth’s ability will only
be able to trigger after it enters the
discard pile from play.

Finally cleared.

Costs to much for it's icons. Ability is underwhelming because it let's your opponent chose.

It is, however, a non-restricted card that will give a token to Tesla.

 

ETA: It's clearly over-costed when compared to, say, Wentshukimishiteu, though.