Do self-referencing pronouns (I/me/my) in card text cause a unit to target itself?

Ruling: Self-referencing pronouns (I/me/my) do not cause a unit to target itself because there is no player choice involved.

Sequence:

  • Check if the game object is mentioned in the spell or ability text
  • Determine if the object is "chosen by the spell or ability's controller"
  • If there is no potential for player choice (as with self-reference), it is not a target

Nuances:

  • Self-reference can be considered "a characteristic of being me" which falls under the exclusion for objects not chosen by the controller
  • This means effects like Yasuo, Remorseful attacking Dreaming Tree would not trigger abilities that care about targeting