The issue with Peten the Dark Clown is that his effect is optional. As such in order to be able to take advantage of his special ability it must be done as the last part of the chain. In the instance where you tribute him to summon another monster, Peten is sent to the graveyard but then the last thing to occur is another monster is placed on the field. Similarly, you could not use his ability if it were tributed for say Cannon Soldier, since the last thing to occur there is that your opponent takes damage.
Now, if he were destroyed because of Torrential Tribute, then yes you could use his ability.
For more examples, I found this post originally on the ygonorthwest.com web site and Curtis Shultz providing the answer
The full link is here
http://www.ygonorthwest.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=16773661
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I have a list of cards and I was wondering if they would work with
Peten The Dark Clown to get his effect off?
Graceful Charity - If I discard it with GC, will I be able to get
the effect?
Painful Choice - If I have it as one of the 5 cards, and it doesn't
get chosen, will I be able to get the effect?
Tribe Infecting Virus - If I use it for TIV's effect, well you get
it.
Raigeki Breaker - Same as Tribe.
Card Destruction, Morphing Jar - If it gets discarded, can I get the
effect?
Please give me some clarification on this, I seen some strange
rulings on it (like it being used for a tribute summon/effect) and
just wondering if these would work.
Answer:
"Graceful Charity" - Yes.
"Painful Choice" - Yes.
"Tribe-Infecting Virus" - No. *(EDIT by Masterwoo0. Last thing that happens is a called monster-type is destroyed)
"Raigeki Break" - No. *(EDIT by Masterwoo0. Last thing that happens is a card on field is destroyed)
"Card Destruction" - No. *(EDIT by Masterwoo0. Last thing that happens is both players draw # cards sent to graveyard from Deck)
"Morphing Jar" - No. *(EDIT by Masterwoo0. Last thing that happens is both players draw 5 cards from Deck)
Destroyed in battle - Yes.
Tributed for "Cannon Soldier" - No. *(EDIT by Masterwoo0. Last thing that happens is 500 damage to opponents life points)
Destroyed by "Raigeki" - Yes.
Tributed for a Ritual Summon - No. *(EDIT by Masterwoo0. Last thing that happens is a monster is summoned)
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Curtis Schultz
Official UDE Netrep
CurtisSchultz_Netrep@H...
* The last action to occur MUST be Peten being sent to the Graveyard in order to receive his effect.
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Hope this helps answer your question.
- Andrew