I really like the interaction of the abilities, forming a circle of actions. However, I don't really like the abilities. I would have preferred:
, 
, discard an artifact: Gain life equal to its converted cost.
, , pay 1 life: Draw a card.
, , discard a card: Put three 0/1 white goat creature token onto the battlefield.
, , sacrifice a creature: Return target noncreature artifact from your graveyard to your hand.
The first ability could symbolize selling relics for money. The second represents a fighting arena at the Trading Post or a cartomancer (see Underworld Connections or Phyrexian Arena). The third ability is similar to the first, trading knowledge for food whereas last ability feels like buying a treasure map.
Posted By:
Cheza
(2/2/2013 1:52:12 PM)
in order from top to bottom:
-1 card, +4 life
-1 card, +3 life, +1 creature
-1 card, +3 life, -1 creature, +1 artifact
+1 card, +3 life, 0 creature, -1 artifact
result:
0 card gain/loss
+3 life
0 creature gain/loss
an artifact that was already in your graveyard.
after they are all done in order you have 3 life
well done wizards for making a worse version of Healing Salve on Isochron Scepter.
Posted By:
Renegade_Punk
(7/10/2012 5:16:43 AM)
I haven't seen anyone else post this combo, but this card works very well with Solemn Simulacrum. Play either one on turn 4, then play the other on turn 5. Then use trading post's 3rd ability sacing the Simulacrum as part of the cost. Draw a card off the Simulacrum, the Trading Post's ability resolves and you can put the Simulacrum back in your hand. Repeat every turn for both card and land advantage. This combo also works well if you have things that trigger off of creatures entering or leaving the battlefield (ie Morbid). The best part is is that this can work any just about any deck.
Posted By:
auspiciousTactician
(7/25/2012 9:06:03 AM)
Mono black control seems to be getting some mileage out of this one.
Posted By:
DacenOctavio
(8/7/2012 5:43:25 PM)
I am a pro so I am really good at creating goats at the perfect time.
Posted By:
Lotsofpoopy
(9/5/2012 3:58:28 PM)
@ Cheza
Do you realize you just wrote abilities of a completley broken card?
Tap, Pay 1 life : Draw a card in on a card, that used 5 mana, and destroys a land, pretty much. That ability itself on a 4cmc artifact would be overpwoered, but Tap,discard a card : 3x 0/1 goat tokens is also a great ability, giving you 3 chump blockers evrey turn.
So with all 4 abilities you wrote, this card would be better than Ancestral Recall
Posted By:
Red-White
(2/7/2013 6:20:49 AM)
Somehow, this feels like Salvaging Station and its ilk compressed into one card. Which, you have to admit, doesn't do much for the capability to have an indefinite-duration loop (especially with no untap element to be found).
Posted By:
SkyknightXi
(7/6/2012 9:34:00 AM)
Obelisk of Alara for mono-red EDH
Posted By:
lorendorky
(7/6/2012 3:05:23 PM)
I could see this being used in a standard reanimator, it gives a fairly cheap discard outlet that doubles as life gain, to stall a bit until you can bring back something nice. Nothing wrong with that, I suppose.
Posted By:
NoIHavent
(7/6/2012 3:27:15 PM)
Ichor Wellspring and Mycosynth Wellspring. Seems fun in EDH, specially in a deck like Ghave or Endrek Sahr.
Posted By:
poprockmonster
(7/6/2012 10:19:35 PM)