I was inspired here by Painful Quandry. If I can make my opponent suffer for casting spells, sometimes in multiple ways, and possibly for even drawing cards, it will be difficult for him to move forward at all. The Allies are there for fight, for discards, and for pillaging the graveyard. Royal Assassins and Guul Draz Assassins should keep most creatures that do enter play in check, aided by Gatekeepers of Malakir. The deck has a fairly low 2.05 average with a generous 15/14/7/2/2 curve, though the bulk of creatures don’t come in until the 2-spot.