This deck was originally a version of BlackJack's Kaalia punisher build, but there were thing about the deck that bugged me and Kaalia made me a quick target, so I switched to Tariel.

The idea here is to control the board in such a way that your opponents are not prohibited from doing anything, provided they are willing and able to pay for it. And they will pay for it, with their mana, their creatures, and their very life. Even you will feel the sinking pull of the destructive machinations you set forth, yet you have the tools of your own your own salvation while the others burn and rot.

Alright. Enough story time and flavor, let's talk deck tech! The deck is all about restricting your opponents without controlling them.

Attacking you seems less attractive every time you drop a rattlesnake like Archon of Justice, threaten them with Hoard-Smelter Dragon, or cut them off with a Ghostly Prison effects or No Mercy. And during all that not-attacking everyone is losing life to Painful Quandary, Underworld Dreams, or Seizan, Perverter of Truth (who is really popular until everyone realizes they've lost 10+ health).

The ultimate combination of these two efforts is Vicious Shadows. Suddenly everyone but one stops attacking or blocking for fear you'll smack'em strait in the gut for all the greedy drawing they've been pulling off their Phyrexian Area, etc.

All the while, as everyone loses life you'll gain it back with Shattered Angel, Exsanguinate, Vish Kal and Brion Stoutarm.