This deck is built to go over aggro and under control, although right now it's geared strongly toward dealing with monored and red/white aggro decks, as they comprise most of my local meta. Obelisk Spider and Hapatra (with Nest acting as a fourth Hapatra) generate value from both threats like Exemplar and removal like Splendid Agony, draining life and making attacking difficult. (Few creatures that Ramunap Red packs wants to attack into Obelisk Spider, and even a Hazoret who blocks or is blocked by one can find herself sunk to Yahenni's Expertise the next turn.)
Early game, Exemplars grow and create a cushion of life. Late game, Exemplars can throw their counters on a token or a Channeler and go to town. (Channelers used to be stronger in the deck when they often ramped into a t3 Crocodile of the Crossing, but this deck seeks to run control against beatdown decks and Croc is too often a way to eat an Abrade for four mana.)
Right now, the deck is missing some consistency. The manabase isn't quite there. I could use some way to keep pressure on past topdeck mode. The 1- and 2- ofs could be consolidated into the best cards for the deck. I'm split between Plague Belcher and Ammit Eternal. Plague Belcher's menace is strong, but requiring two counters on one creature can hurt. Ammit Eternal presents a serious challenge at first, and becomes an punishing engine with either Hapatra or Obelisk out, but it dies to aggro playing a creature and an Abrade.
I also want to find a replacement for Pulse of Murasa, the only card in the deck that's set to rotate with Ixalan. Recursion is excellent for this deck and the lifegain helps ensure there's a long game against Ramunap Red. Life Goes On gives the life, but doesn't improve my board presence. Wander In Death gives me creatures, but is worse when I'm behind. (And, ultimately, I'd rather have something draw than recur, given that aggro decks can now exile my graveyard whenever they want.)
EDIT: Liliana and Plague Belcher are out.
