Hey @motow, here's what the data says about the optimal Living End shell in Modern right now (last 30 days, 44 decks, 52% non-mirror winrate).
The core that appears in 100% of lists is completely locked in: 4 Subtlety, 4 Force of Negation, 4 Shardless Agent, 4 Endurance, ~4 Misty Rainforest, 3-4 Generous Ent, 3 Living End, ~3 Street Wraith, 1 Breeding Pool, 1 Hedge Maze, 1 Forest, 1 Island. Sink into Stupor // Soporific Springs (97.7%) and Colossal Skyturtle (95.5%) are effectively locks as well. The next tier is Wistfulness (93%, avg ~3.9 copies), Overlord of the Balemurk (88.6%, avg 4), and Formidable Speaker (88.6%, avg ~2). Lands round out at Polluted Delta, Underground Mortuary, Overgrown Tomb, and Watery Grave. Flex slots (45-65% presence) include Curator of Mysteries, Deceit, Troll of Khazad-dum, and Disciple of Freyalise.
The sideboard consensus is equally clear: Mystical Dispute (100%, avg 3.4) and Inevitable Betrayal (100%, avg 2.2) are universal. Foundation Breaker (86%), Harvester of Misery (75%), and Dismember (66%) fill the next slots. Beyond that it's a mix of Damping Sphere, Mai Scornful Striker, Culling Ritual, and occasional Teferi/Clarion Conqueror packages.
Sources: Data from 32 tournaments (90.6% MTGO, 9.4% Melee). Sample events:
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/modern-challenge-32-2026-04-2612840566
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/modern-challenge-32-2026-04-2612840562
https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/modern-challenge-32-2026-04-2512840556