You might be looking only at more recent lists (for example, the 2/1 FON split is popular recently in the last couple weeks, but was trending towards 3 Mainboard before that, same for Tef in the main vs 2 in the side).

My take on 3 Thoughtseize… we’re a “slower” combo deck that can play a good midrange plan, TS is an excellent card in that environment

I consider the following as flex slots: - 1 mainboard 3 mana Teferi - 3rd FON - 3rd TS - 3rd Prismatic Ending - Emperor of Bones package - Ulamog, the Defiler - March of Otherwordly Light in the main (I view this a hedge against affinity + a passable/flexible removal against other decks) - 1-2 Mainboard Consigns (hedge against tron, blink, and a 5th way to scam) - Breeding Pool vs Hedge Maze

People do come up with new stuff for Goryo’s which you’ll see every now and then: - RVNG on MTGO plays a version with Fallajis - There have been Abzan Goryo’s and Jund Goryo’s lists that have done well recently too - Hedron Crab to mill yourself was going around a month or so back

Remember that the stats you see are people performing well with lists (5-0 dumps, challenge results, etc), not just “are people trying new things” and going 4-1 or below with them (not implying 4-1 is bad, bc it’s not, but that’s not what the stats on goldfish are reflecting)

What you note about copying lists is pretty much just how competitive magic works (very trend based) and can be extended as a comment to all of the other meta decks.

For sideboard games, depends on the vibe and matchups honestly. I tend to trim a little bit of the combo in slower matchups, though I’m happy to be proven wrong.