Sam, Loyal Attendant makes a Food token at the beginning of combat on your turn, and Foods you control have activated abilities that cost {1} less. Frodo, Adventurous Hobbit wants you to gain 3 or more life before he attacks, which makes the Ring tempt you and, once the Ring has tempted you twice and Frodo is your Ring-bearer, draws a card. Food is the life source for both, so the deck is built around making and using Foods.

The precon makes Food well, but several slots go to cards that do nothing with it. Each swap below pairs a cut with an add, and every card is scored with the same numbers the Oracle uses to build decks: synergy and inclusion from the Frodo and Sam decks, plus lift, which shows how much more often a card turns up in those decks than in decks that could play it.

Looking for the unmodified list first? Read the Food and Fellowship precon guide.

13
Swaps
$33.57
Cost of the adds
38→38
Lands
10→48
Avg Oracle score

What is holding the deck back

Five heavy cards that nobody plays

Eagles of the North, Great Oak Guardian, Orchard Strider and Generous Ent cost six, and Woodfall Primus costs eight. Four of the five are not played in enough Frodo and Sam decks to register in the data, and Generous Ent is in about one deck in seven. Every one of them goes.

Food makers without the payoffs

The deck makes Food with Gilded Goose, Farmer Cotton, Rosie Cotton, Treebeard and more, but few of its cards reward you for having them. Peregrin Took, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Elanor Gardner and Bilbo, Fellow Conspirator are the Foods-and-Halflings cards the precon leaves out.

Utility cards that do little here

Hithlain Rope, Landroval, Trading Post and Call for Unity are each played in roughly one Frodo and Sam deck in five to seventeen. They are replaced with cards that make Food, tempt the Ring or draw cards.

The 13 swaps

Each pair shows the numbers for the card coming out and the card going in. Click a card image to zoom.

Swap 1 of 13
Orchard Strider
Cut
Orchard Strider
Creature — Treefolk · 4GG
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Peregrin Took
Add
Peregrin Took
Legendary Creature — Halfling Citizen · 2G
Inclusion87%
Synergy74%
Lift6.9×
Oracle score 79

Orchard Strider is a six-mana 6/4 that makes two Food tokens when it enters, and it can be cycled for {1}{G} to fetch a basic land. It is played in so few Frodo and Sam decks that it barely registers in the data.

Peregrin Took is a 2/3 Halfling for {2}{G}. If one or more tokens would be created under your control, those tokens plus an additional Food token are created instead. Sam's Food each combat becomes two, and so does every other token maker in the deck. You can also sacrifice three Foods to draw a card.

Swap 2 of 13
Woodfall Primus
Cut
Woodfall Primus
Creature — Treefolk Shaman · 5GGG
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Samwise Gamgee
Add
Samwise Gamgee
Legendary Creature — Halfling Peasant · GW
Inclusion79%
Synergy67%
Lift6.4×
Oracle score 72

Woodfall Primus costs {5}{G}{G}{G} for a 6/6 trampler that destroys a noncreature permanent when it enters and persists. Eight mana is a lot to ask in a deck that wants to spend its turns making and using Food, and the data barely lists it.

Samwise Gamgee is a 2/2 for {G}{W}. Whenever another nontoken creature enters under your control, you create a Food token. You can also sacrifice three Foods to return a historic card (an artifact, legendary card or Saga) from your graveyard to your hand, which works on your legendary Halflings.

Swap 3 of 13
Eagles of the North
Cut
Eagles of the North
Creature — Bird Soldier · 5W
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Meriadoc Brandybuck
Add
Meriadoc Brandybuck
Legendary Creature — Halfling Citizen · 1G
Inclusion57%
Synergy50%
Lift8.0×
Oracle score 53

Eagles of the North is a {5}{W} 3/3 flier that gives your creatures +1/+0 and first strike for a turn. It can be cycled for {1} to fetch a Plains, but the data barely lists it.

Meriadoc Brandybuck is a 2/2 Halfling for {1}{G}. Whenever one or more Halflings you control attack a player, you create a Food token. Frodo and Sam are Halflings, so an attack with either one is enough to start making Food.

Swap 4 of 13
Great Oak Guardian
Cut
Great Oak Guardian
Creature — Treefolk · 5G
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Call of the Ring
Add
Call of the Ring
Enchantment · 1B
Inclusion52%
Synergy45%
Lift7.1×
Oracle score 48

Great Oak Guardian is a {5}{G} 4/5 with flash and reach that gives a player's creatures +2/+2 and untaps them. It is a combat trick on an expensive body, and the data barely lists it.

Call of the Ring costs {1}{B}. At the beginning of your upkeep, the Ring tempts you, and whenever you choose a creature as your Ring-bearer you may pay 2 life to draw a card. Frodo's own trigger needs the Ring to have tempted you twice, so this does the work every turn and feeds the card draw.

Swap 5 of 13
Hithlain Rope
Cut
Hithlain Rope
Artifact · 2
Inclusion6%
Synergy5%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 6
Elanor Gardner
Add
Elanor Gardner
Legendary Creature — Halfling Scout · 3G
Inclusion50%
Synergy44%
Lift7.6×
Oracle score 46

Hithlain Rope is a two-mana artifact that ramps or draws, then hands itself to the player on your right. It is played in about one Frodo and Sam deck in seventeen.

Elanor Gardner is a 2/4 Halfling for {3}{G}. It makes a Food token when it enters, and at the beginning of your end step, if you sacrificed a Food this turn, you may search your library for a basic land and put it onto the battlefield tapped. With Sam making a Food every turn and Foods costing {1} less to use, you can sacrifice one every turn and get the land.

Swap 6 of 13
Landroval, Horizon Witness
Cut
Landroval, Horizon Witness
Legendary Creature — Bird Noble · 4W
Inclusion7%
Synergy6%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 6
Belladonna Took
Add
Belladonna Took
Legendary Creature — Halfling Citizen · 1W
Inclusion50%
Synergy39%
Lift4.5×
Oracle score 43

Landroval is a {4}{W} 3/4 flier that gives an attacker without flying flight when two or more creatures attack. It is played in about one Frodo and Sam deck in fourteen.

Belladonna Took is a 2/2 Halfling for {1}{W}. Whenever a token enters under your control she gains you 1 life on the first time this ability resolves each turn, draws a card on the second and puts a +1/+1 counter on each of your creatures on the third. A Food, a Halfling token or a Treasure all count, and the life gain helps Frodo.

Swap 7 of 13
Generous Ent
Cut
Generous Ent
Creature — Treefolk · 5G
Inclusion14%
Synergy11%
Lift4.8×
Oracle score 12
Bilbo, Fellow Conspirator
Add
Bilbo, Fellow Conspirator
Legendary Creature — Halfling Citizen · 2G
Inclusion52%
Synergy42%
Lift5.3×
Oracle score 46

Generous Ent is a {5}{G} 5/7 reach body that makes a Food when it enters and can be cycled for {1} to fetch a Forest. It is played in about one Frodo and Sam deck in seven.

Bilbo, Fellow Conspirator is a 2/3 Halfling for {2}{G}. If you would create a Food token, you create a Food token and a Treasure token instead. Every Food you make also comes with a Treasure, which is extra mana.

Swap 8 of 13
Butterbur, Bree Innkeeper
Cut
Butterbur, Bree Innkeeper
Legendary Creature — Human Peasant · 2GW
Inclusion14%
Synergy12%
Lift7.3×
Oracle score 13
Many Partings
Add
Many Partings
Sorcery · G
Inclusion46%
Synergy39%
Lift6.9×
Oracle score 42

Butterbur is a {2}{G}{W} 3/3 that makes a Food at your end step only if you do not control one. With Sam already making a Food every combat, it adds almost nothing. It is played in about one Frodo and Sam deck in seven.

Many Partings costs {G}. It searches for a basic land, puts it into your hand and makes a Food token. A one-mana spell that fixes your land drop and adds to your Food count, and it triggers Samwise Gamgee and Peregrin Took if you play them.

Swap 9 of 13
Trading Post
Cut
Trading Post
Artifact · 4
Inclusion18%
Synergy16%
Lift7.4×
Oracle score 17
Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff
Add
Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff
Legendary Creature — Halfling Rogue · WB
Inclusion45%
Synergy36%
Lift4.9×
Oracle score 40

Trading Post is a four-mana artifact with four {1} abilities that discard, gain life, make a Goat or sacrifice for cards. It is played in about one Frodo and Sam deck in six.

Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff is a 2/1 Halfling for {W}{B}, and both colours are Frodo's. Whenever a player casts their second spell each turn, you lose 1 life and create a Treasure token. It costs two mana, is a Halfling, and gives you Treasure on any turn you cast two spells.

Swap 10 of 13
Call for Unity
Cut
Call for Unity
Enchantment · 3WW
Inclusion20%
Synergy17%
Lift7.5×
Oracle score 18
Night of the Sweets' Revenge
Add
Night of the Sweets' Revenge
Enchantment · 3G
Inclusion37%
Synergy32%
Lift6.9×
Oracle score 34

Call for Unity is a {3}{W}{W} enchantment that grows your team by +1/+1 for each unity counter, but it only gets a counter when a permanent leaves the battlefield under your control that turn. It is played in about one Frodo and Sam deck in five.

Night of the Sweets' Revenge costs {3}{G}. It makes a Food token when it enters, and Foods you control have "{T}: Add {G}." Every Food Sam makes is now a mana source as well as a life source. For {5}{G}{G} and a sacrifice, it can also give your creatures +X/+X, where X is the number of Foods you control. The deck already has four sweepers, so it adds mana instead of another one.

Swap 11 of 13
Evolving Wilds
Cut
Evolving Wilds
Land
Inclusion38%
Synergy9%
Lift1.3×
Oracle score 20
The Shire
Add
The Shire
Legendary Land
Inclusion66%
Synergy56%
Lift6.2×
Oracle score 60

Evolving Wilds fetches a basic land tapped. It is in 38% of Frodo and Sam decks, but it scores only 20 because it adds little synergy.

The Shire is a land that enters tapped unless you control a legendary creature, taps for {G}, and for {1}{G}, {T}, and tapping an untapped creature you control creates a Food token. Frodo and Sam are legendary, so it almost always enters untapped, and it turns a spare creature's tap into a Food.

Swap 12 of 13
Commander's Sphere
Cut
Commander's Sphere
Artifact · 3
Inclusion25%
Synergy17%
Lift3.0×
Oracle score 20
Bag End Banquet
Add
Bag End Banquet
Artifact · 6
Inclusion36%
Synergy29%
Lift5.3×
Oracle score 32

Commander's Sphere is a three-mana rock that taps for one colour of your commander's identity and can be sacrificed to draw a card. It scores 20: it is in 25% of Frodo and Sam decks.

Bag End Banquet costs {6}. When it enters it creates three Food tokens, and it taps for {C} for each Food you control. With Sam making a Food every combat, it becomes one of the largest mana sources in the deck.

Swap 13 of 13
Pristine Talisman
Cut
Pristine Talisman
Artifact · 3
Inclusion20%
Synergy16%
Lift4.7×
Oracle score 17
Sméagol, Helpful Guide
Add
Sméagol, Helpful Guide
Legendary Creature — Halfling Horror · 1BG
Inclusion29%
Synergy25%
Lift7.8×
Oracle score 27

Pristine Talisman taps for {C} and gains you 1 life. It is in about one Frodo and Sam deck in five, and with Sphere, Signet and Lantern already in the deck it is the least needed rock.

Sméagol, Helpful Guide is a 4/2 Halfling for {1}{B}{G}. At the beginning of your end step, if a creature died under your control this turn, the Ring tempts you. Whenever the Ring tempts you, target opponent reveals cards from the top of their library until they reveal a land card, and you put it onto the battlefield tapped under your control. Each tempt also moves Frodo closer to his card draw.

The full swap list

Cut

  • Orchard Strider
  • Woodfall Primus
  • Eagles of the North
  • Great Oak Guardian
  • Hithlain Rope
  • Landroval, Horizon Witness
  • Generous Ent
  • Butterbur, Bree Innkeeper
  • Trading Post
  • Call for Unity
  • Evolving Wilds
  • Commander's Sphere
  • Pristine Talisman

Add

  • Peregrin Took
  • Samwise Gamgee
  • Meriadoc Brandybuck
  • Call of the Ring
  • Elanor Gardner
  • Belladonna Took
  • Bilbo, Fellow Conspirator
  • Many Partings
  • Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff
  • Night of the Sweets' Revenge
  • The Shire
  • Bag End Banquet
  • Sméagol, Helpful Guide

What to keep

These cards are doing the deck's heavy lifting. Do not cut them.

If you want to spend more

These are strong cards that cost more than the swaps above. Prices are the cheapest paper printing.

The verdict

The precon's Food engine is already close to what players build: its best cards, Mirkwood Bats, Gilded Goose, Farmer Cotton and Rosie Cotton, are played in more than 80% of Frodo and Sam decks. The upgrade is not more Food but the cards that do something with it, plus fewer six-drops and utility cards nobody plays. These thirteen swaps cost about $34 in total and keep the deck's identity intact.

Want a full 100-card list built around Frodo, Adventurous Hobbit from today's data?

Build with The Oracle →

Frequently asked questions

What are the best upgrades for the Food and Fellowship precon?

Using data from 27,794 Frodo and Sam decks, the highest-scoring additions are Peregrin Took (for Orchard Strider), Samwise Gamgee (for Woodfall Primus) and The Shire (for Evolving Wilds). The full list has 13 swaps, each scored with synergy, inclusion and lift.

How much does it cost to upgrade Food and Fellowship?

All 13 swaps cost about $33.57 at the cheapest paper printings (TCGplayer market prices via Scryfall, 2026-11-02). If you want to spend more, the guide also covers Nuka-Cola Vending Machine ($16.12), Delighted Halfling ($22.58) and The One Ring ($105.34).

What should I cut from Food and Fellowship?

The weakest cards for this commander are Orchard Strider, Woodfall Primus and Eagles of the North. The guide explains the reason for every cut, and swaps each one for a card that scores higher.

Which cards should I keep in Food and Fellowship?

Keep Gilded Goose, Farmer Cotton, Rosie Cotton of South Lane, Treebeard, Gracious Host and Mirkwood Bats. These are the cards doing the deck's heavy lifting.

What does Frodo and Sam do?

Sam, Loyal Attendant makes a Food token at the beginning of combat on your turn, and Foods you control have activated abilities that cost {1} less. Frodo, Adventurous Hobbit wants you to gain 3 or more life before he attacks, which makes the Ring tempt you and, once the Ring has tempted you twice and Frodo is your Ring-bearer, draws a card. Food is the life source for both, so the deck is built around making and using Foods.

More Tales of Middle-earth Commander upgrade guides

All precon upgrade guides

How the numbers work

Inclusion is the share of Frodo and Sam decks (27,794 of them when this was written, 2026-11-02) that play the card. Synergy is how much more often they play it than other decks in the same colours. Oracle score is synergy × 0.6 plus inclusion × 0.4, the same blend The Oracle uses to rank cards for a deck. Lift compares how often the card appears in these decks with how often it could, capped at 8× here; it is shown for context and does not change the score.

Two cautions. Players who run the precon unmodified count as Frodo and Sam decks, which flatters every card the precon contains. And lift is high for many Halfling cards because few decks play them outside a Halfling deck, so use lift to compare cards, not to judge one in isolation. A card the commander's decks do not usually play counts as 0 in the average score. Prices are the cheapest non-foil paper printing on TCGplayer (via Scryfall), in USD, and move daily.