EA FC 27
What Is Fodder in EA FC Ultimate Team?
Cheap, high-rated player cards used only to reach the rating requirements of SBCs, not to play with.
What does fodder mean in EA FC?
Fodder are player cards used only to complete SBCs, not to play. Usually they are the cheapest cards at a given rating, such as 84s, 85s or 86s, bought or kept just to push a squad over the required rating. When a big SBC comes out, players say “fodder prices are going up”.
Why fodder matters
The most demanding SBCs ask for squad ratings that are expensive to hit with players you actually use. Fodder makes it cheaper: you fill the squad with the lowest-priced cards that still meet the rating. Because every player in the game needs the same ratings at the same time, fodder is one of the most traded types of card on the Transfer Market.
How squad rating is calculated
Squad rating is not a simple average. Players rated above the average add extra “excess” points, so one or two very high cards can lift the whole squad. That is why fodder solutions often mix many cheap cards with a few higher-rated ones, and SBC solution sites calculate the cheapest combination for you.
Tips for using fodder
- Keep your untradeables. Untradeable cards from packs and rewards are free fodder and should be used before buying.
- Buy before big promos, not during. Prices usually rise when major SBCs launch and drop when packs flood the market.
- Watch [chemistry](term:chemistry) requirements. Some SBCs also ask for chemistry, so rating alone is not always enough.
- Do not discard cards with useful [PlayStyles](term:playstyles). A cheap card can be fodder for one player and a meta pick for another.
Example
A new Icon SBC needs several squads rated 86 and above. You open your club, use six untradeable 84s and 85s, and buy two 88s from the market. The two high cards lift the average through excess rating, and the squad reaches 86 for a fraction of what buying eleven 86s would cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fodder investing?
Buying high-rated fodder when prices are low and selling when a big SBC raises demand. It can work, but prices also depend on pack releases, so it carries risk.
Is fodder always bad players?
No. Fodder just means a card used for SBCs. Some fodder cards are perfectly playable; they are simply worth more as SBC material for your club.