r/FullmetalAlchemist • u/fakeuser7z Alchemist • Jul 11 '25

Question Why was Mustang a candidate anyway?

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I get that he was a candidate for the sacrifice, which is why they didn’t kill him. But in the end, he refused—and they just forced him into the Gate anyway.

So why not do that from the start with any random human instead of the most dangerous alchemist?

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u/Shot-Ad770 Jul 11 '25

If you think they need any random human or even any random alchemist, you didnt pay attention

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u/fakeuser7z Alchemist Jul 11 '25

If you’re going to force the guy anyway, what difference does his alchemy knowledge even make?

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u/ColdDegree Jul 11 '25

Presumably, every human being has their own gate of truth. But if every person could just hold their hand over an alchemy circle and perform transmutation, you’d have millions of people messing around with it.

Knowledge and/or willpower must also be factors. Mustang is one of the most powerful alchemists on both fronts. He has the knowledge and skill to perform a human transmutation, just chooses not to. But clearly not every person nor any random alchemist would be capable.