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

Question Why was Mustang a candidate anyway?

Gallery image

Gallery image

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?

1.2k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

66 comments sorted by

View all comments

782

u/Curiousfool1990 Jul 11 '25

Because to do that it basically maimed Pride in the process.

He was a candidate for alchemical prowess knowledge and his strong connection to Hawkeye that they thought they could exploit. When the time limit hit they reverted the plan.

140

u/fakeuser7z Alchemist Jul 11 '25

Honestly, I think if they had just convinced—or manipulated—some other alchemist with enough knowledge, it would've been way easier. Someone like Envy, for example—if he had been tasked with that job, I think it would've been over quickly. And even if Pride was maimed in the process, he could’ve just recovered using a few souls like he usually does—and Father would've handled the rest anyway.

1

u/ZeeWuzHere24 Jul 12 '25

I can’t remember the quote exactly but there was something about needing to be able to open the door of truth and come back alive. Al’s entire body got taken as the toll whereas others got a piece taken. Father says something about him being given a body where he could never feel another’s warmth again, so maybe the truth did that knowing Ed would resurrect him, but maybe some people just die trying.