

Why does it seem like Edward can never create large blocks or large weapons to
kill his enemies? I'm only on season 2 so so far, but it seems he always
creates spears and arm blades.


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fullmetal-alchemist-series fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood
Why doesn't Edward transmute any large blocks or weapons other than spears and a blade?


To put it simply: **time**.

Alchemists, decompose matter, reorganize it, and then recompose the way they
want, this requires deep knowledge of the item to transmute/create, in the
heat of battle you need something to hit or defend yourself and you usually
need it NOW, so, alchemists prefer simple transmutations, that don't require
much time.

I can't remember much but there are battles where Ed has some prep time and
makes some complex devices.

**Mild spoiler** Put scar for example, his arm tatoo is a transmutation
circle, and he only uses it to decompose matter so he destroys everything, and
since he doesn't reorganize nothing, his transmutations are really fast.

source: mostly remembering the manga that I read about a year ago


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Two reasons (one in-universe and one out-of-universe): character definition
and familiarity.

Character definition (and easy identification) are part of a good story. Say
you see an image from an FMA:B episode and you see flames shooting across the
screen but can't see who's attacking. Any guesses as to who's lighting it up?
If you didn't guess Roy Mustang, well, we need to educate you in the ways of
FMA:B. See pink sparkles and muscles, who is it? Major Armstrong. Red
lightning and explosions? Kimblee. The list goes on.

By giving each person a distinct fighting style, it does a few things for the
story. It helps people to differentiate characters. It helps people to find
someone they can admire / relate to / enjoy watching. It also keeps things
interesting. Mustang is an absolute terror to fight against. Until you get him
wet, then he becomes the laughing stock of the show.

As far as in-universe reasons, I'm sure it has to do with familiarity. For
example, Major Armstrong is always shouting about his "alchemical style that
has been passed down the Armstrong line for generations". That's how he was
trained to fight. And he's good at it. It plays to his strengths.

But think about it. Could Armstrong create a sword if he needed it? Sure, draw
the appropriate circle and poof, sword. But I doubt he would be terribly
efficient with it. Look at the way he moves. He moves like a boxer and
wrestler. Trying to do that with a sword just wouldn't work. Fighting with
swords is different from hand to hand combat. Which is different from using
guns or throwing fireballs or ...

One other thing to consider is the need for transmutation circles. Most
alchemists keep their favorite one handy. Armstrong's gauntlet things or
Mustang's gloves have a circle on them to enable their preferred alchemy. I
doubt most people keep a plethora of those handy for whatever they need. That
would also imply they have the knowledge to use multiple types of alchemy.
While most alchemists can handle the basics, they tend to specialize. There
are multiple mentions of alchemists who specialize in things like medicinal
alchemy, chimeras, etc.

I know you've asked about Ed specifically and I'll address that now. Ed is a
special case. He doesn't need a circle, so he should be able to theoretically
do whatever he wants. But, as stated above, he may not know enough about a
particular type of alchemy to use it effectively. Just because he wants to use
a gun in a fight doesn't make it a good idea. Does he know how to make a good
gun? Ammo? Can he hit the broad side of a barn even if he had the gun? No, Ed
is going to use what he knows he can be good with.

Not sure if you are there yet, but Ed was trained by Izumi Curtis. And part of
that training was hand-to-hand sparring. So Ed is trained in and comfortable
with close quarters combat. So his choices in weapons are going to reflect
that. So an arm blade or spear are going to suit him nicely. A gun or cannon
aren't going to make good weapons. Too much potential for collateral damage,
hurting yourself, etc. especially if you aren't proficient with them. Could he
try blowing stuff up like Kimblee? I suppose, but he's just as likely to wound
himself as his opponent if he can't control it well.

TL/DR: Ed is trained in close quarters combat. So he picks weapons that play
to that strength. Anything else would like be a burden or liability if he
tried it out in real combat for the first time.


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