Frank Archer

Archer is controlled, opportunistic and openly attracted to the prestige of warfare. He wants advancement through spectacular military achievements and judges dangerous situations according to how effectively they can increase his standing with Central.

Unlike Mustang, whose ambition is tied to political reform, Archer has little concern for the people sacrificed during his ascent. He readily treats soldiers, civilians and experimental subjects as resources.

His curiosity about forbidden military research is similarly pragmatic. Homunculi, chimeras and Philosopher's Stones interest him because they can become weapons or provide the decisive victory that will make him famous.

Archer begins as an ordinary military officer with firearms training and command authority rather than alchemical abilities. His greatest early assets are political opportunism and his willingness to use experimental weapons other officers consider too dangerous.

He recruits powerful specialists to his command, including Solf Kimblee and Shou Tucker, using their abilities to strengthen his forces.

After being critically injured in Reole, Archer is reconstructed with extensive automail replacing much of the left side of his body. His mechanical modifications include integrated firearms, greatly increasing his personal firepower but accompanying a severe deterioration in his mental stability.

Archer enters the investigation surrounding Laboratory 5 and quickly becomes interested in the military's concealed research. His career advances as he positions himself to exploit the discoveries surrounding the Homunculi and Philosopher's Stone.

He arranges for Kimblee's reinstatement and makes use of Tucker's chimera research, demonstrating that ethical concerns matter little to him if a project can strengthen Amestris's military capabilities.

Archer later leads thousands of soldiers into Reole despite Edward's warning that the city is being prepared as part of a massive alchemical transmutation. The resulting catastrophe kills most of his force and leaves Archer horribly injured.

He survives through extensive automail reconstruction and returns to Central increasingly unstable. During the final military upheaval he attacks Hawkeye and later shoots Mustang in the eye outside Bradley's residence. Hawkeye subsequently shoots Archer repeatedly, killing him.

Maes Hughes is the officer whose investigative position Archer effectively succeeds after Hughes's death, although Archer lacks Hughes's personal concern for the people around him.

Edward Elric repeatedly opposes Archer's willingness to sacrifice lives for military objectives. Archer nevertheless recognizes Edward's value as both an alchemist and a source of information.

Roy Mustang represents a rival model of military ambition. Both seek advancement, but their motives and treatment of subordinates differ radically.

Alex Louis Armstrong works around Archer during the southern investigation but becomes increasingly disturbed by his methods.

Solf Kimblee is recruited by Archer and restored to military service because Archer values his destructive alchemy.

Shou Tucker is another researcher Archer recruits for his military experiments, particularly for the creation of chimeras.

Riza Hawkeye becomes one of Archer's final opponents. After Archer attacks Mustang and attempts to continue fighting, Hawkeye shoots him repeatedly.

King Bradley is Archer's commander-in-chief. Archer learns Bradley's true nature but continues obeying him, caring more about military advancement than the revelation that the Führer is a Homunculus.