Alex Louis Armstrong was a state alchemist of the Fullmetal Alchemist universe and one of Amestris' most capable warriors. Possessing unrivaled physical strength, he uses the power his body can produce to accommodate his formidable earthen might.

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This renders him a force to be reckoned with among virtually every character in the series, though he is not its strongest. By gauging which characters he could defeat and those he'd lose to, there can be more appreciation for the limits of physical strength in the anime's universe and how far it might take its wielder.

10 COULD BEAT: Kimblee Who Lacks Agility, Reflexes, & Durability

kimblee fma

Kimblee was nicknamed "the Crimson Alchemist" for his ability to turn his prey into living bombs. This rendered him an extremely capable (and depraved) opponent to fight against since he could effectively kill his victims in a single touch.

However, he lacks agility and reflexes, demonstrated through Scar's success in the battle against him. Considering that Armstrong's dexterity and speed are at least equal to the Ishvallan's (seen through their battle against one another), it follows that he should be able to weave through the sadist's attacks and capitalize on his low durability.

9 WOULD LOSE TO: Father Who Possesses Unbridled Power As The Progenitor Of The Homunculus

Father from the Fullmetal alchemist series

Father wielded unbridled power and was the progenitor of the homunculus (who in turn posed serious issues against state alchemists as skilled as Roy Mustang). This alone would evince Armstrong's difficulty in overcoming him.

Toward the conclusion of the series, his strength eclipsed the heavens themselves, with a body so massive that it stretched into the sky. As formidable as Alex's strength might be, he would not be able to contend with a Philosopher's Stone that had drained almost every soul in Amestris of its life force. Consequently, his defeat would be swift and decisive.

8 COULD BEAT: Hawkeye Who Doesn't Have Perfect Accuracy Or Much Alchemy

riza hawkeye is talking happily in fullmetal alchemist

Hawkeye's steady aim and experience render her a capable combatant and superb marksman. However, she has little alchemy of her own, putting her at a disadvantage against Alex for the absence of raw power she wields.

Further, her accuracy is not perfect, proven through the shot that she missed against Scar. If Armstrong disrupts her aim by hurling rocky stalagmites at her, it would make it difficult for her to land a fatal shot in the little time she has to do so. Though she may be able to hit him across his broad torso, it would not be enough to put him down.

7 WOULD LOSE TO: Greed Whose Armor Is Too Strong

fullmetal-alchemist-greed

Greed's "Ultimate Shield" would provide a challenge that Armstrong's earthen attacks could not hope to disrupt. It was impervious to virtually all forms of harm, save for having its elements changed into something more brittle (a feat that only Edward Elric was able to pull off successfully).

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Though Armstrong has incredible endurance (perhaps the only hero alive aside from Alphonse who could withstand the direct abuse of Sloth for several minutes), he does not have the means by which to penetrate his foe's unparalleled armor. Therefore, he could not hope to find success in the impending battle.

6 COULD BEAT: Roa Who's At A Disadvantage In Terms Of Alchemy

roa fma

Roa was the chimera companion of Greed and a man who possessed the spliced strength of a wild bull. Armstrong had an opportunity to fight him in the canon series, only for the battle to be interrupted by one of his allies.

Should it have remained an even duel, Alex would have won. Not only had he gained the upper hand by the time their fight was disrupted, but his alchemy would also provide the advantage to secure the match in his favor (since their physical strength is roughly even).

5 WOULD LOSE TO: Edward Elric Who Can Outsmart His Opponent

Edward Elric bleeding

Edward Elric is perhaps the series' most prolific and versatile alchemist, using his intelligence and guile in order to outsmart opponents. As powerful and agile as Armstrong might be, his straightforward fighting style and lack of imagination would be to his opponent's advantage.

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Capable of converting his arm into a blade, all Edward must do is dodge a single one of Armstrong's attacks before impaling him through the throat. While Alex may be able to resist straightforward blows, he could not anticipate or recover from such a direct and critical strike.

4 COULD BEAT: Envy Whose Attacks Can Be Prevented Through Immense Pressure

ENVY FMA

In his true form, Envy assumed the likeness of a colossal dragon. It wielded all of the terrifying strength his addled frame suggests and was the most horrifying homunculus of the entire series.

However, he is vulnerable against a flurry of attacks, demonstrated through his defeat against Roy Mustang's flame barrage. Considering that Alex was fast enough to avoid Scar (who in turn could survive Bradley's overwhelming speed), the alchemist should be capable of preventing Envy's attack through immense pressure and by denying him a window to return fire. This would exhaust his Philosopher's Stone and eventually kill him.

3 WOULD LOSE TO: King Bradley Who Can Dodge Attacks With His Ultimate Eye

King bradley

Having ruled Amestris with an iron fist, King Bradley commanded speed great enough to dodge bullets and strength to match. He had little difficulty avoiding Scar's earthen spikes, entailing that Armstrong's projectiles and alchemy might be equally futile.

Alex's only chance to defeat him would be through attacking him at the same time Bradley's sword pierces his chest (since he could not fully impale Captain Buccaneer). However, the homunculus would be able to dodge him through the anticipation of his Ultimate Eye, ruining any hope Alex had for victory.

2 COULD BEAT: Roy Mustang Who Has Less Range, Durability, & Speed

roy mustang fullmetal alchemist

Roy Mustang was Alex's comrade in arms and a rare challenge to his unbridled strength. He could unleash his power with such consistency that he killed Lust in roughly a minute, proving his formidability as a warrior.

However, Armstrong's earthen projectiles have a greater range than his explosions, and he has massive advantages in durability as well as speed. Should the two exchange blows, Alex is much more likely to outlast him and emerge from the battle as its victor - even if he had sustained severe burns in the process.

1 WOULD LOSE TO: Pride Whose Shadows Would Be Too Much To Handle

fullmetal alchemist pride

Selim Bradley was considered by many to be the strongest homunculus - with good reason. His shadows could manifest as weapons just as durable steel, providing defense and offense in equal measure.

Capable of using it to envelop his entire body, he would be well protected against Alex's straightforward melee attacks. Since the alchemist does not command any source of heat by which to reduce Pride's shadow and grant himself leverage in their fight, he would be doomed to succumb to his malevolent enemy on account of his limited opportunity to harm him.

NEXT: Fullmetal Alchemist: 5 Avatar Characters Scar Could Defeat (& 5 He'd Lose To)