I just thought of something about Al
Until about 1/3 way through the story, Al can't do alchemy without a circle, which is a good portion of the boys's lives.
But we also know that there are alchemists that do alchemy by putting circles on their hands in some way.
Why didn't Ed and Al just put circles on the armor?
I mean maybe it was to make him a less likely target?
Or it requires more skill to memorize one specific alchemy time at combat level.
That's all I can think of.
This is less of a question and more of a shower thought in the form of a question.
Edit: I wrote this as a comment too, but:
Guys I know that the circles are very specific, I was just wondering why you wouldn't do something just in case even. I mean, like literally something that could at least be helpful in a pinch.
I get the explanation of them not expecting combat though, since before the story they weren't probably fighting all that much. Although they still train for combat like crazy so you'd think they got at least something.
But yeah I also get that he's pretty quick at them, although to that I have to say that they do make it apparent a few times that it still takes him some time to do it.
I get my stuff was worded like I only now got to that point in it, but I have read the manga twice, and watch it a quite bit. It's my favorite anime/manga, I genuinely have an autistic obsession. Which is why I even think about stuff like this in the first place. But I guess I'm moreso wondering why the boys never even make a thought about it even once in the plot.