What were some meathods that the alchemist had?

Answer 1

Each alchemist specialized in at least one of the many different types of transmutation (i.e. Roy Mustang could amplify friction to create fire, Alex Louis Armstrong used his physical strength to "pound things into shape", etc.), and most of them used a transmutation circle to perform their alchemy. However, they were creative with how they did this. Mustang wore gloves that had a transmutation circle on them, as did Armstrong (though his "gloves" were more like steel gauntlets). Scar, an Ishbalan who despises alchemy, actually uses his right arm, which has an incomplete transmutation circle of sorts tattooed on. Edward of course doesn't have to use a circle because of the knowledge he gained while inside The Gate (the place he went to when he transmuted his brother and dead mother).