Origins of Alter Servants in FGO: A Comprehensive Analysis

Understanding the complex origins of Alter Servants in Fate Grand Order (FGO) is crucial for fans and players alike. These unique Servants have a plethora of backgrounds and mythologies behind their existence, creating a diverse and intriguing world within the game. This article aims to provide a detailed explanation of the origins of some of these Alter Servants, examining their creation, personalities, and impact within the FGO universe.

Alter Servants: A Definition

Alter Servants are a distinctive category of Servants in FGO, each with unique characteristics that often differ from their original counterparts. These Servants are typically more extreme and corrupted versions of regular Servants, brought forth by a combination of factors including exposure to dark forces, deliberate creation, or personal choices.

Exposure to Dark Forces

One of the most prevalent origins of Alters is the result of exposure to dark forces. This is seen in characters such as Arthuria Alter and Herakles Alter. In the context of the Third Holy Grail War, the regular Servants were exposed to the Grail, which was then corrupted by the absorption of Angra Mainyu. This corruption brought out their darker sides, leading to a transformation into powerful, but malevolent Alter Servants.

Arthuria Alter, for instance, was originally a Servant from the Holy Grail Wars, cursed by the fusion of the Grail and the entity of Angra Mainyu. Her personality was heavily influenced by the Zoroastrian god of evil, AM. In contrast, Herakles Alter emerged from the corrupted Grail, embodying the negative traits and experiences of his original form, effectively becoming a more villainous version of the hero.

Deliberate Creation

Alter Servants can also be the result of deliberate creation by powerful figures. Characters such as Jeanne Alter and Cu Chulainn Alter fall under this category. These Servants were brought into existence out of thin air using specific Grails that were granted by Solomon, a powerful figure in the Throne of Heroes.

For instance, Jeanne Alter, also known as Santa Lily, was created by Gilles de Rais using a Grail given to him by Solomon. Similarly, Cu Chulainn Alter was brought to life by Medb through the same process. These two Servants are not legitimate copies of existing Heroic Spirits but rather entirely fictional beings.

Personal Choices and Corruption

Sometimes, the corruption of an Alter Servant stems from their own actions, as seen with EMIYA Alter. Unlike other Alter Servants, EMIYA Alter did not undergo an external transformation or deliberate creation. Instead, he became sociopathic and twisted through his own experiences and choices, resulting in a unique and distinct personality that sets him apart from other EMIYAs.

Artificial Servants and Chaldea

FGO’s recording system, Chaldea, plays a significant role in the summoning and existence of Alter Servants. Chaldea’s system records Servants it encounters as if they were part of the Heroic Spirits catalog. If an artificial Servant is recorded, Chaldea can later summon it from the records as if it were a genuine Heroic Spirit, even if it doesn't appear in the Throne of Heroes.

This system is responsible for the summonability of certain Alter Servants. For example, Arthuria Alter might be summonable in a post-Heaven’s Feel setting because her corruption by Angra Mainyu persists even after her physical death.

Unique Cases

It's important to note that not all Servants that are called “Alters” qualify as such. Certain Servants like Okita Alter and Atalanta Alter are exceptions due to their unique circumstances and origins:

Okita Alter: Okita Alter is not an alter in the traditional sense but a mutated and fused version of Okita and Nobunaga. Her dark skin and other characteristics led to her being labeled as an alternation, but her status as a fictional character makes this label less applicable.

Atalanta Alter: Atalanta Alter is another special case. She is not a distinct Servant from the lore perspective but a regular Atalanta using a Noble Phantasm she has always had access to. Her unique status means that calling her an Alter is a misnomer in the context of FGO's Alter Servants.

Conclusion

The origins of Alter Servants in FGO are diverse, ranging from exposure to dark forces to deliberate creation and personal choices. Understanding these origins helps players and fans appreciate the complexity and richness of the FGO universe. By exploring the uniqueness and history of each Alter Servant, one can gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate and ever-evolving world within the game.