<p>all the Alter characters are, as you say, alternate versions of their originals with some having alternate legends.</p>

<p>however the idea of Alter extends from a canon character which is Saber-Alter from <em>Fate/Stay Night</em> who makes her appearance in the Heave's Feel Route after</p>

<blockquote class="spoiler">
  <p> Saber is consumed The Shadow. by returning to the Greater Grail she is corrupted by Angra Mainyu and first appears when Shirou, Rin and Ilya are fleeing Blackened Berserker and operates as an alternate Servant for Sakura</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Outside <em>Fate/Stay Night</em> Alter Saber acts as an "alternate form" of Saber which comes out when Saber's ahoge is plucked in <em>Fate/Hollow Ataraxia</em></p>

<p>despite being an antagonist in <em>Fate/Stay Night</em> Gen Urobuchi saw Alter Saber as a Dark Hero</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>Uro:</strong> What I imagine is that for the Saber Lily storyline, in Fate/stay night, Saber was completely beaten by Caster, and so she became one of her Servants. Like, she thought "I'd be way better off with Caster than with Shirou." (Laughs)<br>
  <strong>Nasu:</strong> I never thought of that. Interesting. So in other words, the white dress represents how both her body and soul have been tamed by Caster. So Lily is truly like a "lily" to Caster... you crazy bastard, you did it again...<br>
  <strong>Takeuchi:</strong> Lily's design was inspired by the dress she wore when Saber was captured by Caster. Then, we just filled it with feminine qualities that Saber lacked and it became what it is now. So basically, I think Urobuchi really hit it close to the mark.<br>
  <strong>Uro:</strong> Really?! Lily looked like a villain to me from the moment I saw her. Imagine her appearing from behind Caster, really working those heels! Just thinking of it gets me excited!<br>
  <strong>Takeuchi:</strong> But in terms of villains, don't we already have Alter?<br>
  <strong>Uro:</strong> No, she isn't a villain, she's a dark hero.<br>
  <strong>Nasu:</strong> Alter is an idealist who clings to her own values even though she's been blackened. In that respect, she isn't a pure villain.<br>
  <strong>Uro:</strong> For example, Alter's like how Hakaider was in Mechanical Violator Hakaider (*8). And Lily is the enemy she would face. The wrinkles in the corners of her eyes are proof to that. She'd shine as a villain.<br>
  <strong>Nasu:</strong> Then after defeating Lily in battle, Alter would jump on a motorbike in the last scene and ride off into the sunset. Then the narration would come in: "She is a modern knight, who lives in a world of darkness!" (*9)<br>
  <strong>Takeuchi:</strong> Motorbikes aside, (laughs) I do think it'd be interesting to add meat to Lily's character in that manner.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Source: <a href="http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Saber_Alter#cite_note-Special_Forum-4" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Saber Alter - References 5 -  TYPE-MOON Ace 7 - 10 year Anniversary interview: Nasu Kinoko X Takeuchi Takashi X Urobuchi Gen</a></p>

<p>before <em>Fate/Grand Order</em> other characters got Alters were sort of jokes created by Takashi Takeuchi and sometimes weren't even separate people such as Sakura Saber who's "Alter" was her Nobel Phantasm <a href="http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Coat_of_Oaths" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Coat of Oaths</a> but after <em>Fate/Grand Order</em> the started becoming real</p>

<p>Alter is actually one of 3 variations of a hero themself</p>

<blockquote>
  <ul>
  <li><strong>Alter</strong> (オルタ, Oruta?) - Servants greatly altered from their normal selves through various means are often given the title of "Alter" after their name. True Archer, an altered Heracles, rejects being called "Heracles Alter" and instead chooses his "human name" of "Alcides".</li>
  <li><strong>Lily</strong> (リリィ, Riryi?) - Servants who take on a more youthful appearance compared to their older selves are often given the title of "Lily" after their name. This title is normally only applied to female Servants, but those like Child-Gil and Alexander are referred to as Lily Servants elsewhere.</li>
  <li><strong>Santa</strong> (サンタ, Santa?) - Servants acting as Santa in the Fate/Grand Order Christmas events are given the title of "Santa" after their name.</li>
  </ul>
</blockquote>

<p>Source: <a href="http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Servant#Alter" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Servants - Alter</a></p>

<p>and as such shouldn't be confused with <a href="http://%20Gilgamesh&#39;s%20Potion%20of%20youth%20to%20become" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="Joan of Arc Alter Lilyquot; and then gaining the title of quot;Santaquot; while aiming to become quot;Santa Joan of Arc.">Alter Egos</a> which are a separate Servant Class where Alters can be any class</p>

<hr>

<p>The current list of Alters (as of 19/01/2018) aside from Alter Saber from <em>Fate/Stay Night</em> are</p>

<ul>
<li><p><em>Fate/Grand Order</em></p>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Archer_(Fate/Grand_Order_-_EMIYA_Alter)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Alter EMIYA</a> - a disgraced heartless version of the Counter Guardian EMIYA who's cast off his name</li>
<li><a href="http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Lancer_(Fate/Grand_Order_-_Artoria_Alter)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Alter Lancer Arturia</a> - an Alter form of Lancer Arturia who, before changing into the <em>"Goddess of the Holy Lance"</em> chose to insated become the tyrant known as the <em>"King of Storms"</em></li>
<li><a href="http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Berserker_(Fate/Grand_Order_-_C%C3%BA_Chulainn_Alter)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Beserker Cu Chulainn</a> - a version of Cu Chulainn reflecting the wish made upon the Holy Grail by Queen Medb</li>
<li><a href="http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Berserker_(Fate/Grand_Order_-_MHX_Alter)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mysterious Heroine X Alter</a> - a villain from the Servant Universe who has sworn to defeat Mysterious Heroine X</li>
<li><a href="http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Avenger_(Fate/Grand_Order_-_Jeanne_Alter)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Avenger Jeanne d'Arc</a> - a fabrication of Jeanne d'Arc created by Gilles de Rais via the Holy Grail after her death </li>
<li><a href="http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Lancer_(Fate/Grand_Order_-_Jeanne_Alter_Lily)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Jeanne d'Arc Alter Santa Lily</a> - Avenger Jeanne d'Arc after drinking  Gilgamesh's Potion of youth (becoming "Joan of Arc Alter Lily"). gained the title of "Santa" when she was aiming to become "Santa Joan of Arc."</li>
</ul></li>
<li><p><em>Fate/strange fake</em></p>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/True_Archer" rel="nofollow noreferrer">True Archer</a> - the human side of Hercules who lost his divinity after  Bazdilot Cordelion used his Command Spells to awaken memories from the 5th Holy Grail War and his corruption in it. he refuses to be called an Alter Servant and takes the name Alcides instead</li>
</ul></li>
</ul>

<p>and as explained above, <a href="http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Sakura_Saber" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Sakura Saber's</a> Alter appearance is actually her Nobel Phantasm, Coat of Oaths</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-13T03:16:28.160Z
I think I kind of understand it now! But I'm still wondering where the silver haired version of King Arthur is from? I've looked through the FGO wiki and I've done a lot of googling, but I can't seem to find any information on where he comes from? 

Everything else about where the Alter characters are from make a lot of sense now though, thank you!
Kari
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-13T03:46:29.840Z
@Kari when you say silver hair could you show an example? or is it something like [this](https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/typemoon/images/7/7a/OxDemonKing.png/revision/latest?cb=20171030171020). Alter Arturia does have paler hair but it wouldn't be silver, or atleast i wouldn't call it silver compared to say Sephiroth from *Final Fantasy*
Memor-X
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-17T06:22:02.703Z
like these ones! where his hair's visibly paler compared to the original, and the personality seems darker too! (also sorry I'm not sure how to add links yet lmao;)
https://twitter.com/pvc_parfait/status/920411796967628800?lang=en
https://pm1.narvii.com/6648/0da7f6dbda599fb51bffe9313adaf98407d9fa53_hq.jpg
https://aminoapps.com/c/fate-stay-night-1/page/item/arthur-pendragon-alter/15DW_KWFrIven65RMJGk560zeDRVjq2q

and omg thank you so much for being so patient and going through my question???? I feel so bad because I honestly take so long to check up on this :')
Kari
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-17T06:31:19.887Z
@Kari not knowing of anything official (at this time) Arthur was the original prototype of Arturia, it could just be a fan Alter-ing him to that he sorta matches Arturia since he also has the same amber/gold eyes the Alters seem to share aswell. plot wise though there were no Alter transformation of him in *Fate/Prototype*
Memor-X
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-17T08:50:13.507Z
ohhhhh ok that makes a lot more sense! Thanks so much for all your time and help!!! I really appreciate it! <3
Kari
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-19T11:48:28.277Z
2018-01-19T11:53:48.977Z
2018-01-19T11:53:48.977Z
Memor-X
<p>I'm fairly new to the Fate series, and I've been seeing a ton of art of 'Alter' characters?</p>

<p>I've seen a lot of fanart of King Arthur (the one you'd regularly see in the FGO game), and that makes sense. But then I see art of Alter Arthur, where the character has silver hair, but I can't seem to find any information on this character.</p>

<p>I get that 'Alter' generally means 'Alternative'. So I'm assuming that these are alternative versions of the characters.</p>

<p>Where are all of these Alter characters coming from? Are they official? What should I take a look at to get filled-in on this sort of info?</p>

<fate-series><type-moon>
Where do the Alter characters come from?
# Where do the Alter characters come from?
Posted by: username_0 on 2018-01-19
I'm fairly new to the Fate series, and I've been seeing a ton of art of 'Alter' characters?

I've seen a lot of fanart of King Arthur (the one you'd regularly see in the FGO game), and that makes sense. But then I see art of Alter Arthur, where the character has silver hair, but I can't seem to find any information on this character.

I get that 'Alter' generally means 'Alternative'. So I'm assuming that these are alternative versions of the characters.

Where are all of these Alter characters coming from? Are they official? What should I take a look at to get filled-in on this sort of info?
**Tags:** fate-series type-moon
---
## 1 answers
### Answer by username_1 on 2018-01-19. Score: 2
all the Alter characters are, as you say, alternate versions of their originals with some having alternate legends.

however the idea of Alter extends from a canon character which is Saber-Alter from *Fate/Stay Night* who makes her appearance in the Heave's Feel Route after

> Saber is consumed The Shadow. by returning to the Greater Grail she is corrupted by Angra Mainyu and first appears when Shirou, Rin and Ilya are fleeing Blackened Berserker and operates as an alternate Servant for Sakura

Outside *Fate/Stay Night* Alter Saber acts as an "alternate form" of Saber which comes out when Saber's ahoge is plucked in *Fate/Hollow Ataraxia*

despite being an antagonist in *Fate/Stay Night* Gen Urobuchi saw Alter Saber as a Dark Hero

> **Uro:** What I imagine is that for the Saber Lily storyline, in Fate/stay night, Saber was completely beaten by Caster, and so she became one of her Servants. Like, she thought "I'd be way better off with Caster than with Shirou." (Laughs)  
> **Nasu:** I never thought of that. Interesting. So in other words, the white dress represents how both her body and soul have been tamed by Caster. So Lily is truly like a "lily" to Caster... you crazy bastard, you did it again...  
> **Takeuchi:** Lily's design was inspired by the dress she wore when Saber was captured by Caster. Then, we just filled it with feminine qualities that Saber lacked and it became what it is now. So basically, I think Urobuchi really hit it close to the mark.  
> **Uro:** Really?! Lily looked like a villain to me from the moment I saw her. Imagine her appearing from behind Caster, really working those heels! Just thinking of it gets me excited!  
> **Takeuchi:** But in terms of villains, don't we already have Alter?  
> **Uro:** No, she isn't a villain, she's a dark hero.  
> **Nasu:** Alter is an idealist who clings to her own values even though she's been blackened. In that respect, she isn't a pure villain.  
> **Uro:** For example, Alter's like how Hakaider was in Mechanical Violator Hakaider (\*8). And Lily is the enemy she would face. The wrinkles in the corners of her eyes are proof to that. She'd shine as a villain.  
> **Nasu:** Then after defeating Lily in battle, Alter would jump on a motorbike in the last scene and ride off into the sunset. Then the narration would come in: "She is a modern knight, who lives in a world of darkness!" (\*9)  
> **Takeuchi:** Motorbikes aside, (laughs) I do think it'd be interesting to add meat to Lily's character in that manner.

Source: [Saber Alter - References 5 - TYPE-MOON Ace 7 - 10 year Anniversary interview: Nasu Kinoko X Takeuchi Takashi X Urobuchi Gen](http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Saber_Alter#cite_note-Special_Forum-4)

before *Fate/Grand Order* other characters got Alters were sort of jokes created by Takashi Takeuchi and sometimes weren't even separate people such as Sakura Saber who's "Alter" was her Nobel Phantasm [Coat of Oaths](http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Coat_of_Oaths) but after *Fate/Grand Order* the started becoming real

Alter is actually one of 3 variations of a hero themself

> * **Alter** (オルタ, Oruta?) - Servants greatly altered from their normal selves through various means are often given the title of "Alter" after their name. True Archer, an altered Heracles, rejects being called "Heracles Alter" and instead chooses his "human name" of "Alcides".
> * **Lily** (リリィ, Riryi?) - Servants who take on a more youthful appearance compared to their older selves are often given the title of "Lily" after their name. This title is normally only applied to female Servants, but those like Child-Gil and Alexander are referred to as Lily Servants elsewhere.
> * **Santa** (サンタ, Santa?) - Servants acting as Santa in the Fate/Grand Order Christmas events are given the title of "Santa" after their name.

Source: [Servants - Alter](http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Servant#Alter)

and as such shouldn't be confused with [Alter Egos](http://%20Gilgamesh's%20Potion%20of%20youth%20to%20become "Joan of Arc Alter Lilyquot; and then gaining the title of quot;Santaquot; while aiming to become quot;Santa Joan of Arc.") which are a separate Servant Class where Alters can be any class

---

The current list of Alters (as of 19/01/2018) aside from Alter Saber from *Fate/Stay Night* are

* *Fate/Grand Order*

  + [Alter EMIYA](http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Archer_(Fate/Grand_Order_-_EMIYA_Alter)) - a disgraced heartless version of the Counter Guardian EMIYA who's cast off his name
  + [Alter Lancer Arturia](http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Lancer_(Fate/Grand_Order_-_Artoria_Alter)) - an Alter form of Lancer Arturia who, before changing into the *"Goddess of the Holy Lance"* chose to insated become the tyrant known as the *"King of Storms"*
  + [Beserker Cu Chulainn](http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Berserker_(Fate/Grand_Order_-_C%C3%BA_Chulainn_Alter)) - a version of Cu Chulainn reflecting the wish made upon the Holy Grail by Queen Medb
  + [Mysterious Heroine X Alter](http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Berserker_(Fate/Grand_Order_-_MHX_Alter)) - a villain from the Servant Universe who has sworn to defeat Mysterious Heroine X
  + [Avenger Jeanne d'Arc](http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Avenger_(Fate/Grand_Order_-_Jeanne_Alter)) - a fabrication of Jeanne d'Arc created by Gilles de Rais via the Holy Grail after her death
  + [Jeanne d'Arc Alter Santa Lily](http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Lancer_(Fate/Grand_Order_-_Jeanne_Alter_Lily)) - Avenger Jeanne d'Arc after drinking Gilgamesh's Potion of youth (becoming "Joan of Arc Alter Lily"). gained the title of "Santa" when she was aiming to become "Santa Joan of Arc."
* *Fate/strange fake*

  + [True Archer](http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/True_Archer) - the human side of Hercules who lost his divinity after Bazdilot Cordelion used his Command Spells to awaken memories from the 5th Holy Grail War and his corruption in it. he refuses to be called an Alter Servant and takes the name Alcides instead

and as explained above, [Sakura Saber's](http://typemoon.wikia.com/wiki/Sakura_Saber) Alter appearance is actually her Nobel Phantasm, Coat of Oaths
> **Comments:**
> **username_0** (2018-03-13): I think I kind of understand it now! But I'm still wondering where the silver haired version of King Arthur is from? I've looked through the FGO wiki and I've done a lot of googling, but I can't seem to find any information on where he comes from? 

Everything else about where the Alter characters are from make a lot of sense now though, thank you!  
> **username_1** (2018-03-13): @Kari when you say silver hair could you show an example? or is it something like [this](https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/typemoon/images/7/7a/OxDemonKing.png/revision/latest?cb=20171030171020). Alter Arturia does have paler hair but it wouldn't be silver, or atleast i wouldn't call it silver compared to say Sephiroth from *Final Fantasy*  
> **username_0** (2018-04-17): like these ones! where his hair's visibly paler compared to the original, and the personality seems darker too! (also sorry I'm not sure how to add links yet lmao;)
https://twitter.com/pvc_parfait/status/920411796967628800?lang=en
https://pm1.narvii.com/6648/0da7f6dbda599fb51bffe9313adaf98407d9fa53_hq.jpg
https://aminoapps.com/c/fate-stay-night-1/page/item/arthur-pendragon-alter/15DW_KWFrIven65RMJGk560zeDRVjq2q

and omg thank you so much for being so patient and going through my question???? I feel so bad because I honestly take so long to check up on this :')  
> **username_1** (2018-04-17): @Kari not knowing of anything official (at this time) Arthur was the original prototype of Arturia, it could just be a fan Alter-ing him to that he sorta matches Arturia since he also has the same amber/gold eyes the Alters seem to share aswell. plot wise though there were no Alter transformation of him in *Fate/Prototype*  
> **username_0** (2018-04-17): ohhhhh ok that makes a lot more sense! Thanks so much for all your time and help!!! I really appreciate it! <3  
---
