Neo
(Thomas Anderson)
Context
The Matrix was a landmark 1999 sci-fi action movie, with Neo (played by Keanu Reeves) being the lead character. Either you’ve seen it and a summary would be pointless, or you haven’t and spoiling it would be criminal.
The movie was quite influential. You can tell because all its more manageable aspects were promptly copied, to the point that the original work now looks cliché and déjà-vu. That’s the definition of an influential movie, I think.
This profile is for Neo before his apotheosis at the end of the first movie. The sequels aren’t covered here.
Background
- Real Name: Thomas A. Anderson
- Marital Status: Single
- Known Relatives: None
- Group Affiliation: Morpheus’ crew
- Base Of Operations: Morpheus’ hackship
- Height: 6’1” Weight: 185lbs
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown
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Powers & Abilities
How good a hacker Anderson was is unclear. But from context our game stats assume that he’s really, really good. However his acumen is limited to the technical side of the job and perhaps the usual social engineering techniques. More generally he is, as the Oracle put it, “none too bright”.
Aside from his technical skills he’s initially an everyman. Over the course of the movie he unearths more heroic resource, particularly when it comes to courage.
Neo’s avatar in the Matrix quickly becomes as least as powerful as the avatar of a top human partisan – such as Morpheus. He then becomes able to fight hand-to-hand at least as well as Morpheus, but unlike him also routinely employs firearms.
Later on, Neo starts accessing his abilities as the Chosen One, making his Matrix avatar operate on a super-heroic level.
Video
The ever-lovin’ 1999 trailer in 720p.
History
Thomas Anderson is just a bland, somewhat awkward computer programming nerd. By day, he works (with little discipline) at a big, Microsoft-like computer corporation. By night he’s the skilled and respected hacker called “Neo”. He sells unspecified illegal programs, which he presumably writes himself.
Everything seems normal. But somewhere in Neo’s subconscious hangs a strange, apparently meaningless question : “what is the Matrix ?”.
Description
In the Real World, Thomas is noticeably less muscular than in his Neo Matrix persona.
Personality
Anderson is a sheltered geek. He’s confused, socially unskilled and clumsy, easily impressed and somewhat shy. He’s neither courageous nor decisive. However, he has a burning desire to learn the truth, which leads him to accept Morpheus’ offer.
He underwent a crash growth in his role as Neo, taking initiatives instead of just standing there looking miserable. The tipping point was when he had to take the decision to find and rescue Morpheus.
Quotes
“Whoah. I know kung fu.”
Tank: “So what do you need ? Besides a miracle.”
Neo: “Guns. Lots of guns.”
(After being offered immunity to turn against Morpheus)
“Wow, that sounds like a really good deal. But I think I got a better one. How about…I give you the finger and you give me my phone call.”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Neo
| Dex: 10 | Str: 05 | Bod: 06 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 05 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Hacker, dev, saviour |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 06 | Spi: 06 | Resources {or Wealth}: N.A. |
| Init: 030 | HP: 040 |
Powers:
Enhanced Initiative: 13, Gravity Decrease: 04
Bonuses and Limitations:
Gravity Decrease is Self Only – see our main The Matrix article for notes.
Skills:
Acrobatics: 09, Martial artist: 10, Military science (Danger recognition): 08, Military science (Demolition): 06, Scientist (Computers): 08, Vehicles*: 09, Weaponry: 10
Advantages:
Area Knowledge (the City), Misc. (telecoms override to communicate outside of the Matrix and receive flash downloads), Misc. (emergency logouts), Misc. Neo is thought to be the Chosen One, though that hasn’t been proven as this writeup ends.
Connections:
Morpheus (High), Trinity (High). Back in the Matrix he had a Low Connection with the hacking underground.
Drawbacks:
Alter ego (outside the Matrix), Exile (from reality).
Equipment:
- Armored shades [BODY 08, Shade: 02].
- Machine pistols (x4) [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 05, Ammo: 06, R#02, Advantage : Autofire].
- Beretta 92 (x8) [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 04, Ammo: 15, R#02].
Thomas Anderson
In his physical body, Neo seems to have 02s in all Physical and Mystical Attributes, and his only Skills are Scientist (Computers): 08 and Vehicles (Land): 02. His Mystical stats start developing during the first movie, though.
Simulacrum of simulacra
See our notes about The Matrix in the DC Heroes RPG for more material, and additional explanations about some of Neo’s stats.
Source of Character: The Matrix (film, 1999).
Helper(s): Roy Cowan.