Yeah, he was 255 for certain.  It makes sense why they'd be 255 as opposed to 1000 or something.  If I recall correctly, isn't the Architect also 255??

I could kick The Architect in the nuts.

And win.

Well, The reason i think Agents are 255 is simple. Follow with me.

The Max Value in a Color system is 255.
The Lowest is 0.

now, the Max Value in NPC levels is 255.

makes perfect sense.

I remember Morpheus NPCs to be pinged at 255 also. back in the day.

Warboy090 wrote:

Well, The reason i think Agents are 255 is simple. Follow with me.

The Max Value in a Color system is 255.
The Lowest is 0.

now, the Max Value in NPC levels is 255.

makes perfect sense.

I remember Morpheus NPCs to be pinged at 255 also. back in the day.

I think the level system is based on Hex (1 through 9, A through F, 10 through 19, 1A through 1F, 20 through 29, etc), whereas in a given amount of memory "FF" is the highest value (without having to increase the amount of memory used). FF translates to 255.

All programs, including Agents, are at a limited supply even for the Machines. Level 255 Agents are used to ensure that the victim will not take that Agent down or can not escape without a struggle, and are therefore used for keeping redpills and exiles away from more important areas. Agents lower than level 255 are used to protect less important things. I don't think Agents normally appear lower than level 50, or more definitely 45. Under Agents are Machine Captains, Enforcers, SWAT, and the lowest level security programs and bluepill security guards.

In short, story-wise, Agents that are level 255 are that level for a very good reason.

Technically they never killed an agent though.  They only managed to immobilize them to a point where they had to jump to another host.  Morpheus kicked the agent off the truck and Niobe kicks one out of the chopper in EtM.

Only Neo ever beat them as we saw in Reloaded where he left them unconscious before flying up into the sky.  Even then he never really killed them.

Technically they never killed an agent though.  They only managed to immobilize them to a point where they had to jump to another host.  Morpheus kicked the agent off the truck and Niobe kicks one out of the chopper in EtM.

Only Neo ever beat them as we saw in Reloaded where he left them unconscious before flying up into the sky.  Even then he never really killed them.

 

ThePigeonKing wrote:

Warboy090 wrote:

Well, The reason i think Agents are 255 is simple. Follow with me.

The Max Value in a Color system is 255.
The Lowest is 0.

now, the Max Value in NPC levels is 255.

makes perfect sense.

I remember Morpheus NPCs to be pinged at 255 also. back in the day.

I think the level system is based on Hex (1 through 9, A through F, 10 through 19, 1A through 1F, 20 through 29, etc), whereas in a given amount of memory "FF" is the highest value (without having to increase the amount of memory used). FF translates to 255.

All programs, including Agents, are at a limited supply even for the Machines. Level 255 Agents are used to ensure that the victim will not take that Agent down or can not escape without a struggle, and are therefore used for keeping redpills and exiles away from more important areas. Agents lower than level 255 are used to protect less important things. I don't think Agents normally appear lower than level 50, or more definitely 45. Under Agents are Machine Captains, Enforcers, SWAT, and the lowest level security programs and bluepill security guards.

In short, story-wise, Agents that are level 255 are that level for a very good reason.

Even though this makes sense from a story perspective, it doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room. Morpheus, Niobe, etc are lv 60. Morpheus has killed an Agent. I believe that a (talented) level 50 character should be able to take down an Agent, but the Agent should have a great deal of resistance. After all, it would only add to the Matrix lore for you to be able to say that you've defeated an Agent alone.

HJing NPCs? Proxy Masters will be very glad. Let the proxy hunt down the runners while sitting on a bench. I'd like to see that ^_^

Main points expressed in this dicsussion:

1. Agents are defeating* people too quickly
Reduce they're damage output

2. People argue that there should be a chance of defeating* agents, others worry in doing this their aesthetic will be lost. Lowering level difference mentioned and its effects.
One question i ask is this, can you reduce resistance/defence without reducing the level? (i think so) in that case reduce their resistance. I think the most vaild point across all this and the main reason why Agents are so unbeatable is very few people can actually hit them. Their power lies within the capability to dodge and reflect attacks. Therefore lowering they're resistance would be the best thing here (and maybe increasing the defence; a balance would need to be found with this which might take time and specific testing) Lowering they're level wouldn't be nesessary if this where possible and newbies will still see +200 levels and crap thy self " width="15" height="15" />

With their resistance reduced the more people you have the more chance of hitting/defeating* them. I feel it would open up the option with a planned team to killing an agent, but keep their ability to remove players from areas. The main point is making them certinly not soloable and not easily defeated* by a full team, while allowing the capability (with a major mara c gank) to defeat* them.

3. New AI has been discussed, including the ability to hyperjump.
This is the icing on the Agent cake, and i feel it would really complete this game for me and quite a few others. Unfortunately its difficult and not really an important issue when it comes down to it.

*Defeat and all other forms and variations consistutes; but is not limited to the removal or relocation of an agent allowing a brief time period of escape.