This article is part of a directory: Dungeons & Dragons Builds Guide: Subclasses & Popular Characters
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When preparing for a new Dungeons & Dragons game, most players dig into their imaginations to design a character they'll be spending untold hours with. Many seek inspiration from their favorite stories. One of the most influential franchises that could come to mind is The Matrix and its iconic protagonist, Neo. With a seemingly infinite number of techniques at his disposal, Neo is a natural source of inspiration when creating a new D&D character.

Designing Neo in a fantasy setting can seem like a daunting task. However, with a little forethought, a version of the character comes into focus which preserves many of his more integral aspects while still fitting into D&D's fantastical aesthetic and mechanics. Here's how to build The One for your D&D adventures.

Neo Build Summary

Race

Variant Human

Class

Monk (Way of the Open Hand), Fighter (Battlemaster)

Background

Sage

Ability Scores (in order of importance)

Dexterity, Wisdom, Constitution, Intelligence, Charisma, Strength

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The Best D&D Race For Neo

Neo flying through The Matrix

One of best racial choices a player could make for Neo is Variant Human. The option to select two ability scores for +1 boost will ensure The One has adequately powerful stats to make the most of the many styles of combat they will have. Plus, having a feat at the beginning of the campaign means a player will be able to use some of Neo's more iconic abilities out of the gate.

The Best D&D Background For Neo

Keanu Reeves as Mr. Anderson/Neo in The Matrix

Choosing the most appropriate background for Neo can be a little tricky because what fits best with the story of The Matrix and what would be most mechanically beneficial don't necessarily align. If a player is seeking a more narratively accurate design for Neo, the Sage background makes the most sense. In The Matrix, Neo starts out as a talented hacker who had begun heavily researching the nature of the matrix. One could argue that magic and the arcane might be thought of as the "coding" that underpins many D&D worlds, which would explain why having the skill Arcana would thematically make sense for a D&D version of Neo.

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The Best D&D Classes For Neo

Neo practices kung-fu in The MAtrix

Over the course of The Matrix movies, Neo develops from a novice at combat to a technologically enhanced master, becoming proficient in nearly every style of combat and type of weapon. His abilities transcend simply downloading new techniques, instead expanding on them and finding new ways to implement the things he's learned to gain the upper hand. In D&D, this presents a conundrum -- to stay mechanically balanced, every class has drawbacks and unique skills. A player wishing to replicate Neo would likely want to multi-class, specifically with a Way of the Open Hand Monk and a Battlemaster Fighter.

An optimal build would likely start out as a Monk, only taking three levels in Fighter, then continuing to level up Monk, eventually resulting in a Level 17 Way of the Open Hand Monk/Level 3 Battlemaster Fighter. Neo's martial arts prowess is the first combat display see in The Matrix, which suggests he initially began as a Monk. He can dodge and eventually reflect projectiles, which Monks can do with their Deflect Missiles feature. Neo can attack and defend superhumanly fast, represented by Flurry of Blows and Patient Defense. The One can even strike Agent Smith so hard he explodes, which arguably is reflected in the Way of the Open Hand's Quivering Palm technique, gained at level 17.

The decision to take levels in Fighter, and specifically Battlemaster, is a bit more complex.The Matrix Reloaded includes fight sequences where Neo is revolving through weapons, using every one of them with equal skill, executing high-level maneuvers with no hesitation. This would suggest a level of martial proficiency which, in D&D, is reserved for only the most combat-oriented classes. His calm and poise during a brawl keep him from losing control like a Barbarian, which makes the Fighter class a better option. Given the variety of techniques he employs during a fight, it seems safe to suggest Battlemaster, as he's disarming, goading and otherwise outmaneuvering all of his opponents during the fracas.

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The Most Important D&D Ability Scores For Neo

Neo stops bullets in The Matrix

Multi-classing always means being more intentional when considering core stats distribution, but fortunately there are ways to ensure Monks and Fighters overlap when assigning ability scores. To multi-class into Fighter a character must have an ability score of 13 or higher in Strength or Dexterity. A Monk's Martial Arts feature allows them to use their Dexterity score to determine attack rolls and damage, and a Battlemaster can use their Dexterity score when determining the power of their Battle Maneuvers, which means Dexterity is absolutely vital to a Neo-inspired build.

Similarly, Wisdom is a must for this build, as many of a Monk's abilities rely on it. It increases their Armor Class (in conjunction with Dexterity), and it actually helps fortify a number of skills both Monks and Fighters can access. Narratively, Wisdom plays a huge role in Neo's development, as Morpheus even says, "Do you believe that my being stronger or faster has anything to do with my muscles in this place?" Once these two abilities have been tended to, a high Constitution score gives Neo the hit points he needs to survive the many battles he'll face, and a high Intelligence score will aid him with the skills provided by the Sage background.

The Most Valuable D&D Feats for Neo

Neo has a number of abilities that fall outside the scope of both a Monk and a Fighter, with one of the most iconic being his ability to manipulate the world around him with his mind. If a player wished to recreate this, the Telekinesis would likely be their best bet, perhaps as the feat they gains from being a Variant Human. Additionally, Toughness will give The One the hit points needed to withstand the onslaughts they will undoubtedly face.