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In the Matrix, especially the scene on the rooftop in part 1, when Neo is shooting at the agent who is dodging Neos shots using the 'bullet time' move the agent is only moving from the waist up. Why not shoot the agent in the legs also, what happens when you shoot an agent?

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    They shoot Neo in the leg. It's super-effective.
    – Valorum
    Sep 2, 2018 at 20:56
  • Shooting the legs is harder (smaller area), probably even easier to dodge. Besides that, I think this is very hard to answer with a canon answer. Also, it was the first time somebody was able to dodge bullets like that.
    – Mixxiphoid
    Sep 2, 2018 at 20:57
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    You see what happens when Trinity ("Dodge this!") shoots an Agent in the head. It disappears and turns back into the original person occupied by the Agent.
    – Valorum
    Sep 2, 2018 at 21:00
  • @Valorum forgot about the changing back. Has anyone asked if there is an original agent ie not a 'possessed' matrix dweller? Sep 2, 2018 at 21:09
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    Is there anything to indicate they wouldn't move just as fast if their legs were targeted?
    – Paul
    Sep 3, 2018 at 1:22

1 Answer 1

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As to what happens when you shoot an agent, well the agent dodges your bullets, unless of course you manage to get a shot from point blank, in which case assuming it is a fatal shot the agent is forced out of the body it is occupying and will most likely enter a different body in the vicinity to continue trying to kill you.

The following is speculative since I seriously doubt there is a canon answer.

As to why agents do not move their legs there are two possibilities. The first is they would if someone ever shot at their legs but no one fighting an agent ever chose to go for an incapacitating shot so we never see it.

The second is that a leg shot simply would not matter to an agent, the agents are software taking over the avatars of people connected to the matrix, kill the avatar and the agent can no longer utilize it but any damage short of actually removing a limb will most likely not matter to an agents combat effectiveness. The human body experiences pain but its likely an agent could still chase you with a bullet in both kneecaps.

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  • Mechanically it is not possible to run with a bullet in both kneecaps.Perhaps some sort of stilted lumber would be possible at a stretch.
    – OrangeDog
    Sep 3, 2018 at 11:09
  • @Revenant point taken but if the policy is to 'run' when confronted with an agent surly the little advantage of a leg shot would be worth it? Sep 3, 2018 at 12:37
  • Presumably the agent would still jump to another host body even if you were lucky enough to score a semi-incapacitating leg shot.
    – delinear
    Sep 3, 2018 at 15:02

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