This is a short guide to explain to the significance and meaning of the different NPC colors. As those of you who are new to the game have noticed, every NPC has its name displayed in one of seven colors: grey, green, blue, yellow, orange, red, or purple. Aside from the level of the NPC, the color that its name is displayed in can be used as a quick gage to determine its relative difficulty.
Grey NPCs: Grey NPCs are NPCs that are five or more levels below you. These are the NPCS that are the easiest to kill. Note that grey NPCS will not attack you unless you attack them first. However, if you attack a grey NPC that is by other grey NPCs (for instance, a grey NPC that is surrounded by members of his or her gang), then some or all of those NPCs may start to attack you at that point. These NPCs should be very easy to kill and should give you no trouble at all.
Green NPCs: Green NPCs are NPCs that are 3-4 levels below you. Green NPCs are more difficult than grey NPCs, and are less difficult than blue NPCS. NPCs of this difficulty level are fairly easy to kill, but they can become a threat if enough of them are all attacking you at the same time.
Blue NPCs: Blue NPCs are NPCs that are 1-2 levels below you. Blue NPCs are more difficult than green NPCs, and are less difficult than yellow NPCS. Note that if you are soloing standard or critical missions on the easy difficulty, the NPCs will all be of this difficulty (they will be one level below you). NPCs of this difficulty level are fairly easy to kill, but they can become a threat if enough of them are all attacking you at the same time.
Yellow NPCs: Yellow NPCS are NPCS that are the same level as you are. Yellow NPCs are more difficult than blue NPCs, and are less difficult than orange NPCs. Note that if you are soloing standard or critical missions on the medium difficulty, the NPCs will all be of this difficulty. NPCs of this difficulty level become easier to kill as you gain more knowledge of how the combat system works.
Orange NPCs: Orange NPCs are NPCs that are 1-2 levels above you. Orange NPCs are more difficult than yellow NPCs, and are less difficult than red NPCs. Note that if you are soloing standard or critical missions on the hard difficulty, the NPCs will all be of this difficulty (they will be one level above you). Because archive missions do not give you the option of choosing a difficulty level, but rather “force” you to do them on the hard difficulty, the NPCS will be orange (they will be one level above you) whenever you solo archive missions. NPCs of this difficulty level become easier to kill as you gain more knowledge of how the combat system works.
Red NPCs: Red NPCs are NPCs that are 3-4 levels above you. Red NPCs are more difficult than orange NPCS, and are less difficult than purple NPCs. Note that while red NPCS are not the hardest NPCS in the game, they can be difficult to take down by yourself, especially if you do not have an advanced knowledge of how the combat system works. It is not impossible to kill a red NPC by yourself if you have sufficient knowledge of how the combat system works, but having a group to assist you certainly makes it much easier. It is strongly advised that you and your group do not attempt to take on a group of red NPCSs if you are outnumbered. Those of you who are new to The Matrix Online should avoid red NPCs AT ALL COSTS.
Purple NPCs: Purple NPCS are NPCS that are five or more levels above you. Purple NPCS are the most difficult NPCS in the game. Purple NPCS are also next to impossible to kill on your own, even for those who have a fairly advanced knowledge of how the combat system works; such a task becomes even more difficult when the NPC in question is more than just five levels above you, such as a level 255 agent. Unless you have a big enough group, it is advised that you do not attempt to kill a purple NPC, or a group of NPCs; you certainly want the odds to be in your favor when attempting to kill a purple NPC or a group of purple NPCs. Those of you who are new to The Matrix Online should avoid purple NPCs AT ALL COSTS.
