By the Lord and Savior, Arceus! Are people with such thin skin these days as to wish NPCs are to be weaker than they already are?
I remember the days when NPCs used to actually be part of the RP, the so-called 'idiots not in the know' but were dangerous all the same. Especially the nomad systems, 'twas sort of irrational to expect an undefended science vessel to be able to operate without proper protection, wasn't it?
Granted, peaceful RPs were quite hindered, but nothing proper preliminary repfixing, or a decent escort force composed of allies or hired guns couldn't solve!