I'd agree with removing them from some places as they ruin player vs. player interaction as a lawful can simply hug the gunboats and it becomes very hard to damage them.
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!
Oh WHAAAAA.... Why not just remove npcs altogether? Seems like thats what ye aiming at. they are silly as it is. about he same as asteroids flying about. Wow so nice to play in a large empty universe. Kricky put some bite into some of them.. or remove some of the random patrols and such. the potential of npcs is large and seems to be totaly ignored here. they should be more than just window dressing... Just my own small opinion. fer what ever its worth ..