If you have a sub-par group, the lower-XP generic NPCs are still out there in large numbers. If you happen to have a tougher group, higher-XP NPCs are available.

If you happen to have a lot of healing but no tanking, or unusually good saving throws, then ranking on pure magi (who have inferior melee abilities) looks better. If you have a top-notch tank but lack support characters, take your chances with the NPC who only deals real damage through attacks that can be parried. Having multiple types of ranking trips available makes more groups viable, not less-- if the only option was warrior-ish NPCs, you could make a stronger case that a high-melee PC was a prerequisite for any group.

Again, old-style generic NPCs worth baseline XP are not only available, but they're by far the majority of NPCs. You're writing like we took them all away from you somewhere.

valguarnera@carrionfields.com