I support the cause. NPC are too strong.
Nerf NPC in Mission and Oen World and keep the ELITE Npc for Bigger Events and Special Missions. Maybe put Elite NPCs in special fleets with a small icon like it is in EVERY OTHER MMO.
"Pve is fun when the Ai is Hard" . Ehhh no . Its fun when you can get a Challenge from the Ai when you want a challenge. Right now AI is 24/7 a challenge and you only Sail in bigger Ships against it.
There was a statistic from Admin who said 800 AI kills result in 1 Player sunk. Well The players know how hard the AI is and only sail when they have an advantage.
Npc under and including 5th rate classes should be way easier to kill.
It is so frustrating to see the AI in a similar Ship and you know he has boarding mods, is turning faster, sailing faster , reloading faster and outdamages your broadside 😃 .