Clearly our approaches do differ. It doesn't bother me in the least if an ordinary NPC has one or two points of BAB and might have saving throw bonusses. I also find the D&D skill system flexible enough that I can make NPCs good enough to have the skills they need no matter what their level (+0 to +15 (+4 ranks, +2 attribute, +3 skill focus, +2 +2/+2 feat, +2 masterwork equipment, +2 from an assistant with Aid other) modifiers at first level).
If I need an NPC to have more than +10 or so to a skill, he's obviously an old and experienced character who's probably been drafted and served in one war or other or had to fight muggers and hooligans in the slums (for the lower class characters), had to fend off theives and bandits (for the merchant class characters), or had the customary military training and noblesse oblige experience as a military officer (for the upper class characters) and consequently ought to have decent combat abilities.
In fact, it would seem rather strange to me if, in a world where PCs will face various human and humanoid opponents ranging from 1st to 20th level, there were such a disconnect between "PCs and Opponents vs normal NPCs" that nobody other than PCs or Opponents is even the combat equal of a first level character. I much prefer a world where, as Mat Cauthon was told in Tar Valon, the world's greatest swordsman might conceivably be bested in a contest by a farmer with a quarterstaff because he was overconfident and didn't consider that the farmer might have spent his life fighting off wolves, bears, and lions that seek to devour his livestock. I also prefer a world where it's not immediately obvious which category everyone falls into. The shepherd boy guarding his flocks over there could be the same person who, just a few days later will take on and defeat the champion of the Phillistine army and, a year from now will be seen to eclipse the king's military prowess. And similarly, the young apparent commoner threshing grain in a wine-press could tomorrow become the military leader who drives the Amalekites from the land. One could simply assign PC classes to David or Gideon from the beginning of their careers, but I think it makes a lot more sense to have characters with a few commoner, expert or aristocrat levels step into roles that they are not entirely unprepared for and take fighter, bard, and Marshal levels from there.
The possibility that some of the members of the huddled masses might have save bonusses, attack bonusses, and double digit hit points also serves the purpose of making the barroom brawl, murderous mob, peasant rebellion, and slum riot potentially interesting encounters through the mid levels as well. (It's a feature not a bug).
The only time I think that there's any reason to worry about the possibility that Old Farmer Dell might have a +2 attack bonus, +1 to all his saves, and 10 hit points (because he's a Com 4) instead of +0, +0/+0/+0, and 2 hit points is when you're asking why he asks first level characters to go rescue his missing daughter from the kobolds instead of doing it himself. And even then, comparing his combat stats with those of a typical 1st level iconic spread fighter (+4 to hit with a longsword (1d8+2) instead of with a quarterstaff/club (1d6), armor proficiency, +4/+1/+0 saves, 12 hit points, Power Attack, Cleave, and actual adventuring equipment and expertise) makes it pretty obvious why farmer Dell is asking Regdar to rescue his daughter from the kobolds instead of doing it himself. And, of course, he doesn't think of himself as a fighter which makes a big difference too.
S'mon said:
Basilisk - obviously our approaches vary. I find skill-based systems work much better for creating non-heroic NPCs than level-based ones do. I also find that levels _always_ make NPCs vastly tougher, regardless of stats.
I do treat PCs same as NPCs - they can gain skill ranks for frequent routine non-adventuring use of skills; with no XP involved. XP are gained for adventuring, heroic actions, overcoming dangerou challenges. Most NPCs never do those things so never get XP, IMC. OTOH most NPCs are using certain skills a lot, so get to be very good at them without ever improving their BAB, hp or saves.
Edit: I guess you could say the Conan RPG firmed up my perspective on this.
