It might sounds wierd, but in my opinion farming should be disabled (i mean, no lootable NPC) or heavily nerfed, but in return there should be some ways to get items through PvE fights quests (idk, quests that will give money? like caravan guard or "mine some shit in dangerous mines for me and i will pay you"). That would make people to run the market, items will start travelling from one to other, for ex. doctors could've start trade with armorers, armorers with gun makers etc. etc. Of course, higher crafting time cap (for ex. 3h) at the same time. It will obligate people to interaction between others and make market alive. Farming is just infinite source of everything. PvE shouldn't be based on "lets wander around NCR and kill dozens of dozens of NCR soldiers". I'm a bit tired so it may sounds wierd what i wrote, but i think you will understand my thoughts.
items will start travelling from one to other
biggest load of crap ever. you should be ashamed for posting this.
Still i think it would be better then making unlootable npcs. And possibility of spawning about 10 fully armed npcs in your base could be enough risk for farming players. Otherwise they will just avoid that town/location, farm on encounters and be safe.
Moreover, after short trip to the toilet before going to sleep, there were some thoughts that came to my mind. Not sure if its right topic for that(), but i will share it anyway. I think that in this game RP should take biggest part - but its impossible to make it while you're allowed to use only your imagination, not any tools. You see, Jovanka idea of Hub was the spirit of game i would like to play.Game should get to the point where PLAYERS (not GMs) are capable to, for ex. expand their own bases if they want into some kind of public places (some sort of cities) where everyone can come, but there are laws that Gang which own the place set. They can place NPC traders and guards, tell them how to behave, set quests etc.maybe even add some maps, like buildings. I am sure that these kind of cities would be much more interesting for defending/attacking by other players or just for idle or making quests than actual cities, because they will be managed in much active way than devs are doing (devs are only few, and busy other stuff, while players gang will keep their city clean). RP is dying because we're blocked by game mechanics. Some of fancy GM magic should be available for gangs (of course, in reasonable way).Rat is right, there's no way NPC can beat PC without GM supervision.