NPC fight interest seems to have dramatically decreased.
I propose a change to the loot system where most people who make a hit in an NPC fight get some kind of loot, instead of just a select few, and that most of this loot is fairly common junk but some people get the rare goodies.
Same odds of the better stuff, but more satisfying for the participants?
How does junk satisfying anyone? I've never heard a player complain that it would all be worth it if they only could have looted a brick!
How is that any different from many other mechanics in the rest of the game? Let's remove all city finds that aren't SE's, let's get rid of anything no one uses.
Except that you literally risk nothing and don't have to do anything for stuff to show up in the city. Zero effort put forth for those. It's strictly a nice gift that Torn gives you. Whether it's a brick or a hazmat suit, Torn is giving you something just for showing up. Looting takes a bit more effort and risk, and part of that risk is not getting anything at all (or worse, getting hospitalised AND not getting anything). Yes it's mildly disappointing when you look at the map and damn it's just an MP5K and some fruitcake, but it's more insulting to time your attack on an NPC, spend the energy, risk losing, And All I Got Was This F***ing Mug™. I get what you're proposing and even why you're wanting it, but it'd literally just be worse to get bricks and lollipops from looting than nothing at all.
You make some good points. Thank you.