This might seem like a very dumb, basic question, but why are there different types of NPCs (builder, soldiers, residents, etc.)?
Right now I have a brawler NPC. All he can do is brawl. He has a skill of 2 in R&D ships, but it doesn't matter (even after R&D comes out), because he is a brawler.
In real life, people are capable of doing all sorts of different tasks, but in SWC, NPCs are dumb things that can only do one specific task. It seems like I should be able to direct my brawler NPC to build, mine, carry, research, etc.
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Light speed is too slow! We're going to have to go right to...Ludicrous speed.
Because they are NPCs in a game, and not real people. They are "classes," which is a concept most roleplaying games employ, and that was the route selected for NPCs in the Combine as well.