How often do you optimize your NPCs?

[Krimm_Blackleaf]

I usually optimize when I have an NPC not meant to die. Like Thunderbolt, a kobold barkeep. I figured in a group of mostly CE PC's, he might as well be wearing a shirt that said 'FODDER'. So what I did was make him a 10th level rogue/10th level swashbuckler, gave him the normal cash amount for a PC of his level, and dumped that all into a vest of Cha +6 and a really good rapier.I figured his story was he's a retired adventurer who got so much gold and adventure he'd finally had enough and went to a little town to open a tavern(The Dragon's Thumb). I also optimized him like crazy. If he was attacked, I wanted the PC's to pay for it.

Sadly, he was not.