Sounds like the weapons are the problem not that npcs have them. If they are still available to players then it is even more reason not to play in open.
I think FD hs been getting in a mess with new weapons and armour buffs for a while. It seems they just keep introducing more gimmicks to appease the combat kiddies. HRPs for example are ridiculous. They would have been better just sticking to basic weapons and tweaking them if there was a lack of balance.
