You could use the random NPC spawns to your advantage? And not just for XP reasons.
2 new schools of magic are coming. And I think I've heard whispers that one of them is Necromancy. It would be great if Necromancy could not only raise the dead to fight for you, but also put NPC spawns under your control for a short duration. You could then send them to attack your enemy.
- This would be limited in the range of your Magic abilities.
- RNG would control what forces spawn in your range.
- Amount of magic used would determine how long you have control over the forces. You could loose control before they reach their destination, and they would dissipate.
- If you fail to gain control of the NPC group, they could turn on you and attack the source of the spell.
This would give players the ability to instantly create an army, BUT they can't control what sort of army they will create (type or number of NPC). Can't depend on this for a solid defense or offense but can use it in a pinch.
Just think of the giant slug armies...