Alright, I'm in a game where the optimization of NPC classes is basically necessary (for reasons I'm not going to explain here). While normally I'd simply take the group of 6th level PC's and leave the NPC's the hell alone, but in this campaign, we've gotten stuck with ~20 3rd level NPC's that we can stat out as we please. And we've got to try to make sure they survive combat encounters. It gets more fun, when the 3rd level NPC's get 100gp/per level in gear = 300gp. When we get to level 8, the NPC's get to level 4.
NPC's get Elite Array, average hit dice, pretty much have to be PHB races, no flaws, and no campaign setting specific material. Experts are not likely to be able to get away with Iajitsu focus. And we've got relatively little gold to equip them, though we might come up with more.
We're generally likely to go up against other groups of PC's and NPC's in the 1-5 level range. Feat retraining isn't likely, but the campaign is unlikely to go far enough to matter.
What I've come up with thus far:
3rd level Adepts with Spell Focus Enchantment, Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment and Unsettling Enchantment: Sleep DC 15, even if you save take -2 attack/ac. Some adepts also get item creation feats.
3rd level Warriors with Martial Study: Steel Wind, Martial Stance: Punishing Stance, and Improved Toughness
3rd level Warriors with Martial Study: Crusader's Strike, Martial Stance: Martial Spirit, and improved toughness
3rd level Warriors with Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, and Precise Shot
What other combos am I missing?