oh and a point on "powerful PCs"

[taichara]

The only difference between later editions and the typical oldschool/OSR schema is the size of the numbers. That's it.

Deal.

3e D&D or whatever, with the classes with more spangles and higher HD and such? The non-adventuring folks also have levels, in NPC classes, you know that right -- or have custom statblocks, in 5e. (I can't speak for 4e but secondhand tells me it works like 5e.)

Oldschool stuff? Yeah, the classes are simpler -- but they still get more Hit Dice as they level, and those HD might even be bigger to begin with! And they have more resistence to stuff (better saves!), and might cast spells or have the favour of the gods or be able to wield enchanted swords or ...

Meanwhile, the non-adventurer in an oldschool game? The sods without a PC adventurer class?

1d4 hit points. THAC0 20/+0 to hit (pick your poison). Weak saves. No special skills or tricks. And they don't get levels.

A first level oldschool PC is already a cut above and by even second level is leaving the vast majority of the population in their dust.

Your PC is still fucking special.

Deal.