One of the points is that Powergamers are easily attracted by Action-RPGs - and Powergamers ALWAYS distribute points so that they'll get the most combat-heavy character. No matter whether using magic or close combat or ranged combbat or whatever.
Powergamers are also quick with computing which skills give the best results for their price - I call this "points shopping" - and they re very good in maths, computing everything out ...
And they know what they do. They often have a distinct plan on how to develop their character into the most powerful direction.
Bleh. I remember following the instructions and suggestions for "power levelling" once, maybe put in a couple of dozen hours, but it utterly ruined the rest of the game experience for me. I'm not going to criticise those who like that approach, but it really wasn't for me and I wouldn't want to see it as an essential part of gaming. And from that point of view, I did find ED to be too hard first time through. Second time less so, maybe because the dynamics had been altered somewhat or perhaps I'd picked up more details than I'd assumed, but I would expect the "easy" setting to
actually be easy for those who want it. Which is me, often enough.
