YEah, I think they mean they can´t make it more epic without being all too ridiculous. There ´is supposed´ to be a scale, where your level determines your assumed power and standing in the world. That is there now, too, but these are without a doubt a little upscaled.
Now, the scale is typically set to that the ´sweet spot´ is in the levels 5/10 range, all the classes have exceptional potential, campaigns usually don+t run that long, anyway. In AD&D, it was assumed that your character would retire after that, anyway. So the epic endgame material for most games is indeed just past that range. Everything beyond that is for the Epic Characters, the best in the land and so forth. Strahd is level 12, Drizzt and Sarevok are level 15, Elminster is level 20 and so forth.
In BGEE / IWD you're facing off with Belhifet at level 12. In BG2 you're facing Beholders, Dragons and Elder Brains - much like in BG3. So in a sense, it's all kind of fair.
But. You encounter your friends with epic backstories that would put them in the realy high ranges already. Wyll is already a renowned hero with stories unbecoming of a level 2 Warlock. He couldn't tank an Orc, but he's hunting devils. There you have it.
No way Gale could be so useless as he is when you encounter him with *that* backstory. And it's not as if he is stripped of his power or anything, he's still a wizard. I honestly expected him to be a glamoured up Elminster. But, he;s not. Close enough, though. But, for some reason he's level one. What, you forgot how to cast Melf's Acid Arrow but not all of the exposition you're constantly vomiting up?
Whatshername the tiefling is a ten-year-veteran and prime asset in the Blood War? And she's level four? Halsin is a 350 eyar old Archdruid. At level five. Really? Minsc and Jaheira are epic heroes of legend, of course.
And then there's the thing with all the gods getting involved. Jergall hangs about in your camp for some Divine INtervention here and there - From level 2 onward. And he's by no means the only one you converse with.
