Puggins
Explorer
I certainly wouldn't characterize them as super-heroic, in any edition.
Compare a 1st level character to an ordinary orc:
From BECMI through 3rd, any given character would be taking a great risk by fighting it in a straight battle- a solid hit by the orc will take him out. Wizards who memorized the wrong spell(s) or who lost initiative would risk a high probability of death, fighters would still be able to be taken out by a somewhat fortunate (but not altogether unlikely) strike.
In 4th ed., a 1st level character has a very likely fatal encounter on his hands. The basic orc is a 3rd level soldier or brute (forgot which) that enjoys a comparable armor class, higher attack bonus and a serious hit point advantage compared to any 1st level character. So does an average town guard (3rd level soldier), by the way. 4th edition characters start behind the curve compared to other editions, I think.
Compare a 1st level character to an ordinary orc:
From BECMI through 3rd, any given character would be taking a great risk by fighting it in a straight battle- a solid hit by the orc will take him out. Wizards who memorized the wrong spell(s) or who lost initiative would risk a high probability of death, fighters would still be able to be taken out by a somewhat fortunate (but not altogether unlikely) strike.
In 4th ed., a 1st level character has a very likely fatal encounter on his hands. The basic orc is a 3rd level soldier or brute (forgot which) that enjoys a comparable armor class, higher attack bonus and a serious hit point advantage compared to any 1st level character. So does an average town guard (3rd level soldier), by the way. 4th edition characters start behind the curve compared to other editions, I think.