Um, we'd build up to stronger members of the gang, I'd assume. If our characters can never kick some ass or show off how powerful they are, then what's the point? Every combat being a struggle is lame. Especially at the start. Encounters at the start SHOULD be easy. It's nice to let the players feel like badasses once in a while, y'know. Just because we stomp the first encounter doesn't automatically mean they ALL have to be easy.