I think the one saving grace I’ll give this trope is that most RPGs don’t factor the RPG mechanics into the world. Like the power the player has is often there for the fun, not the story. So in their eyes it makes sense that someone could choke you out from behind or non-lethal you like you can do to enemies.

That being said, this trope extends to a LOT of other things. Like you can hack through a safe lock with ease, but a random apartment code lock or elevator lock is the line that stops you.

Or you have piles of meds that can basically revive you from being burnt to ash, yet someone gets stabbed once and they’re dead no matter what.