[Gears in brain grinding slowly]

The game system has different power levels.  Level 7, for example, is d8, d6.  Level 8 is d8, d8.  As you surmsied, the intent is indeed for smaller results to come from lower power levels.

Does rolling two of the same die and taking the higher result actually give you better odds of producing a higher result?  This is what's really making my head spin.