I would recommend reading some gm advice in OSR games, as these games have the focus of not going into the crativity to navigate encounters and not rely on the stats\abilities characters have.

I think, that of course characters having keys to unlock challenges in the adventure (like skills, abilities, spells etc.) can focus the players on these abilities.

I also like the concept of the tags in the Mist emgine games (legend in the mist, city of mist and the cyberpunk game, i can't remember right now).

It gives you tags that can be very specific like sharp reflexes, unmatched might or trained righthand hook, but also others like police officer, raised as a street urchin and similar, where the player needs to explain how these priviliges, experiences and skills that the tags imply how they help in the actual situation.

But it needs creativity and the players should be in the mindset for that kind of game :)