Continuity mistake: When R2-D2 is hiding from the Sand People, he is standing in front of a rock. When he comes out, the rock disappears. 2011 Blu-ray and 2019 4K.
Star Wars (1977)
Ending / spoiler
Directed by: George Lucas
Starring: Harrison Ford, James Earl Jones, Peter Cushing, Mark Hamill, Alec Guinness, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, David Prowse
Genres: Action, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Star Wars
Luke pilots an X-Wing fighter along a channel on the space station's surface. As he's about to release a torpedo, three Imperial fighters led by Vader come in behind and target him. Just as Vader is about to fire, Han and Chewbacca fly in and blast one of the fighters. Vader's ship is clipped by the other fighter and spins out of control into deep space. Luke fires the torpedo and hits the target. The Death Star explodes. In a grand ceremony, Princess Leia awards Luke and Han medals for their efforts.
Bazzu
[Princess Leia gets her first look at the Millenium Falcon.]
Princess Leia: You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought.
Question: How was Obi-Wan going to become more powerful after he was dead?
Answer: I agree with Darius Angel's comment. I also think Vader expected a certain sense of satisfaction after defeating his former master. In reality, though, he was still "owned" by the Emperor and was living with the consequences of his choices. Defeating Obi-wan did not change much for him. Obi-wan, however, gained the benefits that Darius Angel mentioned.
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Answer: It is heavily implied that one who becomes a Force-Ghost achieves an untold level of power upon entering the state. Given that they have become a pure entity of the Force, it seems to back up the statement. Obi-Wan also becomes free to assist Luke in any case.
Darius Angel
In addition to this answer, I think Obi-wan also became powerful because he "let go." He did not feel a need to defeat Vader on this occasion - he was willing to surrender the fight and "move on" to a new state. Something that Vader might not currently understand.