The Stunning Strike Nerf is a good thing. Damages appear to be reasonable:
- 2d6 + 2DEX at level 1
- 2d6 + 2DEX any number of times at level 2
- 3d6 + 3DEX twice a short rest at level 2
- 4d8 + 4DEX five times a short rest at level 5
- (changes to Force - the least resisted damage type in 5E at level 6, as an option)
- 4d10 +4DEX eleven times a short rest at level 11
- 4D12 + 4DEX seventeen times a short rest at level 17
These assume you’re using Discipline for Flurry of Blows, which isn’t always possible. They also assume a 100% hit rate, but what’s fantastic on all these also is that it’s multiple attack rolls. It is possible, but unlikely, you’ll miss all the attacks. You have a really good chance of getting at least one nat 20 in your rolls. I usually prefer multiple attack rolls.
Also, for the first 5 levels - you can snag a D8 Simple Weapon (most simples are D6 or lower, none are above a D8) to improve damage, and you can opt for the mastery attack and effect that goes with it - and you can change masteries at a long rest.
And note, these aren’t counting using various feats to get bonus damage, buffs, etc. I would argue that I think overall there are not enough Discipline points before around level 8-10 and there are too many after level 16 or so. But that’s just me (since it’s a short rest resource, and given the change to stunning strike, it seems less likely that you’d ever need 20 points)
And this keeps in mind you can still layer an Eldritch Claw Tatoo, for example, on top of these damages. This likely wants the same change as other current abilities (one bonus damage a round, versus one bonus damage a hit), but used as written right now - it would add a d6 to each hit and increase reach to 15’. But I mean, we’ll be seeing those items in games for years to come - and it seems unlikely all current magic items will be absorbed into the DMG.
Larian Studios (30% owned by Tencent) was attempting to buy D&D. They weren’t able to afford it, and to they pulled Tencent into the negotiation. I don’t know if that means Hasbro actually is interested in selling - though it’s hard to see a world where they’re not. https://massivelyop.com/2024/01/31/hasbro-is-selling-the-dungeons-and-dragons-ip-and-tencent-is-the-potential-buyer/
However, Wizards of the Coast is saying that they don’t intend to sell, as of an hour ago: https://www.pcgamer.com/wizards-of-the-coast-dispels-rumours-that-tencent-wants-to-gobble-up-dandd-like-a-tarrasque-to-be-clear-we-are-not-looking-to-sell-our-dandd-ip/