Interesting rules change for D&D — Surprise is now just "disadvantage on initiative". Honestly, definitely needed with how low TTK is in the system, I've had way too many encounters sidelined by the power of surprise. And surprising PCs felt too bad and was way too likely to TPK.
Reminds me of the high level, high power campaign where my bladesinger either got ambushed and almost KOed round 1 or turned the battle with a control spell. Even when we faced 70+ enemies.
