As we edge closer and closer to The International 2017 the need for near-perfect balance is becoming more and more of a requirement. In order to adjust some of the problematic heroes before they potentially ruin the grand tournament, while also slightly boosting those that aren't being played very often, Valve has just recently released a balance update.
The rather plainly named Update 7.06e brings with it a much needed nerf to Lina's Dragon Slave, an equally necessary but rather minor nerf to Batrider's Flaming Lasso, a slight buff to Monkey King, and naturally, the obligatory Dark Seer nerf that most likely still won't dethrone him. If you're interested in the full patch notes you'll find them right below:
• Neutral small camps gold bounty increased by 10%
• Veil of Discord: Recipe cost increased from 400 to 500
• Bloodthorn: Critical Strike damage reduced from 1.45x to 1.4x
• Heaven's Halberd: Disarm duration on ranged heroes reduced from 5.5 to 5
• Alchemist: Base Agility increased from 11 to 16
• Alchemist: Greevil's Greed Bounty Rune multiplier increased from 2x to 2.5x
• Arc Warden: Turn rate improved from 0.4 to 0.6
• Batrider: Flaming Lasso cooldown increased from 90/75/60 to 100/80/60
• Brewmaster: Fire brewling health increased from 1200 to 1300
• Brewmaster: Level 10 Talent changed from +30 Attack Speed to +30 Damage
• Brewmaster: Level 25 Talent changed from +120 Damage to +140 Attack Speed
• Broodmother: Level 20 Talent from +12 Spiders Attack Damage to +14
• Bristleback: Base damage reduced by 4
• Chen: Hand of God Heal increased from 225/325/425 to 225/350/475
• Chen: Level 20 Talent increased from +90 Gold/Min to +120
• Clockwerk: Battery Assault manacost increased from 75 to 100
• Clockwerk: Base damage reduced by 3
• Dark Seer: Surge cooldown increased from 12/11/10/9 to 13/12/11/10
• Enchantress: Nature's Attendants manacost reduced from 125/140/155/170 to 125
• Io: Spirits manacost increased from 120/130/140/150 to 150
• Legion Commander: Press The Attack cast range reduced from 800 to 700
• Leshrac: Level 15 Talent increased from +10% Magic Resistance to +15%
• Leshrac: Pulse Nova damage increased from 100/130/160 to 100/140/180
• Lifestealer: Strength gain reduced from 3.3 to 3.1
• Lina: Dragon Slave damage reduced from 110/180/250/320 to 85/160/235/310
• Lina: Level 25 Talent from +40/4% Fiery Soul to +35/3%
• Luna: Level 10 Talent from +15 Movement Speed to +20
• Luna: Level 20 Talent from +10% Magic Resistance to +15%
• Lycan: Howl cooldown increased from 55/50/45/40 to 60/55/50/45
• Monkey King: Boundless Strike cooldown reduced from 25 to 22
• Monkey King: Wukong's Command Attack Interval improved from 1.6 to 1.4
• Morphling: Base Attack Time improved from 1.55 to 1.5
• Naga Siren: Base health regen increased from 0.5 to 1.5
• Nightstalker: Base Intelligence reduced from 16 to 13
• Nightstalker: Hunter In The Night cooldown increased from 26/22/18/14 to 30/26/22/18
• Nyx Assassin: Movement Speed reduced from 305 to 300
• Ogre Magi: Level 15 Talent increased from +8% Magic Resistance to +12%
• Ogre Magi: Level 20 Talent increased from +250 Health to +350
• Ogre Magi: Level 20 Talent increased from +25 Movement Speed to +30
• Phantom Lancer: Agility gain increased from 2.6 to 2.8
• Phoenix: Level 10 Talent from +175 Health to +200
• Puck: Base Armor reduced by 1
• Pugna: Level 25 Talent increased from +150 Nether Blast Damage to +200
• Queen of Pain: Base Damage reduced by 4
• Queen of Pain: Level 25 Spell Lifesteal reduced from 70% to 60%
• Razor: Agility gain reduced from 2.0 to 1.8
• Sand King: Caustic Finale timer damage from 45/65/85/110 to 20/50/80/110
• Shadow Demon: Base Strength increased from 19 to 21
• Shadow Demon: Demonic Purge cooldown reduced from 50 to 40
• Sniper: Agility gain increased from 2.5 to 2.7
• Spectre: Base Strength increased from 19 to 20
• Spectre: Level 15 Talent from +20 Movement Speed to +25
• Sven: Warcry cooldown increased from 32/26/20/14 to 34/28/22/16
• Tiny: Toss can now throw units to Spell Immune enemies
• Venomancer: Strength gain reduced from 2.15 to 1.9
• Visage: Grave Chill mana cost reduced from 100 to 90
• Windranger: Windrun manacost reduced from 75 to 60
• Winter Wyvern: Cold Embrace base health regen increased from 20 to 25
• Winter Wyvern: Arctic Burn slow increased from 19/26/33/40% to 22/28/34/40%
There is a massive amount of changes present here, but none of appear to be significant enough to alter the way a hero is played. With The International 2017 just around the corner I suppose that's for the best as heavily reworked heroes would most likely see no play due to the teams not being comfortable with them. Long story short, there's no need to adjust your playstyle in any meaningful way, but be prepared to see some heroes slightly weaker/stronger than you might expect.