The Cho´Gall changes seem not very well thought through - although probably well intended.
Cho: I AM Hurrying! (Talent) moved from Level 13 to Level 7 Duration of Gall’s Hurry Up, Oaf! (Z) increased from 1 to 1.5 seconds
This talent, while being and obvious slight buff, now competes with Power Surge Reduces the initial delay of Surging Fist by 50% and it is 100% wider.
Which I believe most competent Cho players agree to be key to his mobility and placement. Thus rendering that 0.5 sec to "Hurry up Oaf!" pretty useless in comparison (even with the 70% total boost bonus by Gall).
Surging Fist (Q) Frenzied Fists (Talent) moved from Level 7 to Level 16 Attack Speed bonus increased from 50% to 100% Now lasts for 4 seconds instead of the next two Basic Attacks
As I remember this talent was originally bugged due to his initial attack being instant and thus only giving his 2nd attack increased attack speed - this is much better.
However being put on level 16 it also offers some dynamic to Cho talent choices.
A conservative Cho player would in many circumstances choose: Twilight Veil Consuming Blaze reduces damage taken from Abilities by 50% for 2 seconds per enemy Hero hit.
However now Cho is given a fun choice to engage or counter-engage in matchups with only small threats of ability damage.
The offensive play can be further spurred on the by the next change:
Surge of Stamina (Talent) redesigned and moved from Level 16 to Level 13 Surging Fist now grants 50% Relentless for 5 seconds
While being an obvious limiting Relentless-type talent, 5 seconds is still quite important for either that final chase or a complicated escape where stuns'n'roots wont completely nullify the effect of an unlucky timed "Z"-escape mode from Gall.
Bad news is that it rivals with Molten Block on this level. But again there is an actual choice between offensive defensiveness and defensive defensiveness.
Consuming Blaze (W) Seared Flesh (Talent) redesigned and no longer tied to Consuming Blaze Every third consecutive Basic Attack against the same target deals 75% bonus damage
This is an awkward redesign of Basic Attacks against targets inflicted by Consuming Blaze deal 25% more damage. - without the requirement of Chos Consuming Blaze debuff, so an awkward buff.
However on the same talent level we have Runed Gauntlet Rune Bomb increases your next Basic Attack by 75%.
Which offers an immediate 75% attack "crit" rather than waiting for that 3rd consecutive hit (which, arguably is possible now with the 100% increased attack speed for 4 seconds at level 16).
To my experience the first and single 75% damage "crit" bonus is enough help for Gall to do his job and end it too.
Gall:
Shove (Talent) moved from Level 16 to Level 1 Cooldown increased from 15 to 40 seconds Very interesting - and in vacuum quite a buff to Cho´gall as a whole I believe as the other two level 1 talents were kind of lack luster. But...
Eye of Kilrogg (Talent) Cast range increased by 33% Maximum charge count increased from 2 to 4
Mobility is key to survival and positioning is key to proper damage - so it follows that vision must be sufficient for both. This simple level 1 talent basically removes Lunaras relevance from the game (Sorry Lunara). 4 charges is insane. Great level 1 talent.
*Spurred Onward (Talent) Now also increases the initial Movement Speed bonus to 70% ("Z") * Very sizeable buff for a level 1 talent.
Siphoning Runes (Talent) removed New Talent (Level 4): Runic Persistence Runic Blast no longer destroys Cho’s Rune Bomb
Siphoning Runes were a big part of Cho´Galls ability to poke effectively on distance while also offering sustain. This new Runic Persistance feels very underwhelming. Big nerf.
Maybe with Rollback and Runic Persistance an enemy or two can git hit by both Rune Bomb rolls + Rune Blast however that would conflict with Chos Rune Gauntlet which probably does more damage in most cases.
Double Back is probably the new talent to go for at this level Dread Orb's third bounce instead bounces backwards.
Double Trouble (Talent) Shadowflame’s cooldown is reduced by 1 second if it hits an enemy Hero affected by Cho's Consuming Blaze
It basically bases its functionality upon enemies being close enough to Cho for his Consuming Blaze to hit them - which preferably is as little as possible
However as Edge of Madness has same mechanic and Dark Descent has lost synergy with Siphoning Runes it´s difficult to find a very good choice on this talent tree. Still I´d suggest Dark Descent for stronger poking on Runic Bomb
Shadowflare (Talent) moved from Level 1 to Level 16 Enemies hit are now slowed by 25% for 1 second
While the slow seems decent at the offered CD this talent competes with Twilight Nova which, for the sustain-minded and building-destructing Gall might opt for (After the first bounce, 2 extra bombs bounce to the sides once.).
As Twilight Nova obviously synergises well with Dread Shield and otherwise simply devastates buildings/forts/keeps - this new 25% slow for 1 second talent buff seem a little bit cheap.
Up until now its very evident that Cho´Gall has given more options to come in close, stay in closer and deal more damage closer - and here is the final bait:
Twisting Nether (R) Damage increased from 342 (+4% per level) to 415 (+5% per level) Slow amount increased from 40% to 50%
At a ludicrous 100 sec CD I still wont suggest going for this - not even with all the minor and confusing buffs to close combat positioning.
Psychotic Break (Talent) Cooldowns for Shadowflame (Q), Dread Orb (W), and Gall’s Heroic Abilities are now cleared and can be cast immediately upon death Now provides a passive, permanent 5% Ability Power bonus
A level 20 talent that requires you to die. Now with 5% Ability Power bonus bait. Dont fall for it. Shadowfury is still one of the most crazy talents for potential damage AND siege breaking AND Core rushes.
In Conclusion Cho Thanks for the choice at level 16 for being more offensive - but no thanks and nice try trying to confuse me with the rest.
*Gall In conclusion level 1 talents leaves for some tough choices based on player style. We will miss the health regen from Siphoning Runes but will probably make it anyway Dread Shield was superior to it in ways of sustain anyway.
Overall With these intended meta-game changes to stuns MAYBE a close combat Cho´Gall have more potential - as suggested through a myriad of lack luster buffs and changes. But I sincerely doubt. Overall I feel Cho´Gall got slightly buffed and less slightly nerfed - while offering some more legit choices in talents.
Hopefully we see some number changes during the PTR on some of these talents that seem so underwhelming (Im looking at you Double Trouble and Seared Flesh).