Yea, they reworked the drop system not to long ago, infact when that patch dropped, most people got great items to make up for the months of not finding stuff.
@Sceethe Last year's TI was kind of a let down because of the "deathball" meta which involved picking heros that can take all the towers in 20 minuets, then be so ahead from tower gold that the other team can't do anything. Meta game right now is pretty much just sniper, troll, juggernaut, and axe, & lina every game.
As far as my favorite hero's go, I'd say naga is my #1 favorite, then I like morph and storm spirit.