Clockwerk, also known as Rattletrap, is a melee hero in Dota 2 with a penchant for chaotic ambushes and calculated destruction. Since his release on April 20, 2011, Clockwerk has taken his skills as a durable nuker, disabler, and initiator to near-automated levels of efficiency on the battlefield. With an arsenal tailored for trapping, stunning, and disabling his enemies, Clockwerk is a unique hero capable of dismantling enemy strategies with precision. Whether it’s locking foes in his patented Power Cogs or launching himself across the map with Hookshot, Clockwerk embodies the art of strategic warfare. This article will take an in-depth look at everything about Clockwerk, from his bio and abilities to item builds and intriguing trivia.
Hero Overview – Clockwerk
Clockwerk, whose real name is Rattletrap, is a small, powerful humanoid-like machine that personifies mechanical perfection. Built for utility and destruction, Clockwerk uses high-tech gadgets to challenge his enemies. His quick mobility, durability, and ability to disable enemies make him an ideal hero for initiating fights. One of his greatest strengths is his ability to isolate enemies using Power Cogs, creating opportunities for his team to secure kills and win fights. Clockwerk is classified as a durable initiator, nuker, and disabler, making him a versatile pick in various roles throughout the game.
Roles & Playstyle
Clockwerk specializes in initiation and disruption during combat, often positioning himself as a frontline hero. With an exceptional ability to lock down mobile heroes and disrupt enemy backlines, Clockwerk thrives when fights get messy. His abilities allow him to excel in tight spaces, where he can quickly isolate a key target with Power Cogs and unleash mayhem using Battery Assault. Teams that require an initiator or a secondary tank will find immense value in Clockwerk, especially when facing opponents who rely on low mobility or fragile heroes.
Abilities – The Core Power of Clockwerk
Hookshot
Type: Active, Point Target
Description: Hookshot is Clockwerk’s signature ability for initiation. When activated, Clockwerk fires a grappling hook at the targeted location. On contact with an enemy, he is forcibly launched toward the hooked target, stunning them and dealing damage. Hookshot can also be used to reach allies without dealing damage.
- Mana Cost: 150
- Cooldown: 70/55/40 seconds
- Range: 2000/2500/3000
- Stun Duration: 1/1.5/2 seconds
- Damage: 100/200/300
Power Cogs
Type: Active, No Target
Description: Power Cogs creates a circular formation of mechanical cogs around Clockwerk, trapping enemies within its boundaries. Units attempting to escape are pushed back, drained of their health and mana, and briefly stunned. The cogs can be destroyed by enemies who attack them a certain number of times.
- Mana Cost: 50/60/70/80
- Cooldown: 15 seconds
- Radius: 210
- Duration: 5/6/7/8 seconds
- Life/Mana Drain: 80/120/160/200 per hit
Rocket Flare
Type: Active, Area Target
Description: Rocket Flare allows Clockwerk to fire a flare at a specific location on the map, revealing the area while dealing damage to enemy units inside the blast radius. This ability provides excellent utility for scouting and harassing enemies from a distance.
- Mana Cost: 100
- Cooldown: 20 seconds
- Damage: 80/160/240
- True Sight Duration (Aghanim’s Shard): 10 seconds
Battery Assault
Type: Active, No Target
Description: Clockwerk releases a barrage of shrapnel that automatically targets nearby enemies. Each shrapnel burst deals damage while briefly stunning the target. Battery Assault operates best in close-quarters combat where Clockwerk can focus his fire on isolated units.
- Mana Cost: 100
- Cooldown: 10 seconds
- Stun Duration: 0.1 seconds
- Active Duration: 10.5 seconds
- Creep Damage Factor: 1.5
Aghanim’s Upgrades
Aghanim’s Scepter – Overclocking Ability
The Aghanim’s Scepter grants Clockwerk the Overclocking skill, which amplifies the power of all his abilities. During Overclocking:
- Battery Assault affects all enemies within its radius.
- Power Cogs enhance bonus attack speed.
- Hookshot’s stun duration and range are significantly boosted.
This upgrade also reduces Hookshot’s cooldown to a mere 12 seconds, transforming Clockwerk into a relentless initiator.
Aghanim’s Shard – Jetpack Enhancement
By purchasing Aghanim’s Shard, Clockwerk gains access to the Jetpack ability. It provides the following perks:
- Grants unobstructed movement.
- Provides flying vision and bonus movement speed.
- Allows Clockwerk to use abilities without facing his target.
While the Jetpack disarms Clockwerk during its active duration, its utility for scouting and repositioning makes it invaluable.
Talents – Flexible Enhancements
Clockwerk’s talent tree offers a variety of bonuses to enhance his survivability, utility, or damage-dealing capabilities. These talents are pivotal for shaping his role as either a brawler or an initiator.
- Increased Rocket Flare Damage
- Battery Assault Interval Reduction
- Power Cogs Debuff Immunity Aura
- Hookshot Damage and Stun Boosts
- Flat Attribute Increases
Item Builds & Strategy
Starting Items
- Tango: To sustain health in the early laning phase.
- Iron Branch: Offers small, inexpensive stat boosts.
- Mango: Enables early repeated use of abilities.
Core Items
- Aghanim’s Scepter: Boosts Clockwerk’s mid to late-game presence by enhancing his ultimate and enabling Overclocking.
- Blade Mail: Capitalizes on Clockwerk’s durability and punishes opponents who attempt to attack him while trapped in Power Cogs.
- Force Staff: A crucial mobility item for repositioning or escaping dangerous engagements.
Situational Items
- Lotus Orb: Reflects enemy spells and helps Clockwerk survive against heavy nukers.
- Pipe of Insight: Mitigates magical damage for Clockwerk and his allies.
- Black King Bar (BKB): Grants spell immunity, ensuring Clockwerk can execute his abilities uninterrupted in team fights.
Tips & Tricks
- Use Rocket Flare strategically for scouting Roshan, runes, or hiding enemies.
- Time Battery Assault to disrupt enemy channeled spells or abilities.
- Position Power Cogs to trap priority targets and split enemy teams during fights.
- Always analyze enemy mobility and target heroes who lack escape skills with Hookshot.
How-To Play Clockwerk Effectively
Early Game
In the early game, focus on securing last hits and harassing enemy heroes with Battery Assault. Look for opportunities to isolate supports with Power Cogs and secure kills with Hookshot once it’s off cooldown. Rune control is key at this stage.
Mid-Game
During the mid-game, Clockwerk should focus on initiating fights and disrupting enemy cores. Use Hookshot to dive into fights, trap key heroes, and lock them down with Battery Assault. Purchase items like Blade Mail to amplify your damage output.
Late Game
In the late game, Clockwerk transitions into a utility-oriented brawler. Focus on picking off backline supports or immobilizing enemy damage dealers. Prioritize survivability items like Lotus Orb or BKB to maintain effectiveness in team fights.
FAQs About Clockwerk
What is Clockwerk’s primary role in Dota 2?
Clockwerk’s primary role is to act as an initiator and disabler, leveraging his abilities to trap and immobilize enemies, enabling his team to finish them off.
Is Clockwerk a good hero for beginners?
Clockwerk can be a challenging hero for beginners due to his reliance on precision and timing, especially for abilities like Hookshot. However, he’s highly rewarding when mastered.
How does Hookshot interact with allies?
Hookshot can target allied units, allowing Clockwerk to launch himself toward them without causing any damage or stun effects.
What items work well with Clockwerk?
Blade Mail, Aghanim’s Scepter, and Force Staff are core picks for Clockwerk. Situational items like Black King Bar and Lotus Orb also increase his effectiveness in specific matchups.
What is Clockwerk’s blind spot?
Clockwerk struggles against tanky enemies with high physical damage and ranged carries with escape tools. Heroes with abilities that counter mobility can also give him trouble.
How does Power Cogs benefit Clockwerk’s team?
Power Cogs can isolate targets, break team positioning, and control the battlefield, creating favorable engagements for Clockwerk’s team.
Can Clockwerk be played in a support role?
Yes, Clockwerk can be played as a support due to the utility of Rocket Flare and Power Cogs, but his effectiveness as an initiator is diminished without farm.
What’s the best talent path for Clockwerk?
The best talents depend on the game’s progression. Focusing on interval reductions for Battery Assault or damage increases for Rocket Flare can adapt Clockwerk to your team’s needs.
Does Aghanim’s Shard make Clockwerk unstoppable?
While Aghanim’s Shard provides significant utility with Jetpack, it disarms Clockwerk, making proper timing and positioning crucial to its effectiveness.
How does Clockwerk counter high-mobility heroes?
Using Hookshot and Power Cogs effectively can pin down high-mobility heroes, preventing them from escaping or engaging as they wish.
Source : DotTa 3
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