Clockwerk Hero Analysis

Previous hero of our analysis was Shadow Shaman. This week, welcome Clockwerk!

Clockwerk holds a unique position in Dota 2's meta, known for his versatility as an offlaner, roamer, and occasionally as a support in lower-ranked matches. According to Dotabuff, Clockwerk remains in the mid-tier selection frequency. Still, players and analysts often highlight his reliability in specific compositions due to his ability to lock down enemy cores with stuns and zoning skills. His ranked win rate typically hovers around the 50% mark, although it rises slightly with experienced players or in team compositions where his lockdown and mobility are prioritized.

Description

Clockwerk is a utility hero whose kit thrives on disruption, Pick-off potential, and controlling the battlefield. His skill set makes him one of the game's more durable initiators, ideally suited to handle high-priority enemy backliners and supports. With abilities that excel at individual lockdown and team-fight disruption, Clockwerk is an ideal front-liner and disabler, particularly when a team needs consistent initiation or zone control. Here's how Clockwerk functions at different game stages and how optimal itemization builds his strengths further.

Early Game

Clockwerk is often deployed as an offlaner in the early game, though he can also handle a roaming support role. His primary objectives are to pressure enemy cores, secure early kills, and disrupt enemy supports. His most significant early-game strengths come from Battery Assault and Power Cogs, both of which serve to isolate and disable enemies. Here are some starting items to consider:

Skill Build:

Maxing Battery Assault first ensures high DPS during ganks and skirmishes, particularly against isolated enemies, where Clockwerk shines.

Putting a point in Power Cogs around level 2 is crucial for zoning and trap potential, although some players may delay it in favor of more points in Rocket Flare if they prioritize lane harassment and vision.

Mid Game

In the mid-game, Clockwerk transitions from a lane harasser to an initiator and playmaker. His Hookshot ability comes online at level 6, drastically enhancing his ability to engage from a distance. Once Hookshot is available, Clockwerk can ambush enemy supports or squishy cores in the backline, making him a prime initiator for skirmishes and team fights.

Skill Build

Max out Battery Assault and Rocket Flare to maintain pressure and vision over the map. Battery Assault, in particular, scales well for ganks, and Rocket Flare's global vision helps secure objectives or anticipate enemy movements.

Put more points into Power Cogs for the increased damage and utility, mainly if the game involves skirmishes near the team's towers or jungle.

Late Game

In the late game, Clockwerk becomes less about damage and more about utility, explicitly using his tools to zone enemies and disrupt their formations. With levels, his talents make him a continuous threat in extended fights, while Aghanim's Scepter and Shard upgrades further amplify his control potential.

Skill Build

Maximize Power Cogs for its high utility, particularly for isolating enemies or preventing escapes. This works well with Aghanim's Scepter, allowing him to set up multi-hook engagements.

The talents at levels 15, 20, and 25 add critical attributes, such as reduced Battery Assault intervals, bonus Rocket Flare damage, and True Sight on Rocket Flare, giving Clockwerk more control in crucial team fights.

Playstyles and Popular Builds

Clockwerk's role fluctuates based on team composition and enemy lineup, but his general playstyle is aggressive and disruptive. Here are two effective builds often used by players:

Offlaner Tank Initiator: This build emphasizes survivability and team-fight utility.

Core Items: Blade Mail, Tranquil Boots, Force Staff.

Extended: Lotus Orb, Assault Cuirass, Pipe of Insight.

Support Initiator: Common when Clockwerk is played as a position 4 or 5.

Core Items: Tranquil Boots, Magic Wand, Aghanim's Shard.

Extended: Glimmer Cape or Force Staff, Lotus Orb (for survival).

Clockwerk's skill-based builds revolve around reaching peak mid-game effectiveness with items prioritizing positioning and initiation. Although he isn't the highest damage dealer, he forces opponents into awkward scenarios, often pressuring high-damage heroes to misposition or burn defensive items.

Lore

Clockwerk, whose real name is Rattletrap, was born from a line of clockmakers but became a master engineer focused on battle. Rattletrap's life changes with the onset of war, pushing him from a peaceful craft into mechanical warfare. Inspired by clockwork machinery, he constructs an armor-equipped battle suit with relentless gear-base positions where his lockdown and mobility are prioritized mechanisms, perfect for launching assaults. This suit became his weapon and identity, turning him into a mobile fortress of whirling steel.

Latest Updates

In patch 7.37d (October 2024), Clockwerk received some refinements and a meta push that has improved his viability across all levels of play. Clockwerk's positioning tools were enhanced, and his utility as an anti-carry and disabler in teamfights received added emphasis. This meta has seen him as a prime offlane and support pick, especially against enemy heroes who rely on continuous movement or uninterrupted casting like Pangolier, whom Clockwerk now counters more effectively with Power Cogs adjustments.

Power Cogs Rework: The primary adjustment to Power Cogs places trapped enemy heroes within the ring but as far from Clockwerk as possible, ensuring they are spaced for more controlled disruption without overlapping each other. This improves Clockwerk's ability to isolate multiple opponents, forcing them into even more disadvantageous positions during teamfights.

Teamfight Control: In 7.37d, Clockwerk has become highly effective in matches featuring high-mobility heroes whose abilities are hindered by his Cogs and Hookshot combination. His Battery Assault and Cogs offer potent, reliable crowd control, especially during chaotic team fights where positioning is critical. The meta's frequent appearance of mobile heroes like Pangolier and other initiators means Clockwerk's initiation skills are more valuable, pushing him to S-tier support and offlane choice.

Scaling with Aghanim's Scepter and Shard: Clockwerk's late-game potential has been further amplified, especially with the Scepter upgrade. This gives him a second Hookshot and activates Overclocking, which offers cooldown resets and a movement boost after each successful Hookshot. This upgrade has made Clockwerk a constant presence in pro matches, with his ability to engage and disengage in fights repeatedly, giving teams an advantage when engaging backline targets.

Benefits

Reliable Initiation: Hookshot enables Clockwerk to close gaps, start fights, and effectively lock down foes.

Robust Isolation Tools: Power Cogs and Battery Assault force enemies to either waste time or items to escape, giving Clockwerk's team an edge.

Global Utility: Rocket Flare provides scouting and map control, ideal for tracking enemies and disrupting their farms.

Scaling with Aghanim's Scepter and Shard: Enhanced abilities add depth to his gameplay, allowing Clockwerk to transition from early game to late-game effectiveness.

Downsides

Limited Damage Scaling: Clockwerk's damage primarily comes from his spells, and he lacks strong right-click potential, especially in the late game.

Mana Dependency: His abilities have high mana costs, especially early on, so itemizing for mana sustain is crucial.

Vulnerable After Initiation: Once he dives in, Clockwerk can struggle to escape without items like Force Staff or Lotus Orb.

Abilities

Battery Assault: Applies a series of mini-stuns to nearby enemies. Description

Cogs: Forms a ring of cogs around Clockwerk, damaging and pushing away enemies who make contact.

Rocket Flare: Launches a global rocket that reveals a targeted area, dealing minor damage and providing vision.

Hookshot: Fires a grappling hook to a targeted location, stunning and dragging Clockwerk to the first enemy hit. Excellent for initiating or closing gaps.

Hints and Tips to Master Clockwerk

Efficient Cogs Usage: Position Power Cogs to cut off escape routes or trap high-priority targets in confined spaces.

Overclocking: With an Aghanim's Scepter, Overclocking provides a second Hookshot, allowing you to re-engage or escape post-initiation.

Itemization for Mana: Mana-heavy items like Soul Ring, Magic Wand, or Arcane Boots can support his early mana demands.

Constant Map Pressure: Utilize Rocket Flare to scout or interrupt teleports and monitor critical areas of the map.

Recommended Allies

Gyrocopter

Gyrocopter thrives with Clockwerk's initiation tools, as Rocket Barrage and Call Down excel against heroes trapped within Power Cogs. Clockwerk's ability to lock down multiple opponents allows Gyrocopter to maximize his burst damage without fear of escape or retaliation.

Leshrac

Leshrac's Diabolic Edict and Pulse Nova can quickly shred enemies forced to stay in range by Clockwerk's Cogs. Clockwerk's ability to pin down heroes makes it easier for Leshrac to deal consistent AoE damage, particularly in team fights where Leshrac's sustained DPS thrives.

Pudge

Pudge and Clockwerk create a powerful combo where Clockwerk's Hookshot isolates a target, setting up Meat Hook and Dismember. The Cogs' synergy with Hook allows Pudge to safely reel in enemies without concern for missing his target, making this duo lethal in single-target pick-offs and ganks​.

Invoker

Invoker's wide range of spells and crowd control options amplify Clockwerk's ability to control the battlefield. Tornado and EMP are particularly effective when enemies are forced to remain within Clockwerk's Cogs. This combination ensures Invoker has a setup for almost any spell combination, making the pair a potent teamfight and zoning threat​.

Phoenix

Phoenix benefits from Clockwerk's ability to hold enemies in place with Cogs, allowing him to cast Supernova safely without worrying about early destruction. Clockwerk's durability and close-range initiation help Phoenix safely engage in fights, allowing him to heal and cast abilities from the perimeter.

Counters

Phantom Lancer

Phantom Lancer's illusions overwhelm Clockwerk, as Battery Assault only targets one illusion at a time. This makes it difficult for Clockwerk to effectively lock down or damage the real Phantom Lancer, especially in late-game scenarios when illusions are more resilient.

Beastmaster

Beastmaster's Primal Roar can instantly stop Clockwerk's initiation, rendering him vulnerable after Hookshot. Beastmaster's summons also interferes with Cogs, allowing him to disrupt Clockwerk's control by placing tanky units that can help block or navigate around the Cogs' barrier​.

Batrider

Batrider's Flaming Lasso ignores Clockwerk's Cogs, allowing him to initiate on Clockwerk even after Hookshot. The Sticky Napalm stacks hinder Clockwerk's mobility, while Firefly offers easy repositioning, negating the isolation Clockwerk seeks to establish in fights​.

Ursa

Ursa's Fury Swipes makes quick work of Clockwerk's armor, and his enrage-based skill set enables him to break free from Clockwerk's disables. Clockwerk's Battery Assault and Cogs lose effectiveness against Ursa, who can burst Clockwerk down if he attempts to engage without support.

Anti-Mage

Anti-Mage's Blink allows him to bypass Clockwerk's Cogs and target positioning. If Clockwerk tries to engage him, Anti-Mage can easily escape and retaliate with Mana Void, exploiting Clockwerk's low mana pool for a high-damage burst. Anti-Mage's ability to disengage consistently leaves Clockwerk struggling to secure kills.