Rattletrap, the Clockwerk Goblin: Skills and Item Build Guide — DotA 1

Rattletrap, the Clockwerk Goblin, is an exceptional Strength-based initiator and ganker in DotA 1, renowned for his ability to disrupt enemy formations from extreme distances. Boasting a massive natural Strength growth that fuels his frontline durability, Clockwerk specializes in separating high-value targets from their allies. By trapping enemies inside an electrical barrier, tracking them globally via scouting missiles, and latching onto targets from screens away with a high-velocity hook, he acts as an oppressive, map-wide menace who thrives on chaotic isolated skirmishes.


Base Stats & Attributes

Hero Attributes

Attribute Base Value Growth (per level)
Strength 26 +3.7
Agility 13 +2.3
Intelligence 18 +1.5

Statistics & Mechanics

Statistic Value Mechanic Value
Damage 48-50 Base HP Regen 0.25/s
HP 680 HP Regen +2.65/s
MP 254 MP Regen +0.86/s
Armor 1.9 Turn Rate 0.6
Move Speed 310 Base Attack Time (BAT) 1.7
Attack Range 150 (melee) Attack Animations 0.33 / 0.64

Hero Skills Breakdown

1. Battery Assault

Discharges high-powered shrapnel from openings in Rattletrap's clockwork upon a random nearby target dealing minor magical damage and a ministun.

  • Damage Type: Magical
  • Shrapnel Interval: Every 0.7 seconds
  • Total Duration: 10.5 seconds
  • Targeting: Autohits a random enemy unit within proximity, making it highly effective at canceling casting animations and long-winded basic attacks of isolated targets.
Level Damage (Magical) Cooldown Manacost
1 20 24 sec 100
2 45 22 sec 100
3 70 20 sec 100
4 95 18 sec 100

2. Power Cogs

The Clockwerk Goblin ejects pieces of inner core to form a circular barrier around himself, trapping nearby units in with him. These cogs require a fixed number of attacks from an enemy to be destroyed before their expiration time. If an enemy unit with mana goes near an element from the outside it gets shocked for magical damage, knocked back, and loses mana. An element powers down if it shocks a unit.

  • Damage Type: Magical
  • Attacks to Destroy: 2 attacks from an enemy unit
  • Mechanic: Creates an impassable block for heroes without clipping abilities. Outside enemies touching a cog suffer instantaneous pushback and resource drainage.
Level Expiration Time Shock Damage Mana Burn Cooldown Manacost
1 5 seconds 50 50 15 sec 80
2 6 seconds 125 80 15 sec 80
3 7 seconds 200 110 15 sec 80
4 8 seconds 275 140 15 sec 80

3. Rocket Flare

Fires a fast moving missile at a target area on the map, revealing the targeted area for a brief time. Upon impact it damages enemy units in the explosion. Deals magical damage.

  • Damage Type: Magical
  • Area of Effect (AoE): 575
  • Vision Duration: 10 seconds
  • Range: Global (can be targeted anywhere on the active map grid)
Level Damage (Magical) Cooldown Manacost
1 80 20 sec 35
2 120 18 sec 40
3 160 16 sec 45
4 200 14 sec 50

4. Hookshot

Fires a grappling, piston-like attachment at a unit or location. It will latch on the first non-neutral target it encounters, pulling you to it. Any enemies whom you collide with while being reeled toward the target will take magical damage and be stunned.

  • Damage Type: Magical
  • Targeting Restrictions: Latches onto the first valid non-neutral target (allied or enemy heroes, lane creeps). Ignored by neutral creeps.
  • Scepter Upgrade: Unlocks the Overclocking sub-ability.
Level Maximum Range Collision Damage Collision Stun Duration Cooldown Manacost
1 2000 75 1.50 seconds 60 sec 150
2 2500 175 1.75 seconds 45 sec 150
3 3000 275 2.00 seconds 30 sec 150

Item Build Guide

Phase Recommended Items Strategic Purpose
Early Game Bottle, Boots of Speed, Magic Wand Bottle sustains his constant mana needs for Rocket Flare spam and setups. Fast boots are vital for positioning close enough to trap heroes with cogs without needing to blow Hookshot. Magic Wand provides emergency resources during deep dives.
Core Items Blade Mail, Aghanim's Scepter, Force Staff Blade Mail punishes enemies trapped inside Power Cogs with you who try to fight back. Aghanim's Scepter dramatically upgrades his utility via Overclocking, while Force Staff lets him push himself out of his own cogs to trap an enemy inside alone.
Late Game Shiva's Guard, Pipe of Insight, Heart of Tarrasque Shiva's Guard adds needed armor, lowers enemy attack speeds inside cogs, and gives an AoE burst. Pipe of Insight protects his team from magical retaliations during initiations, and Heart of Tarrasque makes him an unkillable frontline tank.

Quick Gameplay Tips

  • The Isolated Assault Pindown: Battery Assault distributes shrapnel randomly among all nearby targets, including lane creeps. To maximize its damage, use Hookshot or flank to catch a lone target away from their creep wave, then deploy Power Cogs immediately. Isolating them guarantees that all 15 instances of damage and ministuns hit a single hero, completely preventing them from casting spells with standard animation windows.
  • Global Rocket Scouting and Securing: Rocket Flare provides 10 seconds of flying vision over its target area. Use it constantly to check the Rosh pit, scout out enemy neutral camps, or spot incoming enemy rotations in the river. Additionally, because the missile travels rapidly across the map, it can be calculated to snipe low-health fleeing enemies deep behind their own tower lines.
  • Cog Positioning and Outside Splitting: You don't always need to trap enemies inside Power Cogs. If an enemy hero is chasing an ally, positioning yourself just ahead of them and deploying cogs can knock the chaser backward due to the outer rim shock mechanics. This effectively burns their mana and creates a massive terrain blockage that completely kills their pursuit angle.