Clockwerk Counters

Clockwerk is a support and initiator who catches isolated targets with Hookshot and traps them inside Power Cogs. He is good at scouting the area and preventing enemies from retreating while his team deals damage. In this article, we’ll look at Clockwerk counters for every position, items against him, and tactics for different stages of the game.

Hero Characteristics

Hookshot lets Clockwerk quickly reach a chosen enemy. Power Cogs creates a barrier around them, Battery Assault deals damage and makes it difficult for enemies to freely cast abilities, while Rocket Flare helps scout areas of the map. He is especially dangerous to heroes who are alone or cannot quickly escape the trap.

Clockwerk has a harder time against mobile heroes and save abilities. If a target can get out of Power Cogs or the team quickly comes to help, his attack often fails to achieve anything. After an unsuccessful initiation, he may end up far from his allies and become vulnerable to counter-control.

Best Heroes Against Clockwerk

Clockwerk most often plays position 4—a support—and sometimes position 3—an offlaner. He catches isolated targets and limits their movement, so mobility, protection, and the ability to quickly help an ally are useful against him.

Carry

• Phantom Lancer can escape Power Cogs with Doppelganger and creates illusions, making it harder for Clockwerk to choose a target.
• Ursa can fight Clockwerk at close range and withstand some of his damage with Enrage. If the initiator jumps in without support, Ursa can quickly retaliate.

Midlaner

• Ember Spirit can return to a Fire Remnant and leave Power Cogs. Flame Guard also absorbs some magical damage.
• Puck can escape the trap with Phase Shift or Illusory Orb and can stop Clockwerk with silence.

Offlaner

• Timbersaw can quickly get out of Power Cogs with Timber Chain and can withstand Clockwerk’s damage well.
• Centaur Warrunner helps allies escape the trap with Stampede and can stun Clockwerk with Hoof Stomp.

Support

• Shadow Demon can save an ally with Disruption if he manages to cast the ability before the target is disabled.
• Tusk can protect an ally with Snowball and help them survive the start of Clockwerk’s attack.

Hard Support

• Oracle protects an ally with False Promise and can remove some negative effects from them.
• Abaddon helps an ally survive an attack with Aphotic Shield and removes some effects if he casts the ability in time.

What to Buy Against Clockwerk

• Force Staff helps you escape Power Cogs or save an ally caught by Clockwerk.
• Blade Mail returns some of the damage taken and can punish Clockwerk for a prolonged attack.
• Black King Bar protects you from many of Clockwerk’s control effects and magical damage.
• Lotus Orb helps remove some negative effects from an ally and reflects targeted abilities.
• Glimmer Cape lets you protect an ally and reduce the magical damage they take.
• Hurricane Pike helps create distance and get out of a dangerous position.

How to Play Against Clockwerk at Different Stages

Laning

Don’t stand near Clockwerk without support: he can catch a hero with Hookshot or trap them inside Power Cogs. Watch out for Rocket Flare and avoid revealing your location unnecessarily. If Clockwerk uses his abilities on an ally or misses, use the cooldown window to apply pressure in return.

Midgame

Don’t move around the map alone, and stay within a distance where your allies can quickly help. Save Force Staff or other save abilities for the Hookshot target. If Clockwerk ends up deep in your team, use control and attack him quickly.

Late Game

Before a team fight, distribute defensive items and agree on who will help the hero caught by Clockwerk. Don’t spend all your abilities on him if he used Hookshot without success. After an unsuccessful initiation, Clockwerk’s team loses the ability to quickly start another fight.