Battle Machine vs O.T.T.O: Which Hero Should You Upgrade First and Why
11 min read Should you upgrade Battle Machine or O.T.T.O first? Discover the optimal upgrade path for Builder Base heroes.
Battle Machine vs O.T.T.O: Which Hero Should You Upgrade First and Why
Introduction
Imagine standing at the crossroads of Builder Base progression, staring at two mechanical marvels: the relentless Battle Machine and the ingenious O.T.T.O. Hut. Both promise to supercharge your Clash of Clans experience, but you can only prioritize one. Which path leads to greater dominance? Is raw power on the battlefield more valuable, or does unlocking a second builder open up strategic possibilities you never imagined? If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Should I upgrade my Battle Machine or O.T.T.O first?”, you’re not alone. This decision can define your Builder Base journey.
Understanding the Heroes: Battle Machine and O.T.T.O
What is the Battle Machine?
The Battle Machine is the first and (for most players) primary hero of the Builder Base. Unlocked at Builder Hall 5, it’s a formidable melee unit with a unique ability—Electric Hammer—that deals a burst of damage and heals itself. As you upgrade the Battle Machine, its hitpoints, damage, and ability power increase, directly impacting your offensive strength in every attack.
Key Stats at Max Level (30):
- Hitpoints: 5,120
- Damage per second: 250
- Ability: Electric Hammer (heals 1,000 HP, deals 1,000 extra damage)
What is O.T.T.O?
O.T.T.O is not a traditional hero but a robotic builder unlocked via the O.T.T.O Hut at Builder Hall 9. Once you complete its challenging upgrade requirements, O.T.T.O becomes a second builder in the Builder Base—and even more importantly, can travel to your Home Village for double-duty upgrades. While O.T.T.O doesn’t fight, its strategic value is immense.
O.T.T.O Unlock Requirements:
- Gear Up three buildings (Cannon, Archer Tower, Mortar)
- Upgrade Cannon Cart to level 18
- Upgrade Mega Tesla to level 9
- Upgrade Battle Machine to level 30
The Value of Upgrading: Immediate and Long-Term Impact
Upgrading the Battle Machine: Power on the Battlefield
Why Upgrade Early?
The Battle Machine is the only hero available for most of your Builder Base journey. Each level increases its survivability and offensive output, directly translating into higher star counts and more loot per attack. The Electric Hammer ability, unlocked at level 5 and improved every 5 levels, can decide whether you secure that crucial second or third star.
Real-World Example:
A level 10 Battle Machine often falls short against high-level defenses, especially Giant Cannon and Mega Tesla. Upgrading to level 20+ allows it to tank longer, trigger more ability uses, and finish off core defenses, turning close losses into wins.
Key Benefits:
- Stronger Attacks: Higher-level Battle Machine means more reliable two- and three-star attacks.
- Ability Power: The Electric Hammer’s healing and damage scale with upgrades, making clutch comebacks possible.
- Essential for Progression: Many Builder Base challenges and events require a high-level hero.
Upgrading O.T.T.O: Strategic Flexibility and Faster Progress
Why Unlock O.T.T.O?
O.T.T.O is a game-changer for your overall Clash of Clans account. With two builders in the Builder Base, you can upgrade buildings and troops simultaneously, slashing your progression time. Even more valuable, O.T.T.O can travel to the Home Village, acting as a permanent extra builder for main base upgrades—an invaluable asset, especially for free-to-play players.
Real-World Example:
Players who unlock O.T.T.O early often finish Builder Base upgrades months ahead of others. In the Home Village, a sixth builder means faster walls, heroes, and defenses, giving you an edge in Clan Wars and Legends League.
Key Benefits:
- Double Builder Power: Upgrade two things at once in Builder Base, or use O.T.T.O in the Home Village.
- Account-Wide Impact: Progress faster in both villages, maximizing your time and resources.
- Endgame Efficiency: Essential for maxing out your account.
The Upgrade Dilemma: Which Should You Prioritize?
Stage of the Game Matters
Early to Mid Builder Hall (BH5–BH8)
- Priority: Battle Machine
- Why: Offensive power is king. Without a strong Battle Machine, you’ll struggle to earn loot and trophies. O.T.T.O cannot be unlocked until BH9, so focus all resources on your hero.
Builder Hall 9 and Beyond
- Priority: O.T.T.O (But You Need Battle Machine Level 30)
- Why: At BH9, O.T.T.O becomes available, but unlocking it requires a maxed Battle Machine. The real question isn’t "which first?" but "how fast can I max my Battle Machine to get O.T.T.O?" Once unlocked, O.T.T.O provides exponential value for both Builder Base and Home Village.
Resource Allocation and Time Management
Battle Machine Upgrades
- Cons: Expensive and time-consuming, especially at higher levels.
- Pros: Every level makes a visible difference in attack performance.
O.T.T.O Hut Upgrades
- Cons: Requires significant investment in multiple troops and defenses, not just the Battle Machine.
- Pros: Once unlocked, the payoff is permanent and affects your entire account.
The Meta Perspective: What Do Top Players Do?
Competitive players universally agree: Maxing the Battle Machine is the gateway to O.T.T.O. The earlier you invest in your hero, the sooner you unlock O.T.T.O, and the faster your overall progress. Many top players even pause other upgrades to funnel resources into the Battle Machine, knowing the long-term benefits far outweigh short-term sacrifices.
Practical Upgrade Path: Step-by-Step Guidance
- Upgrade Battle Machine Consistently: Never let your hero sit idle. Use every available resource and book to push it to level 30 as early as possible.
- Work on O.T.T.O Requirements in Parallel: Upgrade Cannon Cart and Mega Tesla as you progress, and complete Gear Ups in the Home Village.
- At BH9, Focus on O.T.T.O: As soon as your Battle Machine hits level 30 and other requirements are met, finish the O.T.T.O Hut upgrades.
- Deploy O.T.T.O Strategically: Use O.T.T.O as a second builder in Builder Base, or send it to your Home Village for maximum efficiency.
Pros and Cons Summary Table
| Hero | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Battle Machine | Directly increases attack power and loot | Slow, expensive upgrades |
| Essential for unlocking O.T.T.O | Only benefits Builder Base attacks | |
| O.T.T.O | Double build speed in Builder Base | Unlock requirements are steep |
| Can be used in Home Village as 6th builder | No combat abilities |
Conclusion: The Smartest Path Forward
Upgrading your Battle Machine is not just about dominating Builder Base attacks—it’s the key to unlocking O.T.T.O, the ultimate builder. For most players, the decision is clear: prioritize the Battle Machine first. Every level brings you closer to unlocking O.T.T.O and enjoying the game-changing benefits of a second builder.
But don’t neglect the other O.T.T.O requirements along the way. Plan your upgrades, manage your resources wisely, and you’ll soon enjoy faster progress in both Builder Base and your Home Village.
Final Thought: The Battle Machine is your sword; O.T.T.O is your shield. Master both, and you’ll conquer the Builder Base—and beyond. Are you ready to take your Clash of Clans account to the next level?
