Overview
The Battle Machine is the first hero unlocked in Builder Base, available at Builder Hall 5 for 900,000 Builder Elixir. This mechanical marvel, piloted by the Master Builder, smashes enemy buildings with its powerful hammer in melee combat. Unlike Home Village heroes, the Battle Machine doesn’t defend your base — it’s purely an offensive unit designed to lead your Builder Base attacks with raw power and survivability.
The Battle Machine targets ground units only and uses single-target melee attacks with a 1.2-second attack speed. Its unique regeneration system means it automatically heals after battles without needing to wait in the altar, making it ready for your next attack faster than traditional heroes.
⚡ Hero Ability
⚡
Electric Hammer
Unlocked at Level 5 — The Battle Machine calls down an energizing bolt of lightning, recovering health and supercharging its next three attacks with massive damage. This ability can be used multiple times per battle with a 13-second recharge per charge level. The longer you hold the ability button, the more powerful it becomes:
- Charge Level 1: Basic boost — 800 HP recovery, increased damage (unlocks at Lvl 5)
- Charge Level 2: Medium boost — 1,600 HP recovery, chain lightning to 2 targets (Lvl 15+)
- Charge Level 3: Maximum power — 2,400 HP recovery, chain lightning to 3 targets with 30% damage decay (Lvl 15+)
Timing is Everything
Don’t activate Electric Hammer immediately on deploy. Wait until the Battle Machine is attacking high-HP buildings or taking significant damage to maximize health recovery and damage output.
Charge for Chain Lightning
At level 15+, wait for Charge Level 3 before activating against tightly packed defenses. The chain lightning effect can devastate clustered buildings like Crushers and Double Cannons simultaneously.
Ability vs Guard Post
Avoid wasting your Electric Hammer on low-HP Guard Posts unless you desperately need healing. Save the damage boost for high-value targets like Mega Teslas and the Builder Hall.
📊 Upgrade Progression
| Builder Hall |
Max Level |
Key Milestone |
| BH5 |
5 |
Unlocked — Electric Hammer at Lvl 5 |
| BH6 |
10 |
First major power spike — Ability Level 2 |
| BH7 |
20 |
Becomes core offensive unit — Ability Level 4 |
| BH8 |
25 |
Works alongside Drop Ships and Night Witches |
| BH9 |
30 |
Major survivability boost — Ability Level 6 |
| BH10 |
35 |
⚔️ MAX — 5,380 HP · 290 DPS · Ability Lvl 7 |
The Battle Machine’s upgrade cost increases steadily by 100,000 Builder Elixir per level, with exceptions at levels 6 and 11 which cost 200,000 more. Upgrade times range from 12 hours at level 1 to 7 days for max-level upgrades. The hero’s ability improves every 5 levels, dramatically increasing damage, health recovery, and targeting capabilities.
⚔️ Attack Strategies
Tank and Spank
Deploy the Battle Machine first to absorb damage while ranged troops like Cannon Carts and Sneaky Archers deal destruction from behind. The Battle Machine’s high HP makes it an excellent shield for your main army.
Boxer Giant Combo
Pair the Battle Machine with Boxer Giants for double tank power. Send them in first to soak up Crusher hits, then deploy Cannon Carts set to Mortar Mode to eliminate defenses from range.
Edge Deployment for Charge
Deploy from the base edge and let the Electric Hammer charge to Level 3 (takes ~40 seconds) before engaging core defenses. This maximizes your ability’s damage and chain lightning potential.
Night Witch Synergy
When running Night Witch attacks, the Battle Machine tanks for Bats and clears side buildings. This protects Night Witches from Mega Mines and prevents the Battle Machine from wandering to corners.
Late-Game Cleanup
With all-air attacks (Baby Dragons, Drop Ships), deploy the Battle Machine late to finish off the Builder Hall or clear percentage buildings after ground defenses are distracted or destroyed.
Crusher Awareness
The Battle Machine’s AI tends to prefer Crushers as targets. Clear Crushers first with ranged troops before committing your hero, or use Electric Hammer strategically to survive and destroy them.
🛡️ Defense Tips
Centralize the Altar
Place the Battle Machine Altar centrally near storages. The Battle Machine patrols around it during defense but cannot be lured to the map edge like Home Village heroes.
Wall Compartments
High-level Builder Walls can stall the enemy Battle Machine for extended periods. Create deep compartments that force the Battle Machine to hammer through multiple wall layers.
Crusher Coverage
Keep Crushers well-defended with Double Cannons and Mega Teslas behind walls. Crushers deal devastating damage to the Battle Machine and should be protected from ranged troop snipes.
Guard Post Bait
Place Guard Posts near Crushers or Mega Teslas. The Battle Machine’s AI will retarget to attack spawned Archers/Barbarians, allowing your defenses to pummel the hero while it’s distracted.
🔧 Stats & Technical Details
| Attribute |
Value |
| Preferred Target |
None (attacks nearest) |
| Attack Type |
Melee (Ground Only) |
| Movement Speed |
16 |
| Attack Speed |
1.2 seconds |
| Attack Range |
1.25 tiles |
| Spring Weight |
25 (immune to traps) |
| Regeneration |
Automatic (no downtime since March 2020) |
| Builder Hall Required |
5 |
| Initial Cost |
900,000 Builder Elixir |
| Max Level |
35 (Builder Hall 10) |
Ability Mechanics: Electric Hammer has three charge levels, each taking 13 seconds to charge after activation. The ability lasts for three hits regardless of charge level. At levels 15+, Charge Levels 2 and 3 add chain lightning that hits additional nearby targets (2 and 3 targets respectively) with damage decay of 50% and 30%.
🎯 Advanced Tips
Ability Animation Cancel
Activate Electric Hammer at the end of the Battle Machine’s swing (before damage registers). This cancels the auto-attack animation and allows the next ability-boosted attack to land faster.
Don’t Stack with Troops
Never deploy troops directly behind the Battle Machine. Splash defenses (Multi Mortars, Mega Mines) will damage your entire army simultaneously, crippling your attack.
Multiple Ability Uses
Unlike Home Village heroes, the Battle Machine can activate Electric Hammer multiple times per battle. Plan 2-3 ability uses per attack — once for entry, once for core penetration, and once for cleanup.
Upgrade Priority
Prioritize Battle Machine upgrades early (BH5-7). From BH8 onwards, balance upgrades with your troop levels and defensive structures based on your preferred attack strategy.