rook owns. i dont understand why people say he is so bad 
here is how i play him.
favor item: blood of the fallen
starting items: banded armor, 1 tp scroll, 1 health potion
items later: if you are not getting harassed and you can farm easily, mageslayer
+ duelist cuirass.
if you are getting harassed, stack HP items(they are OP) and play a supporting role with boulder roll.
lvl 1 i get structural transfer, this allows you to push towers early game(you transfer whilst the whole creep wave attacks the tower for awesome damage), or get health from your own tower. i only get the first lvl of this ability, lvling it up is just a waste imo.
lvl 2 tower upgrade, get this to full lvl
lvl 3 hammer, get this to full lvl, THIS SPELL OWNS(fake cast ftw, learn to abuse it).
lvl 5 boulder roll, just 1 lvl of this
lvl 6 god strength, get this to full lvl
later, just get stats
other basics for rook ownage: ALWAYS CARRY A TP, and a robust health potion.