What Aghanim is
"Aghanim" is the common name for two items named after the wizard Aghanim. They are Aghanim's Scepter and Aghanim's Shard. Both permanently improve a hero's abilities, but they work differently: the Scepter is a major upgrade — often a brand-new ability — while the Shard is a small but useful improvement available in the second half of the game. Where the shopping starts and which starting items to grab is a separate topic, but Aghanim is usually bought later on.
The Scepter is a major ability upgrade (often a new one); it is an item that takes a slot. The Shard is a cheap upgrade: you buy it after minute 15 for 1400 gold, it is applied permanently and takes no slot. On some heroes Aghanim is game-changing, on others it's almost useless — always check what exactly it gives your hero.
Scepter (Aghanim's Scepter)
The Scepter is a major permanent upgrade. On some heroes it grants a completely new ability, on others it dramatically boosts the ultimate or a key skill. It costs around 4200 gold and takes an inventory slot: the effect works while the item sits in your bag.
- The effect depends heavily on the hero. For some heroes the Scepter is a must-buy that completely changes them in fights; for others it's a weak option, and the money is better spent elsewhere.
- It takes a slot. This matters for heroes whose inventory is already full — you have to choose between the Scepter and another item.
- You can buy the slot back. Aghanim's Blessing upgrades the Scepter itself for 1600 gold on top, 5800 in total: the effect stays permanent and the slot is freed. In exchange the item's own stats are gone — +10 to all attributes, +175 health and +175 mana. Roshan no longer drops the Blessing.
To figure out which items are worth building on a hero and in what order, see the talents and builds guide.
Shard (Aghanim's Shard)
The Shard is a cheap upgrade for 1400 gold that appears in the shop only from 15:00 game time (from 7:30 in Turbo). You buy it at the shop and the courier brings it to your hero; the purchase is consumed instantly: the item is "absorbed" into the hero, permanently upgrades one of its abilities and takes no slot.
- Cheap and available to everyone. Even supports with little gold can afford a Shard — it's one of the most cost-effective power spikes in the mid-game.
- Takes no slot. You can grab a Shard without sacrificing room for combat items or consumables.
- Sometimes it drops for free. The Tormentor — a map object — gives a Shard to one of the two poorest teammates who don't have one yet; the rest get 175 gold each.
Where a support finds gold for a Shard and how a core keeps pace — see the GPM and XPM guide.
Who should buy it and when
Aghanim is not a "mandatory buy for everyone" but a tool you apply when it fits:
- First check what the upgrade does. On your hero the Scepter or Shard can be key — or almost useless. That decides everything.
- Cores — usually the Scepter. If the upgrade is strong, fit the Scepter into the build after your key combat items like BKB.
- Supports — almost always the Shard. After 15:00 it's a cheap, fast power spike that pays off in fights.
- Don't buy it at the expense of your core. A Scepter with a weak effect shouldn't crowd out important items — gold is limited.
Scepter and Shard in patch 7.41f
Patch 7.41f came out on September 15, 2026. Prices didn't change: the Scepter still costs 4200 gold and the Shard 1400. The upgrades changed for a few heroes:
- Underlord. The Scepter no longer upgrades Pit of Malice. Fiend's Gate cooldown with the Scepter is 90/85/80 seconds instead of 100/95/90.
- Lifestealer. Infest with the Scepter lasts 4 seconds inside an enemy instead of 5.
- Enigma. Black Hole with the Scepter pulls slower: pull speed 150 instead of 175.
- Invoker. Ghost Walk with the Shard no longer damages creeps and other non-hero units.
If you built the Scepter on Underlord for Pit of Malice, reread the item tooltip in game: that upgrade is gone.
Common mistakes
These slips happen at every rank and cost gold and fights:
- Buying the Scepter "out of habit". If your hero's upgrade is weak, those 4200 gold are better invested in another item.
- Ignoring the Shard on a support. Cheap power that many forget to buy after 15:00.
- Buying the Scepter too early. At the expense of core items, it slows your hero down in a key phase.
- Not knowing what the upgrade does. Read the description in advance so you don't spend gold blindly.
To understand which items and timings lead to a win, see the neutral items guide and the build breakdown in talents and builds.
Key items covered in this guide:
Aghanim's Scepter
Aghanim's Shard
Black King Bar
