Aghanim’s Scepter is arguably the most unique item in Dota 2. It fundamentally changes how heroes are played, allowing each to unlock entirely new mechanics or abilities. However, with every hero having a different Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade, not all of them are equally as strong.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best Aghanim’s Scepter upgrades in Dota 2 and which heroes make the best use of the item.

Best Aghanim’s Scepter Upgrades in Dota 2 (Ranked)

We’ve ranked the top 10 Aghanim’s Scepter upgrades in all of Dota 2. These heroes almost always look to buy the item, as the item provides massive power spikes and unlocks their full potential. These are not ranked in any particular order. 

Disruptor – Upgraded Static Storm

Disruptor’s Aghanim’s Scepter is truly one of the most game-changing upgrades in the game. His ultimate, Static Storm, mutes enemies, meaning they cannot use items such as Black King Bar to escape the area. 

However, being a support hero with low farming potential, Disruptor players tend to have a difficult time collecting enough gold for the item. As a result, you won’t see this hero pick up an Aghanim’s Scepter every single game. 

Still, in matches where the item is managed to be picked up, there’s no underestimating how high Disruptor’s impact skyrockets. Catching enemies off guard with an unexpected Aghanim’s Scepter can instantly turn a fight in your favor, and can sometimes be a game-winning moment on the spot.

Beastmaster – New Ability: Drums of Slom

Drums of Slom has completely reshaped how Beastmaster can be played. This new ability allows him to deal reliable damage and also heal off the damage he is dealing, turning him into a viable frontliner.

Traditionally, there was only one way to play Beastmaster – rush Helm of the Overlord and commit to the “zoo” build. However, this upgrade breaks that mold, as he can now be played effectively as a mid-laner, even in patch 7.40. The item is so good that Scepter is usually rushed as a first item. 

Even if you’re going for the classic zoo approach, this Aghanim’s Scepter is still an item you’ll want to pick up later on. No matter which build you choose, it feels amazing to have and dramatically increases your impact in farming and fighting. 

Gyrocopter – Side Gunner

With his Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade, Gyrocopter gets Side Gunner, a passive effect that lets him fire an automatic attack at a nearby enemy every 1.3 seconds. Scepter and Gyrocopter go hand in hand, as it’s an item you want every single game. 

This additional attack massively amplifies farming speed and overall damage, as you’re effectively getting a free extra attack without doing anything. Remember: attack modifiers also work on the Side Gunner attacks, meaning Diffusal Blade or Maelstrom still work. 

The craziest part is that Side Gunner keeps firing even when Gyrocopter is stunned. This means you can still lifesteal during disables. So, you can pop Satanic, get stunned, and still lifesteal off your Side Gunner hits. 

Juggernaut – New Ability: Swiftslash

Aghanim’s Scepter for Juggernaut grants him a Swiftslash, which is pretty much a mini Omnislash on an extremely low cooldown. We all know Omnislash is one of the strongest ultimates in the game, but it’s easy to counter with the right items. 

Swiftslash changes that dynamic entirely. It lets Juggernaut “test the waters” by forcing enemies to use their defensive items like Lotus Orb or Eul’s Scepter. Once these tools have been baited out, he can let it rip with the real Omnislash. 

In late-game situations, a Swiftslash usage can also be enough to delete enemy supports if they’re unable to respond. 

Legion Commander – Upgraded Duel

The last thing any Legion Commander player wants is to have their fair-and-square Duel being interrupted by enemy stuns or getting lifted by an Eul’s Scepter. However, Aghanim’s Scepter solves that problem completely.

Upgraded Duel grants Legion Commander debuff immunity and also increases the duration by 2 seconds. This ensures that fights are almost always in her favor. She is immune to interruptions, while her target isn’t.

So, her team can hurl spells at the enemy, but the enemy team can’t throw spells at her. This huge imbalance gives Legion’s teammates a clear window to back up the Del with damage, while the enemy team struggles to respond or interfere.

Vengeful Spirit – Get 2 Lives

Vengeful Spirit’s Aghanim’s Scepter lets her live up to her name. After dying, she immediately respawns as a “strong illusion,” which gives her a second life in every fight. This illusion can attack enemies at full damage and cast spells, though it cannot use items. 

This Scepter gives Vengeful Spirit incredible flexibility for both support and core roles. She can freely sacrifice herself to save a carry with Nether Swap, then continue contributing to the fight after death.

Because the illusion can still attack, many players tend to buy passive items that boost stats, making core Vengeful Spirit a very viable option. 

Sand King – Upgraded Epicenter

Getting Aghanim’s Scepter on Sand King allows him to randomly unleash Stinger attacks while Epicenter is active. And since Stinger uses Sand King’s attack damage and modifiers, this essentially allows him to auto-attack all enemies caught in his ult. 

This upgrade opens the door for Sand King to scale into a carry, as he can buy items such as Daedalus or Revenant’s Brooch to increase his damage output. 

The perks don’t end there. The best part is that attack modifiers also apply, meaning Sand King can buy Skull Basher and start bashing enemies around him, which can help keep them within the radius or even cancel channeling spells. 

Even if you’re sticking to a magic-focused build, the Scepter still provides a huge damage boost. No matter what playstyle you’re going for, the best Dota 2 mid players agree that Aghanim’s upgrade is pure steroids for Sand King’s damage output. 

Zeus – New Ability: Nimbus

As if having a global ultimate that hits every enemy hero wasn’t enough, Zeus gets a second one with his Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade. Nimbus is an incredibly flexible spell that adds a huge layer to his playstyle.

Zeus can drop Nimbus anywhere on the map to provide his team with instant follow-up damage, which can help his teammates secure kills on the other side of the map. Even better, Nimbus also applies mini-stuns, so he can cancel TP scrolls or channeling abilities.

Nimbus can also be used for pushing out lanes. Zeus can use it on a creepwave, allowing him to farm and maintain map pressure at the same time. 

Pangolier – Upgraded Shield Crash

Swashbuckle is arguably Pangolier’s most reliable source of damage, and why not add four more of them? His Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade allows him to fire out Swashbuckles every 90 degrees every time it’s used.

Sure, these additional Swashbuckles release fewer hits and deal 75% damage, but the raw numbers aren’t what we’re looking at here. It’s the fact that attack modifiers still apply, meaning items like Diffusal Blade, Maelstrom, and Skull Basher can all proc. 

This turns Shield Crash into a constant source of damage and control. Pangolier can also take the level 20 Shield Crash cooldown reduction talent to spam the ability relentlessly. 

Rubick – Two Spells to Steal

It wouldn’t make sense for Aghanim’s son to be left off this list. With his father’s upgrade, Rubick can steal two spells at once, which effectively doubles the impact of his ultimate.

On top of that, stolen spells also gain increased cast range. Not only is Rubick going to hurl out more spells, but he can do so from well outside enemy vision. This turns him into a constant threat in fights that’s almost impossible to ignore. 

The power of this Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade is obvious, but its true value depends heavily on individual skill. To make sure you’re using him effectively, check out our Rubick guide. 

Best Aghanim’s Scepter Upgrades for Every Role in Dota 2

In this section, we’ll break down the best Aghanim’s Scepter upgrades for every role in Dota 2.

Best Aghanim’s Upgrade for Carry

Dota 2 carries ideally want Aghanim’s Scepter upgrades that boost their damage or late-game scaling:

• Juggernaut – Gets a mini Omnislash to bait out defensive items and secure kills.
• Gyrocopter – Side Gunner provides constant extra attacks that boost damage and farming.
• Slark – Aghanim’s Scepter gives Slark two charges of Pounce, allowing him to lock enemies down. 
• Lifestealer – Allows Lifestealer to attack opponents freely and buy time for Rage to come back off cooldown. 
• Kez – Removes swapping cooldowns, unlocking his full potential. 

Best Aghanim’s Upgrade for Mid

Mid-laners get the most value from Aghanim’s Scepter upgrades that boost their damage output or teamfight control:

• Beastmaster – Completely opens the possibility for Beastmaster to become a mid-laner with reliable damage and farming. 
• Sand King – Upgraded Epicenter lets Sand King scale with damage items and attack modifiers. 
• Zeus – Nimbus provides incredible global control with damage, stuns, and lane pressure. 
• Pangolier – Aghanim’s Scepter massively increases Pangolier’s damage output with additional procs. 
• Void Spirit – His Scepter provides a great farming tool and massive AoE silences.

Best Aghanim’s Upgrade for Offlane

Offlaners typically want better control, frontline capability, initiation power, or a way to enable their teammates:

• Legion Commander – Makes Duel a very reliable spell and ensures fights always favor her. 
• Centaur Warrunner – Allows Centaur Warrunner to save teammates when enemies hard-commit. 
• Primal Beast – Let’s Primal Beast deal significant damage and also provides a Break mechanic. 
• Timbersaw – Timbersaw’s Scepter lets him become a massive frontline threat that can absorb and reflect damage. 
• Underlord – Opens the opportunity for Underlord to place two Pit of Malices in a single area. 

Best Aghanim’s Upgrade for Support

Support players in Dota 2 ideally want Aghanim’s upgrades that can increase teamfight impact or find ways to change the game, even from a role with lower farm priority:

• Disruptor – Gets a game-changing ultimate upgrade that can single-handedly win games. 
• Rubick – Aghanim’s lets him steal and cast two spells with increased range, amplifying teamfight impact. 
• Vengeful Spirit – The Scepter grants her a second life, allowing her to sacrifice herself without hesitation. 
• Bane – Allows Bane to get off a reliable Fiend’s Grip without the fear of getting canceled. 
• Ogre Magi – Scepter gives Ogre Magi an additional stun that works with Multicast and guaranteed mana cost. 

FAQs

What are the strongest Aghanim’s Scepter upgrades in Dota 2 right now?

The strongest Aghanim’s Scepter upgrades in Dota 2 are debatable, but Disruptor, Gyrocopter, Juggernaut, and Pangolier have some of the best upgrades.

Which Aghanim’s Scepter upgrades offer the biggest late-game power spikes?

Heroes that gain incredible late-game power spikes through Aghanim’s Scepter upgrades are Disruptor and Sand King.

How should supports prioritise Shard vs. Scepter purchases?

Supports generally don’t need to prioritize Aghanim’s Shard, as they have high priority from getting them for free from Tormentors. Scepters should only be prioritized if the upgrade is game-changing.

What makes a Scepter purchase worth the gold compared to core items?

A Scepter is only worth the investment if it fundamentally changes how a hero functions. Look for new mechanics, boosted teamfight impact, or reliable farming.