Aghanim’s Scepter on Anti-Mage is Just a Wasted Inventory Slot

The truth around this is about to come. While most of the players have been excited about Anti-Mage Aghanim’s Scepter changes, I find this very disappointing. Why? It’s simple, it’s nothing else except a wasted inventory slot. Aghanim’s Scepter on Anti-Mage should not be your item to focus at all.

We all know what kind of items to build on Anti-Mage, but the update 7.00 wanted to keep us thinking. Aghanim’s scepter on Anti-Mage has been added in the latest 7.00 patch and I personally think this change just won’t click. At first look, it seems insanely good. “Wow, I can block and also reflect a spell”. Actually, nope, it’s not that good and we’ll explain to you why.

Aghanim’s Scepter on Anti-Mage Spell Shield

As Anti-Mage Spell Shield ability has been boosted by owning an Aghanim’s Scepter, let’s see what kind of defense it offers. You can see the picture below:

So Spell Shield is all about the magic resistance. I mean, Magina, Anti-Mage was already OP with his passive as it is, without the need of a boost. However, Valve and Dota 2 decided to somehow boost Anti-Mage and offered an Aghanim’s Scepter for him. The Aghanim’s Scepter boosts Spell Shield by making the first receiving spell blocked and reflected back the caster. This is happening once in only 12-second timer. After a spell is thrown at you, you will reflect it and for whole 12 seconds your passive Spell Shield and the Aghanim’s Scepter usage will be broken. As we said above, at first sight, it might look good… BUT NO!

Let’s see some of the additional facts why are we against getting Aghanim’s Scepter on Anti-Mage.

Facts

However, let’s just think what can we do in those 12 seconds. Do you think that you will be instantly a target to one of the most OP spells in the game? No! People already know how to play this game and how to break Anti-Mage’s Spell Shield. Let us face another fact, do you think that BKB or Linken’s Sphere is worse than Aghanim’s Scepter? Those two items have not been changed at all. So, at some point, getting the BKB or Linken’s Sphere should be a lot better than Aghanim’s Scepter.

There is one possibility when should Anti-Mage receive Aghanim’s Scepter and that is when there is Alchemist on his team. Yep, that is the only way when Anti-Mage should be given Aghanim’s Scepter. Otherwise, I totally disagree that Magina should get Aghanim’s Scepter at any point in the game. Going for the BKB is a lot better option!

My Personal Aghanim’s Scepter Experience

I played Anti-Mage with Aghanim’s Scepter and the only good part was when a good and OP spell was used on me, Windranger’s Ultimate (Focus Fire). She pop her Ultimate at me when my shield was up. After that, I’ve got the buff from Focus Fire, sadly, used only on 1 player. That was feeling really OP. In other circumstances, I cannot see this item as any good for Anti-Mage players. That might just lose you a game.

There is one more fact why Aghanim’s Scepter is bad. That’s because you are pretty much a 6 slots hero. We are speaking about Anti-Mage, one of the strongest Carries in the game, if not the strongest. God, if only the backpack after the 7.00 Update was counting as active. But, however, it is not. By that reason, you should be not getting Aghanim’s Scepter at all. Do not make your teammates go mad at you. However, when there is Alchemist on your team you can kindly ask him to buy one for you. Then, it might be worth!

Given the facts above, in lower MMR rankings Aghanim’s Scepter might be cool to troll. However, in higher MMR bracket, no no, Aghanim’s Scepter is definitely a bad choice!

Anti-Mage Talent Tree

Given the Talent Tree on every single Hero after the 7.00 patch, below you can see Anti-Mage’s Talent Tree. Level 20 and getting the evasion + making a butterfly it will be really awesome. Ofc, only if the enemy team has a lot of physical DPS. If you ask me I love getting +6 strength, +20 att speed, +15 evasion, +25 agility. No need of the -2s blink cooldown, but hey, that’s just me. I am pretty sure there are going to be a lot of tweaks and updates around this. You can see the picture with the talents below.

We hope that this will change your mind about getting an Aghanim’s Scepter on Anti-Mage. Believe me, it’s not that good. Do not forget to tell us your thoughts in the comments down below.