Purchase purpose
Low-cost access to a unique ability change. Compare the hero's specific upgrade, not Shard in the abstract, with the next component.
Dota 2 · item · 7.41e
Aghanim's Shard
Low-cost access to a unique ability change. Compare the hero's specific upgrade, not Shard in the abstract, with the next component.
1,400cost0direct purchase22 role benchmarks
AG
Valve item icon · OpenDota constants
Valve item icon · OpenDota constantsWhen it works
The upgrade immediately changes the next fight, farm loop or map control without consuming the required reserve.
Where it breaks
An automatic minute-fifteen purchase replaces a value question with a habit.
Replay question
What action became possible only because of the Shard in its first five minutes?
Professional purchase window
OpenDota · 7.41eNot one minute, but the middle of an observed sample.
P25 and P75 bound the middle 50% of first purchases. This is professional-match context, not a mandatory target for ranked play.
CORE
shownCores
22.8median · min
045 min
- middle 50%
- 17.6 - 31.1 min
- share of role players
- 58.5%
- first purchases
- n 1376
SUPPORT
shownSupports
26.7median · min
045 min
- middle 50%
- 20.3 - 33.6 min
- share of role players
- 31.0%
- first purchases
- n 502
Role conclusion
In the current snapshot, the cores median arrives 3.9 min earlier. Purchase rate: cores 58.5%, supports 31.0%. The gap describes role jobs, not one universally better order.
Cost and build path
1,400 goldA completion is only as useful as the path toward it.
DIRECT
This item is bought directly. There is no useful intermediate component between saved gold and the finished effect.
Auditable stat pricing
Money Meta · auditablePrice only what has a clean base-item reference.
Active abilities, auras, slot compression, build convenience and unique effects are never assigned invented gold values.
UNPRICED ≠ ZERO
The item has no supported explicit stats. That does not mean zero value: the decision depends entirely on its mechanic and timing.
Mechanics outside the percentage
What cannot honestly be reduced to stat cost.
Mechanic names identify the item. Check exact live wording and numbers in the Dota 2 client; the atlas evaluates the decision rather than replacing the game description.
- passiveAbility Upgrade
Continue comparing
Components and nearby budget decisions.
Methodology and sources
Snapshot fetched: August 31, 2026
OpenDota supplies observed purchases and item constants. Money Meta calculates quartiles, transparent stat pricing and interpretation. Valve defines the current patch boundary.