"Honor of Kings Goes Global with Ban&Pick"

Honor of Kings Unveils Major Esports Plans for 2025

Following its global launch, Honor of Kings is making waves in 2025. Key announcements include the inaugural Philippines invitational (February 21st - March 1st) and, most significantly, the global adoption of a ban-and-pick format for Season Three and all future tournaments.

This global ban-and-pick system introduces a strategic layer to the game. Once a hero is selected by a team in a match, that hero becomes unavailable to that team for the remainder of the tournament. This impacts player choices, forcing strategic team decisions.

The impact is considerable. Many MOBA players specialize in a limited roster of heroes, similar to how Tyler1's League of Legends gameplay is synonymous with Draven. Ban-and-pick necessitates team coordination and flexible hero selection, potentially leading to more exciting and unpredictable matches.

A Strategic Shift

While not the first MOBA to utilize ban-and-pick, Honor of Kings' implementation differs. Unlike pre-tournament bans in games like League of Legends or Rainbow Six Siege, Honor of Kings places the decision directly in the hands of individual players during the match. This dynamic element adds a layer of complexity, forcing players to consider team synergy versus individual preferences. Will players prioritize a hero's situational effectiveness or their personal mastery? This strategic tension is expected to increase the excitement and viewership of Honor of Kings esports.