Honor of Kings is making big esports announcements for 2025! Following its global launch, the game is bringing its first-ever invitational tournament to the Philippines, running from February 21st to March 1st. Even bigger news? A global adoption of the ban & pick format for Season Three's invitational and all future tournaments.
What exactly is ban & pick? It's simpler than it sounds. Once a hero is used by a team in a match, that hero is banned from use by that team for the remainder of the tournament. This means if a player uses a specific hero, their teammates can't use that same hero, though opposing teams remain unaffected.
This adds a significant strategic layer. Many MOBA players specialize in a limited roster of mastered characters – think of Tyler1 and his Draven in League of Legends. Ban & pick forces players to consider team synergy and adaptability. Do you prioritize a hero known to excel in a specific situation, even if a teammate has greater mastery of that character? Or do you risk using your main early, potentially saving it for a later, crucial moment?
The ban & pick system isn't new to MOBAs; games like League of Legends and even Rainbow Six Siege utilize similar mechanics, often with pre-match team agreements on bans. Honor of Kings' implementation, however, places the decision directly in the hands of individual players, emphasizing team coordination and strategic depth. This change promises to elevate the excitement and strategic complexity of Honor of Kings esports, making it even more engaging for viewers.
