Honor of Kings to adopt ban&pick format globally, with upcoming Phillipines invitational scheduled

Honor of Kings is making major esports headlines for 2025! Following its global launch, the game is bringing an invitational tournament to the Philippines for the first time, running from February 21st to March 1st. But the biggest news is the global adoption of a new ban & pick format for Season Three and all future tournaments.

What exactly is ban & pick? Simply put, once a hero is used by a team in a match, that hero is unavailable to that team for the rest of the tournament. A player's hero choice is thus restricted for their team only (not their opponents).

This is a significant change. Many MOBA players specialize in a small roster of mastered heroes. Think of Tyler1 and his Draven in League of Legends – a prime example of player-hero synergy. Ban & pick adds a strategic layer, forcing teams to adapt and cooperate.

The Strategic Shift

Ban & pick is a popular mechanic in MOBAs, used in games like League of Legends and even Rainbow Six Siege, though often with pre-tournament bans. Honor of Kings' implementation puts the decision in the hands of individual players, emphasizing teamwork and strategic thinking. Players must decide between using a hero they know is situationally strong, or sticking with a mastered main. This should make Honor of Kings esports even more exciting and engaging for viewers.