Honor of Kings: Global Ban & Pick Format Adopted, Philippines Invitational Next

With the global release of Honor of Kings, 2024 has been a landmark year for the game. Looking ahead to 2025, the excitement continues to build with significant updates planned for the next 12 months. One of the most anticipated events is the inaugural invitational series in the Philippines, set to take place from February 21st to March 1st. However, the most groundbreaking news is the adoption of a new global ban&pick format, which will be implemented starting with the season three invitational and all subsequent tournaments.

So, what exactly is ban&pick? It's simpler than it sounds. In this format, once a hero is selected and used by a player on a team during a match, that hero becomes unavailable for the rest of the tournament for their team, though not for their opponents. This rule adds a strategic layer to the game, as many MOBA players, like the well-known League of Legends personality Tyler1 who is synonymous with his champion Draven, often specialize in a limited set of characters.

The ban&pick system is a popular choice in MOBAs, and while Honor of Kings isn't the first to implement it, their approach is unique. Unlike other games such as League of Legends or Rainbow Six Siege, where bans are typically agreed upon by teams beforehand, Honor of Kings places the decision-making power directly in the hands of individual players. This shift emphasizes team cohesion and strategic planning. Players must decide whether to choose a hero that's advantageous for a specific situation, even if a teammate has mastered it, or to save their main hero for crucial later matches. This new format is sure to make Honor of Kings' esports scene even more thrilling and attractive to new audiences.