Honor of Kings adopts global ban&pick format, Phillipines invitational next

With the global release of Honor of Kings, 2024 has been a landmark year, and as we approach 2025, the excitement continues to build with new updates on the horizon. One of the most thrilling announcements is the launch of an invitational series in the Philippines, marking the first time the event will be hosted there. Scheduled from February 21st to March 1st, this series promises to be a spectacle for fans and players alike. However, the most significant development might be the introduction of a new ban&pick format globally for the Season Three Invitational and all future tournaments.

So, what exactly is ban&pick? It's simpler than you might think. In this format, once a hero is selected and used by a team in a match, that hero becomes unavailable for the rest of the tournament for that team, though opponents can still use it. This rule adds a strategic layer to the game, as players often specialize in a limited set of characters. For instance, think of the renowned League of Legends player Tyler1, who is famous for his mastery of Draven.

The Mother of Invention

The ban&pick system is a well-established concept in the MOBA genre, and Honor of Kings is following in the footsteps of games like League of Legends and Rainbow Six Siege, which have implemented similar rules. However, the twist here is that the ban&pick decisions are made by individual players rather than through team consensus before matches. This approach emphasizes individual choice and team coordination, adding a new dimension to the gameplay. Players will need to decide whether to use a character they know is effective in certain situations, even if a teammate has mastered it, or to save their main for crucial matches later in the tournament. This strategic element is sure to make Honor of Kings' esports scene even more captivating for new and existing fans.