"Honor of Kings Adopts Global Ban & Pick Format, Philippines Invitational Next"

2024 has been a landmark year for Honor of Kings following its global release, and as we look ahead to 2025, the excitement only escalates with major esports announcements. A pioneering invitational series will make its debut in the Philippines from February 21st to March 1st. However, the headline news is undoubtedly the global adoption of the ban&pick format, set to revolutionize the game's competitive scene starting with the season three invitational and all subsequent tournaments.

So, what exactly is ban&pick? It's a straightforward yet strategic addition to the game's 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 that team. This rule doesn't apply to the opposing team, adding an extra layer of strategy and team coordination.

This change is pivotal, especially for MOBA enthusiasts who often specialize in mastering a limited set of characters. Take, for instance, the well-known League of Legends player Tyler1, who is synonymous with his mastery of Draven. The ban&pick system forces players to diversify their hero choices and adapt their strategies throughout a tournament.

The Mother of Invention

The ban&pick concept is not new to the MOBA genre, with games like League of Legends and even non-MOBA titles such as Rainbow Six Siege employing similar mechanics. However, in those games, bans are typically decided before the match by mutual team agreement. Honor of Kings' version puts the decision-making power in the hands of individual players, emphasizing team cohesion and strategic planning.

Players now face a critical choice: select a hero suited for the immediate situation, even if a teammate has a higher proficiency with it, or save their main hero for later matches to secure crucial wins. This dynamic is expected to make Honor of Kings' esports scene even more thrilling and appealing to new viewers.