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

With the global release of Honor of Kings, 2024 has been a landmark year, and 2025 is shaping up to be even more exciting with major esports updates on the horizon. The highlight of the upcoming year is the inaugural Honor of Kings invitational series in the Philippines, set to take place from February 21st to March 1st. However, the most significant change for the competitive scene might be the global adoption of the ban&pick format, starting with the season three invitational and extending to all future tournaments.

So, what exactly is ban&pick? It's a straightforward yet impactful strategy. Once a team uses a particular hero in a match, that hero becomes off-limits for the rest of the tournament for their team, though not for their opponents. This rule adds a strategic layer to the game, as players often focus on mastering a limited set of characters. For instance, think of League of Legends' Tyler1, who is famously associated with his mastery of Draven.

The ban&pick system is a well-known feature in MOBAs, and Honor of Kings is following in the footsteps of games like League of Legends and Rainbow Six Siege, which have similar rules. However, the twist here is that the decision to ban a hero is placed in the hands of individual players, emphasizing team strategy and cohesion. Players must decide whether to use a hero they're proficient with early on or save them for crucial later matches. This dynamic is sure to make Honor of Kings' esports events even more thrilling and engaging for new audiences.