With the global release of Honor of Kings, 2024 has been a landmark year for the game. As we look forward to 2025, the developers have exciting updates planned for the next 12 months. One of the highlights is the introduction of an invitational series in the Philippines, marking the first time the event will be held there. Scheduled from February 21st to March 1st, this event promises to be a thrilling addition to the esports calendar. However, the most significant news might be the adoption of the new ban&pick format 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 used by a player on a team during a match, that hero is banned for the rest of the tournament for their team, but not for their opponents. This rule adds a strategic layer to the game, as many players tend to specialize in a limited number of characters. For instance, the well-known League of Legends player Tyler1 is famously associated with his mastery of Draven.
The ban&pick system is a popular choice in MOBAs, and Honor of Kings is not the first to implement it. Games like League of Legends and even titles outside the MOBA genre, such as Rainbow Six Siege, have similar rules. However, in those games, bans are typically agreed upon by teams before the match. Honor of Kings' approach puts the decision-making power directly in the hands of individual players, emphasizing team coordination and strategy. Players must decide whether to use a character they know is effective in a given situation or save their main for later matches to secure crucial wins.
This new format is expected to enhance the excitement of Honor of Kings' esports scene, drawing in new viewers and adding a fresh dynamic to competitive play.
