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 for the game, and 2025 is shaping up to be even more exciting. The developers have announced a series of updates for the upcoming year, including the inaugural invitational series in the Philippines, set to take place from February 21st to March 1st. More significantly, *Honor of Kings* is set to adopt a global ban&pick format starting with the season three invitational and all future tournaments.

So, what exactly is ban&pick? It's simpler than it sounds. Once a hero is selected by a player on a team during a match, that hero becomes off-limits for the rest of the tournament for that team, though the opposing team can still use it. This rule adds a strategic layer to the game, especially since many MOBA players tend to specialize in a limited set of characters. For instance, the well-known *League of Legends* player Tyler1 is famously associated with his go-to champion, Draven.

**The Mother of Invention**

The ban&pick system is a staple in many MOBAs, not just *Honor of Kings*. Games like *League of Legends* and even titles outside the genre, such as *Rainbow Six Siege*, have similar mechanics. 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 choose a hero suited for a specific situation or save their main for crucial matches later in the tournament. This new format is sure to add an extra layer of excitement and engagement for both players and viewers in the *Honor of Kings* esports scene.