Honor of Kings is making major esports headlines for 2025! Following its global launch, the game is bringing an invitational tournament to the Philippines for the first time, running from February 21st to March 1st. But the biggest news is the global adoption of the ban & pick format for Season Three's invitational and all future tournaments.

What exactly is ban & pick? It's simpler than it sounds. Once a hero is used by a team in a match, that hero is unavailable to that team for the remainder of the tournament. This means a player's hero choice directly impacts their team's options, but not their opponents'.

This is a significant change. Many MOBA players specialize in a limited roster of heroes, as exemplified by League of Legends streamer Tyler1 and his iconic Draven. Ban & pick adds a layer of strategic depth, forcing teams to adapt and coordinate their hero selections.

The popularity of ban & pick in MOBAs like League of Legends and games like Rainbow Six Siege is undeniable. However, those games often utilize pre-tournament bans agreed upon by teams. Honor of Kings' implementation puts the decision directly in the hands of individual players, emphasizing teamwork and strategic thinking. Players must choose between known effective heroes and their personal mains, creating compelling in-game decisions and adding another layer of excitement for viewers.