As the Honor of Kings Invitational Season 3 approaches, Tencent has announced the implementation of the global ban and pick format, bringing a new layer of strategy to competitive Honor of Kings esports. This format will not only be featured in the upcoming Invitational but will also be adopted in future Honor of Kings tournaments, enhancing the game’s evolving competitive landscape.
The global ban and pick system was first introduced in 2018 for China’s King Pro League (KPL), an offline tournament that preceded the game’s global expansion. At that time, Honor of Kings was still exclusive to China. However, since the game’s worldwide release in 2024, it has been growing rapidly, with Tencent organizing multiple international tournaments to engage its expanding player base.
According to Tencent, the format aims to “provide more possibilities for each match.” Under this system, each hero can only be picked once per series, with four bans per game. This means teams must strategize their picks carefully over multiple games, making adaptability a key factor in victory.
If a best-of-seven (BO7) series reaches a 3-3 tie, an Ultimate Battle will be implemented. This final match changes the rules dramatically, allowing all previously picked or banned heroes to become available again. This means both teams can even draft identical lineups, setting the stage for an intense showdown where skill alone determines the victor.
The Honor of Kings Invitational S3 2025 is set to take place from February 21 to March 1 in Manila, Philippines. It will feature 12 elite teams from various regions, competing for the largest share of a $300,000 prize pool.
With the introduction of the global ban and pick format, fans can expect more diverse strategies, unexpected hero picks, and an overall heightened competitive experience. The move demonstrates Tencent’s commitment to refining Honor of Kings esports and pushing its strategic depth to new heights.
