How to Build Your First Team in Honor of Kings & Find Discounted Top Up
By: Julie
18 Dec 2025
If you’ve recently hit that Honor of Kings download button, chances are you’re feeling the hype. The graphics are crisp, the gameplay is smooth, and the hero roster is massive. But let’s be real for a second—jumping into a new MOBA can feel like learning a new language. You queue up for a match, lock in your favorite hero, and suddenly realize your team has three marksmen and no tank. We’ve all been there. It’s a classic "gg go next" moment before the minions even spawn. Whether you are here to master the meta or just hunting for discounted top ups to grab that new skin, understanding how to draft a winning team is your first step to victory.
As someone who has grinded through the ranks and seen every meta shift in the Philippines, I’m here to tell you that individual skill can only take you so far. In Honor of Kings, victory belongs to the team that understands synergy. It’s not just about picking strong Honor of Kings characters; it’s about picking the right characters that work together like a well-oiled machine.
In this guide, I’m going to break down exactly how to build your first team, explain the crucial role of class synergy, and drop some insider secrets on how to stretch your gaming budget with cheap top ups. So, grab your phone, clean your screen, and let’s dive in!
Understanding the 5 Pillars of a Balanced Team

Before we talk about fancy combos, we need to respect the basics. The map in Honor of Kings is divided into three lanes and a jungle, but the roles are strictly defined to ensure maximum efficiency. If you check any Honor of Kings beginner guide, you’ll see these five roles. Here is how I explain them to my friends when we are lobbying up:
1. Clash Lane (The Fighter/Tank)
This is your solo warrior. Located on the side where the map creates a "clash" (usually top for one team, bottom for the other), this lane is for heroes who can sustain themselves.
- The Job: Survive 1v1, hold the lane, and eventually dive the enemy backline in team fights.
- Ideal Pick: Arthur (for beginners) or Augran. Augran has been a meta-monster in late 2025 due to his "unkillable" sustain mechanics, making him a perfect pick if you want to bully your lane.
2. Jungle (The Assassin/Warrior)
The tempo controller. Junglers don't stay in a lane; they farm neutral monsters to gain gold and XP quickly.
- The Job: Gank lanes (surprise attacks), secure objectives like the Tyrant and Overlord, and eliminate high-priority targets.
- Ideal Pick: Lam or Prince of Lanling. Lam remains S-tier in the current meta because of his high mobility and reset mechanics. You are the playmaker. If the jungler sleeps, the team loses.
3. Mid Lane (The Mage)
The heart of the map. Because the lane is short, minion waves arrive faster, allowing the Mid Laner to clear quickly and "roam" to help other lanes.
- The Job: Provide magical burst damage and crowd control (CC). You are responsible for rotating top or bottom to turn a 1v1 into a 2v1.
- Ideal Pick: Angela or Milady. Angela is timeless for beginners—her laser melts enemies instantly—while Milady applies immense pressure on towers.
4. Farm Lane (The Marksman)
The late-game insurance policy. This is usually the lane where the Gold buff is located.
- The Job: Farm, farm, and farm some more. Your goal is to get items as fast as possible so you can melt towers and enemies in the late game.
- Ideal Pick: Loong or Luban No. 7. Loong has been dominating the 2025 win rates thanks to his dragon form and versatility, while Luban is the classic "glass cannon" for easy high damage.
5. Roam (The Support/Tank)
The babysitter and the vision provider. This role is often misunderstood in low ranks. You don't just steal XP from the Marksman!
- The Job: Protect the carry, check bushes for enemies, and initiate fights.
- Ideal Pick: Zhang Fei or Dolia. Dolia’s ability to refresh teammate cooldowns creates insane synergy, while Zhang Fei is the ultimate shield.
The Art of Class Synergy: Why "Wombo Combos" Win Games
Now that you know the roles, let’s talk synergy. A common question I see online is " How to build your first team in honor of kings reddit threads often discuss." The answer isn't just picking five S-tier heroes. It's about how those heroes' skills interact.
The "Chain CC" Composition
This is my favorite strategy for climbing out of low ranks (Bronze to Diamond). The idea is simple: if the enemy can't move, they can't fight back.
- How it works: You pick a tank with a stun (like Liu Shan), a mage with a freeze or slow (like Wang Zhaojun), and a fighter with a knock-up.
- The Synergy: The tank engages and stuns the enemy. Before the stun wears off, the mage drops their crowd control. The enemy is locked in place for 3-4 seconds, which is an eternity in a MOBA.
The "Protect the Prince" Composition
This strategy revolves entirely around your Farm Lane Marksman. This is high-risk, high-reward.
- How it works: You pick a "Hyper Carry" marksman who deals insane damage but has low mobility (like Luban No. 7). The rest of the team picks heroes with shields, heals, and peels (skills that push enemies away).
- The Synergy: The Roamer (e.g., Zhang Fei) saves their ultimate specifically to push assassins away from the Marksman. The Mid Laner zones enemies out. If the Marksman survives, they will wipe the entire enemy team in seconds.
The "Pick-Off" Composition
Best for aggressive players. This relies on high mobility and burst damage.
- How it works: You prioritize Assassins in the Jungle and Clash Lane.
- The Synergy: Instead of 5v5 team fights, you look for enemies wandering alone. Your team moves in a "wolf pack," isolating targets and deleting them before their teammates can help.
Honor of Kings vs Mobile Legends: What’s the Difference?
I know many of you are coming from the Land of Dawn, so let’s address the elephant in the room: Honor of Kings vs Mobile Legends. While they share the same genre, the synergy in HoK feels deeper.
- Role Strictness: In MLBB, you can sometimes get away with weird lineups like 2 marksmen if you snowball early. In HoK, the class roles are more rigid. If you don't have a dedicated Jungler with the "Smite" spell equivalent, you cannot secure objectives, and you will lose.
- Map Size: The HoK map feels slightly larger, making rotations more strategic. You can't just sprint from top to bottom in seconds; you have to plan your moves.
- Objective Importance: The Tyrant and Overlord provide buffs that are absolutely essential for breaking the enemy base. Team fighting around these objectives is where your class synergy is truly tested.
Level Up Your Knowledge: Lore and Spinoffs

To truly bond with your main hero, you need to know their story. Have you checked out the Honor of Kings Secret Level explained videos? The "Secret Level" refers to the Secret Level Amazon Prime Video anthology series (released late 2024). The episode "The Way of All Things" features the hero Yi Xing and dives deep into the lore of the game, exploring themes of choice and sacrifice. Watching it actually gives you a better appreciation for the character's in-game mechanics involving the Go board (Weiqi)!
Also, keep your eyes peeled for Honor of Kings: World. It’s the upcoming open-world RPG that expands on the universe. Knowing the lore often helps you understand why certain characters (like siblings or rivals) have specific voice lines when played together!
The Pro Move: Smart Spending for Skins and Heroes
Building the perfect team sometimes means unlocking specific heroes or grabbing that inspiring skin that makes you play better (we call it the "+10 Damage Skin Buff," just kidding... sort of).
However, buying Tokens directly in-app can be pricey. As a pro-tip from your local game guide, you should always look for discounted top ups. Why pay full price when you can get more bang for your buck?
This is where GPDS Game Shop comes into play.
Why I Trust GPDS Game Shop

If you are looking for where to top up diamonds in the Philippines or Tokens for HoK, GPDS is the real deal. I’ve used them for my own accounts, and here is why I recommend them:
- Legitimacy: Is GPDS Game Shop legit? Absolutely. They have established a strong reputation in the PH gaming community for delivering credits safely and securely.
- Savings: They offer cheap game credits and discounted game credits compared to standard store rates. Those few pesos saved add up, allowing you to buy that extra Weekly Card or lucky box.
- Convenience: GPDS Game Shop Philippines caters specifically to us, offering payment methods we actually use (like GCash, Maya, etc.).
Don't overpay for your gaming passion. Be smart with your resources so you can focus on mastering your heroes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are the questions I get asked the most during my streams:
What is the best starting hero in Honor of Kings?
For absolute beginners, I recommend Arthur (Clash Lane) or Angela (Mid Lane). Arthur is incredibly tanky and forgiving—you can make mistakes and still survive. Angela has a simple "aim and burn" mechanic that deals massive damage from a safe distance. If you are chasing the meta, try Loong (Marksman) or Augran (Jungle).
How to be good at Honor of Kings?
It boils down to three things:
- Map Awareness: Look at the mini-map every 5 seconds. If you don't see the enemy Jungler, assume they are in the bush next to you.
- Gold Economy: Don't chase kills; chase gold. Last-hitting minions gives you more gold. A rich player beats a skilled player who has no items.
- Learn All Roles: Even if you main Marksman, play a few games as Support. It helps you understand what your teammates need from you.
Is Honor of Kings the most profitable game?
Yes, historically speaking. It has consistently been one of the highest-grossing mobile games worldwide, primarily due to its massive player base in China. Its global release has only added to its financial dominance.
Who builds the Honor of Kings?
The game is developed by TiMi Studio Group, a subsidiary of Tencent Games. These are the same wizards who worked on Call of Duty: Mobile and Pokémon UNITE, so they know a thing or two about making addictive, high-quality mobile games.
Where can I find an Honor of Kings tier list?
The meta changes with every patch. I recommend following the official social media channels or checking community hubs like Reddit for the latest Honor of Kings tier list. Just remember: a B-tier hero you have mastered is better than an S-tier hero you don't know how to play.
Victory is Waiting
Building your first team in Honor of Kings is a journey. You will have games where everything clicks, and you will have games where you get stomped. That’s part of the process. Focus on your synergy, communicate with your team (use those pings!), and keep your economy strong with smart plays and smart top-ups.
Remember, the goal isn't just to kill enemies; it's to destroy the crystal. Gather your friends, draft a balanced team, and dominate the gorge!
For official announcements, patch notes, or upcoming events, make sure to follow Honor of Kings on their official channels:
- Official Website: honorofkings.com
- Instagram: @honorofkings
- Facebook: Honor of Kings Global
- YouTube: Honor of Kings Official
See you in the Grandmaster tier!
Ready to take your skills to the next level? We’ve compiled the ultimate list of secrets used by top players to climb the ladder fast. Check out our latest guide on pro strategies and secure your resources today: Honor of Kings Rank Up Guide: 7 Pro Player Secrets + Safe Token Top-Up Philippines