If you’re looking to climb the ranks in Honor of Kings, you need to know which heroes are dominating the current meta. I’ve spent countless hours analyzing Diamond+ win rates, professional tournament data, and the latest patch notes to bring you the most comprehensive Honor of Kings tier list available.
After watching 64 matches from the King’s World Cup 2025 and diving deep into post-tournament ranked chaos, I can tell you that November 2026‘s meta is all about mobility, sustain, and team utility. The numbers don’t lie – Lam’s sitting pretty with a 54.9% win rate in the assassin role, Loong’s dominating marksmen at 55.3%, and Yaria’s proving that support can carry with a 53.8% win rate.
In this ultimate guide, you’ll discover exactly which heroes are worth your time, which ones to avoid, and how to adapt your playstyle to the current meta. Whether you’re stuck in Diamond or pushing for Master+, I’ve got the data-driven insights you need to start winning more consistently.
| Tier | Heroes | Win Rate Range | Meta Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| S Tier | Augran, Loong, Lam, Marco Polo, Da Qiao, Daji, Hou Yi, Yaria, Arke, Feyd, Fatih, Garuda | 52-55% | Meta-defining, must-pick/ban |
| A Tier | Angela, Yixing, Dolia, Lady Sun, Dun, Luban No.7, Kongming, Dian Wei, Wukong, Xiao Qiao, Sun Ce, Li Xin, Milady, Prince of Lanling, Consort Yu, Musashi, Cai Yan, Mozi, Mi Yue, Arthur, Bai Qi, Chano, Flowborn, Umbrosa | 49-52% | Strong picks, viable in most comps |
| B Tier | Mai Shiranui, Lady Zhen, Xuance, Alessio, Diaochan, Gan & Mo, Luara, Erin, Fang, Garo, Shouyue, Butterfly, Princess Frost, Heino, Donghuang, Kui, Yao, Allain, Shi, Lian Po, Ziya, Charlotte, Biron, Lu Bu, Yuhuan, Liu Shan, Zhuangzi, Arli, Sakeer | 47-49% | Situational picks, team-dependent |
| C Tier | Kaizer, Huang Zhong, Zhang Fei, Zilong, Fuzi, Ming, Xiang Yu, Menki, Yang Jian, Di Renjie, Liu Bei, Nakoruru, Han Xin, Mayene, Meng Ya, Nezha, Shangguan, Zhou Yu | 45-47% | Below average, niche picks only |
| D Tier | Li Bai, Ying, Ukyo Tachibana, Mulan, Dr Bian, Sima Yi, Gao, Liu Bang, Wuyan, Sun Bin, Dharma, Cirrus, Luna, Nuwa, Jing, Ata, Guiguzi, Guan Yu, Pei, Agudo, Athena | Below 45% | Weak in current meta, avoid |
The meta shifted dramatically after King’s World Cup 2025 wrapped up and Season 12 ‘Spriteling Playverse’ dropped on September 24th. I’m pulling these rankings from Diamond+ win rates, professional pick/ban stats, and that crucial patch 1.10.5 data from October 16th.
Here’s my methodology (because transparency matters): S-tier heroes need to maintain 52-55% win rates consistently. When Lam hits a 98% pick/ban rate with 67% wins across 64 KWC matches? That’s not coincidence – that’s dominance. I’m evaluating effectiveness across skill levels, role synergy, and how well heroes adapt to patches.
October to November changes hit different. Patch 1.10.5 buffed Charlotte’s movement speed and Zhou Yu’s damage while nerfing Sun Shangxiang’s ultimate and Athena’s crowd control. Umbrosa’s addition shook up Clash Lane dynamics so hard she earned immediate S-tier placement. The November 15th Plus Update introduced Iron to Legendary tiers with matchmaking that considers hero performance over simple win-loss records.
November 2026 isn’t about raw damage anymore. It’s mobility, sustain, and team utility. Wolves Esports didn’t beat Dynasty 4-2 in the finals by accident – they pushed ranked play toward coordinated compositions. Those Rush Down comps (Charlotte, Lam, Daji, Marco Polo, Yaria) achieved 68% tournament win rates for a reason.
What we’re seeing: assassin jungle dominance, marksman scaling becoming crucial, and support utility reaching new heights. Professional play has directly influenced ranked adoption, with tournament MVP Shadow achieving an 8.7 KDA primarily through Lam gameplay.
Twelve heroes earned S-tier status with 52-55% Diamond+ win rates. Augran leads the pack at 55.1% with a 45.2% ban rate – his sustain and 1v9 carry potential are just ridiculous right now.
Lam’s assassination game is unmatched. 54.9% win rate, 24.1% pick rate, 38.7% ban rate. His Hunter passive deals extra true damage to low-health targets, and those water-based abilities? Perfect for engage and escape. Professional data backs this up hard.
Marco Polo’s Chain Reaction passive stacks armor shred and triggers true damage at 10 stacks (40 base + 35% attack scaling). Against tank compositions, he’s absolutely devastating while maintaining mobility through dash and ultimate abilities.
The professional numbers validate everything: Loong’s 96% presence with 71% win rate, Daji’s 91% presence with 65% win rate. These aren’t flukes.
First rotation? Secure Lam or Augran for carry potential and flex positioning. Second rotation targets Loong or Marco Polo for marksman scaling insurance.
Ban priority gets strategic: Augran against extended fights, Lam when you lack crowd control, Daji with immobile carries.
Tank selection emphasizes crowd control utility and team fight initiation. Arthur leads S-tier with 54.2% win rate and 18.5% pick rate – his kit design offers straightforward execution with massive team fight presence.
Arthur provides area denial and damage amplification through his ultimate while offering solid engage/disengage options. Beginner-friendly kit works at all skill levels from Diamond to Master+.
Dun secures S-tier through peel and damage absorption, focusing on carry protection while maintaining backline threat presence. Both maintain 50%+ win rates across multiple patches – consistency matters.
Zhang Fei offers initiation through crowd control chains (effective in coordinated environments with guaranteed follow-up). Lian Po delivers crowd control chains and area denial against mobility-heavy compositions. Bai Qi specializes in anti-mobility scenarios.
Tank selection should prioritize team synergy: Arthur pairs beautifully with burst mages, Dun synergizes with scaling marksmen.
The assassin meta centers on jungle efficiency and gank potential. Lam leads through exceptional clear speed and mobility – his Hunter passive deals extra true damage while Wavebreaker provides gap closing plus sustain through water areas offering 30% cooldown reduction.
Wukong maintains A-tier through clone-based disruption and team fight chaos creation. Li Bai offers invulnerability mechanics and scaling potential, rewarding skilled players with high-risk gameplay.
Professional influence from KWC 2025 emphasizes jungle-focused strategies. Lam’s 98% pick/ban rate demonstrates meta-defining impact.
Wavebreaker creates water areas restoring health with 30% cooldown reduction – enabling jungle presence and escape options. Space Split provides damage and mobility through mark-and-dash mechanism. Basic attacks consume marks for additional dash distance and health recovery. Death From Below serves as ultimate engagement, throwing dagger before dashing while dragging enemies toward your team for follow-up damage.
Marco Polo maintains S-tier with 53.6% win rate through Chain Reaction passive applying armor shred stacks, triggering true damage at 10 stacks. Resplendent Revolver fires five bullets with movement speed for poke and kiting. Roaming Gun provides dash with damage and speed boost. Fevered Barrage offers blink and twelve area damage barrages.
Loong leads with 55.3% win rate through dragon transformation and elemental soul system. Hidden Dragon passive attaches souls to swords, enhancing basic attacks based on ability usage.
Lady Sun provides team utility through buffs and self-peel (52.9% win rate, 19.7% pick rate). Hou Yi offers safe laning and consistent damage as A-tier option for positioning safety over aggressive playmaking.
Farm Lane positioning emphasizes last-hitting while avoiding risks. Support synergy crucial – champions like Yaria providing protection make all the difference. Rotation timing centers on 10-minute objective contests where marksmen transition from farming to team fight contribution.
Daji leads with 54.7% win rate through one-shot burst and safe wave clearing, punishing positioning errors while providing elimination potential. Angela maintains S-tier with 53.3% win rate through global ultimate and consistent crowd control. Yixing secures 52.8% win rate through zone control and area damage.
Burst vs sustained damage? Burst mages like Daji excel in elimination-focused scenarios requiring quick target removal. High damage in short windows requires precise positioning and timing – works best with crowd control support.
Sustained mages like Diao Chan offer consistent damage throughout extended fights. Meta preference leans toward burst potential due to fast-paced team fights where quick elimination determines outcomes.
Yaria dominates with 53.8% win rate and 20.2% pick rate through comprehensive utility: crowd control, healing, shields, vision control. Verdant Predator ultimate attaches to teammates providing true damage shields while amplifying abilities – particularly effective with scaling carries like Loong.
Da Qiao offers portal-based positioning and crowd control enabling team rotations and objective control. Damage supports like Dyadia provide healing combined with damage output, balancing support functionality with threat presence.
Support selection should prioritize team composition synergy over individual strength. Proper warding enables positioning while preventing flanks.
| Hero | Tier | Win Rate | Pick Rate | Ban Rate | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arthur | S | 54.2% | 18.5% | 12.3% | Area denial, damage amplification, beginner-friendly |
| Dun | S | 52.8% | 15.2% | 8.7% | Carry protection, damage absorption, backline threat |
| Liu Shan | B | 49.7% | 8.1% | 2.1% | Support capabilities, team utility |
| Kaizer | C | 48.9% | 6.8% | 1.8% | Anti-mage capabilities, sustain |
| Liu Bang | D | 44.2% | 3.2% | 0.9% | Portal utility, team mobility |
| Hero | Tier | Win Rate | Pick Rate | Ban Rate | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daji | S | 54.7% | 22.1% | 31.2% | One-shot burst, safe wave clear, elimination potential |
| Angela | S | 53.3% | 19.8% | 24.5% | Global ultimate, consistent crowd control |
| Yixing | A | 52.8% | 16.3% | 18.7% | Zone control, area damage, team fight presence |
| Lady Zhen | B | 51.2% | 9.8% | 5.4% | Poke damage, lane dominance |
| Luna | D | 43.8% | 2.1% | 1.2% | Mobility, scaling potential |
| Hero | Tier | Win Rate | Pick Rate | Ban Rate | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augran | S | 55.1% | 20.3% | 45.2% | Sustain, 1v9 carry potential, team fight presence |
| Dian Wei | A | 51.9% | 14.2% | 12.8% | Burst damage, engage potential, snowball capability |
| Biron | B | 49.8% | 11.7% | 6.3% | Team fight disruption, area damage |
| Charlotte | B | 50.2% | 10.1% | 7.9% | Mobility, peel potential, team utility |
| Athena | D | 42.1% | 1.8% | 0.8% | Crowd control, team fight initiation |
| Hero | Tier | Win Rate | Pick Rate | Ban Rate | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lam | S | 54.9% | 24.1% | 38.7% | Jungle efficiency, gank potential, true damage |
| Wukong | A | 51.6% | 13.8% | 15.2% | Clone disruption, team fight chaos |
| Li Bai | B | 49.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% | Invulnerability mechanics, scaling potential |
| Nakoruru | C | 47.8% | 5.1% | 3.2% | Poke damage, lane control |
| Li Bai | D | 44.5% | 3.8% | 2.1% | High risk, high reward mechanics |
| Hero | Tier | Win Rate | Pick Rate | Ban Rate | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loong | S | 55.3% | 21.7% | 42.1% | Dragon transformation, elemental souls, late-game scaling |
| Marco Polo | S | 53.6% | 19.2% | 28.7% | Armor shred, true damage, mobility |
| Lady Sun | A | 52.9% | 19.7% | 16.3% | Team utility, self-peel, consistent damage |
| Hou Yi | A | 51.8% | 15.3% | 12.1% | Safe laning, positioning, consistent damage |
| Meng Ya | C | 46.9% | 4.8% | 2.3% | Poke potential, lane control |
| Hero | Tier | Win Rate | Pick Rate | Ban Rate | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yaria | S | 53.8% | 20.2% | 25.8% | Comprehensive utility, true damage shields, ability amplification |
| Da Qiao | S | 52.1% | 16.8% | 18.2% | Portal positioning, crowd control, objective control |
| Dolia | A | 51.9% | 14.7% | 12.3% | Healing, damage output, balance of support and threat |
| Kui | B | 49.8% | 9.1% | 5.7% | Team utility, area denial |
| Sun Bin | D | 43.2% | 2.8% | 1.5% | Crowd control, team fight presence |
| Hero | Tier | Win Rate | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dun | S | 52.8% | Tank capabilities, crowd control, team fight presence |
| Li Xin | A | 51.2% | Fighter potential, snowball capability, engage |
| Mi Yue | B | 49.3% | Support utility, team sustain |
| Wuyan | C | 47.1% | Fighter potential, team fight disruption |
| Guan Yu | D | 44.8% | Team fight initiation, crowd control |
| Hero | Tier | Win Rate | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daji | S | 54.7% | Burst damage, wave clear, elimination potential |
| Yixing | A | 52.8% | Zone control, area damage, team fight presence |
| Ziya | B | 50.1% | Area damage, team fight utility |
| Gao | C | 48.2% | Burst potential, snowball capability |
| Yuhuan | D | 45.9% | Sustain, team fight presence |
| Hero | Tier | Win Rate | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loong | S | 55.3% | Late-game scaling, dragon transformation, team fight presence |
| Marco Polo | A | 53.6% | Armor shred, true damage, mobility |
| Erin | B | 50.3% | Consistent damage, team fight utility |
| Shouyue | C | 48.1% | Poke damage, lane control |
| Huang Zhong | C | 47.8% | Long-range damage, team fight presence |
| Hero | Tier | Win Rate | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yaria | S | 53.8% | Comprehensive utility, team support, objective control |
| Dyadia | A | 51.9% | Healing, damage output, balance of support and threat |
| Donghuang | B | 49.7% | Crowd control, team utility, vision control |
| Zhuangzi | C | 47.2% | Team fight disruption, area denial |
| Guiguzi | D | 44.1% | Crowd control, team fight presence |
| Hero | Tier | Win Rate | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augran | S | 55.1% | Sustain, clear speed, gank potential, carry capability |
| Dian Wei | A | 51.9% | Burst damage, engage potential, snowball capability |
| Prince of Lanling | B | 50.2% | Gank efficiency, team fight presence |
| Zilong | C | 48.5% | Mobility, gank potential, snowball capability |
| Athena | D | 42.1% | Crowd control, team fight initiation |
KWC 2025 (September 15 – October 24, 2026) significantly influenced rankings through 64 matches, $10 million prize pool, 58 million peak viewership. Rush Down compositions achieved 68% win rates. Tournament MVP Shadow achieved 8.7 KDA primarily through Lam gameplay.
The upcoming Honor of Kings International Championship (November 14-30, Philippines, $1 million prize pool) will further influence meta development.
Tournament statistics that matter:
Professional success translates directly to ranked adoption through demonstrated effectiveness.
Focus on Arthur, Augran, Daji, Marco Polo, Yaria for straightforward execution and high impact. Arthur provides reliable crowd control without complex combos. Augran offers 1v9 carry potential through sustain-based kit allowing farming efficiency focus.
Why these heroes work for lower ranks:
Prioritize Lam, Loong, Charlotte, Yixing, Dyadia – these reward mechanical skill and strategic understanding. Lam requires precise combo execution but provides exceptional carry potential. Loong demands positioning expertise but offers late-game insurance through dragon transformation.
Advanced hero requirements:
Many players stick to comfort picks even when the meta has shifted. Professional play directly influences ranked strategies, and ignoring these trends puts you at a significant disadvantage. When Lam achieves a 98% pick/ban rate in tournaments, there’s a reason – he’s that strong in the current meta.
I see too many players picking their “main” regardless of team composition. Honor of Kings is a team game, and hero synergy matters more than individual skill. A well-coordinated team of A-tier heroes will consistently beat a disjointed team of S-tier heroes.
The best players can fill multiple roles and adapt to team needs. If you only play one role or hero, you’re limiting your climb potential. Learn at least 2-3 heroes in each role to maximize your impact.
Many players focus too much on kills and not enough on objectives. The current meta rewards objective control and proper rotation timing. Learn when to push towers, contest dragons, and secure buffs – these decisions win games more than individual kills.
Gold and experience management separates good players from great ones. Learn efficient farming patterns, understand when to roam, and maximize your resource income. A small gold lead at 10 minutes often determines the game outcome.
Professional teams achieved 68% win rates with Rush Down comps (Charlotte, Lam, Daji, Marco Polo, Yaria). This composition focuses on early aggression, objective control, and snowballing advantages. Practice this composition with friends to see why it’s so effective.
Lam’s dominance isn’t just about his kit – it’s about efficient jungle pathing. Learn optimal clear routes, gank timing, and objective control to maximize your impact as a jungler. The difference between a good and great jungler often comes down to pathing efficiency.
The best players have exceptional map awareness. Constantly check minimap for missing enemies, track jungle timers, and anticipate rotations. This skill separates Diamond players from Master+ players.
Positioning wins team fights. Learn where to stand as each role, when to engage, and when to disengage. One poorly positioned team fight can lose you the game, regardless of how far ahead you are.
The meta shifts constantly with balance patches. Stay updated on the latest changes and adapt your playstyle accordingly. The players who climb fastest are those who quickly adapt to new metas rather than sticking to outdated strategies.
Buffed Heroes:
Nerfed Heroes:
These balance changes have significantly impacted the meta:
S-tier heroes maintain 52-55% win rates consistently across Diamond+ ranks, have high pick/ban rates in professional play, and offer significant impact on game outcomes. They typically excel in the current meta, have strong synergy with popular compositions, and can carry games when played correctly.
The meta shifts significantly with major patches, which typically occur every 2-4 weeks. However, professional tournaments can cause more immediate meta shifts, as we saw after KWC 2025. I recommend checking for updates every week and staying flexible with your hero pool.
For beginners, I recommend Arthur (tank), Augran (fighter), Daji (mage), Marco Polo (marksman), and Yaria (support). These heroes have straightforward kits, clear impact, and are forgiving of mistakes while still being effective in the current meta.
Team composition is crucial in Honor of Kings. A well-coordinated team of A-tier heroes will consistently beat a disjointed team of S-tier heroes. Focus on role balance, crowd control, damage types, and synergy between heroes rather than just picking the highest-tier individual heroes.
The best way to climb is to master 2-3 heroes in your preferred role, understand the current meta, focus on objectives over kills, develop strong map awareness, and maintain positive communication with your team. Consistency and adaptability are key to climbing ranks.
Professional tournaments directly influence the ranked meta by showcasing effective strategies and compositions. When a hero or strategy succeeds in tournaments, it quickly gets adopted in ranked play. For example, Lam’s 98% pick/ban rate in KWC 2025 made him the most contested hero in ranked.
If your main hero gets nerfed, don’t panic. First, assess if the nerf significantly impacts their playstyle. If it does, consider learning similar heroes in the same role. Use this as an opportunity to expand your hero pool and adapt to the changing meta.
Patch note awareness is essential for climbing. Players who quickly adapt to balance changes gain a significant advantage over those who don’t. I recommend reading patch notes thoroughly and understanding how changes affect your main heroes and the overall meta.
The Honor of Kings meta in May 2026 is defined by mobility, sustain, and team utility. Professional play has heavily influenced what works in ranked, with Rush Down compositions and coordinated team strategies dominating the landscape.
Remember that tier lists are tools, not absolute rules. The best hero is one you’ve mastered and can play effectively. Focus on learning 2-3 heroes in your preferred role, understand team composition principles, and stay adaptable as the meta evolves.
Whether you’re climbing from Diamond or pushing for Master+, the insights in this guide will help you make better decisions, draft more effectively, and ultimately win more games. Keep practicing, stay updated on meta shifts, and most importantly, have fun on your journey to becoming an Honor of Kings champion!
Pro Tip: Bookmark this guide and check back monthly for the latest meta updates and tier list adjustments. The Honor of Kings meta evolves quickly, and staying current is key to maintaining your competitive edge!
