Last updated: July 18, 2025
Master solo queue ranked in Honor of Kings with our top 10 hero picks for October 2025. Complete guide with builds, strategies, and tips to carry your team to victory.
Best Heroes for Solo Queue in Honor of Kings 2025: Top 10 Picks to Climb Ranked
Solo queue ranked can be challenging in Honor of Kings, especially when you can't coordinate with your team. Success requires heroes that can carry games independently, adapt to different situations, and make impactful plays. This comprehensive guide reveals the top 10 heroes for solo queue in October 2025, complete with builds, strategies, and tips to climb the ranked ladder.
What Makes a Hero Great for Solo Queue?
Before diving into specific picks, understand these key characteristics:
Self-Sufficiency
- Can clear waves and farm efficiently
- Has built-in sustain or survivability
- Doesn't heavily rely on team follow-up
Carry Potential
- Can secure objectives alone
- High damage output
- Ability to turn around unfavorable fights
Versatility
- Adapts to different team compositions
- Effective in multiple phases of the game
- Can fill different roles when needed
Low Mechanical Ceiling (for some picks)
- Easier to execute consistently
- Less prone to misplays under pressure
- Reliable performance even in chaotic situations
Top 10 Heroes for Solo Queue October 2025
1. Sun Ce - The Unstoppable Warrior
Role: Fighter/Tank Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Win Rate: 53.2% Pick Rate: 18.7%
Why He's Great for Solo Queue: Sun Ce excels at initiating fights and controlling multiple enemies simultaneously. His tankiness allows him to dive the backline while his team follows up, and he can escape if needed. Perfect for creating chaos that your team can capitalize on.
Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Resistance Boots, Dominance Ice, Shield of the Lost
- Damage Items: Cursed Helmet, Crimson Banner
- Late Game: Twilight Armor, Revitalize
Key Strategies:
- Use your ultimate to disrupt team fights and zone carries
- Focus on splitting when your team lacks coordination
- Build tanky enough to survive dives
- Prioritize controlling jungle objectives
Matchup Guide:
- Strong Against: Marksmen, immobile mages
- Weak Against: High burst damage, %HP damage dealers
- Skill Cap: Learn animation canceling for faster combos
2. Pei - The Shadow Hunter
Role: Assassin/Jungler Difficulty: ★★★★☆ Win Rate: 54.8% Pick Rate: 22.3%
Why He's Great for Solo Queue: Pei can delete priority targets and escape safely, making him perfect for punishing positioning mistakes common in solo queue. His mobility allows him to control vision and secure objectives independently.
Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Warrior Boots, Muramasa, Blade of Despair
- Jungle Items: Thunder Belt (upgraded)
- Situational: Fenrir's Tooth, Master Sword
Key Strategies:
- Focus on farming efficiently early game
- Look for isolated targets during mid game
- Use ultimate to assassinate carries in team fights
- Control both rivers for maximum map pressure
Matchup Guide:
- Strong Against: Squishy mages, marksmen
- Weak Against: Bruisers, anti-assassin supports
- Pro Tip: Track enemy cooldowns before committing to kills
3. Angela - The Ultimate Support
Role: Support/Mage Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Win Rate: 52.9% Pick Rate: 16.4%
Why She's Great for Solo Queue: Angela can save teammates from their mistakes with her shields and speed boosts. Her ultimate allows you to literally attach to your strongest teammate and help them carry. Low mechanical requirements make her reliable.
Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Magic Boots, Fleeting Time, Holy Grail
- Support Items: Enchanted Talisman, Immortality
- Situational: Tome of the Reaper, Athena's Shield
Key Strategies:
- Identify your win condition (best player) and enable them
- Use skill 1 for poke and vision control
- Save ultimate for carries, not feeding teammates
- Build cooldown reduction for maximum impact
Matchup Guide:
- Strong Against: Dive-heavy compositions, burst damage
- Weak Against: Long-range poke, sustain compositions
- Key Mechanic: Master ultimate timing to turn fights
4. Luna - The Moon Goddess
Role: Assassin/Mage Difficulty: ★★★★★ Win Rate: 51.7% Pick Rate: 14.2%
Why She's Great for Solo Queue: Luna's massive burst damage can instantly eliminate priority targets. Her mobility and reset mechanics allow skilled players to carry entire team fights. High skill ceiling means mastering her pays dividends.
Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Boots of Tranquility, Staff of Nuul, Arctic Orb
- Damage Items: Blood Wings, Divine Glaive
- Situational: Rhapsody, Holy Grail
Key Strategies:
- Farm aggressively to hit level 4 power spike
- Look for isolated targets in jungle
- Use marks strategically for resets in team fights
- Avoid face-checking bushes without vision
Matchup Guide:
- Strong Against: Immobile mages, ADCs without escapes
- Weak Against: Tanks, hard CC compositions
- Mastery Tip: Practice mark management for maximum DPS
5. Arthur - The Reliable Tank
Role: Tank/Fighter Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Win Rate: 52.4% Pick Rate: 19.8%
Why He's Great for Solo Queue: Arthur is incredibly forgiving with built-in sustain and high damage for a tank. He can initiate fights, peel for carries, or split push effectively. Simple kit makes him perfect for climbing.
Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Warrior Boots, Dominance Ice, Cursed Helmet
- Defensive Items: Shield of the Lost, Twilight Armor
- Damage: Crimson Banner, Revitalize
Key Strategies:
- Use silence to shut down enemy carries
- Spin-to-win in team fights for maximum area damage
- Split push side lanes when team isn't grouping
- Tank objectives to secure them for your team
Matchup Guide:
- Strong Against: Ability-dependent heroes, marksmen
- Weak Against: %HP damage, long-range kiting
- Easy Combo: S1 → AA → S2 → S1 (when off CD)
6. Diao Chan - The Control Mage
Role: Mage Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Win Rate: 53.6% Pick Rate: 15.9%
Why She's Great for Solo Queue: Diao Chan's slows and zone control make her excellent at kiting and controlling team fights. Her sustain through passive allows extended fights, and she can solo lane effectively.
Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Magic Boots, Fleeting Time, Staff of Nuul
- Damage Items: Blood Wings, Divine Glaive
- Defensive: Immortality
Key Strategies:
- Use skill 2 to zone enemies from objectives
- Keep moving between abilities to maximize passive
- Focus on positioning over aggressive plays
- Build cooldown reduction for perma-slow
Matchup Guide:
- Strong Against: Melee heroes, dive compositions
- Weak Against: Long-range poke, assassins with gap closers
- Advanced Tip: Layer skills to maintain constant slow field
7. Li Bai - The Sword Saint
Role: Assassin Difficulty: ★★★★★ Win Rate: 50.9% Pick Rate: 13.7%
Why He's Great for Solo Queue: Li Bai's invulnerability during ultimate makes him one of the safest assassins. His ability to dive backlines and escape makes him perfect for punishing grouped enemies in solo queue chaos.
Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Warrior Boots, Muramasa, Blade of Despair
- Jungle Items: Thunder Belt
- Situational: Fenrir's Tooth, Immortality
Key Strategies:
- Stack passive on minions/jungle before engaging
- Use ultimate during team fights for area damage immunity
- Invade enemy jungle when ultimate is ready
- Prioritize getting 4 stacks quickly in fights
Matchup Guide:
- Strong Against: Grouped enemies, squishy backlines
- Weak Against: Hard CC, vision control, early invades
- Pro Mechanic: Ultimate animation canceling for faster burst
8. Marco Polo - The Versatile Marksman
Role: Marksman Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Win Rate: 52.1% Pick Rate: 17.5%
Why He's Great for Solo Queue: Marco Polo's mobility and true damage make him less reliant on peel from supports. He can kite effectively and his ultimate provides both damage and repositioning.
Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Swift Boots, Endless Battle, Blade of Despair
- Attack Speed: Wind Chaser, Scarlet Phantom
- Survivability: Immortality
Key Strategies:
- Weave basic attacks between abilities for maximum DPS
- Use skill 2 for both offense and escape
- Position aggressively only when ultimate is available
- Farm efficiently to hit item power spikes
Matchup Guide:
- Strong Against: Tanks, low-mobility teams
- Weak Against: Assassins, hard engage compositions
- Positioning: Stay at maximum auto-attack range
9. Guan Yu - The Green Dragon
Role: Fighter/Tank Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Win Rate: 53.8% Pick Rate: 14.6%
Why He's Great for Solo Queue: Guan Yu's massive heal and damage output allow him to win extended fights. His mobility lets him split push or join team fights quickly. Can single-handedly take objectives.
Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Warrior Boots, Berserker's Wrath, Blade of Despair
- Tankiness: Dominance Ice, Shield of the Lost
- Sustain: Revitalize
Key Strategies:
- Clear waves and rotate to help teammates
- Use ultimate to split push or escape ganks
- Heal during fights to turn the tide
- Build hybrid damage/tank for maximum effectiveness
Matchup Guide:
- Strong Against: Sustained damage dealers, 1v1 matchups
- Weak Against: Burst damage, anti-heal
- Power Spike: Level 4 ultimate unlock
10. Nuwa - The Creator Goddess
Role: Mage/Support Difficulty: ★★★★☆ Win Rate: 51.5% Pick Rate: 12.8%
Why She's Great for Solo Queue: Nuwa's global ultimate allows her to impact every lane without leaving her position. Her summoned units provide vision and damage, making her excellent for controlling the map.
Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Magic Boots, Fleeting Time, Staff of Nuul
- Utility: Holy Grail, Enchanted Talisman
- Damage: Blood Wings, Divine Glaive
Key Strategies:
- Use ultimate to save teammates across the map
- Summon stones for vision control
- Build cooldown reduction for frequent ultimates
- Support your carry with shields and damage
Matchup Guide:
- Strong Against: Split pushers, dive compositions
- Weak Against: High-mobility assassins
- Unique Mechanic: Use ultimate on teammates about to secure kills
General Solo Queue Tips
Early Game (0-5 minutes)
- Focus on Farming: Secure your gold and experience
- Avoid Risky Plays: Don't chase kills into fog of war
- Ward Strategically: Vision prevents ganks
- Communicate: Use pings effectively
Mid Game (5-12 minutes)
- Rotate for Objectives: Dark Slayer and Turtle are priority
- Group Strategically: Know when to push together
- Maintain Vision: Control river and jungle entrances
- Punish Mistakes: Capitalize on enemy overextensions
Late Game (12+ minutes)
- Don't Die: One death can lose the game
- Stick Together: Team fights decide games
- Protect Carries: Peel for your damage dealers
- End Quickly: Push advantages immediately
Role-Specific Solo Queue Advice
Jungler Tips
- Track enemy jungler position
- Secure objectives over kills
- Gank overextended lanes
- Farm efficiently between ganks
Mid Laner Tips
- Roam when enemy recalls
- Control vision in river
- Help jungler with objectives
- Wave clear before roaming
Side Laner Tips
- Ward to avoid ganks
- Know when to split push
- TP to team fights with items
- Freeze waves when ahead
Marksman Tips
- Farm safely, especially early
- Position in backline during fights
- Build lifesteal for sustain
- Don't face-check bushes
Support Tips
- Protect your carry at all costs
- Ward crucial locations
- Engage only when team is ready
- Build utility items
Climbing Tips for Each Rank
Bronze to Silver
- Focus on farming, not kills
- Play safe and avoid deaths
- Learn one hero per role
- Watch minimap constantly
Gold to Platinum
- Master 2-3 heroes deeply
- Learn matchups and counters
- Improve map awareness
- Time objectives precisely
Diamond to Master
- Perfect your mechanics
- Understand macro strategy
- Adapt builds to situations
- Study professional gameplay
Master to Challenger
- Minimize all mistakes
- Master multiple roles
- Communicate effectively
- Analyze your own replays
Common Solo Queue Mistakes to Avoid
- Chasing Too Far: Know when to let enemies go
- Fighting Without Objectives: Every fight should have a purpose
- Ignoring Minimap: Awareness prevents deaths
- Building Incorrectly: Adapt items to enemy composition
- Tilting: Stay positive and focused
- Playing Too Many Heroes: Master few rather than knowing many
- Solo Pushing Without Vision: Recipe for disaster
- Fighting When Behind: Farm and take safe fights
- Ignoring Team Composition: Pick what the team needs
- Not Muting Toxic Players: Protect your mental health
Conclusion
Climbing the ranked ladder in Honor of Kings solo queue requires the right hero picks, solid fundamentals, and mental resilience. The 10 heroes listed above offer the best combination of carry potential, self-sufficiency, and versatility to help you climb ranks consistently.
Remember: Consistency beats flashy plays. Master one or two heroes from this list, focus on fundamentals, and your rank will naturally improve over time.
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Good luck on your climb to the top of the ranked ladder!