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Toshi spills the biggest difference between MLBB and HoK

Posted on by Larry
Toshi spills the biggest difference between MLBB and HoK

From the MLBB pro turned HoK star himself.

Adrian “Toshi” Bacallo is one of the elite few Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) professional esports players that they can successfully make the leap to Honor of Kings (HoK).

Toshi started his career as the gold laner for SGD Omega, taking third place in MPL PH Season 4. In Season 6, he came closer to the title under the Smart Omega banner, but fell short against eventual M2 Champion Bren Esports .

After a tough 7 season, he joined the TNC Pro Team, but struggled to regain his top form, leading to his eventual retirement.

Now that he’s blossoming in HoK’s competitive scene as an import player for 2024 Honor of Kings Championship runner-up Dominator Esports, he’s learned that success here takes more than pure talent: it requires an entirely different approach to the game.

Toshi shows the difference between Mobile Legends and Honor of Kings

MPL PH Season 7 Smart Omega gold laner Adrian "Toshi" Bacallo
Credit: Toshi

In an interview with ONE Esports, Toshi talked about the nuances between Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Honor of Kings.

For him the switch was a revelation. Both games may belong to the same MOBA genre, but HoK demanded something fundamentally different from its players.

“The biggest difference with HoK is that you cannot function as a one-man army. In MLBB, you can only play the game if you are skilled enough. But that doesn’t work in HoK. You have to be on the same page with the entire team. Every move must be communicated,” Toshi explains.

Rise your ranks quickly with these 3 marksmen in honor of kings with Arli
Credit: ONE Esports, Level Infinite, TiMi Studio Group

He emphasized that HoK’s design pushes players to foster teamwork on a deeper level. “In HoK you have to tell your teammates exactly what you are going to do. If you don’t share your knowledge, the team will not function well. It’s all about five players moving as one,” he added.

This fundamental difference forced him to evolve not only as a player, but also as a communicator.

Esports poster from Honor of Kings Philippines for Toshi
Credit: TiMi Studio Group, Level Infinite

Despite the language barriers in his international team, where some players speak Bahasa and others speak English, he found that even broken English could get the job done. “It’s not about perfect communication. It’s about understanding each other and knowing our roles,” he said.

In terms of MLBB’s transferable skills, one thing Toshi was thrilled to discover in HoK was the continued importance of the marksman role. “The skills I developed as a marksman at MLBB have transferred over. I was happy because I could still play a role that I love and excel in,” he told ONE Esports.

While HoK’s mechanics felt different at first, the farm laner gradually adapted. “At first the gameplay felt strange. It’s a different pace and style, but what I like about HoK is that it really emphasizes being a team player,” he said.

After being loaned out by BOOM Esports, Toshi took on the challenge of helping Dominator Esports rise to the top Honor of King’s Championship 2024.

Honoring Kings Championship 2024 major visual
Credit: TiMi Studio Group, Level Infinite

He helped Dominator set the tone early, dominating the group stage into the top Group A and maintaining their form in the top bracket with a 3-1 win over Team Falcons and a 3-0 sweep of Blacklist International.

Despite facing Black Shrew Esports in the upper category finals, Toshi and his team showed incredible grit to defeat Team Secret in the lower category finals in a thrilling five-match series to earn a spot in the grand finals .

While Black Shrew eventually claimed the titleToshi’s impressive run and second place with Dominator showed his potential and cemented his place among the top players in the world.

READ MORE: ‘This is my redemption arc’: How ex-MLBB pro Toshi made a phenomenal comeback in honor of kings