According to Crickex Sign Up reports, the new season of Honor of Kings has already been in full swing for over a month. As players strive to climb the ranked ladder, many are beginning to notice certain heroes just don’t pull their weight anymore. In this constantly evolving meta, it’s crucial to remember what to let go of, what to adapt, and—perhaps most importantly—what to avoid. In this patch, four so-called “trap heroes” have emerged, and steering clear of them might be the key to ranking up faster.
Top of the list is Ji Xiaoman. On paper, she seems like the total package—crowd control, mobility, sustain, and immunity frames. But Crickex Sign Up analysts highlight a stark reality: Ji Xiaoman currently ranks dead last in win rates across all divisions in the solo lane. Despite previous dominance, she’s been hit hard by recent nerfs, and stronger solo-lane heroes have now taken her place in the spotlight. Especially for low-tier players, picking Ji Xiaoman in the current meta is more likely to hurt than help.
Next is Hainuo. As a mid-laner, he offers poke damage but lacks true finishing power. When placed in the solo lane, he has survivability but struggles when opponents simply choose not to engage. His tank build once thrived because players didn’t know how to counter him. But now, most opponents avoid direct confrontations and rotate after clearing the lane, leaving Hainuo with no targets. While he may shine in chaotic 10v10 modes, in standard 5v5 ranked play, Hainuo falls flat.
Then there’s Lü Bu—a hero who’s become a cautionary tale. This season’s patch buffed his early-game durability but nerfed his late-game impact. Unfortunately, that trade-off backfired. Lü Bu’s tankiness only activates through constant combat, and if the team falls behind, he becomes almost unplayable. In the past, Lü Bu could survive a slow early game and dominate in the late stages. Now, his early game is dull, his mid-game average, and his late game underwhelming. Even in pro play, he’s barely seen anymore.
Finally, we have Guan Yu, once a fan-favorite for flank-heavy, high-mobility gameplay. These days, though, the meta simply doesn’t favor his style. With more semi-tank and full-tank builds in the current pool, along with peel-heavy supports and abilities that can interrupt charges, Guan Yu’s signature backline disruption is rarely successful. Plus, he’s heavily reliant on Sprint and his ultimate. If he fails to gain an early edge, he becomes nearly useless—often leading to a quick surrender or an early disconnect.
In conclusion, Crickex Sign Up warns players that Ji Xiaoman, Hainuo, Lü Bu, and Guan Yu are now firmly in the “trap hero” category. While they might seem tempting based on past performance or personal preference, avoiding them in ranked matches might just save you from a frustrating climb. In a game where every pick matters, knowing what not to choose can be just as important as picking the meta’s strongest champions.