ML Draft Pick Ban: Strategies And Tier List

Nov 3, 2025 by Team 44 views

Draft Pick Ban in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is a crucial phase that significantly impacts the outcome of a match. Understanding the strategies and hero tier lists associated with this phase is essential for climbing the ranks and achieving victory. So, let's dive into everything you need to know about mastering the Draft Pick Ban in MLBB!

Understanding the Draft Pick Ban Phase

The Draft Pick Ban phase is where the real game begins even before the match officially starts. In this phase, each team strategically bans a set number of heroes to prevent the opposing team from using them. Following the bans, teams take turns picking heroes to build their lineup. This phase is not just about picking your favorite heroes; it's about outsmarting your opponents by denying their key picks and securing advantageous team compositions.

The importance of this phase cannot be overstated. A well-executed Draft Pick Ban can give your team a significant edge, while a poorly planned one can put you at a disadvantage from the start. Factors such as the current meta, hero counters, and team synergy all play a vital role in making informed decisions during this phase.

Knowing which heroes are currently strong (meta heroes) is crucial. These heroes often have high win rates and are frequently contested in drafts. Banning or picking these heroes can significantly impact the game. Understanding hero counters is also essential. Knowing which heroes can effectively shut down popular picks can help you make strategic ban and pick decisions. Finally, consider your team's synergy. A team composition that works well together can be more effective than a team of individually strong heroes.

To excel in the Draft Pick Ban phase, you need to understand your teammates' hero pools. Knowing which heroes your teammates are comfortable playing allows you to draft a composition that maximizes everyone's strengths. Effective communication is also key. Discussing potential picks and bans with your team can help you develop a cohesive strategy. Finally, be adaptable. The Draft Pick Ban phase is dynamic, and you need to be able to adjust your strategy based on the opponent's picks and bans.

Key Strategies for Draft Pick Ban

Mastering the Draft Pick Ban requires a mix of understanding the current meta, anticipating your opponent's moves, and coordinating with your team. Here are some key strategies to elevate your game:

Target Banning: Focus on banning heroes that are highly impactful in the current meta or those that directly counter your team's strategy. This could include heroes with high win rates or those that are particularly difficult to deal with in team fights. For example, if your team is planning to run a marksman-heavy composition, banning heroes that can easily dive and eliminate marksmen would be a wise move. Target banning disrupts the opponent's plan and forces them to adapt, giving you a strategic advantage.
Counter Picking: Identify heroes that can effectively counter the opponent's picks. This requires a deep understanding of hero matchups and knowing which heroes can exploit the weaknesses of others. For example, if the opponent picks a strong early-game hero like Zilong, you might consider picking a hero like Ruby who can disrupt his initiation and control him in team fights. Counter picking can neutralize the opponent's advantages and swing the momentum in your favor.
Protecting Your Core: Ensure that your team's core heroes are not banned or easily countered. This might involve banning heroes that directly threaten your core heroes or picking heroes that can provide them with protection. For example, if your team's core is a late-game marksman like Wanwan, you might ban heroes like Saber who can quickly burst her down. Protecting your core ensures that your team has the firepower needed to win the game.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Be prepared to adjust your strategy based on the opponent's picks and bans. This requires a broad understanding of different hero roles and compositions. If the opponent bans your primary carry, be ready to pick a secondary option or adjust your team's strategy to focus on other win conditions. Flexibility and adaptability are crucial for navigating the dynamic nature of the Draft Pick Ban phase.
Baiting: Intentionally leave certain strong heroes open to bait the opponent into picking them, allowing you to counter-pick and gain an advantage. This strategy requires careful planning and a deep understanding of hero matchups. For example, you might leave a strong mage like Yve open, knowing that you can counter her with a hero like Lancelot who can quickly burst her down. Baiting can be a risky strategy, but it can pay off handsomely if executed correctly.

Hero Tier List for Draft Pick Ban

Understanding which heroes are strong and popular is critical for making informed decisions in the Draft Pick Ban phase. Here's a tier list of heroes that are often prioritized in drafts, categorized by their impact and pick/ban priority:

S-Tier: Must-Pick or Ban

These heroes are incredibly powerful in the current meta and can significantly impact the game's outcome. They often have high win rates and are difficult to counter.

Fanny: A highly mobile assassin with incredible damage potential. Mastering Fanny requires a high level of skill, but she can dominate games in the right hands. Her ability to quickly traverse the map and burst down enemies makes her a top priority for bans. Fanny's high skill ceiling and game-changing potential put her at the top of the ban list for many teams.
Joy: This hero is a powerhouse due to its high mobility, damage, and crowd control immunity when dashing. Joy's versatility and impact make her a top-tier pick in almost any draft.
Arlott: Arlott has sustain, crowd control and a decent damage output. Arlott's strong early to mid-game presence makes him a threat that must be answered.

A-Tier: High Priority Picks

These heroes are strong and versatile, often fitting into multiple team compositions. They are valuable picks that can provide a significant advantage.

Wanwan: A late-game marksman with incredible mobility and damage potential. Wanwan is difficult to lock down and can easily kite enemies. She requires a coordinated team to protect her in the early game, but she can carry games in the late game. Wanwan's late-game carry potential makes her a high-priority pick for teams looking to scale into the late game.
Khufra: A tank with excellent crowd control abilities. Khufra can disrupt enemy formations and lock down key targets. He is particularly effective against mobile heroes and can be used to initiate team fights. Khufra's crowd control abilities make him a valuable asset in team fights and a high-priority pick for teams looking to control the pace of the game.
Fredrinn: A fighter with high sustain and damage output. Fredrinn is difficult to kill and can dish out a lot of damage in team fights. He is particularly effective in the mid-game and can be used to snowball a lead. Fredrinn's sustain and damage make him a strong pick for teams looking to dominate the mid-game.

B-Tier: Situational Picks

These heroes are strong in specific situations or against certain team compositions. They require a good understanding of the game and a strategic approach to draft.

Gusion: An assassin with high burst damage. Gusion can quickly eliminate squishy targets and is particularly effective against mages and marksmen. He requires good mechanical skill and a deep understanding of positioning. Gusion's burst damage makes him a situational pick for teams looking to quickly eliminate key targets.
Pharsa: A mage with long-range damage and crowd control. Pharsa can poke enemies from a safe distance and provide valuable crowd control in team fights. She requires good positioning and a coordinated team to protect her from divers. Pharsa's long-range damage and crowd control make her a situational pick for teams looking to control the map and poke enemies from a safe distance.
Uranus: A tank with high regeneration and sustain. Uranus is difficult to kill and can soak up a lot of damage in team fights. He is particularly effective against sustained damage compositions. Uranus's regeneration and sustain make him a situational pick for teams looking to outlast their opponents in long engagements.

C-Tier: Niche Picks

These heroes are only effective in very specific situations or with highly coordinated teams. They require a deep understanding of the game and a willingness to experiment.

Vexana: A mage who can inflict curses on enemies, turning them into puppets under her control. Vexana can be used to control the flow of battle and disrupt enemy formations. She is particularly effective against teams that rely on close-quarters combat. Vexana's puppet abilities make her a niche pick for teams looking to disrupt enemy formations and control the flow of battle.
Bane: A fighter that gains strength as the match progresses, and can be built as a mage. Bane can be a menace in the late game, but his early game is weak. Bane's late-game potential makes him a niche pick for teams that are comfortable with slower starts.
Minsitthar: A fighter who can pull enemies towards him. Minsitthar is usually a situational pick, but can be a strong disabler if built right. Minsitthar's disabling abilities make him a niche pick when a lot of mobile heroes need to be disabled.

Tips and Tricks for Draft Pick Ban

To truly master the Draft Pick Ban phase, consider these additional tips and tricks:

Watch Pro Games: Analyze how professional players approach the Draft Pick Ban phase. Pay attention to their ban priorities, pick orders, and counter-picking strategies. Watching pro games can provide valuable insights into the current meta and help you refine your own strategies.
Study Hero Matchups: Spend time learning which heroes counter others. Understanding these matchups will allow you to make more informed decisions during the Draft Pick Ban phase. Studying hero matchups is an ongoing process, as the meta constantly evolves.
Communicate with Your Team: Discuss potential picks and bans with your team. Share your thoughts and listen to their suggestions. Effective communication is key to developing a cohesive strategy.
Be Flexible: Don't be afraid to deviate from your planned strategy if the opponent throws you a curveball. Flexibility is essential for adapting to unexpected situations.
Practice: The more you practice the Draft Pick Ban phase, the better you will become at it. Experiment with different strategies and hero combinations to find what works best for you. Practice makes perfect, and the Draft Pick Ban phase is no exception.

By understanding the strategies and hero tier lists associated with the Draft Pick Ban phase, you can significantly improve your chances of winning in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. So, go forth and dominate the draft!