2025 HoK Challenger Cup Stage 2: Double Elim Bracket & Lam 67% WR
Buffget
2025/11/26
2025 Honor of Kings Challenger Cup Stage 2: 8-team double-elimination bracket running December 6, 2025-January 2, 2026. Winners' and losers' bracket champs head to BO9 finals. S-tier bans dominate with Lam (38.7%) and Augran (45.2%); jungle paths spike win rates to 67%. Macro rotations fuel loser's bracket comebacks. Wolves' Lam owned as MVP (8.7 KDA) in Rush Down comps—68% WR.
Introduction to Honor of Kings Challenger Cup Stage 2
Event Overview and Those December 2025 Dates
Picture this: 32 teams battling it out—18 from KPL, 3 from KGL, plus global qualifiers. Stage 1 single-elim whittles it down to 8 for Stage 2 in Shanghai, with finals hitting Sanya Baopo. Oh, and top 3 from HoK International (Nov 14-30, Manila) get auto-qualify perks. Wolves dropped a tough 3-4 to AG Super Play on Jan 11; AG edged Dragon Ranger 3-2 on Jan 5. Keep eyes on KPL channels starting Dec 1—rosters drop 8 hours pre-game (6-10 players per squad).
Double Elimination Format, Broken Down Real Simple
Eight teams in double-elim. No rematches from the same Stage 1 group. Winners climb the upper bracket; losers fight through the lower one, all leading to BO9 grand finals (first to 5).
- Jump in right after Stage 1.
- Take one L? Drop to loser's for survival mode.
- Bracket kings clash in BO9.
Ever wonder why double-elim feels so nail-biting? It gives underdogs that second shot—pure chaos.
Understanding Double Elimination Mechanics
Winner's Bracket Path
Straight-up 8-team knockout to crown the undefeated champ. Wolves smoked Dynasty 4-2 with killer lvl2 ganks. Nail those jungle buffs by 90s; contest dragon at 4:00 (prep at 3:30, vision by 3:45, strike when >70% HP—73% WR there).
Loser's Bracket Survival Guide
This is where macro rotations and objective scraps shine. Lam in jungle? 67% win rate. Rush Down setups with Lam and Daji? 68% WR.
- Flex 2-3 roles like a pro.
- Amp up that map awareness.
- Go tanky: Resistance Boots into Dominance Ice, Shield of the Lost, Twilight Armor.
(Quick editor aside: I've seen too many squads crumble here without flex picks—don't be that team.)
Key Differences from Single Elimination
Double-elim lets you eat one loss, doubles your match count sometimes, and builds 15-20% econ leads that single-elim just doesn't allow (zero Ls tolerated). Drill loser's BO5s: snag Red buff at 00:30, Blue at 00:45, small camp, then gank 1:15-1:30 (hitting lvl4 by 2:00-2:30).
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Bracket Breakdown for 2025
Full Stage 2 Bracket Visualization
Classic 8-team double-elim: QFs split into winners/losers; semis pit losers against each other; finals go BO9. No same-group repeats; ties settled by win diff, H2H, or BO1. Heavy hitters: AG Super Play, Wolves, Dragon Ranger Gaming, KuaiShow Gaming, LGD.NBW, Rogue Warriors.
- Scout apps before brackets lock.
- Bet on paths—Wolves upper bracket via hot form?
Match Schedules and Timings
Dec 6, 2025, through Jan 2, 2026. Lineups 8h early. Pauses under 5min for disconnects/ping >100ms; medical subs keep the same hero. Tune into KPL streams at 08:00/11:00. Subs? Notify ref within 5min post-game, max 2 before crystal explodes.
Prediction for Top Contenders
Wolves and AG Super Play lead the pack (3-4 and 3-2 series records); Global HomeBois punch in from November qualifiers. Wolves' Lam MVP at 8.7 KDA; AG thrives on sustain tanks. (My take: Wolves edge it if Lam stays hot—pure gut feel from watching their runs.)
Essential Drafting Strategies
Hero Bans in Double Elim
4-ban phase: Blue Ban1 (30s) → Red Ban1 → Red Pick5 (45s); Blue side gets 225s total. Lock in Augran (45.2%), Lam (38.7%), Daji (91% presence).
- Prioritize S-tiers: Lam, Augran, Daji.
- No trades after final picks (20s timer).
Optimal Picks for Stage 2 Meta
S-Tier Tanks: Dun (33.3% pick), Arthur (54.2% WR), Zhang Fei (85.34% PB). Assassins like Lam (54.9% WR, 67% jungle). Mages: Daji (54.7%). Marksmen: Loong (55.3%, 96% presence). Supports: Yaria (53.8%). Lam build? Wavebreaker → Space Split → Death From Below. Loong ult clocks 4.5s. Save hypercarries for late picks in loser's comebacks.
Counter-Picking Loser's Bracket
Lam counters? CC immunity via Lu Bu or Wuyan. Augran? Anti-heal plus burst. For Marco Polo/Yaria, Hou Yi stuns rule. IKL bans Mai Shiranui (80.9%); MKL loves Marco-Yaria.
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Loser's Bracket Mastery Tips
Comeback Playstyles
Lvl4 ganks land 67% of the time; river sprites net 63g (double to 126g pre-dragon). Wolves mastered 10-min rushes.
- Stack econ on objectives.
- Counter their draft comps.
Mental Preparation for Multiple Losses
Mute chat after 3 Ls. Review one mistake per replay. Lean on Double Star Cards. Chase SSS: 70-80% kills, 3+ objectives, top-2 dmg/heal. Breaks. Mandatory.
Resource Management
Post-Patch 1.10.5 (Oct 16, 2025: Charlotte MS buffs), jungle trumps lane. Protect the carry—72% WR boost.
Team Composition and Role Tips
Jungler Focus in Stage 2
Lam/Augran at 55.1% WR; Feyd's wall-jumps create 15-20% leads. Gank at 1:15; lvl2 cheese priority.
Support Synergies for Double Elim
Yaria brings CC/heal/shield (Verdant Predator true dmg). Da Qiao teleports the squad. Rush Down dream: Charlotte-Lam-Daji-Marco-Yaria (68% WR).
Tank and Carry Balance
Dun/Arthur anchor tanks; Loong hypercarries late. A-Tier shouts: Sun Ce (53.2%), Angela (53.3% stun-barrage-shield).
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Overcommitting Early Games
Don't chase kills 0-5min—tower rotations save runs. Early econ dips kill loser's hopes.
Ignoring Scout Reports
Track buffs at 90s; monthly pro stats.
- Study enemy jungle paths.
- Shift meta (post-Oct: Zhou Yu AoE buffs).
Fatigue in Extended Brackets
Max 2 subs per game; ref pauses for illness. Rosters min age 16.
Pro Player Case Studies
Past Stage 2 Winners' Strategies
Wolves dismantled Dynasty 4-2: Lam MVP (8.7 KDA Shadow), lvl2 ganks, Rush Down mastery.
Iconic Comebacks Analyzed
Loser's bracket? 68% WR against sustain comps; counter Augran invasions hard.
Lessons from Top Teams
AG Super Play pressures series-wide; vision and objectives (dragon 73% WR).
Tools and Resources for Tracking
Bracket Trackers and Apps
Liquipedia-style dashboards for stats. Monthly Diamond+ reviews (Arthur/Augran/Daji core).
Live Stream Links
KPL/Tencent streams; November International BO5 prep.
Stats Dashboards
S-tier hits 65%+ WR in ranked; 40%+ pro PB.
Post-Stage 2 Analysis and Next Steps
KPIs to Review Your Performance
SSS metrics: 4+ towers, minimal deaths; +2-3 stars for wins, +1 for losses.
- Replay those BO9 drafts.
- Eye finals (~¥3.5M prize pool).
Prep for Finals
Master S-tiers and roles. Skip unpracticed high-ceiling heroes.
Community Discussions
Drop your predictions; peep the Challenger Cup Stage 1 Guide.
FAQ
What is double elimination in Honor of Kings Challenger Cup?
8-team Stage 2: one loss drops you to loser's; winners'/losers' champs to BO9.
How does Stage 2 bracket work in Challenger Cup 2025?
Straight from Stage 1; no same-group matches; upper/lower paths collide.
Best heroes for loser's bracket in HoK Stage 2?
Lam (67% jungle WR), Daji (54.7%), Loong (55.3%), Yaria. Ban Augran/Lam first.
Tips to survive double elimination in Honor of Kings tournaments?
Lvl4 ganks by 2:00, macro rotations, counter drafts, dragon at 4:00.
Challenger Cup Stage 2 schedule 2025?
Dec 6, 2025-Jan 2, 2026; KPL slots at 08:00/11:00.
Common mistakes in HoK double elim format?
Early overextends, skipping scouts, tilting without breaks or replays.
