How to Be a Pro Support in Honor of Kings: The Ultimate Guide

You know that feeling when your ADC gets a triple kill because you nailed that perfect shield timing? Or when the entire team spams "THANKS" after your game-saving heal? That’s the magic of playing support. But let’s be real—most players treat supports like glorified minions. Time to change that.

Why Support Isn’t Just "The Babysitter"

I used to think supports just followed the marksman around like a lost puppy. Then I played 200 matches as Angela and realized: supports control the tempo of the entire game. Your map awareness decides when the team fights. Your item choices determine if your tank survives that tower dive. You’re the invisible hand that either carries the team to victory or watches them faceplant into defeat.

• Myth: "Supports don’t need farm" → Truth: You still need gold for key items, just not at the expense of your carry
• Myth: "KDA doesn’t matter" → Truth: A 0/10/5 support is usually doing something very wrong
• Myth: "Just stick to the ADC" → Truth: Roaming supports win games (looking at you, Kaja mains)

The Secret Sauce: Positioning Like a Ghost

Here’s where most new supports fail—they either play like scared bunnies hiding in bushes or frontline like they’re freaking Alucard. The sweet spot? Being annoyingly present without being targetable. Stand where:

Hero Type	Ideal Positioning
Tank Supports (Tigreal, Minotaur)	Half a skill length ahead of your carries
Healers (Rafaela, Estes)	Just behind your midlaner during fights
Playmakers (Kaja, Diggie)	Flanking from side bushes when initiating

Pro tip: If the enemy assassin has to choose between diving your mage or chasing you, you’re positioned perfectly.

Itemization: The Silent Carry Mechanic

Nothing tilts me more than seeing an Angela build Demon Shoes first item. Like, girl, we need that Fleeting Time for ult spams! Here’s the unspoken truth—your build should change every single game based on:

• Who’s fed on the enemy team (build Antique Cuirass against that 8/0 Lesley)
• Your team’s damage composition (Athena’s Shield if you lack magic resist)
• How much your jungler sucks (Dominance Ice if they keep getting invaded)

My personal cheat code: Always keep 1 slot open for situational items. That last slot might hold Winter Truncheon against Zilong or Immortality when facing Aldous.

Map Awareness: Seeing the Matrix

Supports are basically the team’s extra set of eyes. While your midlaner is busy last-hitting, you should be:

• Tracking enemy jungler’s position (missing at level 4? They’re probably doing turtle)
• Noting summoner spell cooldowns (that Flicker you burned 2 minutes ago is back up)
• Predicting gank paths (Alucard loves coming through that pixel bush near gold lane)

This isn’t just about pinging—it’s about anticipating disasters before they happen. I’ve saved countless idiots from overextending just by spamming retreat pings the moment I see the enemy assassin’s icon disappear from midlane.

The Art of the Sacrificial Play

Sometimes you gotta take one for the team. But there’s a difference between a useful death and feeding. Good sacrifices look like:

• Bodyblocking Franco’s hook so your MM can escape
• Diving to disrupt enemy backline during Lord fight
• Staying behind to delay minions while team respawns

Bad sacrifices? Dying trying to save someone who’s already dead (we’ve all been there) or face-checking bushes when the entire enemy team is missing (RIP).

Communication: The Invisible Buff

Typing wastes precious seconds. Smart supports use quick messages and pings like:

Situation	Optimal Communication
Enemy missing	Danger ping + "Enemy might be in bush"
Ultimate ready	"Angela ultimate ready" + ping on likely target
Invade opportunity	Gather ping on enemy buff + "Attack the jungle monster"

Bonus trick: Adjust your quick messages based on your hero. Diggie players should have "Enemy has no vision here" ready for sneaky plays.

At the end of the day, being a great support isn’t about flashy plays—it’s about making your team feel invincible without them even realizing why. Now go forth and be the backbone your randoms don’t deserve but desperately need. Just maybe mute chat first.