Adrian “Toshi” Bacallo is among the few elite Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) professional esports players to successfully make the leap to Honor of Kings (HoK).
Toshi began his career as the gold laner for SGD Omega, securing third place in MPL PH Season 4. In Season 6, he came closer to the title under the banner of Smart Omega but fell short against eventual M2 champions Bren Esports.
After a rough Season 7, he joined TNC Pro Team but struggled to regain his peak form which led to his eventual retirement.
Now, thriving in HoK’s competitive scene as an import player for Honor of Kings Championship 2024 runner-ups Dominator Esports, he’s learned that success here takes more than raw talent—it demands an entirely different approach to the game.
Toshi bares the difference between Mobile Legends and Honor of Kings
In an interview with ONE Esports, Toshi opened up about the nuances between the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Honor of Kings.
For him, the shift 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 can’t function like a one-man army. In MLBB, you can carry the game alone if you’re skilled enough. But in HoK, that doesn’t work. You need to be in sync with the whole team. Every move has to be communicated,” Toshi explained.
He emphasized that HoK’s design pushes players to foster teamwork on a deeper level. “In HoK, you need to tell your teammates exactly what you’re going to do. If you don’t share your knowledge, the team won’t function well. It’s all about five players moving as one,” he added.
This fundamental difference forced him to evolve not just as a player, but also as a communicator.
Despite language barriers in his international team, where some players speak Bahasa and others using English, he discovered that even broken English could get the job done. “It’s not about perfect communication. What matters is that we understand each other and know our roles,” he shared.
With regards to transferrable skills from MLBB, one thing Toshi was thrilled to find in HoK was the continued importance of the marksman role. “The skills I developed in MLBB as a marksman carried over. I was happy because I could still play a role I love and excel at,” he told ONE Esports.
While the mechanics of HoK felt different at first, the farm laner gradually adjusted. “At first, the gameplay felt strange. It’s a different pace and different style, but what I love about HoK is that it truly emphasizes being a team player,” he said.
After being loaned from BOOM Esports, Toshi took on the challenge to help Dominator Esports rise to the top of Honor of Kings Championship 2024.
He helped Dominator set the tone early, dominating the Group Stage to top Group A and maintaining their form in the upper bracket with a 3-1 win over Team Falcons and a 3-0 sweep of Blacklist International.
Though they stumbled against Black Shrew Esports in the upper bracket finals, Toshi and his crew showed incredible grit by defeating Team Secret in the lower bracket final in a thrilling five-game series to earn a spot in the grand final.
While Black Shrew ultimately claimed the title, Toshi’s impressive run and runner-up finish with Dominator showcased his potential and solidified 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
