How to Play Honor of Kings on PC – A Step-by-Step Guide from Someone Who’s Been There

I still remember the first time I tried playing Honor of Kings on my old gaming laptop. Honestly, I thought it would just be a quick “let’s try it and see” kind of thing… but two hours later, I was deep in the middle of my fifth ranked match, and my tea had gone cold. The truth is, while Honor of Kings is designed for mobile, playing it on PC can totally change the experience—better controls, bigger screen, and no more awkward finger cramps after a long team fight.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get Honor of Kings running smoothly on your computer, I’ve been through all the trial and error for you. I’ve tested multiple methods, dealt with the weird error codes, and even messed up my settings so badly once that my hero couldn’t walk in a straight line. So, here’s the no-nonsense guide—mixed with some of my “oops” moments—on exactly how to make it work.

Why Play Honor of Kings on PC?

Before we jump into the steps, let’s talk about why you’d even want to do this.
For me, the main reason was comfort. I’ve got big hands, and tiny touchscreen controls on my phone just weren’t cutting it. On PC, you can use your keyboard and mouse—meaning way more precise aiming with skill shots.

Other benefits I noticed:

• Bigger screen – You can actually see the map clearly without squinting.
• No overheating – My phone used to get so hot mid-match that I’d worry it might fry my battery.
• Better multitasking – I can quickly tab out to check guides or take notes without messing up the game.

Of course, some folks also play on PC to avoid draining their phone battery. And honestly, if you’re grinding ranked matches for hours… your phone will thank you.

Step 1: Pick the Right Emulator

Since Honor of Kings doesn’t have an official PC version (outside of China), the easiest way to play is through an Android emulator. Think of it like creating a little virtual phone inside your computer.

I’ve tried several over the years—some good, some a total nightmare. Here’s the short version of my experience:

1. Tencent Gaming Buddy (a.k.a. GameLoop) – Probably the most reliable since Tencent actually developed Honor of Kings. Optimized well for the game, supports keyboard mapping, and usually runs smoother than others.
2. BlueStacks – A solid all-rounder. Great if you play other mobile games too, but it can be heavy on RAM if your PC isn’t powerful.
3. LDPlayer – Lightweight and customizable. This one worked best for me on my mid-range laptop.

Tip from experience: Don’t just grab the first emulator you see. Some unofficial ones are loaded with bloatware and slow your PC down. Stick to the big names.

Step 2: Download and Install the Emulator

This part is pretty straightforward, but I’ve seen folks mess it up (I did, the first time).
Go to the official website of the emulator you picked—do NOT download from shady third-party sites, even if they promise “faster performance.” That’s just asking for trouble.

• GameLoop: https://www.gameloop.com
• BlueStacks: https://www.bluestacks.com
• LDPlayer: https://www.ldplayer.net

Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the prompts. Most emulators will ask you to pick an installation location. If possible, install it on your SSD—it makes a noticeable difference in loading times.

Step 3: Install Honor of Kings

Here’s where things get a little tricky. Honor of Kings is officially available in China, but the global version is rolling out in certain countries. If you’re outside those regions, you might not find it in the default Play Store.

Here are the main ways to get it:

• Official App Store in Emulator – If it shows up, just download like you would on a phone.
• APK + OBB Files – Download from a trusted source like APKPure or TapTap. You’ll need to install both the APK and the OBB data manually.

The first time I did the APK method, I forgot to place the OBB file in the right folder (Android/obb/com.tencent.tmgp.sgame). The game would open but crash instantly—took me 30 minutes of googling to figure out why.

Step 4: Configure Controls

One of the biggest perks of playing on PC is keyboard and mouse controls, but here’s the catch: they won’t feel natural until you tweak them.
Most emulators have a built-in key mapping tool. For Honor of Kings, I recommend:

• WASD – Movement
• Mouse Left Click – Basic attack
• Mouse Right Click – Move to location
• Q, W, E – Skills
• R – Ultimate skill
• Space – Lock target
• F – Battle spell (e.g., Sprint, Heal)

Play a few AI matches first to get used to it. My first PvP match with uncustomized controls was a disaster—I kept pressing “R” thinking it was my skill, but it was my ultimate, so I wasted it three times in a row.

Step 5: Optimize Graphics and Performance

Here’s where a lot of people give up, thinking “it just runs laggy on PC.”
The trick is to optimize both the emulator settings and in-game settings.

In the emulator:

• Resolution: 1280×720 is a sweet spot for smooth gameplay.
• CPU Cores & RAM: Allocate at least 2 cores and 3–4GB RAM if you can.
• Graphics Rendering: Use OpenGL+ or DirectX+ depending on which gives you better FPS.

In-game:

• Lower shadows and effects if you’re getting frame drops.
• Keep the FPS setting at 60 for smoother animations.

When I first started, I had everything maxed out because, you know, “my PC can handle it.” Turns out, the emulator isn’t the same as a native PC game—it has extra layers that eat performance. Lowering a couple of settings made it buttery smooth.

Step 6: Log In and Sync Progress

If you’ve been playing on mobile, you probably don’t want to start from scratch.
The good news is, Honor of Kings lets you log in using your existing account—whether it’s linked to WeChat, QQ, or a guest account you’ve bound to a service.

Warning: If your account is bound to a region-specific server, you may not be able to switch regions just by logging in. I learned that the hard way when I tried to play with a friend overseas. We ended up both making new accounts on the same server.

Step 7: Get Comfortable with PC Playstyle

This is where the fun begins, but also where you might stumble. Playing Honor of Kings on PC feels different, especially if you’ve been a mobile-only player. Skill shots are easier, sure, but you’ll need to adjust your muscle memory.

I recommend:

• Spending at least 5–10 AI matches before jumping into ranked.
• Practicing map awareness—on a big screen, you can see more, so use that advantage.
• Using ping commands more often—typing is slower mid-game compared to tapping quick chat.

Common Problems (and How I Fixed Them)

Over time, I ran into a bunch of small but annoying issues. Here are the main ones and what worked for me:

• Game not launching – Reinstall the emulator or clear its cache.
• Controls not responding – Check if key mapping is enabled; sometimes updates reset it.
• Lag spikes – Lower resolution or switch between OpenGL and DirectX.
• Login errors – Use a VPN set to the game’s supported region.

Final Thoughts – Is It Worth It?

Absolutely—if you’re serious about Honor of Kings or just want a more comfortable way to play, PC is a game-changer. I still play on mobile when I’m out and about, but at home, the PC setup wins every time. My matches are smoother, I can react faster, and honestly… my KDA has never looked better.

That said, it’s not plug-and-play. You’ll need to tinker a bit to get the best experience. But once it’s set up, it feels like the game was meant to be played this way.

Honor of Kings on PC – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can you play Honor of Kings on PC without an emulator?

Currently, Honor of Kings does not have an official global PC version outside of China, so the most common method is to use an Android emulator like GameLoop, BlueStacks, or LDPlayer. In China, there is a native PC client called Honor of Kings – International Edition, but it requires a Chinese account and servers.

2. What is the best emulator for Honor of Kings on PC?

For most players, GameLoop is the best choice because it’s developed by Tencent (the same company behind Honor of Kings), meaning it’s optimized for smoother performance and better keyboard mapping. However, LDPlayer works well on lower-end PCs, while BlueStacks is a good all-rounder if you play multiple mobile games.

3. Is playing Honor of Kings on PC free?

Yes, it’s completely free to play on PC as long as you use legitimate emulators. The game itself is free-to-play, and you only spend money if you want to buy skins, heroes, or other in-game cosmetics.

4. Will I get banned for playing Honor of Kings on PC?

No, using official and safe emulators like GameLoop, BlueStacks, or LDPlayer will not get you banned. Tencent’s own emulator (GameLoop) is especially safe since it’s made by the game’s publisher. Avoid using modified APKs or cheat software, as that can lead to account bans.

5. How can I reduce lag when playing Honor of Kings on PC?

To reduce lag:

• Lower in-game graphics settings (shadows, effects, resolution).
• Allocate more CPU cores and RAM to your emulator in its settings.
• Switch between OpenGL+ and DirectX+ rendering to see which runs smoother.
• Close unnecessary background programs.

6. Can I use my mobile Honor of Kings account on PC?

Yes, you can log in with your existing account through WeChat, QQ, or your bound guest account. Just note that if your account is locked to a specific regional server, you may not be able to play with friends from other regions.

7. How do I install Honor of Kings if it’s not in my country’s app store?

If it’s not available in your region’s Play Store, you can:

1. Download the game through TapTap or APKPure.
2. Manually install both the APK and the OBB files in the correct emulator directory.
3. Use a VPN to access the game if region-locking is applied.

4. Is there a difference between Honor of Kings and Arena of Valor on PC?

Yes. Arena of Valor is the international adaptation of Honor of Kings with slightly different heroes, skins, and balance changes. If you want the original Chinese version with all its exclusive content, you’ll need to specifically download Honor of Kings.

9. What are the recommended PC specs for playing Honor of Kings?

While requirements vary depending on your emulator, here’s a safe baseline:

• CPU: Intel i3 / AMD Ryzen 3 or better
• RAM: 4GB minimum (8GB recommended)
• GPU: Integrated graphics can work, but a GTX 750 or better is smoother
• Storage: 5GB+ free space, preferably on an SSD

10. How do I set up keyboard controls for Honor of Kings on PC?

Most emulators allow you to customize your controls through key mapping. A common setup is:

• WASD – Move
• Mouse Left Click – Basic attack
• Q/W/E – Skills
• R – Ultimate
• Space – Lock target
• F – Battle spell

11. Can I stream Honor of Kings from PC to Twitch or YouTube?

Yes! Playing on PC makes streaming much easier. You can use software like OBS Studio to capture the emulator window, customize overlays, and broadcast directly to Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook Gaming.

12. Does Honor of Kings run better on PC than on mobile?

If you have a decent PC, yes. You’ll get a larger display, smoother frame rates, and more precise controls with keyboard and mouse. Just remember, performance still depends on your emulator’s settings and your PC’s hardware.