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Boss Objectives & Buff Guide
Based on HoK Global — reviewed each patch
Dragon & Boss Objectives Master Guide
Spawn timers, buff details, and when to actually fight for Tyrant, Overlord, and Tempest Dragon in Honor of Kings.
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Overlord (Early)
Spawns at 2:00•Respawns 4:00 after being slain
Dragon Vanguard Waves
Acquired Buff & Effects
- Replaces the slaying team's next 2 minion waves in every lane with powerful Dragon Vanguards.
- Dragon Vanguards have high HP and pressure enemy turrets on their own.
- Grants gold and experience to the whole team.
Tactical ExecutionThe very first objective of the game (upper river pit). Taking it early lets you crack outer turrets while enemy laners are stuck defending, handing your team early map control.
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Tyrant (Early)
Spawns at 4:00•Respawns 4:00 after being slain
Chain Lightning Buff (Tyrant's Arrival)
Acquired Buff & Effects
- Basic attacks and skills of the whole team gain Chain Lightning that bounces between enemies, dealing bonus magic damage.
- Grants gold and experience to the whole team.
Tactical ExecutionSpawns in the lower river pit at 4:00. Take it when your team is ahead in a skirmish or the enemy jungler shows on the far side of the map — the chain lightning makes your next fight and push noticeably stronger.
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Shadow Tyrant (Mid/Late)
Spawns at 10:00•Respawns 3:30 after being slain
Empowered Chain Lightning & Speed
Acquired Buff & Effects
- Empowered Chain Lightning: bounces deal heavy magic damage to enemy heroes (scaling with level).
- Grants 10% Movement Speed, plus an extra 5% while out of combat.
- Noticeably raises your team's total damage in 5v5 fights.
Tactical ExecutionFrom 10:00 onward, secure this before forcing a decisive 5v5 or sieging the enemy high ground. If you cannot fight for it, trade it for turrets on the opposite side of the map.
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Shadow Overlord (Mid/Late)
Spawns at 10:00•Respawns 3:30 after being slain
Summon Shadow Vanguard Skill
Acquired Buff & Effects
- The player who lands the killing blow gains an active skill: summon a Shadow Vanguard into a lane of their choice.
- Allies along the summon path take 10% reduced damage.
- The slaying team's minion waves are also replaced with empowered Shadow Vanguards.
Tactical ExecutionSend the Shadow Vanguard down the lane with the weakest enemy high-ground turret to force a breach — ideally while your team groups behind it for the damage reduction.
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Tempest Dragon (Endgame Win Condition)
Spawns at 20:00•Respawns 3:00 after being slain
Blessing of Lightning & True Damage
Acquired Buff & Effects
- Blessing of Lightning: all living team members gain a shield equal to 20–50% of their Maximum HP.
- Storm Awakening: lightning periodically strikes nearby enemies for true damage (5% of target's Max HP against heroes, 20% against non-heroes).
- Lane minions become Tempest Vanguards, which even stop enemy turrets from attacking for 5 seconds.
Tactical ExecutionThe endgame decider from 20:00 onward. The team that secures it gains an overwhelming edge in the next fight — so never facecheck the pit without vision, and consider forcing it only when your ultimates are up.