Over the past few years, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has delivered countless unexpected meta surprises—from role swaps and experimental picks to heroes once considered irrelevant suddenly making a return on the esports stage. One of the most fascinating phenomena throughout 2025 has been the rise of Helcurt EXP Laner in competitive play. The assassin hero, who has traditionally been known for his instant burst, suddenly has appeared as a highly effective EXP laner.

It is no secret that Helcurt was never designed for long, sustained fights. He has been recognized more as a backline disruptor and a quick objective executor. However, small patch changes and team-specific drafting styles have opened a new path for Helcurt EXP Laner to shine. A role once dismissed as a “troll pick” a few seasons ago has now been validated by meta trends proving that flexibility has become the foundation of modern gameplay.

In previous matches, Helcurt was more commonly played as a damage-oriented roamer or burst jungler. He even was tested as a mid laner during MPL ID Season 16 by Octa from Dewa United, though the results did not impress. Everything changed when Malaysia’s MLBB National Team EXP laner, Momo, executed Helcurt EXP Laner flawlessly in the grand final of IESF 2025. That performance has inspired many teams and players to study this unconventional role.

The emergence of Helcurt in the EXP lane has not only surprised viewers but also introduced a new perspective: that even an assassin hero can function as a laner when equipped with the right combination of pressure, burst, and mobility. His playstyle has proven to be unique and surprisingly functional under specific conditions. Here is the detailed breakdown.

3 Ways to Play Helcurt EXP Laner

Playing Helcurt as an EXP laner has never been a common choice, but his functions become clear once players understand how he contributes to the overall strategy. These are the three main functions that have made Helcurt EXP Laner effective in competitive play:

1. Extremely Strong Early-Game Power

One of the biggest reasons Helcurt EXP Laner has emerged in the competitive scene is his terrifying early-game dominance. Nearly every Tier-S EXP laner—even those known for being tanky—has struggled in a one-on-one duel against Helcurt. His instant damage from Deadly Stinger and silence effect has prevented opponents from trading back effectively. This early advantage has allowed Helcurt to control the lane faster than many traditional EXP laners.

Even heroes like Yu Zhong, Paquito, and Thamuz have been forced to retreat if Helcurt’s skill timing and rotations have been executed properly. His fast poke and constant zoning pressure have fitted perfectly for teams seeking an early aggressive tempo.

2. Easy Access to the Backline

The second major function of Helcurt EXP Laner lies in his natural ability to break through the enemy’s backline. EXP heroes are usually bruisers tasked with soaking damage or initiating from the frontline. Helcurt, however, has offered a completely different approach: he can dive straight into enemy cores using Dark Night Falls and his stealth-enhanced movement.

Helcurt has been one of the easiest heroes to use when targeting enemy gold laners or mid laners. Even poorly positioned tanks have been burst down before they could react. As an EXP laner, he has enjoyed more stable farm time, giving him enough items to instantly appear from the flank and dismantle the enemy’s formation.

This combination of mobility and burst has made him an ideal pick-off specialist—a highly relevant strategy in the late-2025 competitive meta across Southeast Asia.

3. Split Push and Backline Execution as Primary Responsibilities

The third core function of Helcurt EXP Laner is his ability to perform two critical jobs at once: split pushing and backline execution. As an EXP laner, Helcurt cannot serve as the main frontliner. This means the gold laner, jungler, or mid must adjust the draft to ensure at least one tanky hero has been included.

Once the team’s sustain composition has been secured, Helcurt can focus on split pushing thanks to his fast mobility, adequate wave clear, and strong escape tools. With proper momentum, he has been capable of shredding towers in seconds.

During major teamfights, however, Helcurt has switched roles by diving into the backline to eliminate priority targets. This dual responsibility has allowed him to function as a flexible yet deadly threat when played with precise timing.

Conclusion

The rise of Helcurt EXP Laner in the competitive scene has not been a coincidence, but rather the product of meta adaptation and bold strategic exploration from top players such as Momo from the Malaysian national team. He has proven that even an assassin hero can work as a laner when equipped with the right spike, mobility, and pressure.

With his three core functions—early-game dominance, effortless backline access, and strong split-push-plus-execution potential—Helcurt has become an intriguing choice for EXP players wanting a different yet highly effective playstyle. Anyone looking to embrace an aggressive, high-tempo EXP approach may find Helcurt a worthy option.

One thing is clear: Helcurt EXP Laner is no longer a gimmick pick. He has evolved into a legitimate strategy capable of reshaping the flow of the game when used by the right hands. As more teams study this pattern, the chances of Helcurt becoming one of the niche yet powerful EXP options in the 2025 meta have only grown.