Skill Based Damage and SBMM in Black Ops 6 (BO6) Explained
Many players wonder about skill based damage and matchmaking in Black Ops 6. Let’s look at it.
It seems that Call of Duty series was enriched by a solid addition with quite good reviews, of course we mean Black Ops 6. This beloved series is back with interesting and long campaign and zombie mode. However, for many people multiplayer is the most important feature. So, of course players wonder about its various aspects. Let’s look at two of them – skill based damage and skill based matchmaking in BO6.
Skill based matchmaking (SBMM) in BO6
SBMM is a short for skill-based matchmaking. What does it mean? As the name suggests, players are grouped with their abilities in mind. So, is this system in Black Ops 6? Yes.
Developers do not hide that one of the aspects of matchmaking in Call of Duty series is skill level (read more here). This decision is an attempt to introduce fairness into the combat and ensure that people at the same levels will be grouped together. At the same time, it should make rounds more interesting.
Skill is determined based on a player’s overall performance: kills, deaths, wins, losses, and more, including mode selection, and recent matches as an overall metric across all Multiplayer experiences. This is a fluid measurement that’s consistently updating and reacting to your gameplay. Skill is not only a factor in matchmaking players against appropriate enemies, but also when finding teammates.
Source: Call of Duty Matchmaking Intel (linked above)
Of course, it is not the only factor which is taken into consideration during matchmaking. Developers mention also connection, time to match or even voice chat status, to name a few. So, the mechanism behind creating lobbies is quite complicated.
Skill based damage in BO6
With SBMM discussed, let’s talk about more controversial topic – skill based damage. What does it mean? To put it simply – if you are too good, your damage input will be lower, or you will lose more HP after a hit. Many players suspect that this kind of system is in BO6. Is it true, though? No, I don't think so.
We have started our discussion with SBMM, as this feature might be one of the reasons why some players believe that SBD is implemented into the game. However, they might simply encounter better players. Moreover, there are other factors which can influence the time to kill, for example loadout, connectivity issues or range, to name a few.
Moreover, in the blog post linked in the previous section, developers have stated quite openly that there is no skill-based damage in Call of Duty series.
Does the Call of Duty matchmaking process impact any in-game elements such as hit registration, player visibility, aim assist, damage, et cetera?
No. Our matchmaking process does not impact gameplay elements.
While it is easy to blame skill-based damage for strange K/D ratio, let’s remember that there are various factors that have to be considered.
