Does Call of Duty Black Ops 6 have SBMM? Matchmaking in BO6 explained

✓ At a glance

• Call of Duty Black Ops 6 does have SBMM.
• Future CoD games are unlikely to remove skill-based matchmaking any time soon since it’s been a series staple since the beginning.
• SBMM for each mode is separate, meaning your rating in core 6v6 modes will be different from Zombies or Warzone.

Does Black Ops 6 have SBMM? This is a question that the army of CoD players have undoubtedly had in their minds ever since Activision and Treyarch announced the game. And it’s no surprise, considering it has been one of the most divisive and oft-controversial features throughout the history of the series. Of course, there’s always a chance that the developers have given in to the demands of the public, so we’re here to tell you whether or not the latest series entry has this feature.

Before we jump in, though, you may want to learn how to get a Call of Duty Black Ops 6 beta code so you can join the thousands of players getting their hands dirty with Activision’s new shooter. If you already have one, our Black Ops 6 beta perk list can help you get a leg up on the competition before joining a match. Now, without further ado, let’s get right into it.

Does Black Ops 6 have SBMM?

Yes, Call of Duty Black Ops 6 does have SBMM. Like many of Activision’s past games, skill-based matchmaking is a staple feature that they and Treyarch have included in the latest entry. And since the last few titles have had it, it’s unlikely to be removed any time soon.

However, it’s at least worth noting that SBMM is separate across all modes. This means your rating and who you get matched with in core 6v6 matches may differ entirely from the players you join in Zombies, depending on how you do in those modes.

Although players against SBMM will undoubtedly take this as bad news, the alternative could be even worse. Take XDefiant, for instance, which notably doesn’t use SBMM for its casual playlist. Instead, you can get matched with anyone in any skill bracket, which, if you played during the shooter’s early days, often saw high-ranking players rack up 100+ win streaks. This could easily be a reality for Black Ops 6, especially with its larger player base.

So, instead of complaining about it, at the very least, it might be worth celebrating it because it prevents veterans from running rampant in multiplayer matches. But if you’re sick of getting shot at and killed from every angle, our Black Ops 6 tips and tricks for the beta may help you out.