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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.
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 (aka SBMM) 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 in BO6. This means your rating and who you get matched with in Core 6v6 matches may differ entirely from the players you join when playing Zombies maps, depending on how you do in those modes. It has been confirmed that your SBMM rating will not cross game modes, so you can rest assured that your matchmaking will reflect your performance in each specific mode.
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.
Meanwhile, check out our Black Ops 6 perk list to get a leg up on the competition before joining a match, or read up on all the promo goodies you can get for BO6.
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