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Wondering whether MW3 will have skill based matchmaking? We’ve got you covered. With a release date just around the corner, a lot of players are wondering whether or not the latest CoD instalment will indeed have SBMM to spice up the overall gameplay.
So in this guide, we’ll be taking you through the SBMM availability in Modern Warfare 3 ahead of its full release. If you’re yet to check out the MW3 system requirements, we suggest doing that if you’re planning on playing the game on PC. With that said, let’s go over whether MW3 will have skill based matchmaking.

Does MW3 have skill based matchmaking?
While there hasn’t been an official confirmation of SBMM being in MW3, previous game titles including Modern Warfare and Modern Warfare 2 (2022) had the issue. So there’s a very good chance that SBMM will also be in Modern Warfare 3 when it launches on Friday, November 10.
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Many players enjoy having SBMM as it allows them to play with other players who have the same skill level as they do. So if you enjoy going up against players that have higher levels than you do, unfortunately, you will only be matched with players on the same skill level as you.
Although the feature can be frustrating in certain aspects, SBMM is essential in ranked modes, where competitive balance is crucial. So like many other features in Modern Warfare 3, SBMM is actually good for some players while others would prefer not to utilise the feature at all.
For now, you can go over how to preload MW3 multiplayer which also includes where you can download zombies if you want to battle the undead. And although the early access campaign has received mostly negative criticism from the community, you can decide yourself after playing on November 10. If you need a refresher before diving in, then see our Modern Warfare story so far guide.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 (2023)
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): Action, Shooter