Skill Based Damage and SBMM in Black Ops 6 (BO6) Explained

As a seasoned Call of Duty player with over a decade under my belt, I must say that Black Ops 6 has undoubtedly added another exciting chapter to this legendary series. The campaign and zombie mode have been top-notch, but let’s not forget about the heart of any CoD game – multiplayer.


It appears that Call of Duty series has been strengthened with an impressive addition, which goes by the name Black Ops 6. This popular franchise has returned with an engaging and extensive campaign, as well as a classic zombie mode. Nevertheless, for many fans, multiplayer is undeniably the most crucial aspect. Therefore, it’s natural that players are curious about its different features. Let’s delve into two of them – skill-based damage and skill-based matchmaking in BO6.

Skill based matchmaking (SBMM) in BO6

In simpler terms, SBMM (Skill-Based Matchmaking) refers to a system that organizes players based on their skill level. To clarify, this means that in Black Ops 6, the game groups players with similar abilities or skills together for fairer and more enjoyable matches. Yes, this system is implemented in Black Ops 6.

It’s no secret that one key factor in matchmaking for Call of Duty games is player skill level. The aim behind this choice is to establish a sense of fairness during gameplay by pairing players with similar abilities. Additionally, this approach aims to keep the gaming experience engaging and exciting by making each round more dynamic.

A player’s skill level is evaluated by considering various aspects of their performance, such as kills, deaths, wins, losses, and the type of game mode they choose, along with their recent matches. This assessment is dynamic and continually adjusts based on your gaming behavior. Your skill level plays a crucial role not just in pairing you with suitable opponents, but also in team selection.

Absolutely, it’s important to note that there are multiple factors involved in the process of matchmaking. Alongside skill level, developers also consider factors such as connection quality, how long it takes to find a match, and even voice chat status. Therefore, the process of setting up lobbies is rather intricate.

Skill based damage in BO6

Discussing Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) behind us, let’s delve into the more contentious subject – skill-based damage. In layman’s terms, this concept means that if you excel significantly, your damage output could decrease, or alternatively, you may sustain more damage after being hit. There’s a suspicion that such a system is employed in Black Ops 6. However, it’s rather improbable.

We began our conversation by focusing on SBMM, as this aspect could potentially be one of the factors leading some players to think that Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBD) is in place within the game. However, it’s also possible they’re just facing more skilled opponents. Additionally, there are various elements that can impact the time to kill, such as equipment loadout, connection issues, or range – to mention a few examples.

Additionally, as mentioned in the following blog post, developers have clearly expressed that there’s no difference in damage output based on skills in the Call of Duty series.

Is it possible that the matching system used in Call of Duty influences factors like hit detection, player recognition, aim assistance, damage calculation, and so forth within the gameplay?

No. Our matchmaking process does not impact gameplay elements.

As a gamer, I often find myself scratching my head when my kill-to-death (K/D) ratio seems off, and it’s tempting to chalk it up to skill-based damage. However, let’s not forget that there are numerous elements at play here.

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2024-10-30 18:02