Does Warzone 2 have SBMM? CoD skill-based matchmaking explained

Luca Di Marzo
Warzone 2 Operators in Gulag

Warzone 2 players are constantly questioning if the battle royale features skill-based matchmaking. Here’s what you need to know about SBMM in Warzone 2.

Warzone 2 introduced a ton of new features when it took over from the original. Strongholds across the new Al Mazrah map and the inclusion of Nukes shook up the game. Despite all its shiny new features, Warzone 2 retained a few core mechanics from the original Warzone experience.

SBMM was a major point of contention in Warzone and Call of Duty fans have questioned if there’s skill-based matchmaking in Warzone 2.

Here’s what you need to know about SBMM in Warzone 2.

Is there SBMM in Warzone 2?

While Activision or the devs have never officially confirmed the presence of SBMM, it is widely believed that Warzone 2 utilizes skill-based matchmaking.

SBMM has been a prominent feature in recent Call of Duty titles including Vanguard, Modern Warfare 2, and the original Warzone experience.

Despite the fact that the devs are reserved when it comes to the matter, it’s highly unlikely that they would remove the controversial feature without addressing the Warzone 2 community.

How does skill-based matchmaking work in Warzone 2?

Call of Duty’s skill-based matchmaking is a system that uses player data to create balanced matches. The system will use stats like K/D ratio and score per minute to match players with opponents of a similar skill level.

This forces high-skilled players to face off against others who are proficient at the game. On the flip side, it also pits low-skilled players against similarly skilled players.

The idea is to prevent top players from entering matches with players who simply aren’t as skilled at Warzone 2.

Warzone 2 players running away from a helicopter

SBMM has been the topic of major controversy in the Call of Duty community due to its divisive nature. One argument in support of SBMM explains that it makes the game accessible to casual players.

Meanwhile, others think that SBMM has ruined the game for skilled players, as the experience of constantly facing other high-skill players turns every lobby into an intense, stressful sweat-fest of a match.

Streamers and content creators have been especially scathing of SBMM in Warzone 2. Many claim that SBMM punishes those who excel at the game. They also believe that random lobbies would create more varied and dynamic gameplay for viewers.

Despite the constant criticism that SBMM receives in Warzone 2, players must get used to the feature as it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere in the near future.


For more, find out how to play Warzone 2’s third-person mode, or the best Perk Packages to use.

Image Credit: Activision

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About The Author

Luca is an Associate Editor at CharlieIntel. An accomplished, writer with interests in sports and gaming alike, Luca is focused on Call of Duty and FIFA as a content creator. After earning his BA in English Literature at Concordia University, he began writing for Gamelevate, OddsShark, and H4X. Luca joined CharlieIntel in 2021. You can reach Luca at [email protected], or via X @TheLucaDiMarzo.