Does XDefiant have SBMM? Skill-based matchmaking explained

❘ Published: 2023-06-28T16:08:22

Ubisoft

The open beta has come to an end and players are beginning to draw their own conclusions wondering if XDefiant, the new shooter from Ubisoft, is featuring skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) in all of its game modes. This is everything you need to know about it.

As you may already know, the new FPS XDefiant brings together characters from five Ubisoft universes into five factions. Classes from Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, Watch Dogs 2, The Division, and Far Cry 6 meet in this new video game where they have unique abilities that provide advantages on the battlefield.

Ubisoft have been working on this new shooter for several years, and we are getting closer to its final release, which is scheduled for this summer according to the developers. After an exciting open beta, players have started wondering if XDefiant is featuring skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) and if it is present in all game modes, similar to Call of Duty.

xdefiant ghost recon faction character with weapon

Phantoms are one of the most dominant Factions in XDefiant.

Is there SBMM in XDefiant?

Devs have confirmed that XDefiant does have SBMM but only in Ranked Play, so casual play doesn’t have it, unlike Call of Duty. Like most shooters, this new Ubisoft game also has two gameplay modes: Ranked and casual.

Ranked matchmaking is based on your rank (SBMM), while casual matchmaking prioritizes ping to enhance the casual gaming experience. Furthermore, the developers confirmed that each of these modes are balanced teams based on a hidden MMR (Skill). This way each team in a match has a fair chance of winning.

Additionally, the developers have also said that it may be possible the creation of a secondary matchmaking pool for lower-skilled players. This pool will be targeted towards only a small number of players, not necessarily the bottom half, but possibly only the 10% with lower skill levels.

What is skill-based matchmaking in XDefiant?

Cleaners’ Faction can generate a significant amount of area damage and burning.

Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) is a system implemented in many competitive online games to ensure fair and balanced matches by pairing players of similar skill levels together. This is achieved by analyzing various gameplay metrics, such as K/D ratio and score per minute, to assess a player’s skill.

By employing SBMM, highly-skilled players will be up against opponents possessing similar levels of experience, resulting in intense and challenging gameplay. Simultaneously, casual players will find themselves matched against teams or individuals with comparable skill sets, providing them with a more enjoyable and balanced experience.

That’s everything you need to know about XDefiant’s matchmaking. While we wait for the official release or any other announcements, make sure you check out some of our other guides below: