Infinity Ward and Activision have denied that skill-based matchmaking is used in Warzone and Cold War. However, numerous content creators have tested and proved that there is an algorithm that pairs higher-skilled players in the same lobbies. By simply playing the game, the community has endured the challenges of playing against progressively better opponents.

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Players have had over a year to improve their skills in Modern Warfare, and it shows in-game. This guide will cover the principal aspects of the skill-based or engagement-based matchmaking system in Warzone. Additionally, it will explain the different methods of getting easier lobbies without exploiting the game.

Updated on November 30, 2021, by Payton Lott: With the release of Vanguard and the introduction of the new Pacific map in Warzone, the SBMM debate has resurfaced in the community. No matter what your opinion is on the topic, the algorithm is here to stay. Even without quantitative data, it is clear that Vanguard incorporates a similar "engagement-based" approach to sorting lobbies in-game. With some of Warzone's player-base moving on to other AAA shooters, it is possible that some changes could be made to SBMM in the future.

Metrics Used

SBMM Warzone

The exact factors Activision uses to determine skill in Warzone are unknown because Activision's system is proprietary information. However, there is a strong correlation between the kill death ratio (K/D) of a player and the skill of a lobby as a whole. The number of wins a player has, headshot percentage, average kills, and movement percentage are other factors that could be present in the algorithm.

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JGOD, Xclusive Ace, and Drift0r have tested the skill of lobbies based on the kill death ratio of a player. The results of their testing are incontrovertible, and players that improve their K/D will have tougher opponents. The SBMM algorithm takes into account a player's prior five games, which will affect the average K/D in each lobby. One can test the theory by getting zero kills in five straight matches. The player's sixth match will be far easier, and the system encourages players to reverse boost for a better match.

Brackets And Team Dynamics

SBMM Data

Skill-based matchmaking is used by Infinity Ward and Activision to retain as many players as possible. Understandably, there should be some protection for players that are new to first-person shooters and players with disabilities. However, Warzone's SBMM has several brackets in place for below average, average, and above-average players. The average kill death ratio of players in Warzone is somewhere around a .8 K/D. Players that have a 1.5 K/D or higher will almost always be placed in an above-average lobby. Above-average lobbies will usually have an average K/D of 1.1 and higher. Additionally, players that have a 1.3 K/D or higher represent the top 25% of players in the community.

Skill-based matchmaking will take into account the average K/D of each team in Warzone. This means that players with the lowest K/D on a team will have to play against better opponents and players with higher K/Ds will be playing against less skilled opponents. Warzone's SBMM algorithm helps players that low man in duos, trios, and quads. For example, players with a 1.5 K/D will have an average K/D of .75 when turning fill off and playing battle royale duos.

State Of SBMM

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For players with above-average K/Ds, the current state of SBMM in Warzone can be frustrating. Players that have one or two decent games are punished with much better lobbies. Additionally, now that player data is no longer public information, websites like COD tracker that track player statistics are no longer useful.

The Warzone SBMM website was shut down by Activision as well. The website was a tool to both understand the algorithm and identify suspect accounts. Because Activision decided to change the API and shut down Warzone SBMM, it is much easier for players to exploit the system or use cheat software. There is no longer a trail of statistics tied to all accounts, which would provide evidence of exploiting and cheating. Without a paper trail, streamers and professionals are being accused of using some of the below methods to bypass SBMM.

Exploiting The System

There are a number of methods to make lobbies easier, and players are doing whatever they can to play against less skilled opponents. Players can tank their stats or use a bot account to get in better lobbies. Warzone is free to play, and frustrated players can just create a new account and play against below-average players. There are also routers that can change a player's location to access servers with less skilled players or players with a higher ping.

Time Of Day Matters

Call of Duty Warzone Matchmaking Times

Players should keep in mind that time of day plays a huge factor in the composition of lobbies as well. If there are fewer players online, there is a better chance that the lobby will be more diverse. The average K/D of a lobby correlates with the local time that a match is queued.

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Matchmaking will be stricter from 8 pm - 2 am local time on every server. This means that lobby strength will be much easier during the other hours of the day. It is not a coincidence that top streamers will film their content either early in the day or after 2 am.

Engagement Based Matchmaking

call of duty warzone team size modes

Technically, Warzone has what is termed engagement-based matchmaking, of which skill is a determining factor. Engagement refers to keeping players on the game for the most amount of time possible. The algorithm will interpret data to alter the strength of a lobby when necessary to keep players interested.

The example above about throwing five matches in a row is the perfect example. Gamers that play terribly in a string of games will end up in Bronze lobbies. Likewise, players that are averaging more than two kills a match will get into Platinum and Diamond lobbies. The intent of the system is to make sure each player has at least one enjoyable experience in a play session. More often than not, players will get into the lowest level lobbies right before they hop off.

The Bundle Controversy

bundle for the cod warzone clown skin

In the past couple of months, thousands of players and content creators have reported getting better lobbies after making a purchase in the store. While there is no concrete evidence to suggest the rumor is true, a lot of people claim the method is a foolproof way to play against less-skilled opponents.

It would make sense in a game that is structured to retain as many players as possible and generate as much revenue as possible. In the eyes of Activision, this is a win-win scenario. More players stay engaged because they get better lobbies and gamers that buy bundles are encouraged to spend even more. This is obviously mere speculation, but it is certainly not an impossibility.

Warzone Needs Unranked Modes

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These issues with skill-based matchmaking can be solved by adding a casual and ranked mode. Players that improve will gain ranks, and players that want a casual experience will be put into random lobbies. Unfortunately, it does not appear that skill-based matchmaking will be altered any time soon. Skill-based matchmaking has made Infinity Ward and Activision a lot of money due to player retention, and there does not seem to be an incentive for them to make a change.

Skill-Based Matchmaking In Vanguard

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Anyone that has spent some time playing Vanguard's multiplayer has noticed a familiar trend. Play better, and the lobbies get better. This is nothing new, as skill-based matchmaking feels exactly the same as it did in Cold War and in Modern Warfare. Gone are the days of Pub stomping and randomization in the Call of Duty franchise.

As discussed above, there is little reason for the developers of these games to make any changes to the algorithm. SBMM creates protected lobbies for those that are new to shooters and those that struggle to compete due to a variety of factors and conditions. These protected lobbies are there for a reason, and are actually a positive for player retention as a whole.

Skill Based Matchmaking In The Pacific

Call Of Duty Pacific Map In Warzone

On the other hand, good players are unable to have a causal experience in both Vanguard and Warzone. Raven and Activision are sticking to their approach, and there is not an ounce of evidence that the Pacific Map will change anything. Despite how frustrating Warzone's SBMM can be from a player's perspective, if the system retains enough players and microtransactions continue to net profits, there is no reason to alter the system.

Skilled players that love the franchise will play despite the struggle to win games, and new players will be matched with average to below-average opponents. Without belaboring the point, the following bullets are some changes that could improve the system.

  • Actual rewards for performance and wins
  • Progression locked items
  • Casual and ranked modes
  • Randomized matchmaking above 1.0 K/D

Game development is a business, but there are ways to profit while making Warzone enjoyable for as many people as possible. These suggestions are unlikely to be implemented, but there is always hope that something will be done to revive the classic Call of Duty experience.

Warzone was released on March 10, 2020, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.

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