Understanding SBMM

Ever feel like every online match is a fight for your life? That’s Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) at work. It’s a system in major titles like Call of Duty and Battlefield that puts you in lobbies with players at your exact skill level, and our service is constantly expanding to support more games. This means every match can feel "sweaty," leaving no room for casual fun. In this guide, we'll explain how to deal with SBMM and get back to enjoying your games.

How SBMM Affects Your Gaming Experience

Pros of SBMM:

• Fair Competition – Players face opponents of a similar skill level, making matches more balanced.
• Improved Learning Curve – Players can develop their skills by consistently playing against challenging opponents.
• Better Gaming Experience for New Players – SBMM prevents beginners from being overwhelmed by highly skilled players.

Cons of SBMM:

• Sweaty Lobbies – Players often encounter intense, high-pressure matches, even in casual modes.
• Reduced Variety – Matches can become repetitive as players consistently face opponents with a similar playstyle.
• Difficult for Casual Players – SBMM may eliminate the possibility of relaxed, fun games, making every match feel ranked.

How to Get More Casual Lobbies

1. Use a Gaming DNS to Control Your Region

The most effective way to influence SBMM is to change your server region, and a gaming DNS is the best tool for it. Unlike a VPN that adds lag due to heavy encryption, a DNS is built for speed, rerouting your connection to a new region without sacrificing your ping. This lets you access different player pools that might be more casual.

Connect to a region where it’s early morning. The lobbies will be far less competitive than your local servers during peak evening hours.

2. Maximize Your Advantage with Your DNS

While your DNS is the most powerful tool, you can enhance its effects by combining it with these in-game strategies:

• Fine-Tune with Game Modes: After using your DNS to connect to a more casual region, you can zero in on the most relaxed lobbies by choosing less-popular or limited-time game modes.
• Enhance Your Squad Play: When playing with friends, your DNS ensures the whole squad connects smoothly to the new server. This guarantees a stable, low-ping experience for everyone, making those mixed-skill matches even more enjoyable.

Can You Just Turn SBMM Off?

Unfortunately, no. Developers don't provide an option to disable SBMM. The system is deeply integrated into modern multiplayer games. While other tactics can help slightly, using a gaming DNS to switch servers is the only truly effective way to find the fun, casual matches you're looking for.