Skill-based matchmaking conversations have dominated the majority of Black Ops 7, but a recent trend has seen the community talking about a different type of gameplay influence, namely skill-based damage differences.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launched with open matchmaking, AKA no SBMM. Meaning, your lobbies are not determined by stats and player ability (for the most part). However, SBMM has factored into the game more as time has gone on, and players are now accusing Black Ops 7 of having skill-based damage. A Treyarch dev has shut down these suggestions.
Skill-Based Damage Not Used in Black Ops 7
Treyarch Design Director Matt Scronce has responded to Reidboyy’s post that ‘skill-based damage is 100% real and in the game.’
Scronce had this to say about the topic:
“I can promise you, there’s nothing behind the scenes modifying any of our damage values.”
So, if you feel you’re getting different damage output compared to other people in your lobby, this is merely a figment of your imagination. Your lobby might determine who you’re put against, but the only thing affecting your damage is potentially ping or netcode.
It came about because of a Pirat_Nation post mentioning Sony’s patent that dynamically affects gameplay for different players on the fly. In theory, this WOULD be skill-based damage, and could help players floundering in a match, or give someone dominating a lobby a roadblock.
You can check out the full exchange right here.
SBMM is one thing, but how does skill-based damage sound to you? If it’s implemented across different multiplayer games, including CoD, would it stop you from partaking in online shooters or multiplayer in general? Let us know through the Insider Gaming Discord.
Check out the full Black Ops 7 & Warzone Season 3 Release Date & Start Times for more CoD content.



