5 Shocking Truths About Marvel Rivals Matchmaking: Is It SBMM Or EOMM?

The question of whether *Marvel Rivals* utilizes Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) is one of the most hotly debated topics in the game’s community, and the answer, as of December 17, 2025, is far more complex than a simple "yes" or "no." While the game’s developer, NetEase Games, has officially stated that a skill-based system is in place, particularly for competitive play, a significant portion of the player base suspects a different, more controversial algorithm is at work, especially in unranked matches: Engagement-Optimized Matchmaking (EOMM). This deep dive will break down the official stance, the community's suspicions, and what the "complex system" truly means for your gameplay experience.

The controversy stems from the highly inconsistent nature of Quick Play matches, where players report experiencing dramatic swings between easy victories and frustrating, unwinnable losses. This pattern is often cited as a hallmark of EOMM, a system designed to maximize playtime and retention rather than strictly ensuring fair, skill-matched games. Understanding the nuances of *Marvel Rivals*' matchmaking is crucial for any player looking to climb the ranks or simply enjoy a balanced casual session.

The Official Stance: Yes, SBMM Is In Marvel Rivals (For Ranked)

For players seeking a truly competitive and balanced environment, the good news is that the dedicated Competitive Mode in *Marvel Rivals* operates on a clear, skill-based foundation. This is the game's official arena for true SBMM, where your performance directly impacts your visible rank and your pairing with teammates and opponents.

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How the Competitive Matchmaking System Works

• Competitive Score (MMR): At the core of the Ranked system is a competitive score, often referred to as a Matchmaking Rating (MMR). This numerical value is the primary factor determining your skill level and is used to pair you with other players who have a similar rating.
• Ranked Ladder: Players compete to advance through a structured ranking ladder, starting from the lower tiers and aiming for the highest ranks. Progress is tied to winning matches and performing well, which increases your competitive score.
• Unlocking Ranked Play: To dive into the Competitive Mode, players must first reach a certain account level, typically Level 10 or Level 15, by playing unranked Quick Play matches. This gate ensures that new players have a foundational understanding of the game's mechanics and a decent roster of heroes before entering the competitive fray.
• Objective Types: Ranked matches feature specific objective types, including Domination, Convoy, and Convergence, adding a layer of strategic depth that demands a higher level of teamwork and coordination than Quick Play.

The clear goal of the Competitive Mode is to provide a fair challenge, ensuring that players are consistently matched against rivals of comparable skill, thereby validating the presence of a traditional SBMM system.

The Controversial Theory: Is EOMM Lurking in Quick Play?

Despite the official confirmation of SBMM in the competitive environment, the *Marvel Rivals* community, particularly on platforms like Reddit and Steam, has been vocal about their suspicions that the Quick Play, or unranked, mode uses a different, more manipulative algorithm: Engagement-Optimized Matchmaking (EOMM).

What is Engagement-Optimized Matchmaking (EOMM)?

EOMM is a matchmaking philosophy that prioritizes player retention and engagement over strictly balanced skill. Instead of simply matching players based on MMR, the system allegedly considers factors that influence a player's likelihood to keep playing—and spending money—on the game. This can lead to a calculated win/loss cycle.

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• The Win/Loss Cycle: The core of the EOMM theory is that the system deliberately forces a cycle of wins followed by losses. If you win too many games, the system might match you against significantly tougher opponents to give you a "challenge" and prevent boredom. Conversely, if you lose too many, it might give you an "easy" game to prevent frustration and stop you from quitting.
• Team Balancing Over Individual Skill: Some players suggest the system doesn't match based on individual skill but on the overall team's skill, which can result in one highly skilled player being paired with five significantly weaker players, essentially forcing the good player to "carry" the team.
• Developer Precedent: NetEase Inc., the parent company of the *Marvel Rivals* developer, has been linked to documents and discussions about implementing EOMM systems, fueling the community's suspicion.

The result of this alleged EOMM is the inconsistent, "sweaty" match quality that players frequently complain about in Quick Play. The lack of strict SBMM in unranked matches also explains why queue times are often very short and why the overall match experience can feel less structured than in Competitive Mode.

The Developer's Response to the Matchmaking Controversy

The intense community debate and persistent complaints about the matchmaking system have not gone unnoticed by the development team. In a direct response, the developers addressed the controversy surrounding EOMM and SBMM, acknowledging the complexity of the system.

The developers have essentially confirmed that matchmaking is not a simple, single-factor process. While they maintain that skill is a key component, they have referred to their system as "complex," which is often interpreted as an admission that factors beyond pure skill—potentially related to engagement metrics—are indeed part of the algorithm.

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Key takeaways from the developer's response:

• "Complex System": The official stance is that matchmaking is a multi-faceted process that goes beyond a simple MMR calculation.
• Addressing EOMM: The developers released a diary or statement specifically discussing the controversy, attempting to clarify the situation without fully denying the existence of engagement-related factors.
• Focus on Fairness: The team has repeatedly emphasized their commitment to providing a fair and fun experience, suggesting that ongoing adjustments are being made to the system based on player feedback and data.

For the player, this means accepting that the system is likely a hybrid. The Competitive Mode is your pure SBMM experience, while Quick Play is a more experimental environment where the game attempts to balance skill, latency, team composition, and, possibly, player retention metrics all at once.

Understanding the Marvel Rivals Competitive Ranks

If you choose to engage with the true SBMM system, you'll need to understand the ranked ladder. The Competitive Mode is where your skill is formally measured and where you'll face opponents who are demonstrably your peers.

The Complete Ranking System Explained

The ranking system in *Marvel Rivals* follows a familiar structure, with players progressing through various tiers to reach the pinnacle of competitive play. Advancing through these ranks earns players exclusive rewards, including cosmetics, titles, and other in-game items associated with each season.

The ranks typically include:

• Bronze: The starting point for all competitive players.
• Silver: The first step up, requiring consistent wins.
• Gold: The average-to-above-average player tier.
• Platinum: A solid achievement, indicating high proficiency with the game's mechanics.
• Diamond: The entry point into the elite tiers, where competition becomes significantly tougher.
• Master: The domain of highly skilled players who demonstrate exceptional game sense and hero mastery.
• Grandmaster (GM): The upper echelon of the *Marvel Rivals* player base, often cited by players in community discussions as the tier where Quick Play matches feel like ranked games.
• Challenger/Apex (Highest Tier): Reserved for the absolute best players on the server, often represented by a leaderboard or a top percentage of the player base.

To maintain your rank and progress, you must consistently win matches and outperform your opponents. The system is designed to be a continuous climb against increasingly difficult teams, validating the skill-based nature of this specific game mode.

Final Verdict: SBMM vs. EOMM in Marvel Rivals

The ultimate conclusion for the question "is there SBMM in *Marvel Rivals*?" is a qualified Yes, but only strictly and purely in the Competitive/Ranked Mode.

For the casual player diving into Quick Play, the matchmaking system is a different beast entirely. It appears to be a hybrid algorithm that incorporates elements of skill-based matching alongside other metrics, likely related to engagement, retention, and quick queue times. This is why players experience the notorious "sweaty" matches and the dramatic win/loss fluctuations that fuel the EOMM controversy. The developers have a complex system in place, and while they call it skill-based, the community's experience suggests that maximizing playtime is a parallel priority.

If you want a fair, skill-tested match, stick to the Ranked Queue. If you want a faster, more unpredictable experience where you might get stomped or do the stomping, Quick Play is where you’ll find the controversial EOMM-style matchmaking in action. As the game continues to evolve, constant developer communication and transparency will be key to alleviating the community's concerns about the true nature of the *Marvel Rivals* matchmaking system.