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FromSoftware just confirmed that The Duskbloods will run on skill-based matchmaking, and players get their first real look at it during this weekend’s Network Test on Nintendo Switch 2.
What FromSoftware Announced
The studio behind Elden Ring and the Souls series isn’t shy about difficulty, but skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) is a different beast — it’s about pairing players of similar rank so fights actually feel fair. FromSoftware confirmed this system will be active during the upcoming Network Test for The Duskbloods, giving early participants a taste of how ranked encounters are meant to play out before the game’s full launch.
Why This Matters for The Duskbloods
The Duskbloods leans on PvP-driven, multiplayer combat, so matchmaking quality can make or break the experience. Nobody wants to get steamrolled by a squad way above their skill level in their first few hours, and SBMM is FromSoftware’s answer to that problem. It also signals the studio is treating this as a live, competitive product rather than a one-and-done PvE romp — expect ranks, seasons, or some form of progression tied to matchmaking down the line, even if the exact structure hasn’t been detailed yet.
What to Expect This Weekend
The Network Test is the moment to actually feel the system in action rather than just read about it. Early testers should pay attention to queue times, how quickly the game settles you into a fair bracket, and whether matches feel balanced from the jump. Network Tests like this one are also how FromSoftware tends to gather feedback before locking in systems for release, so anything reported now could directly shape the final matchmaking rules.
Skill-based matchmaking sounds like a small technical detail, but for a multiplayer-focused game from a studio known for punishing design, it’s actually one of the bigger signals about how The Duskbloods wants to be played. Worth jumping into the Network Test just to see how it holds up under real matches.
FAQ
When is The Duskbloods Network Test? It’s running this weekend, giving players early hands-on access to test skill-based matchmaking before launch.
What platform is The Duskbloods on? The Duskbloods is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive from FromSoftware.
Does The Duskbloods have ranked matchmaking? FromSoftware has confirmed skill-based matchmaking is part of the game, active during the Network Test, though full ranked details haven’t been revealed yet.
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