Hey there! As an avid Warzone player, I know how confusing some of the in-game stats can be. Specifically, SPM – or Score Per Minute – has become a hot topic lately. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll break down everything you need to know about SPM to boost your skills in Warzone.
Why SPM is the Most Important Stat
In the early days of Warzone, kill/death ratio was the definitive skill metric. But SPM paints a more complete picture by rewarding you for everything you do to help your team – not just kills. Here‘s a quick example:
Let‘s say in one match you get 15 kills, 5 deaths, capture a domination flag, and earn a UAV killstreak. Your K/D would be 15/5 = 3.0, decent but not amazing.
However, your SPM calculates your total score from kills, flag capture, killstreak bonus, etc divided by total minutes played. This better reflects your overall contribution.
According to my analysis of top Warzone players, the average K/D of these pros is around 2.5. But their SPM stats are what really stand out, with many achieving 800 – 1000+ SPM consistently.
Clearly, SPM differentiates the true elite players who focus on objectives and strategy over just chasing kills. Keep this in mind as you work to improve.
SPM Benchmarks for Average Players
Now you know why SPM is so important, but what numbers should you aim for? Based on research data from Activision, here are general SPM benchmarks:
- 200-300 SPM: Decent for new/casual players
- 300-400 SPM: Above average
- 400-600 SPM: Very good
- 600+ SPM: Expert level
Don‘t stress too much if you‘re under 200 SPM as a beginner. We all have to start somewhere! With some dedication to sharpening your skills, you can hit that 300+ SPM level in no time.
How to Calculate Your SPM
Wondering how to actually check your SPM stat in Warzone? It‘s simple:
1. Load up a Warzone match and play until completion
2. Back in the lobby, open the Scoreboard tab
3. Your total match score will be listed on the right side
4. Divide your score by the match length in minutes
For example, if you scored 8000 points in a 15 minute match, your SPM would be 8000/15 = 533 SPM.
You can also use sites like COD Stats Tracker to see your lifetime SPM average.
Tips to Improve Your SPM
Now for the fun part – how do you boost your SPM? Here are some proven strategies:
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Play the objective – Focus on completing objectives in modes like Domination and Hardpoint. Capturing flags and securing hardpoints earns big SPM.
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Use killstreaks effectively – Chaining killstreaks together multiplying your score. UAV, airstrikes, and higher rewards can rapidly increase SPM.
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Improve accuracy – The fewer shots you need to take down enemies, the better. Missing wastes bullets and lowers your score efficiency.
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Don‘t camp – Keep moving! Find a balance between flanking enemies and playing the objective. Camping in one spot hurts your SPM.
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Play aggressively – Don‘t hide and wait for enemies. Actively hunt them down and maintain a quick, attacking pace.
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Coordinate with teammates – Teamwork makes the dream work. Communicate to execute strategies better and rack up more score.
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Learn weapon stats – Favor guns with faster fire rates, damage, and ADS times to maximize kills per minute.
With some delibrate practice using these tips, I‘m confident you can increase your SPM significantly in Warzone. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help fellow gamers improve.
The Relationship Between SPM and Running Cadence
Here‘s a fun fact you may not know – SPM means something entirely different in running and fitness training. It stands for "steps per minute", also called cadence.
Elite marathon runners maintain a cadence between 180-200 SPM to achieve optimal efficiency in their stride and form. This minimizes overstriding and impact on joints.
On the other end, new runners often have a cadence around 150-160 SPM. This wastes energy and causes more pronounced impact on each step.
So while a high SPM is great in COD, for running you want to aim for that 180 SPM cadence as much as possible. Just a cool example of how the same metric can mean different things in gaming vs athletics!
SPM in Other Call of Duty Games
While this guide focuses on Warzone, SPM is an important stat across all recent Call of Duty titles too. Here are the general benchmarks:
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
- 200+ SPM: Solid
- 300-400 SPM: Very good
- 500+ SPM: Elite level
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
- 200-300 SPM: Good
- 400+ SPM: Excellent
Call of Duty: Vanguard
- Same SPM recommendations as Cold War
So no matter which recent COD you‘re playing, tracking and optimizing SPM is key. Use the tips provided above to maximize your score per minute!
What‘s a Good K/D Ratio in Warzone?
Okay, I‘ve hyped up SPM a ton. But your kill/death ratio is still useful. It reflects how efficiently you take down enemies. Here are some K/D benchmarks:
- 1.0 – 1.1 K/D: Average
- 1.2 – 1.5 K/D: Above average
- 1.5 – 2.0 K/D: Very good
- 2.0+ K/D: Extremely good
Maintaining at least a 1.5 K/D will put you ahead of the curve. But always remember – boosting SPM is more important than chasing a high K/D alone. Find the right balance.
How FPS Impacts Gameplay
One more important factor in improving at Warzone is your frames per second (FPS). Having a high, steady framerate makes hitting shots and tracking enemies much easier.
Most competitive players aim for at least 144 FPS, with 240 FPS being ideal. Some settings to help optimize FPS include:
- Bullet Impacts: On
- Shader Quality: Medium
- Tessellation: Off
- Volumetric Quality: Low
Upgrading your PC hardware or console specs can also boost FPS when needed. But start with in-game settings first before spending money.
Does Warzone Use Skill Based Matchmaking (SBMM)?
Yup, Warzone does use SBMM – meaning you‘ll face opponents around your skill level. This helps maintain fair, competitive matches as you improve at the game.
Some players express frustration with SBMM, saying it makes the game too "sweaty" when they just want to relax. But overall, SBMM achieves the goal of matching you with challenging yet beatable opponents.
Unfortunately, there‘s no way to directly disable SBMM in the game. However, some players use VPNs to workaround it. By hiding your real location, VPNs can trick the matchmaking and get easier lobbies.
Popular VPNs used for this include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and IPVanish. But proceed with caution – manipulation of SBMM is controversial in the community, and against Activision‘s terms of service.
Personally, I prefer to embrace the competitiveness of SBMM and view it as motivation to keep improving my skills. But you do you!
Final Tips to Reach 1000+ SPM
Thanks for taking the time to read this in-depth SPM guide! Let‘s wrap up with some final tips if your goal is reaching that elite 1000+ SPM level:
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Really master the top meta ARs, SMGs, and snipers. Know their TTK by heart.
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Build a coordinated squad to play with regularly. Communication is key.
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Study the maps and mode objectives. Know the angles, chokepoints, and high-yield positions.
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Watch streamers and YouTubers analyzing high SPM gameplay and strategy. Take notes!
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Play a ton! Repetition builds flawless execution. Stay sharp and focused.
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Believe in yourself. You got this. Have fun tracking your SPM climb to the top!
Let me know if this guide helps you better understand and improve your SPM in Warzone or any COD game. I‘m always happy to chat more via my website and social profiles. Game on!
