How to join the Public Test Build (PTB) in Dead by Daylight

Step one: play on Steam.

Image via Behaviour Interactive

If you want to get a taste of Dead By Daylight‘s latest Killer or try out the new perks, then you might just get in a new patch early if you access the game’s Public Test Build (PTB).

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It’s a great opportunity to test if you like a character or try someone before buying them. For the Dead by Daylight team, getting some early feedback on a particular Killer or Survivor before they make their way into the official game is a good idea. However, you’ll need to do a few things before you can jump into the game’s PTB. Here’s what you need to know about how to set that up.

How to play the Public Test Build (PTB) in Dead by Daylight

An image of Lara Croft running from the Trapper in Dead by Daylight.
Join the Public Test Server to test out any character before buying them. Image via Behaviour Interactive.

The PTB usually opens approximately three weeks before the release of a new chapter and stays open for a short time (usually a week). During that window, all Steam players can try out the new features hands-on, offering feedback regarding balancing and even possible bugs. Progress on PTB doesn’t transfer to the live version, so the goal behind participating in it is testing out the novelties. It’s a perfect chance to try out the upcoming Castlevania crossover.

The PTB is only available for Steam players. On your Library, right-click Dead By Daylight and go into the Properties tab. After the DBD menu opens, click Betas and select public test, enabling access to the PTB. This will also change your game’s name in the library. You must have purchased the game to enter this. If you have not purchased the game, you won’t be able to try out the PTB.

Joining the Dead by Daylight Public Test servers
Click on the Betas to select the Public Test Servers. Screenshot by Dot Esports

To sign out, revert the process and opt out of beta programs. By opting in or out of the respective betas, you can alternate between the PTB and the live version. Unfortunately, you cannot have both versions on your setup and must switch back and forth when playing Dead by Daylight.

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Pedro Peres
Pedro is Dot Esports' Lead Destiny Writer. He's been a freelance writer since 2019, and legend has it you can summon him by pinging an R-301, uttering the word "Persona," or inviting him to run a raid in Destiny 2 (though he probably has worse RNG luck than the D2 team combined). Find his ramblings on his Twitter @ggpedroperes (whenever that becomes available again).
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Zack Palm
Zack Palm has been writing about video games for the past five years. He spends his free time trying to learn about a new board, reading high-fantasy series, or working on his latest DnD character.