The Dead by Daylight Public Test Build, commonly referred to as the PTB, is an exclusive experimental environment where players can test upcoming content before it reaches the global live servers. Managed by Behaviour Interactive, this version serves as a critical bridge between internal development and official release, allowing the community to stress-test new Killers, Survivors, maps, and balance overhauls.

Participation in the PTB is restricted to the PC platform via Steam. If you are looking to get an early look at the next Chapter, you must opt into the beta branch through your Steam library settings during an active testing window. It is important to clarify that progress made in the PTB—including Bloodpoints earned, character levels gained, or items unlocked—does not transfer back to your main account. The PTB operates on a temporary "snapshot" of your profile taken several days before the test begins.

The Strategic Importance of the Public Test Build for the Community

The Public Test Build is not merely a "sneak peek" for eager fans; it is a fundamental part of the game’s ecosystem. Dead by Daylight is a complex asymmetrical horror game where a single change to a perk or a Killer’s power can drastically shift the meta-game. The PTB provides the developers with massive amounts of data that internal playtesting cannot replicate.

When thousands of players jump into the Fog simultaneously, they discover unintended interactions. For instance, a new Survivor perk might combine with an older exhaustion perk in a way that makes a Survivor nearly uncatchable. By identifying these issues during the PTB, the balance team can make adjustments—buffs or nerfs—before the content goes live for the entire player base on consoles and other PC stores.

For competitive players and content creators, the PTB is an essential training ground. Getting a week of head-start experience with a new Killer’s mechanical nuances allows players to master the "mind games" at tiles and loops before the general population has even seen the character's power in action. This early mastery often translates to a smoother ranking experience once the official Chapter launches.

Technical Prerequisites for Joining the Testing Phase

Before attempting to join the PTB, you must understand the technical constraints. Unlike many modern games that offer cross-play and cross-progression, the Dead by Daylight PTB remains a Steam-exclusive feature.

Platform and Storefront Limitations

The PTB is not available on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile versions of the game. Furthermore, even on PC, players using the Epic Games Store or the Windows Store (Microsoft Store) cannot access the testing branch. This exclusivity is largely due to the flexibility of the Steam "Beta" system, which allows developers to push updates and manage different versions of the game client more efficiently than on more restrictive console ecosystems.

System Requirements and Storage

Since the PTB is essentially a separate version of the game, you need to ensure your hardware can handle the update. While it overwrites or modifies your existing installation files rather than creating a completely new 50GB folder alongside the live game, Steam still requires significant temporary disk space to perform the transition.

  • Operating System: Windows 10/11 64-bit.
  • Storage Space: Ensure at least 30GB of free space is available to accommodate the patching process.
  • Network: A stable high-speed connection is recommended, as switching between the PTB and the live version requires downloading several gigabytes of data each time.

Step by Step Instructions for Enabling the PTB on Steam

Accessing the PTB is straightforward if a test is currently live. Behaviour Interactive typically announces these windows via their official social media channels and the in-game news feed. Usually, a PTB goes live on a Tuesday, approximately three weeks before a major Chapter release.

Follow these steps to transition your game client:

  1. Open Steam: Navigate to your Library where your games are listed.
  2. Locate Dead by Daylight: Find the game in your list, right-click on the title, and select Properties.
  3. Navigate to the Betas Tab: On the left-hand sidebar of the Properties window, click on Betas.
  4. Select the Beta Participation Branch: Look for a dropdown menu labeled "Beta Participation." Click it and select the option titled public-test.
  5. Wait for the Download: Once selected, Steam will automatically begin an update. The name of the game in your library will change to "Dead by Daylight [public-test]."
  6. Launch the Game: Once the download finishes, click Play. You will be entering the experimental version of the Fog.

If you do not see the "public-test" option in the dropdown menu, it means there is no active PTB at that moment. The developers remove this branch from the Steam backend once the testing period concludes to prevent players from accidentally staying on an outdated, non-functional version of the game.

Understanding the Snapshot Save System and Progress

One of the most frequent points of confusion for new PTB participants is why their character levels or Bloodpoint totals look different than they did five minutes ago on the live servers.

The PTB uses a "snapshot" save system. When the developers prepare the PTB servers, they take a copy of the entire global player database. This copy is usually made 3 to 7 days before the PTB actually opens.

  • What this means for you: If you spent 2 million Bloodpoints on a Monday and the PTB snapshot was taken the previous Friday, your PTB account will still have those 2 million Bloodpoints, and your characters will not have the perks you unlocked over the weekend.
  • No Permanent Consequences: Anything you do in the PTB is completely isolated. If you prestige a character in the PTB, they will remain at their original level on the live server. If you accidentally delete a rare item or use up all your expensive "Bloody Party Streamers" in the PTB, they will still be sitting in your inventory on the live version.

This isolation is designed to encourage experimentation. You are free to test high-risk strategies or use your rarest add-ons without the fear of losing them permanently. It is a "safe space" for tactical trial and error.

The Reality of Matchmaking and Queue Times in PTB

In our practical experience with multiple PTB cycles, the matchmaking environment is drastically different from the live game. Because the primary draw of a new Chapter is the new Killer, the ratio of players queued for Killer versus Survivor is heavily skewed.

The Killer Queue Bottleneck

When a new Killer like The Lich or The Unknown is introduced, almost everyone wants to try their unique powers. This results in incredibly long queue times for the Killer role—often exceeding 15 or 20 minutes. Conversely, Survivor queues are usually instantaneous because the community needs four Survivors for every one Killer.

If your goal is to see the new map or test how the new Survivor perks feel in a real chase, we recommend queuing as a Survivor. You will get into matches immediately and face the new Killer in almost every single game, providing ample opportunity to learn their counter-play.

Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) in Testing

It is worth noting that SBMM (Skill-Based Matchmaking) is often less precise in the PTB. Because the player pool is much smaller and concentrated on the Steam version only, the system prioritizes finding a match quickly over finding a match of perfectly equal skill. You may find yourself facing players much more or much less experienced than you usually encounter.

Exploring the PTB Economy and Free Currencies

To facilitate thorough testing, Behaviour Interactive often provides players with temporary resources. In many PTB cycles, players are granted a significant amount of Auric Cells (the premium currency) or Iridescent Shards within the PTB environment.

These currencies allow you to:

  1. Unlock the New Characters: If you haven't "purchased" the new Chapter, these temporary Auric Cells allow you to unlock the new Killer and Survivor immediately to test them.
  2. Purchase Cosmetics: You can see how the new outfits look in-game during a trial.
  3. Test the Shrine of Secrets: Sometimes the developers update the Shrine of Secrets in the PTB to include specific perks they want players to test.

Remember: these "free" currencies are only for the PTB. They will not appear on your live account, and you cannot "buy" something in the PTB and expect to own it when the update officially launches.

Strategic Advantages of Early Perk Analysis

Participating in the PTB gives you a massive mental advantage. The "meta" in Dead by Daylight is driven by perk synergies. In our testing of previous updates, we found that certain perk combinations looked "balanced" on paper but were "broken" in practice.

For example, when a new perk that rewards "healing speed" is introduced, PTB players will immediately test it with older perks like Botany Knowledge or Desperate Measures. If they find a way to heal in 4 seconds, that information spreads through the community. By the time the update hits the live servers, a PTB veteran already knows:

  • Which tiles the new Killer can shut down easily.
  • The exact sound cues for the new Killer’s stealth or power-up.
  • The "safe" distances for dodging new projectile attacks.
  • The most efficient generators to work on in a new map layout.

This level of familiarity reduces the "learning curve" frustration that many players feel on launch day. Instead of being confused by a new mechanic, you are the one exploiting it to win matches.

Troubleshooting Common PTB Issues

The PTB is, by definition, an unstable build. Technical hiccups are expected, but some are more common than others.

"Public-Test" Option Missing

If you open the Betas tab and the menu is empty, first ensure that a PTB is actually scheduled to be live. If it is live for others but not you, try restarting your Steam client entirely. Sometimes Steam needs to "refresh" its manifest to recognize that a beta branch has been opened by the developer.

"Easy Anti-Cheat" Errors

Occasionally, switching versions can confuse the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) system. If you receive an error stating "Incompatible Version" or "EAC Sandbox not initialized," the best solution is to verify the integrity of your game files.

  • Right-click Dead by Daylight > Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files.
  • This will check for any corrupted or missing files and download them, ensuring the PTB client is correctly configured.

Performance and Crashes

Expect lower frame rates or occasional crashes in the PTB. The developers use these builds to gather crash logs. If your game closes unexpectedly, a pop-up usually appears asking you to send a report to Behaviour. Doing so helps them fix the issue so it doesn't happen when the content is released to millions of players on the live servers.

Reverting Back to the Live Version of Dead by Daylight

Once you have finished your testing or the PTB window has closed, you must manually revert your game to the live version to play with the general population again.

  1. Right-click Dead by Daylight in your Steam Library.
  2. Select Properties and go back to the Betas tab.
  3. Change Beta Participation to "None".
  4. Steam will then download another update (often a large one) to replace the PTB files with the current live game files.

It is highly recommended to do this when you are not planning to play immediately, as the download can take some time depending on your internet speed. Switching back and forth too frequently can be taxing on both your data cap and your patience.

Summary of the Public Test Build Experience

The Dead by Daylight Public Test Build is a powerful tool for the community to shape the future of the game. It offers a unique, risk-free environment where players can break the game, find bugs, and master new mechanics. While it is limited to Steam and does not allow for progress carryover, the knowledge and experience gained are invaluable. By participating, you aren't just playing a game; you are contributing to the balance and health of a horror icon that millions of people enjoy. Whether you are a Killer main looking to optimize your new power or a Survivor main looking for the next meta perk, the PTB is where the future of the Fog begins.

Frequently Asked Questions About the DBD PTB

Is the PTB available on Epic Games or consoles?

No. The PTB is exclusively available for players who own the game on Steam. Console players (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch) and other PC store users must wait for the official release.

Does my PTB progress save to my main account?

No. All progress, including Bloodpoints, player levels, and items used or earned in the PTB, is temporary. It will not affect your live account in any way.

Do I need to buy the new DLC to play it in the PTB?

Usually, no. During the PTB, the developers typically provide a snapshot of your account that includes the new characters for testing, or they provide temporary currency to unlock them within the PTB environment.

Why is my matchmaking taking so long in the PTB?

Matchmaking takes longer because the player pool is much smaller than the live game. Additionally, most players want to try the new Killer, leading to extremely long queues for that role while Survivor queues are typically very fast.

How do I report a bug found in the PTB?

You can report bugs through the official Dead by Daylight forums in the dedicated PTB section. Providing clear steps on how the bug occurred and attaching video evidence is highly helpful for the developers.

Can I play with my friends on the live server while I am on the PTB?

No. The PTB and the live game are on different versions and different servers. You can only play with other people who are also currently using the PTB client.

Will there be bots in the PTB?

Yes, Behaviour Interactive often uses bots to fill lobbies if matchmaking takes too long, or to allow players to test specific mechanics in a controlled environment without waiting for a full lobby of five players.