Before each new season in Diablo 4, the Public Test Realm, or PTR, becomes available, allowing players to test out all the latest additions, changes, and mechanics for the next season. The PTR usually goes live a month before its planned release date, so the developers have time to balance the game and fix the bugs. Now that the PTR is available for everyone, here’s how to install it and try the newest updates before they officially go live.
Where to Download the Diablo 4 Public Test Realm
To download Diablo 4’s PTR, you must first install Blizzard’s Battle.net App. Open the app and log in to your account. Choose the Diablo 4 game from the “Games” tab. On the Diablo 4 page, as seen in the image above, you can click the dropdown box and choose the “Public Test Realm.”
Normally, the “live” version of Diablo 4 comes up here. If the game is installed, the blue button below it will show “Play.” If the game is not installed, it will show “Install.”
Regardless of whether you have the live version of Diablo 4 installed or not, the Public Test Realm is an entirely separate game. So, you will always have to install the Public Test Realm even if you have the live Diablo 4 installed.
Once you swap to the PTR, the “Install” button will appear. You’ll then have to install another full version of the game, which may require upwards of 90GB of free space.
What to Expect in the Public Test Realm
Public Test Realms adds all the additions, changes, and mechanics to their upcoming season. If they introduce a new seasonal event, you can try it out. For example, you can try out Season 5’s Infernal Compasses and try to figure out ways to climb higher waves.
If they introduce new unique items, legendary aspects, resources, and tempers, you can also theorycraft some builds to prepare for the next season.
This is how content creators experiment with their new builds and provide the community with a decent build for players to follow. However, changes usually happen on the day the new season arrives, but you already know what to expect in terms of looking at it from a broader perspective. For example, if they introduce a game-changing aspect and unique item for some Hydra Sorcerer build, they can nerf it on the release day if they find it too strong.
Once you get into the Public Test Realm, you can instantly boost your character to 100 by talking to the NPC. This whole realm is meant for players to test things, so it makes sense for them to give you everything you need.
You also get your resources from the previous season, including items you may have stored in your chest and some of the items you have stored in your Eternal Realm.
Everything in the PTR will be wiped out, so you can waste all your resources if you want to. If you want a starter build to experiment on the PTR, you can try out some proven builds that can finish all forms of content.
