Get ready, Diablo 4 fans: the Season 7 Public Test Realm (PTR) kicks off on December 3, 2024, giving PC players an exclusive first look at the new “Season of Witchcraft” content before the full season launches on January 21, 2025. Dive into fresh witchcraft powers, the highly anticipated Armory feature for easy build swapping, and a host of balance updates-all designed to reshape your infernal adventures. Access is open to all Diablo 4 owners on Battle.net, no lottery required, so prepare to test, explore, and help shape the next chapter of Sanctuary’s dark saga.
Season 7 PTR players will be able to test out new powers alongside quality-of-life improvements like the highly requested Armory, which makes changing between multiple builds on the same character a breeze. Diablo 4 Season 7 won’t release on live servers until January 2025, but the season 7 PTR will open in early December 2024.
Below, we’ll give you the exact dates for the upcoming PTR testing period for Diablo 4 season 7, explain what you’ll be able to play, and tell you how to get into the Diablo 4 PTR.
When does the Diablo 4 season 7 PTR release?
The Diablo 4 Season 7 Public Test Realm (PTR) is scheduled to run from December 3 to December 10, 2024. This PTR allows PC players to test the new seasonal content, including the Witchcraft theme, new powers, the Armory feature, and various balance changes before the official season launch in January 2025. Access to the PTR is available through the Battle.net launcher for those who own Diablo 4 on PC, with no lottery system-any eligible player can join and provide feedback to help refine the season’s features.
The Diablo 4 season 7 PTR will run from Tuesday, Dec. 3, to Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Blizzard has not announced a specific time for when the test realm will go live on Dec. 3 or when it will go down the following week. However, in the past, these PTR access windows have opened up around the typical season launch time, which would be 10 a.m. PST. Here’s when that is in your time zone, but bear in mind that the release could slip a few hours depending on when Blizzard rolls it out:
- 10 a.m. PST for the West Coast of North America
- 1 p.m. EST for the East Coast of North America
- 6 p.m. GMT for the U.K.
- 7 p.m. CET for Western Europe/Paris
- 3 a.m. JST on Dec. 4 for Tokyo
How do you get into the Diablo 4 PTR?
To get into the Diablo 4 PTR (Public Test Realm), you need to be playing on PC with a Battle.net account that owns Diablo 4 or have access through PC Game Pass. The PTR is not available on consoles or Steam directly. To access it, open the Blizzard Battle.net app, select Diablo 4 from your games list, then use the dropdown menu above the Play button to select “Public Test Realm.” Click Install to download the PTR client, then click Play and choose a test server. You will need to create a new test character, and you can skip the campaign if starting fresh. The PTR allows players to test upcoming changes and features before they go live in the main game.
To get into the PTR for Diablo 4, you’ll need to have a PC that can play the game. There is currently no console PTR. You’ll also need to be able to access Diablo 4 via the Battle.net launcher, which you can do if you own it through Battle.net or PC Game Pass.
Once the launcher recognizes that you own Diablo 4, you can click on the drop down, look for the “in development tag,” and select Public Test Realm. You’ll then need to download the PTR and wait until it’s up and available on Dec. 3.
Unlike some other games, the PTR is not a lottery system, and everyone who has access to the game on Battle.net is able to play the PTR without submitting an application to Blizzard. Just keep in mind that the purpose of this event is to give Blizzard feedback about the seasonal theme so that the developers can improve it before launch – it’s not just a demo.
What is coming to Diablo 4 in season 7?
Diablo 4 Season 7, titled the Season of Witchcraft, launches on January 21, 2025, bringing a host of new content and features. Players can expect to explore new witchcraft-themed powers divided into four schools: Eldritch, Psyche, Growth, and Decay, along with four lost powers to discover. The season introduces Occult Gems, which enhance witchy abilities, and a Headhunt system where players track targets to gather crafting materials. A major addition is the long-awaited Armory feature, allowing players to save and switch between multiple gear loadouts easily. Season 7 also includes new zone events, borrowed power systems, quality-of-life improvements, new runes, legendary aspects, and an earnable raven pet, making it a substantial update to Diablo 4’s gameplay experience.
Season 7 offers a mix of different kinds of “borrowed power,” meaning a temporary seasonal system that increases how potent your character is. Blizzard added systems like that to the game for the first three seasons, before making larger reworks to the game in the following seasons.
With season 7, there are two borrowed power systems, which harken back to the vampire powers in Season of Blood and the Malignant Heart rings in the game’s first season. But this time there’s a whole Witch Doctor theme around it, ala Diablo 3.
There are three kinds of Witchcraft powers for players to harness and improve their build: Eldritch, Psyche, and Growth/Decay. These powers are passive and some of them are Unique. There are also Occult gems, which players can slot into their jewelry to get new and exciting effects. Players can make progress on these new systems by completing Whispers for the Tree of Whispers and participating in Headhunts, a Helltide-like activity that takes over an area for a period of time.
In addition to these new seasonal offerings, the season 7 PTR will allow Vessel of Hatred players to try out new Runes, and all players can use new Legendary Aspects and Unique items to craft different builds. They can then save and swap these builds with the Armory, a feature players have been asking for since Diablo 4 launched last year.
How can I access the Diablo 4 season 7 PTR on PC before launch
To access the Diablo 4 Season 7 PTR on PC before launch, follow these steps:
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Ensure you own Diablo 4 on PC via Battle.net or PC Game Pass, as the PTR is not available on consoles.
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Open the Blizzard Battle.net launcher and select Diablo 4 from your games list.
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Above the Play button, click the dropdown menu and select “Public Test Realm” or “In Development” then “Public Test Realm.”
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Click Install to download the PTR client.
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Once installed, click Play, select a test server, and create a new test character to start testing the Season 7 content.
No lottery or special application is needed; any Diablo 4 owner on PC can join the PTR during its availability, which for Season 7 runs from December 3 to December 10, 2024. If you use PC Game Pass, you can access the PTR through the Battle.net client via the Xbox app.
How do I ensure my PC is ready for Diablo 4 season 7 PTR access
To ensure your PC is ready for Diablo 4 Season 7 PTR access, follow these key steps:
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Verify system compatibility: Make sure your PC meets the minimum requirements to run Diablo 4 smoothly, as the PTR is only available on PC and requires the game to be playable.
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Install the Blizzard Battle.net app: Download and install the Battle.net launcher if you haven’t already, since the PTR is accessed exclusively through it.
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Own Diablo 4 on Battle.net or PC Game Pass: You must own the game on these platforms to access the PTR; console versions are not supported.
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Update the Battle.net app and Diablo 4 client: Keep both the launcher and your Diablo 4 installation up to date to avoid installation or launch issues.
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Select the PTR client in Battle.net: In the Battle.net app, select Diablo 4, then use the dropdown above the Play button to choose “Public Test Realm,” and install the PTR client.
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Optimize download settings: To speed up the PTR download, check Battle.net’s download settings to allow for maximum bandwidth and consider restarting the Battle.net update agent if downloads slow down.
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Prepare to create a new test character: The PTR requires a fresh character, so be ready to complete the prologue again, which takes about 10-15 minutes before accessing new content.
Following these steps will help ensure a smooth PTR experience when Season 7 testing opens from December 3 to December 10, 2024.
