GamesRPGDiablo 4PSA: You can play Diablo 4’s massive season 4 update earlyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

GamesRPGDiablo 4PSA: You can play Diablo 4’s massive season 4 update earlyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Tyler C. / Blizzard)

Diablo 4 character Lilith with a pleased look on her face

Jump to:PTR Release timesHow to access the PTRLevel boost your characterBiggest PTR changes

Jump to:PTR Release timesHow to access the PTRLevel boost your characterBiggest PTR changes

Diablo 4 is about todramatically change as an action RPG, and you’ll be able to play this massive update early via Blizzard’s “PTR”, or public test realm, starting today.

From April 2 to April 9, PC players using the Battle.net launcher (not Steam players, sadly) can get their hands dirty testing out Blizzard’s redesigned loot progression, including two new crafting systems that let you customize your items to your liking.

The PTR won’t have every change coming in season 4—like the unique seasonal mechanics—but there are new items, class balance changes, and a new endgame dungeon to test out and provide feedback on before the finished update goes live on May 14.

PTR release times

Diablo 4 season 4 PTR release times

(Image credit: Blizzard)

Diablo 4 in-development screenshot of a rogue using an Artificer’s Obelist to open up a tier 1 dungeon.

Blizzard gave us the dates for when you’ll be able to play Diablo 4’s season 4 PTR, but it hasn’t specified the exact time it’ll go live. My best guess is that you’ll be able to download and play it around10 am PDT / 1 pm EDT / 7 pm CEST, which is usually when patches go live.

Currently, there’s no way to preload the PTR before then.

How to access and play the PTR

How to access and play Diablo 4’s season 4 PTR

(Image credit: Tyler C. / Blizzard)

A screenshot of Blizzard’s Battle.net launcher with an arrow pointing toward the Diablo 4 Play button’s drop down menu

Anyone who owns Diablo 4 on PC through Battle.net orGame Passcan download and play on the season 4 PTR. All you have to do is change the game version in the app and download it.

Here’s how to download and play the Diablo 4 PTR:

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How to level boost a PTR character

How to level boost a Diablo 4 PTR character

(Image credit: Tyler C. / Blizzard)

Diablo 4 Sorceress wearing red metallic armor looking down at her hands

The focus of the season 4 PTR is to test how you obtain and improve your loot at max level. To save everyone time, Blizzard will let you instantly boost any character to level 100 via an NPC in Kyovashad simply named “PTR boost”.

You’ll first have tocomplete the game’s prologue and skip the campaignvia the option on the character select screen.Blizzard saidthis might not be required in a few days when a PTR update comes out. Then head to Kyovashad in the Fractured Peaks and talk to the PTR boost NPC. Then, select the dialogue option to boost your character to max level.

Every boosted character will receive a bunch of bonuses to help you test stuff, including:

Blizzard also points out that you can keep making new characters to stack these rewards to your PTR account.

Any extra skill points, paragon points, or potions unlocked from completing theregional renown objectiveswill carry over from the regular game, as well as your cosmetic unlocks. And remember:nothing in the PTR carries back over to the live game.

The biggest PTR changes

The biggest changes in Diablo 4’s season 4 PTR

(Image credit: Blizzard)

An example of Diablo 4 loot drops in season 4

There are over10,000 wordsin the Diablo 4 season 4patch notes, but I suspect you’ll find even more changes as you play. You can’t upend how loot works in an action RPG without causing ripple effects for everything else in the game. Your gear, class, and builds will be very different than they were since the game’s launch and even in the last season, effectively jettisoning Diablo 4 into its 2.0 era.

Here are biggest changes you’ll see in the Diablo 4 season 4 PTR:

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