VALORANT PBE Explained: How To Register
The VALORANT PBE (public beta environment) server is where new content goes to be tested before being released to the general public. Before any potential changes to VALORANT go live, they need to be balanced and checked for bugs. Players on the PBE get access to new content before the main game first, so it's worth your while signing up for it. We're going to run you through what the VALORANT PBE server is, how to check the VALORANT PBE schedule, and more.
- The VALORANT bounty hunter agent is the next one up - our guide explains everything we know, and you can play with the character early on the PBE.
VALORANT PBE: What Is It?
Click to enlargeThe VALORANT PBE is a closed test server. It's where players experiment with new content before it's released to the masses on the live servers. New maps, agents, ability changes, reworks, and more all go through the PBE before being implemented in an update.
If you've ever seen videos of YouTubers playing with new content before it's been released, it's because they got the footage from the PBE test server. For example, the PBE server got access to Fracture, Neon, and the Yoru rework before they went public. It effectively acts as a free, public form of quality assurance. It lets the VALORANT development team fix any bugs and balance new content before release.
Valorant PBE: How To Register
Click to enlargeVALORANT PBE registration is handled through the official website. After you log into your account and apply, you will get a confirmation email stating that your application has been received. If you're selected for the PBE server in the future, you will receive a follow-up email.
Registering for the PBE is one thing, but being selected is another entirely. As a closed server, each player recruited is approved on an individual basis as required by Riot. To even be considered, you need to meet the mandatory recruitment requirements. Beyond that, your eligibility will depend on what the development team is looking for at any given time.
Usually, it's a matter of waiting until you're at the top of the queue. However, on occasion, recruitment is restricted to players that fit certain criteria. These criteria can include:
- VALORANT rank distribution
- Play frequency
- Hardware
VALORANT PBE Requirements
- Your account must be registered in North America (NA), and you must regularly play from North America
- You must not have any current bans or restrictions on your account
These are the only two mandatory requirements needed to sign up for the VALORANT PBE test server.
Why Is The VALORANT PBE North America Only?
The VALORANT PBE is North America only to reduce the latency between bug reports and fixes. The development team is based in NA, so having other regions test experimental content would result in too much of a communication delay.
VALORANT PBE Schedule
The VALORANT PBE is live one weekend per patch. Therefore, it's live every other weekend unless it has been postponed. You can find an up-to-date schedule here. Keep in mind that you may experience login queues at the start of a PBE weekend.
Valorant PBE Rules
Click to enlargeYour Valorant PBE account is the same as your regular, live account. As such, any bans or punishments you receive on one carries over to the other and will result in you losing access to the PBE. The Valorant community code applies to the PBE in the same way it does to the live servers. Sabotage and cheating will both result in punishment, as will voice and text chat abuse. You also cannot share your PBE account with anyone.
The test server is subject to all the same rules as the regular live server, so as long as your general conduct in VALORANT ranked and casual is acceptable, you shouldn't have to worry about losing access. The entire point of the PBE is to balance and bug fix. To report bugs, players need to go through the official VALORANT PBE subreddit. This is the only avenue to report bugs.
It's also worth pointing out that while your skins will not transfer over to the PBE, you can purchase skins in the PBE store free of charge. However, the only skins that appear on the public beta environment test server are those which cost less than 2175 Valorant Points (VP). The PBE also does not immediately have access to any new skin releases, and skins you purchase on the server will not transfer over to the live server.
Now you know all about the PBE, why not read up on the best VALORANT crosshair settings to improve your game?