Start Playing
Use this page to choose a valid way into your first match. The website explains the formats and rules; the live service runs in Discord.
Choose how you want to play
Section titled “Choose how you want to play”Start with the path that matches how you want to compete.
Prepare for that path
Section titled “Prepare for that path”Each path has a different setup. Do this before you submit a queue request.
| Path | Before queueing |
|---|---|
| 1v1 player | Review the 1v1 Symmetric Ranked game mode, including its general rules and per-killer balancing. You queue solo and declare one available killer. |
| 1v4 killer | Review the 1v4 Quartet Ranked game mode, including its general rules and the balancing for the killer you want to play. You queue solo and declare one available killer. |
| 1v4 survivor | Gather a fixed four-player party, make sure every member is registered, create a group, and review the 1v4 Quartet Ranked game mode. |
Join Discord and set up your profile
Section titled “Join Discord and set up your profile”Your first action in Discord is to register a player profile. Registration creates the identity Arena uses for matchmaking, results, and ratings.
When you register, you provide:
- A display name.
- Your Dead by Daylight in-game player id.
Your Discord account is linked automatically. You only register once, and you cannot queue until registration is complete.
Submit your first queue request
Section titled “Submit your first queue request”Once your profile is ready, follow the path you chose.
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Open the queue for the game mode you want. Use the Discord interface for either 1v1 Symmetric Ranked or 1v4 Quartet Ranked.
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Choose solo or group entry. 1v1 players and 1v4 killers queue solo. A 1v4 survivor team queues through its four-player group.
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Make any required declaration. Killer-side entries choose the killer they are committing to for the match. The game mode page lists what each format requires.
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Submit the request and wait. You can have only one active request at a time. If you want to switch formats, cancel the current request first.
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Respond to the ready check. When Arena finds a match, every participant must confirm readiness. If anyone leaves or times out, the match is cancelled and everyone can queue again.
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Play and confirm the result. After everyone is ready, set up the custom game, play under the selected game mode, then report and approve the result in Discord.
For the complete flow, see the Matchmaking Journey.
If something blocks you
Section titled “If something blocks you”- Registration, profile, or group problems: Account and Group Troubleshooting.
- Queue, cancellation, timeout, or ready-check problems: Queue and Readiness Troubleshooting.