Can it run on Steam Deck?
Yes, a launch-day Steam Deck test completed the tutorial, joined an online match, and played the full match. Easy Anti-Cheat allowed the online connection in that test. Performance remained the main problem rather than basic launch access.
The same report did not recommend the current performance experience. Even at minimum settings with TSR set to 35%, the game could fall below 30 FPS. Players should read “works” as “was able to enter and play,” not as a promise of a locked frame rate.
Proton and Easy Anti-Cheat status
SteamOS uses Proton for this Windows release, and the Deck report successfully reached a protected online match. A separate GamingOnLinux test also launched the game through Proton on Fedora and passed the Easy Anti-Cheat path. Together, those tests support current community compatibility as of the August 13 launch period.
Anti-cheat compatibility can change after a game, EAC, Proton, or SteamOS update. A successful launch in one version does not permanently prove future access. Recheck recent reports after a major patch if online play is the reason for installing the game.
Official support versus community results
The Steam store lists Windows system requirements and Easy Anti-Cheat. There is no native Linux build or Steam Deck Verified badge. SteamOS runs the Windows version through Proton.
This is community-tested Proton compatibility rather than a native Linux release. The Steam store lists Windows requirements and does not show an official Steam Deck Verified status. The game can run on Deck, but that does not make it an officially supported handheld version.
What performance to expect on Deck
The handheld test used minimum settings and TSR at 35%, yet still recorded drops below 30 FPS. That combination means a major image-quality compromise without a stable 30 FPS floor. The result is playable for some users but not a smooth handheld experience.
Do not turn one test into a precise universal FPS table. Server load, map, effects, game updates, Proton versions, and device power settings can all change the observed result. The only verified numerical statement here is that the cited setup could still dip below 30 FPS.
Desktop Linux is a separate case
GamingOnLinux tested Fedora on a desktop with a Ryzen 5800X and RX 6800 XT. That system entered the game through Proton and EAC, while the report also noted opening-video, Epic Overlay, and map-dependent performance differences. It confirms a Linux path but does not reproduce the Deck’s hardware limits.
A desktop Linux result answers compatibility rather than handheld speed. Faster desktop hardware can avoid bottlenecks that remain severe on Deck. Do not use the Ryzen 5800X and RX 6800 XT result as a Deck performance benchmark.
A cautious setup and test process
Install the current Steam release and let Steam select a supported Proton configuration before changing multiple variables. Start with the tutorial, confirm that input, video playback, and menus work, and then test one complete online match. Record the game build, SteamOS version, Proton version, and date if you report the result.
If the game stops at anti-cheat or disconnects before a server loads, check recent Proton and game updates before repeatedly modifying files. Test the tutorial first, then join one online server to confirm that Easy Anti-Cheat completes its launch. Avoid old Playtest launch commands because the retail client is a separate application.
Should you buy it for Steam Deck?
Buy it for Deck only if you accept Proton compatibility, aggressive visual compromises, and performance that can fall below 30 FPS. A full online match can work. Deck is not the ideal platform for a stable or sharp-looking experience at launch.
Players requiring stable handheld performance should wait for optimization updates and newer benchmarks. Windows is the only operating system in the store requirements. Proton and anti-cheat behavior can change after game or SteamOS updates.