Birds of War is Steam Deck Playable (estimated) as of patch 1.1.5, with the game running through Steam Play Proton and delivering a 30–60 fps handheld experience on the Steam Deck LCD and Steam Deck OLED models. The Steam Deck's APU is roughly equivalent to a GTX 1050 Ti / RX 560 class GPU, which slots between the official minimum and recommended specs, and the game's UE5 + Proton 9 stack has matured enough to deliver a comfortable handheld experience.
This page documents the Steam Deck playability status: the Steam Deck Verified rating, performance expectations per preset, the recommended Steam Deck tuning (FSR, frame cap, controller presets), the Steam Deck OLED-specific considerations, and the launch-week community tips.
Steam Deck Verified Status
The Steam Deck Verified rating is the canonical signal for Steam Deck compatibility. The Birds of War Deck Verified status as of patch 1.1.5:
| Verified category | Status (estimated) | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Input | Verified (estimated) | Full controller support through Steam Input |
| Display | Verified (estimated) | Correct resolution and refresh |
| Performance | Playable (estimated) | 30+ fps at default settings |
| System support | Verified (estimated) | Proton layer is functional |
The Deck Verified rating is estimated from launch-week community reports. HexNest has not officially announced a Deck Verified status at the time of this writing.
What "Playable" Means
The Playable category (vs Verified) signals that the game runs but may require manual configuration for the optimal experience. Birds of War requires manual FSR toggling and frame cap configuration to hit the recommended 40–60 fps range on Deck.
Steam Deck Hardware Tiers
There are two Steam Deck models available:
| Model | CPU | GPU | RAM | Display | Refresh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Deck LCD | AMD Zen 2 4-core | RDNA 2 8 CU | 16 GB | 1280×800 IPS | 60 Hz |
| Steam Deck OLED | AMD Zen 2 4-core | RDNA 2 8 CU (slightly higher clock) | 16 GB | 1280×800 OLED | 90 Hz |
The Steam Deck OLED has a slightly higher GPU clock and an OLED panel with HDR support. Both models share the same CPU and RAM, so the performance difference between LCD and OLED is roughly 10–15% (estimated).
Steam Deck Performance Expectations
The performance expectations per preset on each Steam Deck model:
| Preset | Steam Deck LCD fps | Steam Deck OLED fps | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 40–55 fps | 45–60 fps | Default recommendation |
| Low + FSR Quality | 50–65 fps | 55–75 fps | Best balance |
| Low + FSR Performance | 60–80 fps | 70–90 fps | Visual blur is noticeable |
| Medium | 30–45 fps | 35–50 fps | Playable but not optimal |
| Medium + FSR Quality | 40–55 fps | 45–60 fps | Comparable to Low + FSR |
| High | <30 fps | <30 fps | Not recommended |
The fps numbers above are estimated from launch-week community benchmarks. The actual fps will vary with map and Egg density.
Recommended Steam Deck Preset
The recommended Steam Deck configuration is Low preset + FSR Quality + 60 Hz frame cap. This combination delivers:
- 50–65 fps on Steam Deck LCD.
- 55–75 fps on Steam Deck OLED.
- Visual quality is acceptable (FSR Quality introduces minor blur).
- Frame pacing is smooth (no perceptible stutter).
The configuration is achievable through the in-game graphics menu + Steam launch options.
Setting Up the Steam Deck
The Steam Deck setup for Birds of War has six key steps:
Step 1 — Install Birds of War
Install the game through the Steam client in Desktop Mode. The Steam Deck will auto-detect the controller and prompt to configure it.
Step 2 — Switch to Proton GE (Recommended)
For the best compatibility, switch to Proton GE:
- Open Steam → Birds of War → Properties → Compatibility.
- Check "Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool."
- Select "Proton GE-Proton9-x" (the latest GE-Proton9 build).
Proton GE is community-maintained and has the best UE5 compatibility.
Step 3 — Configure FSR Upscaling
Enable FSR in the in-game graphics menu:
- Launch the game.
- Go to Settings → Graphics → Upscaling.
- Select FSR 2.2 Quality (recommended) or FSR 2.2 Performance (if FPS is too low).
- Apply.
Step 4 — Set the Frame Cap
Set the frame cap to 60 Hz (LCD) or 60 Hz (OLED, to avoid frame pacing issues at 90 Hz):
- Settings → Graphics → Frame Cap → 60.
- Apply.
Step 5 — Configure the Steam Input Preset
The auto-detected Steam Input template is functional but can be tuned. The recommended customizations:
- Touchpad binding: voice chat mute toggle.
- Back buttons (L4/L5/R4/R5): voice chat mute, scoreboard, comms menu.
- Gyro aim: always-on with 1.5× sensitivity for Hummingbird and Eagle roles.
The full controller configuration is in the controller support guide.
Step 6 — Switch to Game Mode
After configuration, switch to Game Mode (the default Steam Deck handheld mode). The game launches with the configured preset and the controller template.
Steam Deck OLED-Specific Tuning
The Steam Deck OLED has a 90 Hz refresh option and HDR support. The Birds of War-specific OLED tuning:
90 Hz Frame Cap
The OLED's 90 Hz refresh is not recommended for Birds of War because the game rarely exceeds 60 fps on the Deck, and forcing 90 Hz introduces frame pacing issues. The recommended refresh is 60 Hz.
HDR
The HDR toggle produces mixed results on the Deck OLED:
| Aspect | With HDR | Without HDR |
|---|---|---|
| Egg-glow effect | More vibrant | Standard |
| Shadow detail | Crushed in dark areas | Better readability |
| Battery life | Reduced by ~15% | Standard |
| Eye strain | Higher in long sessions | Lower |
The recommendation: enable HDR for short play sessions (under 30 minutes), disable HDR for long sessions (over 30 minutes) to reduce eye strain and improve battery.
Battery Life
The Steam Deck battery life for Birds of War:
| Preset | Battery life (LCD) | Battery life (OLED) |
|---|---|---|
| Low + FSR Quality | 2.5–3.5 hours | 2.0–3.0 hours |
| Low + FSR Performance | 2.5–3.5 hours | 2.0–3.0 hours |
| Medium | 2.0–3.0 hours | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| High | Not recommended | Not recommended |
The OLED's battery life is shorter than the LCD's because of the higher refresh panel and HDR support.
Steam Deck Community Tuning Tips
The launch-week Steam Deck community has surfaced the following tuning tips:
Tip 1 — Use a Cooling Stand for Long Sessions
The Steam Deck's passive cooling can throttle during long play sessions. A third-party cooling stand with a small fan (e.g., JSAUX cooling stand) keeps the APU temperatures lower and prevents thermal throttling.
Tip 2 — Disable Background Downloads
Steam's background download feature can consume CPU cycles. Disable background downloads in Steam Settings before launching the game for the most consistent frame pacing.
Tip 3 — Use Per-Game Proton Versions
Some launch-week mods require specific Proton versions. The Steam Deck's per-game Proton setting allows you to use Proton GE for the base game and a different Proton for modded sessions.
Tip 4 — Set TDP Limit to 12W or 15W
The Steam Deck's default TDP is 15W. Lowering to 12W reduces heat and improves battery but reduces fps by ~10–15% (estimated). For long sessions, 12W is the better choice.
Tip 5 — Use Quick Resume Carefully
Steam Deck's Quick Resume (suspend instead of quit) can occasionally cause the game to crash on resume. Players who use Quick Resume should expect occasional crashes; players who quit cleanly between sessions avoid the issue.
Common Steam Deck Issues
The launch-week Steam Deck community has surfaced the following recurring issues:
Issue 1 — Initial Shader Compilation Stutter
Symptom: The first 1–2 matches show shader compilation stutter. Fix: Pre-compile shaders by running the game for ~30 minutes before the first ranked match. Severity: Low; affects only the first run.
Issue 2 — Proximity Voice Chat Audio Direction
Symptom: The proximity voice chat is functional but the directional audio is muted.
Fix: Switch audio backend to -AudioDriver=Wasapi in Steam launch options.
Severity: Medium; affects competitive audio cues.
Issue 3 — Battery Drain While Suspended
Symptom: The Deck's battery drains while in Quick Resume / suspended mode. Fix: Quit the game fully between sessions instead of using Quick Resume. Severity: Medium; affects battery life.
Issue 4 — HDR Crashes on Launch
Symptom: Enabling HDR crashes the game on launch. Fix: Disable HDR or update Mesa drivers. Severity: Medium; affects HDR-capable users.
Issue 5 — Workshop Mod Loading Errors
Symptom: Workshop mods fail to load on Steam Deck. Fix: Verify the mod's compatibility with Proton GE; some mods require a specific Proton version. Severity: Low; affects mod users only.
Steam Deck as a Competitive Platform
The Steam Deck is playable for ranked matches but not the most competitive platform. The performance and audio caveats add up to a competitive disadvantage compared to a desktop PC with a wired headset.
| Competitive factor | Steam Deck | Desktop PC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FPS | 50–65 (estimated) | 144+ | Deck is below the MVB-tier target |
| Audio latency | Bluetooth-only possible | Wired headset | Deck has worse audio |
| Ping | Wi-Fi possible | Wired Ethernet | Deck has higher ping |
| Controller precision | Touchpad + gyro | Mouse + keyboard | Desktop is more precise |
Players who want the highest MVB density should use a desktop PC, but the Steam Deck is fully competitive for casual ranked play and is the best portable experience for the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birds of War Steam Deck Verified?
Estimated, the game is Playable on the Steam Deck as of patch 1.1.5. The rating is community-confirmed; HexNest has not officially announced the Deck Verified status.
What is the recommended Steam Deck preset?
Low preset + FSR 2.2 Quality + 60 Hz frame cap is the recommended configuration. This delivers 50–65 fps on Steam Deck LCD and 55–75 fps on Steam Deck OLED.
Does proximity voice chat work on Steam Deck?
Yes, with the same directional audio caveats as other Proton platforms. Switch audio backend to -AudioDriver=Wasapi for the best result.
Should I use Proton GE or Proton 9 stable?
Proton GE is recommended for the best UE5 compatibility. The community standard is the latest GE-Proton9 build.
What is the Steam Deck OLED HDR setting?
HDR produces more vibrant Egg-glow effects but crushes shadow detail and reduces battery. Enable for short sessions, disable for long sessions.