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Targeting & Gimbal Mechanics Overview
Accurate gunnery in Star Citizen relies on managing target locks, utilizing tracking reticles, and switching between weapon gimbal modes.
With Master Modes integrated into ship systems, understanding how to lock onto hostile contacts and leverage auto-gimbal assistance is essential for space combat in SCM Mode.
Master Modes Overview
Master Modes divides ship flight into two distinct states:
- SCM Mode (Space Combat Maneuvering): Limits speed to combat velocity (100–300 m/s) with full access to shields, weapons, and countermeasures.
- NAV Mode (Navigation): Unlocks maximum ship speed (1,000+ m/s) and Quantum Drive, but drops shields to 0% and deactivates all weapons.
- Toggle: Hold B to switch between SCM and NAV modes.
Acquisition & Lock Mechanics
Before your ship's targeting computer can calculate firing lead indicators, you must target an enemy.
Standard Targeting Steps
- Targeting in Sight: Aim your ship's crosshair toward an enemy you want to engage and press T to lock onto the target under your reticle.
- Nearest Hostile: Press 5 (or Left-Alt + 5) to instantly lock onto the closest hostile threat in combat range.
- Nearest Attacker: Press 4 to lock onto the ship actively firing at or damaging your hull.
- Cycle Contacts: Tap T to cycle through visible targets ahead, or press 7 to cycle through all contacts in range.
- Unlock Target: Press Left-Alt + T to clear your active lock.
Understanding Lead vs. Lag Reticles
When a target is locked, your ship UI projects a tracking reticle (PIP - Predicted Impact Point).
- Lead PIP: Projects a target box in front of the enemy ship. You must aim your crosshair directly at the forward box to land hits.
- Lag PIP: Displays a trailing crosshair on your UI that shows where your projectiles will land. You drag the trailing marker directly onto the enemy ship's hull.
- Toggle Reticle Type: Switch between Lead and Lag reticles using Options / Gameplay Settings or assigned PIP toggle hotkeys.
For now we recommend that that you use the default, which is the lead pip.
Gimbal Modes & Aim Assistance
Ship weapons mounted on gimbals (called VariPuck) can adjust their firing vector independently of where your ship's nose is pointing.
Cycle through Gimbal Modes by pressing G:
1. Auto-Gimbal (Gimbal Assist)
- How It Works: Provides partial tracking assist allowing you land shots even if your nose is not lined up with the target. As long as your crosshair stays inside the lead pip when you fire and the enemy is in range your shots will hit.
- Best Used For: Dogfighting agile fighters, tracking fast-moving targets, or playing with mouse/keyboard setups.
- Note1: Auto-gimbals require the crosshair to stay close to the target to maintain track assist.
- Note2: Auto-gimbals work slightly different when being a gunner on a large ship, just keep it green and pointed at the target.
2. Manual / Fixed Gimbal Mode
- How It Works: Locks your gimbal mounts dead center along your ship's forward axis, behaving like standard fixed weapons.
- Best Used For: High-skill line-of-sight aiming or maximizing direct fire control when targeting stationary/large ships.
Precision Targeting & Manual Sub-Targeting
When you need to disable specific components—such as engines, thrusters, weapons, or shields—without destroying the entire hull, use Precision Targeting Mode.
- Activate Precision Mode: Hold Left-Alt + Right Mouse Button (RMB) while locked onto a target.
- Visual Identification: Precision Mode zooms your view far into the target vessel, highlighting active sub-systems directly on the physical hull.
- Component Aiming: Align your reticle over the highlighted sub-system. Your gimbal tracking will automatically center on that specific component to deliver targeted damage.
Essential Targeting & Gimbal Keybinds
• Lock Target Ahead: T
• Lock Closest Hostile: 5 (or Left-Alt + 5)
• Lock Closest Attacker: 4
• Unlock Target: Left-Alt + T
• Cycle Gimbal Modes (Auto / Manual / Fixed): G
• Precision Targeting Mode: Left-Alt + Right-Click