The video explains a recent fix in Star Citizen 4.1.1 that restores ship identification to show only license plates or serial numbers unless a detailed scan is performed to reveal the pilot’s name, impacting target recognition during combat. It also introduces a target marking system using keybinds to help players quickly identify and prioritize ships within the same vessel or squad, though it has limitations such as needing re-marking after re-entering seats or losing targets out of range.
The video discusses a recent bug fix introduced in the alpha 4.1.1 PTU patch of Star Citizen, which addresses an issue where player ships displayed the player’s name instead of a serial or license plate number prior to scanning. This fix restores the ship identification to show only the license plate or serial number unless a detailed scan is performed. The detailed scan involves going into scanning mode, getting close to the ship, and holding the scan button for several seconds, which reveals the pilot’s name if the ship is owned by a player or NPC. If the ship is unowned or abandoned, only the serial number is visible, making identification more challenging during combat.
The video emphasizes that this change impacts target identification and communication during combat scenarios. Since ships no longer automatically display the pilot or owner’s name, players will need to rely on detailed scans to identify targets, which can be difficult in fast-paced fights. To aid in target management, the video introduces a simple trick: using keybinds (Alt+1, Alt+2, Alt+3) to mark up to three targets at once. These markers help players quickly identify and communicate about specific ships during engagements, even if they cannot perform detailed scans on every target.
The streamer demonstrates how to set and use these target markers, showing that players need to unlock the target and then hold their crosshair near the ship before pressing the mark keybinds. Once marked, players can select targets by pressing the number keys (1, 2, or 3), allowing for quick switching between prioritized targets. This system is especially useful for turret gunners and wingmen, who can lock onto the marked ships by simply pressing the corresponding number keys, provided they are on the same ship or in the same squad.
However, the video highlights some limitations of this system. The target markers only work if the player remains in the pilot or gunner seat of the ship where the targets were marked. Exiting and re-entering the seat resets the markers, requiring re-marking of targets. Additionally, if the ship being targeted moves out of passive detection range or is lost due to other factors, the markers disappear, necessitating re-marking. These issues can complicate target management during dynamic combat, especially when ships are maneuvering or moving out of sensor range.
Finally, the video notes that this target marking system is limited to ships within the same multi-crew vessel. If a player is in a different ship, they cannot see or use the target marks set by the pilot or turret crew. The system thus requires coordination within the same ship or squad, and players must manually mark targets for their own use. Overall, the patch and the new system offer a way to manage target identification more effectively, but they also introduce new challenges in fast-paced combat situations.