---
name: "reveal"
type: command
status: ok
groups: ["Object Manipulation"]
arma3_since: "0.50"
locality: {"argument": "global", "effect": "local", "server_exec": false}
source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/reveal
revid: 379460
updated: 2026-10-31T00:09:28Z
---

# reveal

*Command · Object Manipulation · Arma 3 v0.50 · introduced in Operation Flashpoint v1.00*

Locality: arguments **global** · effect **local**

## Description

Reveals a target to a [group](../commands/group.md). If *toWhom* is a unit, unit's group is considered. If *toWhom* is a vehicle, vehicle commander's group is considered. The [knowledge value](../commands/knowsAbout.md) will be set to the highest level any unit of the revealing side has about the revealed target. If the revealing side has *no* knowledge about the revealed target, the value will be set to 1.

> [!NOTE]
> The knowledge level can only be increased by this command, not decreased. Use [forgetTarget](../commands/forgetTarget.md) first if you need to decrease value.

## Syntax

### Syntax 1

```sqf
toWhom reveal target
```

**Parameters:**

- `toWhom`: [Object](../topics/Object.md) or [Group](../topics/Group.md) - which receives revealing information
- `target`: [Object](../topics/Object.md) - which is revealed

**Returns:** [Nothing](../topics/Nothing.md)

### Syntax 2

*since arma2oa 1.60*

```sqf
toWhom reveal [target, accuracy]
```

**Parameters:**

- `toWhom`: [Object](../topics/Object.md) or [Group](../topics/Group.md) - which receives revealing information
- `target`: [Object](../topics/Object.md) - which is revealed
- `accuracy`: [Number](../topics/Number.md) - knowledge value, clamped to 0..4 range

**Returns:** [Nothing](../topics/Nothing.md)

## Examples

### Example 1

```sqf
_soldierOne reveal _soldierTwo; // soldierOne knowsAbout information about soldierTwo is updated
```

### Example 2

```sqf
player reveal cursorObject; // player knowsAbout information about object under cursor is updated
```

### Example 3

```sqf
_soldierOne reveal [_soldierTwo, 1.5];
```

## Multiplayer

[targetKnowledge](../commands/targetKnowledge.md) and [knowsAbout](../commands/knowsAbout.md) information only get updated on the PC where this command was executed.

## See also

[nearTargets](../commands/nearTargets.md) · [knowsAbout](../commands/knowsAbout.md) · [forgetTarget](../commands/forgetTarget.md) · [ignoreTarget](../commands/ignoreTarget.md)

## Community notes

**Ceeeb** — 2007-01-15

In **OFP v1.96**, When a target is revealed to a unit, its knowsAbout rating is set to 1, unless it was already more than 1 in which case reveal does nothing. See [knowsAbout](../commands/knowsAbout.md) for more details about knowsAbout ratings and limitations.

---

**Doolittle** — 2008-01-24

Use reveal to allow client to *see* a [created vehicle](../commands/createVehicle.md) faster - the associated menu interaction will become available therefore, like the player has option to get in sooner.

```sqf
_tank = "M1A1" createVehicle (position player);
player reveal _tank;
// get in user actions become available instantly
```

---

**.kju** — 2012-01-15

The same idea from Doolittle's note applies to beaming of units. If you [setPos](../commands/setPos.md) an unit or a player, reveal (all) nearby objects and vehicles to make the interaction possible a lot quicker.

---

**.kju** — 2012-01-15

Revealing a targetUnit will also add it to [nearTargets](../commands/nearTargets.md) database of the given sourceUnit. The quality/detail level of the info depends on the [knowsAbout](../commands/knowsAbout.md) value used with reveal. More detail in the [nearTargets](../commands/nearTargets.md) page.

---

**Killzone_Kid** — 2014-10-21

Units that have been previously subjected to [enableSimulation](../commands/enableSimulation.md) false; or [enableSimulationGlobal](../commands/enableSimulationGlobal.md) false; may stay unrecognised for a long time even after simulation was re-enabled, returning [objNull](../commands/objNull.md) as [cursorTarget](../commands/cursorTarget.md). Force revealing units with [reveal](../commands/reveal.md) command usually solves the problem. For example:

```sqf
{player reveal _x} forEach allUnits;
```

<sub>Source: [BI Community Wiki — reveal](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/reveal) (revision 379460).</sub>