Man, I remember the first time I walked up to a Valkyrie. Big, beefy, looked like it could chew up planets and spit out moons. I pressed every button I could find on my keyboard... nothing. Felt like a total noob staring at a locked bank vault. If you're scratching your head wondering star citizen how do you enter the valkyrie, relax, you're not alone. It trips up a lot of pilots new to this beast. Let's break it down, step-by-step, without the jargon overload.
Getting Inside: It's Not Just One Door
Right off the bat, forget thinking there's just one magic button. The Anvil Valkyrie has three main entry points, and which one you use depends entirely on where you are and what you're trying to do. They don't always behave the same way either, which is kinda annoying but hey, that's Star Citizen realism for you.
My buddy once spent 10 minutes trying to open the ramp when the ship was powered down. Don't be like my buddy.
The Main Ramp (The Obvious One... Mostly)
This is the big back door designed for troops and vehicles. Can't miss it.
- Where it is: Rear underside of the ship. Huge ramp.
- How to Open:
1. Get close to the ramp (like, REALLY close - think within 2 meters).
2. Look for the interaction prompt ("Open" or "Close") usually near the bottom center of the ramp frame. It can be finicky.
3. Press and hold "F" (default interact key) to focus, then click the prompt. Sometimes you gotta wiggle around to make it show up. Yeah, I know. - Best For: Loading ground vehicles (like an Ursa Rover or Cyclone), large groups of infantry, cargo boxes when landed.
Heads Up: This ramp will not open if the ship is in space and the internal cargo bay door is closed (to prevent, you know, explosive decompression and death). Needs atmosphere inside the bay. Also, requires ship power! Sounds dumb, but you'd be surprised how often people forget.
The Side Personnel Doors (Your Go-To for Quick Entry)
Two sleek doors on either side toward the rear, just ahead of the engines. Much faster than the ramp.
- Where they are: Port (left) and Starboard (right) sides, roughly under the wing roots.
- How to Open:
1. Walk up close to the door.
2. Look for the control panel beside the door (usually a small black square with a light).
3. Press and hold "F", look at the panel, click the glowing "Open" prompt. Much more reliable than the ramp prompt. - Best For: Quick pilot/crew entry and exit, especially when landed or in zero-G. Also the primary exit for jump seats and rear turret gunners. Frankly, the side entry feels a bit clunky sometimes, but it gets the job done.
The Top Hatch (The Secret Ladder)
Hidden in plain sight on the roof, just behind the cockpit. Miss this one easily.
- Where it is: Top center of the ship, directly behind the cockpit canopy.
- How to Open:
1. You generally need to be on top of the ship (landed or using EVA in zero-G).
2. Find the recessed hatch with a ladder inside.
3. Look for the control panel next to the hatch.
4. Press and hold "F", focus on the panel, click "Open". - Best For: Direct access to the cockpit when you can't use the side doors (e.g., ship parked under low cover, quick pilot-only entry in zero-G). Honestly, I barely use this one except for showing off or when I'm doing something cinematic.
Why Can't I Open the Valkyrie Doors? (Common Problems Solved)
Ah, the frustration. Been there, slammed my fist on the desk too. Here's why the doors won't budge and how to fix it:
| Problem | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Interaction Prompt Won't Show | You're not close enough, not looking at the exact spot, angle is bad, or it's just Star Citizen being Star Citizen. | Get closer. Wiggle your view around near the door handle or panel. Try slightly different angles. Relog if it's truly stubborn (annoying, I know). Switch servers. |
| Ramp Specifically Won't Open | 1. Ship has no power. 2. Internal Cargo Bay Door is CLOSED (especially in space/no atmosphere). 3. Ship is stored/claimed (you can't enter stored ships!). 4. Major ship glitch. |
1. Power on the ship! (Hover over the ship icon in your HUD/MFDs). 2. Check the internal bay door via the Valkyrie's internal cockpit panels OR try opening the side doors first and cycling it inside. 3. Retrieve your ship instead of claiming it. 4. Store/Retry or Claim. |
| Prompt Says "Locked" | The ship owner has locked it, or another player locked it (if you have permissions). | Ask the owner/pilot to unlock it via Mobiglass (Vehicle tab) or ship MFDs (Doors tab). If it's yours, unlock it! |
| Door Opens but You Can't Physically Enter | Collision glitch, geometry issue blocking the entrance path, server desync. | Try crouching. Move slowly into the entrance. Back up and try again. Relog as a last resort. Sometimes just waiting a sec works. |
Getting In Smoothly: Pro Tips Learned the Hard Way
- Power is King: Seriously, 90% of "why can't I open the Valkyrie" problems vanish if you remember to power the ship on first. Sounds basic, but when you're eager to hop in after spawning, it's easy to forget. That little "Power" icon in your ship HUD/MFD needs to be green. Embarrassingly, I've done this more times than I care to admit.
- Master the Side Doors: For solo pilots or small crews, the side doors are almost always faster and more reliable than the ramp. Make it your default entry point unless you need the ramp for vehicles/cargo.
- Zero-G Entrance: In space, the ramp is usually a no-go (unless the interior is pressurized and the bay door is open). Use the side doors! Fly close in EVA, look for the panel, open, float in. The top hatch works too but is trickier to line up. Don't be like that guy who blew himself out trying to force the ramp in deep space... oof.
- Cargo Bay Door Awareness: This internal door separating the rear troop bay from the front crew section is key for the ramp. If it's closed and sealed, the exterior ramp won't open in vacuum. You can control this door via the ship's MFDs (look for the "Doors" tab) once inside and powered. Sometimes cycling it fixes ramp issues.
- Vehicle Loading: Land on FLAT, SOLID ground. Engage VTOL mode if needed for stability. Open the ramp. Drive SLOWLY up. The Valkyrie's ramp is strong, but hitting it too fast or at a bad angle can cause glitches or even damage. Seen a Cyclone get yeeted out the back once... hilarious but costly.
More Than Just a Door: What Makes the Valkyrie Special
Okay, so you know star citizen how do you enter the valkyrie. But why bother? What's the big deal with this ship? It's not just a bus.
- The Gunship Heart: Twin S4 pilot-controlled guns under the nose slap hard. Feels great deleting light fighters.
- Troop Transport Master: Carries 20 troops in jump seats (plus 5 crew). That's a whole squad. Epic for coordinated assaults.
- Vehicle Hauler: Fits an Ursa Rover or multiple Cyclones/Tumbrils in the back. Ground ops ready.
- Dual Turrets: Top twin S3 manned turret and rear twin S3 manned turret provide serious anti-air/support fire. Needs crew though.
- Tough(ish): Anvil build gives it decent hull HP. It can take a beating compared to paper-thin dropships... but it's no tank. Dodge those torpedoes!
| Feature | Valkyrie Strength | Valkyrie Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Firepower | Very strong pilot guns, good turret coverage | Relies heavily on manned turrets for full potential |
| Capacity | Huge troop + vehicle capacity | Limited cargo capacity without vehicles |
| Versatility | Excellent dropship, good ground support, decent logistics | Not a dedicated hauler or pure combat ship |
| Flight | Surprisingly agile for its size, strong VTOL | Slow in atmosphere, large target |
| Defenses | Good hull HP | Weak shield generators (S2) |
Look, it's not perfect. Those S2 shields feel like paper plates sometimes. And solo? You're leaving a LOT of its potential on the table. But when you have a crew? When you drop a squad and a rover on a bunker? Pure awesome. Feels like you're in a sci-fi movie.
Buying & Upgrading Your Valkyrie
Sold on the Valk? Here's the lowdown:
- How Much? Roughly 3.5 - 4.5 million aUEC in-game (prices fluctuate). Real cash: $375 USD warbond, usually $400 USD standalone. Pricey.
- Where to Buy In-Game:
- New Deal (Lorville, Hurston) - Usually has it.
- Astro Armada (Area18, ArcCorp) - Sometimes stocks it.
- Must-Have Upgrades (My Opinion):
- Shields: Ditch the stock FR-66s ASAP. Go for two Palisades (best S2 shield HP) or Sukorans (if ballistic resistance is needed). This is non-negotiable.
- Coolers: Stock is okay, but Snowpacks or EcoFlows offer better cooling for sustained fire.
- Power Plant: Stock is usually sufficient unless running crazy energy weapons everywhere. An Endurance or JS-300 gives more headroom.
- Quantum Drive: Stock is painfully slow. Atlas for best balance of speed/fuel efficiency. XL-1 if pure speed is your goal (but thirsty).
- Weapons: Pilot S4s - Stick with ballistic gatlings (M7As for laser repeaters, AD5Bs for ballistic) for punch vs. fighters. Turrets are decent stock, maybe upgrade to laser cannons/repeaters depending on preference.
Your Valkyrie Entry Questions Answered (FAQ)
Can someone lock me out of my own Valkyrie?
Generally, no. As the owner/pilot, you have master control via the ship's MFDs (Doors tab) or your Mobiglass (Vehicle tab). You can lock/unlock all exterior doors individually or globally. Crewmates might lock *specific* doors if you grant them permission, but they can't lock you out entirely unless there's a major bug. Usually, if you're locked out, it's a glitch – try storing/retrieving the ship.
Do I need a special key to enter a Valkyrie?
Nope! No physical keys. Access is controlled electronically. If it's your ship (or you have permission set by the owner), you just need to interact with the correct door panel as described earlier. If it's someone else's ship and it's locked, you need them to unlock it for you.
Can I enter during quantum travel?
Absolutely not. Attempting to EVA near or interact with a ship in quantum travel (star citizen how do you enter the valkyrie mid-jump?) is instant death. The shields and physics grid won't save you. Wait until the ship is fully stopped at its destination. Seriously, one wrong move and you're spaced meat.
Why isn't the ramp opening even after I powered up?
The most likely culprit is the internal cargo bay door. If the Valkyrie is in space (or anywhere without breathable atmosphere inside the bay), and that internal door is closed *and sealed*, the ramp physically won't open as a safety feature (to prevent decompression). Check your ship MFDs inside the cockpit – find the "Doors" tab and look for "Cargo Bay Door Interior" or similar. Make sure it's open. If it is open and the ramp still won't budge... probably a bug. Try cycling the door via MFDs, storing/retrieving, or relogging.
What's the fastest way to enter as a pilot?
Hands down, the side personnel doors. They are consistently faster to trigger the interaction panel than the ramp prompt. Run up, hit F, click the panel, boom, you're in and heading towards the cockpit ladder. The top hatch might be marginally faster if you land perfectly aligned on the roof, but that's rare and usually slower in practice. For pure pilot speed, side door is the meta.
Can I enter the Valkyrie underwater?
Currently, Star Citizen doesn't have significant underwater mechanics or ship operations. Ships generally sink and are destroyed if landed in deep water. Do not attempt to land your Valkyrie in water. If you somehow end up near one underwater, it's unlikely the doors would function at all, and even if they did, you'd probably drown inside. Stick to dry land or space!
Final Thoughts
Figuring out star citizen how do you enter the valkyrie is the first step to unlocking one of the game's most versatile multi-crew ships. Remember the three doors: massive ramp for vehicles/cargo, side doors for quick crew access, and the top hatch for niche situations. Power is crucial, and that internal bay door controls ramp access in vacuum. Yeah, the ramp prompt can be fiddly – welcome to Star Citizen. Stick to the side door panels when possible for less hassle.
Is the Valkyrie worth it? If you regularly play with a group (even just 3-4 people), love combined arms (troops + vehicles), and enjoy a gunship/dropship role, absolutely. The feeling of deploying from that ramp is unmatched. Solo? It's a tough sell – expensive to run, weak shields scream "kill me," and you're only using a fraction of its power. But when the crew is online and the guns are blazing? Pure, unadulterated dropship heaven. Just... maybe upgrade those shields first.
So next time you see that hulking Valkyrie, strut right up to the side door, hit that panel like you own the place (because you do now), and get ready to unleash some pain. Good luck out there, Commander.
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