the option does 2 things, in sequence:
A. first, cancels the current lock.
B. then, attempts to lock on the target locking you.
C. then, attempts to lock the target in front of your crosshair.
the reason for this is thus:
it provides 1 button that can handle all situations.
either, point the cursor to empty space, press, and lockon target locking you.
or, point at target, and you lock that target.
if neither condition is satidfied, it simply cancels your current lock.
if there is no target locking you, or if you point directly at a target, it will always lock that target basically, otherwise it will lock the target locking you. and if there is nothing to lock, it will cancel your current lock.
this allows you to keep the auto-lock setting in options set to ‘when no other targets are selected’ without having to resort to workarounds.
here’s a simple autohotkey script that accomplishes the same thing:
;-------------------- Star Conflict --------------------
#IfWinActive ahk_class game_main_window
XButton2::
Send {NumpadDiv} ; cancel lock
Sleep, 25
Send {NumpadAdd} ; lock who's locking you
Sleep, 25
Send {NumpadSub} ; lock target in crosshairs
return
this is assuming that you use the ‘forward’ browse button on your mouse (xbutton2) to select targets. it also assumes that numpaddiv is the key to cancel lock, numpadadd is the key to select the target locking you, and numpadsub selects the target in your crosshair.