Target sometimes specifies which entity to trigger

For many entity types, when an entity is activated, it triggers the entity with the name specified by Target.

Examples

• trigger_multiple: When the player (or monster or pushable) enters the trigger_multiple, it triggers the target.

Target sometimes specifies the subject of an effect or controls

For certain entity types, Target specifies the subject of a certain effect or controls.

Examples

• env_render: Target defines the name of the entity rendering properties will be copied to.
• func_tankcontrols: Target defines the name of the controlled gun.
• func_vehiclecontrols : Target specifies which func_vehicle to control.
• game_counter_set: Target specifies the name of the game_counter that you want to set the value of.
• trigger_changetarget: Target defines the name of the entity whose target will be changed.

Other uses

Attributes that have the name "target" when you turn off Hammer's SmartEdit or look in the .map file, when labeled something other than "Target" in the FGD/Hammer, are sometimes used for other purposes, such as specifying the next track in a path_track path, or for specifying which game_team_master to get the team from when you activate a game_player_team.