diff --git a/resources/lang/en.json b/resources/lang/en.json
index 80cb188e4..c53716615 100644
--- a/resources/lang/en.json
+++ b/resources/lang/en.json
@@ -939,6 +939,8 @@
     "name_scale_label": "Name Scale",
     "name_cull_label": "Minimum name size",
     "name_cull_desc": "Hide names smaller than this size",
+    "hover_fade_label": "Name opacity under cursor",
+    "hover_fade_desc": "How visible names are while your cursor is over them (1 to disable fading)",
     "colored_names_label": "Name color",
     "colored_names_desc": "Show player names in their player color or in black",
     "colored": "Colored",
diff --git a/src/client/controllers/HoverHighlightController.ts b/src/client/controllers/HoverHighlightController.ts
index bf1f69552..e647bd659 100644
--- a/src/client/controllers/HoverHighlightController.ts
+++ b/src/client/controllers/HoverHighlightController.ts
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ export class HoverHighlightController implements Controller {
   }
 
   private onMouseMove(e: MouseMoveEvent): void {
+    const world = this.transformHandler.screenToWorldCoordinatesFloat(e.x, e.y);
+    this.view.setMouseWorldPos(world.x, world.y);
+
     const cell = this.transformHandler.screenToWorldCoordinates(e.x, e.y);
     let ownerID = 0;
     if (this.game.isValidCoord(cell.x, cell.y)) {
diff --git a/src/client/hud/layers/GraphicsSettingsModal.ts b/src/client/hud/layers/GraphicsSettingsModal.ts
index 5ffd316c1..974df6d6a 100644
--- a/src/client/hud/layers/GraphicsSettingsModal.ts
+++ b/src/client/hud/layers/GraphicsSettingsModal.ts
@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@ const NAME_CULL_MIN = 0;
 const NAME_CULL_MAX = 0.05;
 const NAME_CULL_STEP = 0.001;
 
+const HOVER_FADE_MIN = 0;
+const HOVER_FADE_MAX = 1;
+const HOVER_FADE_STEP = 0.05;
+
 const HIGHLIGHT_FILL_MIN = 0;
 const HIGHLIGHT_FILL_MAX = 1;
 const HIGHLIGHT_FILL_STEP = 0.01;
@@ -148,6 +152,13 @@ export class GraphicsSettingsModal extends LitElement implements Controller {
     );
   }
 
+  private currentHoverFade(): number {
+    return (
+      this.userSettings.graphicsOverrides().name?.hoverFadeAlpha ??
+      renderDefaults.name.hoverFadeAlpha
+    );
+  }
+
   private patchName(patch: Partial<GraphicsOverrides["name"]>) {
     const current = this.userSettings.graphicsOverrides();
     this.userSettings.setGraphicsOverrides({
@@ -309,6 +320,11 @@ export class GraphicsSettingsModal extends LitElement implements Controller {
     this.patchName({ cullThreshold: value });
   }
 
+  private onHoverFadeChange(event: Event) {
+    const value = parseFloat((event.target as HTMLInputElement).value);
+    this.patchName({ hoverFadeAlpha: value });
+  }
+
   private currentDarkNames(): boolean {
     return (
       this.userSettings.graphicsOverrides().name?.darkNames ??
@@ -330,6 +346,7 @@ export class GraphicsSettingsModal extends LitElement implements Controller {
 
     const nameScale = this.currentNameScale();
     const nameCull = this.currentNameCull();
+    const hoverFade = this.currentHoverFade();
     const namesColored = !this.currentDarkNames();
     const classicIcons = this.currentClassicIcons();
     const highlightFill = this.currentHighlightFill();
@@ -425,6 +442,31 @@ export class GraphicsSettingsModal extends LitElement implements Controller {
               </div>
             </div>
 
+            <div
+              class="flex gap-3 items-center w-full text-left p-3 hover:bg-slate-700 rounded-sm text-white transition-colors"
+            >
+              <div class="flex-1">
+                <div class="font-medium">
+                  ${translateText("graphics_setting.hover_fade_label")}
+                </div>
+                <div class="text-sm text-slate-400">
+                  ${translateText("graphics_setting.hover_fade_desc")}
+                </div>
+                <input
+                  type="range"
+                  min=${HOVER_FADE_MIN}
+                  max=${HOVER_FADE_MAX}
+                  step=${HOVER_FADE_STEP}
+                  .value=${String(hoverFade)}
+                  @input=${this.onHoverFadeChange}
+                  class="w-full border border-slate-500 rounded-lg"
+                />
+              </div>
+              <div class="text-sm text-slate-400 w-12 text-right">
+                ${hoverFade.toFixed(2)}
+              </div>
+            </div>
+
             <button
               class="flex gap-3 items-center w-full text-left p-3 hover:bg-slate-700 rounded-sm text-white transition-colors"
               @click=${this.onToggleNamesColored}
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/GameView.ts b/src/client/render/gl/GameView.ts
index 19073ab91..8e11807c6 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/GameView.ts
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/GameView.ts
@@ -400,6 +400,9 @@ export class GameView {
   setHighlightOwner(ownerID: number): void {
     this.renderer?.setHighlightOwner(ownerID);
   }
+  setMouseWorldPos(x: number, y: number): void {
+    this.renderer?.setMouseWorldPos(x, y);
+  }
   setHighlightStructureTypes(unitTypes: string[] | null): void {
     this.renderer?.setHighlightStructureTypes(unitTypes);
   }
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/GraphicsOverrides.ts b/src/client/render/gl/GraphicsOverrides.ts
index 518f9583e..d6ca09be0 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/GraphicsOverrides.ts
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/GraphicsOverrides.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ export const GraphicsOverridesSchema = z
         nameScaleFactor: z.number(),
         cullThreshold: z.number(),
         darkNames: z.boolean(),
+        hoverFadeAlpha: z.number(),
       })
       .partial(),
     structure: z
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/RenderOverrides.ts b/src/client/render/gl/RenderOverrides.ts
index 505a97188..b1f837be1 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/RenderOverrides.ts
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/RenderOverrides.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@ export function applyGraphicsOverrides(
   if (overrides.name?.cullThreshold !== undefined) {
     settings.name.cullThreshold = overrides.name.cullThreshold;
   }
+  if (overrides.name?.hoverFadeAlpha !== undefined) {
+    settings.name.hoverFadeAlpha = overrides.name.hoverFadeAlpha;
+  }
   if (overrides.structure?.classicIcons === true) {
     // Classic look: lighter player-colored shape behind a dark icon glyph,
     // with a touch of translucency.
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/RenderSettings.ts b/src/client/render/gl/RenderSettings.ts
index 984d176fb..6112dff56 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/RenderSettings.ts
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/RenderSettings.ts
@@ -201,6 +201,8 @@ export interface RenderSettings {
     nameShadeBot: number;
     emojiRowOffset: number;
     statusRowOffset: number;
+    /** Alpha multiplier applied to a name while the cursor is over it. */
+    hoverFadeAlpha: number;
   };
   fx: {
     shockwaveRingWidth: number;
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/Renderer.ts b/src/client/render/gl/Renderer.ts
index 27ca7c1fd..ea46f971f 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/Renderer.ts
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/Renderer.ts
@@ -951,6 +951,9 @@ export class GPURenderer {
     this.territoryPass.setHighlightOwner(ownerID);
     this.namePass.setHighlightOwner(ownerID);
   }
+  setMouseWorldPos(x: number, y: number): void {
+    this.namePass.setMouseWorldPos(x, y);
+  }
   setHighlightStructureTypes(unitTypes: string[] | null): void {
     this.structurePass.setHighlightTypes(unitTypes);
     this.structureLevelPass.setHighlightTypes(unitTypes);
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/debug/Layout.ts b/src/client/render/gl/debug/Layout.ts
index 49df28965..488d850a8 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/debug/Layout.ts
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/debug/Layout.ts
@@ -325,6 +325,7 @@ export function buildTree(s: RenderSettings, d: RenderSettings): DebugNode[] {
       toggle(s.name, "fillUsePlayerColor", d.name, "Fill = Player Color"),
       slider(s.name, "emojiRowOffset", d.name, 0, 5, 0.1, "Emoji Row Offset"),
       slider(s.name, "statusRowOffset", d.name, 0, 5, 0.1, "Status Row Offset"),
+      slider(s.name, "hoverFadeAlpha", d.name, 0, 1, 0.05, "Hover Fade Alpha"),
     ]),
 
     folder("FX", [
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/IconProgram.ts b/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/IconProgram.ts
index 946ce6f50..c02587d64 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/IconProgram.ts
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/IconProgram.ts
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ export class IconProgram {
   private uNameScaleFactor: WebGLUniformLocation;
   private uNameScaleCap: WebGLUniformLocation;
   private uEmojiRowOffset: WebGLUniformLocation;
+  private uFadeOwnerID: WebGLUniformLocation;
+  private uHoverFadeAlpha: WebGLUniformLocation;
 
   constructor(
     gl: WebGL2RenderingContext,
@@ -107,6 +109,11 @@ export class IconProgram {
       this.program,
       "uEmojiRowOffset",
     )!;
+    this.uFadeOwnerID = gl.getUniformLocation(this.program, "uFadeOwnerID")!;
+    this.uHoverFadeAlpha = gl.getUniformLocation(
+      this.program,
+      "uHoverFadeAlpha",
+    )!;
 
     this.loadEmojiAtlas();
   }
@@ -142,6 +149,7 @@ export class IconProgram {
     cameraMatrix: Float32Array,
     settings: RenderSettings,
     vao: WebGLVertexArrayObject,
+    fadeOwnerID: number,
   ): void {
     if (!this.emojiReady) return;
 
@@ -156,6 +164,8 @@ export class IconProgram {
     gl.uniform1f(this.uNameScaleFactor, ns.nameScaleFactor);
     gl.uniform1f(this.uNameScaleCap, ns.nameScaleCap);
     gl.uniform1f(this.uEmojiRowOffset, ns.emojiRowOffset);
+    gl.uniform1f(this.uFadeOwnerID, fadeOwnerID);
+    gl.uniform1f(this.uHoverFadeAlpha, ns.hoverFadeAlpha);
 
     gl.activeTexture(gl.TEXTURE0);
     gl.bindTexture(gl.TEXTURE_2D, this.playerDataTex);
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/StatusIconProgram.ts b/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/StatusIconProgram.ts
index ba071543f..09e357ac0 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/StatusIconProgram.ts
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/StatusIconProgram.ts
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ export class StatusIconProgram {
   private uNameScaleFactor: WebGLUniformLocation;
   private uNameScaleCap: WebGLUniformLocation;
   private uStatusRowOffset: WebGLUniformLocation;
+  private uFadeOwnerID: WebGLUniformLocation;
+  private uHoverFadeAlpha: WebGLUniformLocation;
 
   constructor(
     gl: WebGL2RenderingContext,
@@ -98,6 +100,11 @@ export class StatusIconProgram {
       this.program,
       "uStatusRowOffset",
     )!;
+    this.uFadeOwnerID = gl.getUniformLocation(this.program, "uFadeOwnerID")!;
+    this.uHoverFadeAlpha = gl.getUniformLocation(
+      this.program,
+      "uHoverFadeAlpha",
+    )!;
 
     this.loadAtlas();
   }
@@ -129,6 +136,7 @@ export class StatusIconProgram {
     cameraMatrix: Float32Array,
     settings: RenderSettings,
     vao: WebGLVertexArrayObject,
+    fadeOwnerID: number,
   ): void {
     if (!this.atlasReady) return;
 
@@ -143,6 +151,8 @@ export class StatusIconProgram {
     gl.uniform1f(this.uNameScaleFactor, ns.nameScaleFactor);
     gl.uniform1f(this.uNameScaleCap, ns.nameScaleCap);
     gl.uniform1f(this.uStatusRowOffset, ns.statusRowOffset);
+    gl.uniform1f(this.uFadeOwnerID, fadeOwnerID);
+    gl.uniform1f(this.uHoverFadeAlpha, ns.hoverFadeAlpha);
 
     gl.activeTexture(gl.TEXTURE0);
     gl.bindTexture(gl.TEXTURE_2D, this.playerDataTex);
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/TextProgram.ts b/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/TextProgram.ts
index 0ba71c99b..448a25cd1 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/TextProgram.ts
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/TextProgram.ts
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ export class TextProgram {
   private uNameScaleCap: WebGLUniformLocation;
   private uTroopSizeMultiplier: WebGLUniformLocation;
   private uHighlightOwnerID: WebGLUniformLocation;
+  private uFadeOwnerID: WebGLUniformLocation;
+  private uHoverFadeAlpha: WebGLUniformLocation;
   private uOutlineWidth: WebGLUniformLocation;
   private uNightAmbient: WebGLUniformLocation;
   private uOutlineColor: WebGLUniformLocation;
@@ -110,6 +112,11 @@ export class TextProgram {
       this.program,
       "uHighlightOwnerID",
     )!;
+    this.uFadeOwnerID = gl.getUniformLocation(this.program, "uFadeOwnerID")!;
+    this.uHoverFadeAlpha = gl.getUniformLocation(
+      this.program,
+      "uHoverFadeAlpha",
+    )!;
     this.uOutlineWidth = gl.getUniformLocation(this.program, "uOutlineWidth")!;
     this.uNightAmbient = gl.getUniformLocation(this.program, "uNightAmbient")!;
     this.uOutlineColor = gl.getUniformLocation(this.program, "uOutlineColor")!;
@@ -154,6 +161,7 @@ export class TextProgram {
     maxPlayers: number,
     ambient: number,
     highlightOwnerID: number,
+    fadeOwnerID: number,
   ): void {
     if (!this.atlasReady) return;
 
@@ -170,6 +178,8 @@ export class TextProgram {
     gl.uniform1f(this.uNameScaleCap, ns.nameScaleCap);
     gl.uniform1f(this.uTroopSizeMultiplier, ns.troopSizeMultiplier);
     gl.uniform1f(this.uHighlightOwnerID, highlightOwnerID);
+    gl.uniform1f(this.uFadeOwnerID, fadeOwnerID);
+    gl.uniform1f(this.uHoverFadeAlpha, ns.hoverFadeAlpha);
     gl.uniform1f(this.uOutlineWidth, ns.outlineWidth);
     gl.uniform1f(this.uNightAmbient, ambient);
     gl.uniform3f(this.uOutlineColor, ns.outlineR, ns.outlineG, ns.outlineB);
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/index.ts b/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/index.ts
index f8ec4844b..e8be608ed 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/index.ts
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/passes/name-pass/index.ts
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ import { TextProgram } from "./TextProgram";
 import type { PlayerSlot } from "./Types";
 import { LINES_PER_PLAYER, MAX_CHARS } from "./Types";
 
+// Flag quad aspect ratio — must match FLAG_CELL_W / FLAG_CELL_H in FlagAtlasArray.ts.
+const FLAG_ASPECT = 128 / 85;
+
 export class NamePass {
   private gl: WebGL2RenderingContext;
   private settings: RenderSettings;
@@ -72,6 +75,8 @@ export class NamePass {
   // Atlas + glyph data
   private glyph: GlyphTables;
   private kernTable: Int8Array;
+  private fontSize: number;
+  private fontBase: number;
 
   // Player management
   private playerByID: Map<string, PlayerStatic>;
@@ -102,6 +107,9 @@ export class NamePass {
 
   // Hovered player's small ID (0 = no highlight, matches TerritoryPass).
   private highlightOwnerID = 0;
+  // Cursor in world coords — fades names under it (far off-map = no fade).
+  private mouseWorldX = -1e9;
+  private mouseWorldY = -1e9;
   private playerStateByID = new Map<string, PlayerState>();
 
   constructor(
@@ -116,6 +124,8 @@ export class NamePass {
 
     // Parse atlas + build CPU lookup tables
     const atlas = parseAtlasData();
+    this.fontSize = atlas.fontSize;
+    this.fontBase = atlas.base;
     this.glyph = buildGlyphTables(atlas.chars);
     this.kernTable = buildKernTable(atlas.kernings);
     this.emojiCharToIndex = buildEmojiLookup();
@@ -548,6 +558,65 @@ export class NamePass {
     this.highlightOwnerID = ownerID;
   }
 
+  setMouseWorldPos(x: number, y: number): void {
+    this.mouseWorldX = x;
+    this.mouseWorldY = y;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Find the player whose name plate (name + troops + flag + emoji/status row)
+   * is under the cursor, so the whole plate can fade as a unit. Mirrors the
+   * lerp + sizing math in name.vert.glsl. Returns the smallID, or 0 for none.
+   */
+  private hitTestNamePlate(now: number): number {
+    const mx = this.mouseWorldX;
+    const my = this.mouseWorldY;
+    const ns = this.settings.name;
+    for (const slot of this.slots.values()) {
+      if (!slot.alive) continue;
+      const t = Math.min(
+        1 - Math.exp(-ns.lerpSpeed * (now - slot.startTime)),
+        1,
+      );
+      const wx = slot.srcX + (slot.tgtX - slot.srcX) * t;
+      const wy = slot.srcY + (slot.tgtY - slot.srcY) * t;
+      const ws = slot.srcScale + (slot.tgtScale - slot.srcScale) * t;
+      const baseSize = Math.max(1, Math.floor(ws));
+      const nameSize = Math.max(4, Math.floor(baseSize * ns.nameScaleFactor));
+      const nameScale = Math.min(baseSize * 0.25, ns.nameScaleCap);
+      const lineH = this.fontBase * ((nameSize * nameScale) / this.fontSize);
+
+      const halfW =
+        slot.nameHalfWidth * ((nameSize * nameScale) / this.fontSize);
+      let left = wx - halfW;
+      const right = wx + halfW;
+      if (slot.flagLayerIdx >= 0) left -= lineH * 1.2 * FLAG_ASPECT;
+
+      // Name line (flag is slightly taller); emoji/status rows sit above it.
+      let top = wy - lineH * 0.6;
+      const hasStatus =
+        slot.crown ||
+        slot.traitor ||
+        slot.disconnected ||
+        slot.alliance ||
+        slot.allianceReq ||
+        slot.target ||
+        slot.embargo ||
+        slot.nukeActive;
+      if (slot.emojiAtlasIdx >= 0) {
+        top = wy - lineH * ns.emojiRowOffset;
+      } else if (hasStatus) {
+        top = wy - lineH * ns.statusRowOffset;
+      }
+      const bottom = wy + lineH * (1.1 + 0.5 * ns.troopSizeMultiplier);
+
+      if (mx >= left && mx <= right && my >= top && my <= bottom) {
+        return slot.static.smallID;
+      }
+    }
+    return 0;
+  }
+
   draw(cameraMatrix: Float32Array, ambient: number): void {
     if (!this.textProgram.ready) return;
     if (this.slots.size === 0) return;
@@ -599,6 +668,8 @@ export class NamePass {
       this.playerDataDirty = false;
     }
 
+    const fadeOwnerID = this.hitTestNamePlate(performance.now() / 1000);
+
     this.textProgram.draw(
       cameraMatrix,
       this.settings,
@@ -606,9 +677,15 @@ export class NamePass {
       this.maxPlayers,
       ambient,
       this.highlightOwnerID,
+      fadeOwnerID,
     );
-    this.statusIconProgram.draw(cameraMatrix, this.settings, this.vao);
-    this.iconProgram.draw(cameraMatrix, this.settings, this.vao);
+    this.statusIconProgram.draw(
+      cameraMatrix,
+      this.settings,
+      this.vao,
+      fadeOwnerID,
+    );
+    this.iconProgram.draw(cameraMatrix, this.settings, this.vao, fadeOwnerID);
 
     if (this.settings.passEnabled.nameDebug) {
       this.debugProgram.draw(cameraMatrix, this.settings, this.vao);
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/render-settings.json b/src/client/render/gl/render-settings.json
index 7b757fe34..c9adfdda5 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/render-settings.json
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/render-settings.json
@@ -206,7 +206,8 @@
     "nameShadeNation": 0.3,
     "nameShadeBot": 0.4,
     "emojiRowOffset": 1.4,
-    "statusRowOffset": 1.4
+    "statusRowOffset": 1.4,
+    "hoverFadeAlpha": 0.25
   },
   "fx": {
     "shockwaveRingWidth": 0.04,
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/icon.frag.glsl b/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/icon.frag.glsl
index 16adf4578..0b3156114 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/icon.frag.glsl
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/icon.frag.glsl
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ uniform sampler2D      uEmojiAtlas;
 in vec2 vUV;
 flat in int vIconType;  // 0 = flag, 1 = emoji, -1 = discard
 flat in int vFlagLayer;
+in float vHoverAlpha;
 
 out vec4 fragColor;
 
@@ -22,5 +23,5 @@ void main() {
   }
 
   if (texel.a < 0.01) discard;
-  fragColor = texel;
+  fragColor = vec4(texel.rgb, texel.a * vHoverAlpha);
 }
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/icon.vert.glsl b/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/icon.vert.glsl
index 9c528044b..3bdfae35d 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/icon.vert.glsl
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/icon.vert.glsl
@@ -31,9 +31,13 @@ uniform float uEmojiAtlasH;  // emoji atlas texture height
 // Row offset (multiples of uFontBase * nameWorldScale)
 uniform float uEmojiRowOffset;
 
+uniform float uFadeOwnerID;    // smallID of player whose name plate the cursor is over (0 = none)
+uniform float uHoverFadeAlpha; // alpha multiplier applied to that player's name plate
+
 out vec2 vUV;
 flat out int vIconType;  // 0 = flag, 1 = emoji, -1 = discard
 flat out int vFlagLayer; // valid when vIconType == 0
+out float vHoverAlpha;
 
 void main() {
   // Decode instance ID → playerIdx + iconType (0=flag, 1=emoji)
@@ -44,7 +48,7 @@ void main() {
   vec4 pd0 = texelFetch(uPlayerData, ivec2(0, playerIdx), 0); // srcX, srcY, srcScale, startTime
   vec4 pd1 = texelFetch(uPlayerData, ivec2(1, playerIdx), 0); // tgtX, tgtY, tgtScale, alive
   vec4 pd3 = texelFetch(uPlayerData, ivec2(3, playerIdx), 0); // nameLen, troopLen, isHuman, nameHalfWidth
-  vec4 pd4 = texelFetch(uPlayerData, ivec2(4, playerIdx), 0); // flagLayer, emojiIdx, [free], [free]
+  vec4 pd4 = texelFetch(uPlayerData, ivec2(4, playerIdx), 0); // flagLayer, emojiIdx, smallID, [free]
 
   // Early out: dead player
   if (pd1.w <= 0.0) {
@@ -52,6 +56,7 @@ void main() {
     vUV = vec2(0.0);
     vIconType = -1;
     vFlagLayer = 0;
+    vHoverAlpha = 1.0;
     return;
   }
 
@@ -62,6 +67,7 @@ void main() {
     vUV = vec2(0.0);
     vIconType = -1;
     vFlagLayer = 0;
+    vHoverAlpha = 1.0;
     return;
   }
 
@@ -86,6 +92,7 @@ void main() {
     vUV = vec2(0.0);
     vIconType = -1;
     vFlagLayer = 0;
+    vHoverAlpha = 1.0;
     return;
   }
 
@@ -138,6 +145,11 @@ void main() {
     vFlagLayer = 0;
   }
 
+  // Fade the icon along with the rest of the name plate when the cursor is
+  // over any part of it. Hit test runs on the CPU (NamePass).
+  vHoverAlpha = (uFadeOwnerID > 0.0 && pd4.z == uFadeOwnerID)
+    ? uHoverFadeAlpha : 1.0;
+
   // Quad world position
   vec2 worldPos = iconOrigin + aPos * vec2(iconW, iconH);
 
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/name.vert.glsl b/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/name.vert.glsl
index eeb38b35b..c9f6021b5 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/name.vert.glsl
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/name.vert.glsl
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ uniform float uNameScaleFactor;
 uniform float uNameScaleCap;
 uniform float uTroopSizeMultiplier;
 uniform float uHighlightOwnerID;
+uniform float uFadeOwnerID;    // smallID of player whose name plate the cursor is over (0 = none)
+uniform float uHoverFadeAlpha; // alpha multiplier applied to that player's name plate
 
 out vec2 vUV;
 out vec4 vPlayerColor;  // player territory color (rgb) + alpha
@@ -155,8 +157,13 @@ void main() {
   vec3 clip = uCamera * vec3(worldPos, 1.0);
   gl_Position = vec4(clip.xy, 0.0, 1.0);
 
-  // 10. UV interpolation across quad
+  // 10. Fade the whole name plate when the cursor is on top of any part of it
+  // so units underneath stay visible. Hit test runs on the CPU (NamePass).
+  float hoverAlpha = (uFadeOwnerID > 0.0 && smallID == uFadeOwnerID)
+    ? uHoverFadeAlpha : 1.0;
+
+  // 11. UV interpolation across quad
   vUV = vec2(mix(u0, u1, aPos.x), mix(v0, v1, aPos.y));
-  vPlayerColor = pd2;       // player territory color (rgb) + alpha
+  vPlayerColor = vec4(pd2.rgb, pd2.a * hoverAlpha); // player territory color + alpha
   vNameShade = pd3.z;         // name fill grayscale shade (0.0 = black)
 }
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/status-icon.frag.glsl b/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/status-icon.frag.glsl
index e8ac082c0..d4e782934 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/status-icon.frag.glsl
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/status-icon.frag.glsl
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ flat in float vAllianceFraction;
 flat in vec2 vFadedUV0;
 flat in vec2 vFadedUV1;
 flat in float vFlashAlpha;
+in float vHoverAlpha;
 
 out vec4 fragColor;
 
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ void main() {
   }
 
   // Traitor flash: modulate alpha for urgency pulse
-  texel.a *= vFlashAlpha;
+  texel.a *= vFlashAlpha * vHoverAlpha;
 
   if (texel.a < 0.01) discard;
   fragColor = texel;
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/status-icon.vert.glsl b/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/status-icon.vert.glsl
index 561751ba4..66eaa7f81 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/status-icon.vert.glsl
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/shaders/name/status-icon.vert.glsl
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ uniform float uStatusPad;    // transparent padding in texels per side
 // Configurable layout
 uniform float uStatusRowOffset;  // row Y offset (multiples of uFontBase * nameWorldScale)
 
+uniform float uFadeOwnerID;    // smallID of player whose name plate the cursor is over (0 = none)
+uniform float uHoverFadeAlpha; // alpha multiplier applied to that player's name plate
+
 out vec2 vUV;
 out vec2 vLocalUV;               // 0..1 within the icon cell
 flat out int vDiscard;
@@ -35,6 +38,7 @@ flat out float vAllianceFraction; // 0 = no drain effect, >0 = active drain
 flat out vec2 vFadedUV0;         // top-left UV of faded alliance cell
 flat out vec2 vFadedUV1;         // bottom-right UV of faded alliance cell
 flat out float vFlashAlpha;      // traitor flash opacity (1.0 = fully visible)
+out float vHoverAlpha;
 
 // Status flag float array — indexed by icon slot.
 // Slot mapping: 0=crown, 1=traitor, 2=disconnected, 3=alliance,
@@ -85,7 +89,7 @@ void main() {
   // Read player data
   vec4 pd0 = texelFetch(uPlayerData, ivec2(0, playerIdx), 0); // srcX, srcY, srcScale, startTime
   vec4 pd1 = texelFetch(uPlayerData, ivec2(1, playerIdx), 0); // tgtX, tgtY, tgtScale, alive
-  vec4 pd4 = texelFetch(uPlayerData, ivec2(4, playerIdx), 0); // flagIdx, emojiIdx, [free], [free]
+  vec4 pd4 = texelFetch(uPlayerData, ivec2(4, playerIdx), 0); // flagIdx, emojiIdx, smallID, [free]
   vec4 pd7 = texelFetch(uPlayerData, ivec2(7, playerIdx), 0); // nukeTargetsMe, traitorRemainingTicks, allianceFraction, [free]
 
   // Early out: dead player OR emoji is active
@@ -98,6 +102,7 @@ void main() {
     vFadedUV0 = vec2(0.0);
     vFadedUV1 = vec2(0.0);
     vFlashAlpha = 1.0;
+    vHoverAlpha = 1.0;
     return;
   }
 
@@ -114,6 +119,7 @@ void main() {
     vFadedUV0 = vec2(0.0);
     vFadedUV1 = vec2(0.0);
     vFlashAlpha = 1.0;
+    vHoverAlpha = 1.0;
     return;
   }
 
@@ -142,6 +148,7 @@ void main() {
     vFadedUV0 = vec2(0.0);
     vFadedUV1 = vec2(0.0);
     vFlashAlpha = 1.0;
+    vHoverAlpha = 1.0;
     return;
   }
 
@@ -172,6 +179,11 @@ void main() {
     atlasIdx = (pd7.x > 0.5) ? 7 : 8;
   }
 
+  // Fade the status row along with the rest of the name plate when the cursor
+  // is over any part of it. Hit test runs on the CPU (NamePass).
+  vHoverAlpha = (uFadeOwnerID > 0.0 && pd4.z == uFadeOwnerID)
+    ? uHoverFadeAlpha : 1.0;
+
   // Quad world position
   vec2 iconOrigin = vec2(iconX, iconY);
   vec2 worldPos = iconOrigin + aPos * vec2(iconWorldSize, iconWorldSize);