Hidden death that lurks in a hillside: unseen and able to precisely quench targets with

埋伏在目標看不到的隱蔽高地，再置其於死地

a single bullet.

只需一發子彈

If you're lucky, such a threat will only send a chill down your spine:

如果你夠幸運，你可以感受到狙擊手的冰冷無情

and if you're not - well, you might never hear the shot.

否則，你會連槍聲也聽不到，永遠地聽不到

The Arctic Warfare series of rifles are purpose-built for precision.

Arctic Warfare 系列的步槍是專門為精密射擊而誕生

It has found fame through its confirmed kill distance records: and in its depiction in

它們會名聲大噪是因為其射殺距離所做就的，而此表現已於

games, most notably as Counter-Strike's AWP.

眾多遊戲中展示予玩家，特別是在 Counter-Strike(絕對武力) 中的 AWP

So what place do precision weapons have in games?

那麼這些「精確射擊武器」在遊戲中是甚麼定位？

What makes sniper rifles such a desirable choice for some players?

為甚麼狙擊步槍會成為玩家的不二之選？

And what is it about bolt-actions that makes 'em deal more damage?

又為甚麼「一拉一發」的槍支是擁有如此巨大的傷害力？

The Arctic Warfare's story starts in England, in 1978.

在1978年的英國，Arctic Warfare 的故事開始了

At this time, the British Army were reliant on the 19th-century Lee Enfield rifles for

這時的英軍狙擊手都裝備了19世紀的 Lee Enfield rifles (李-恩菲爾德步槍)

their marksman roles, designated the L42A1.

而且被指定要使用L42A1

While there's nothing wrong with a classic bolt-action, there was definitely room for

傳統的「一拉一發」武器並沒有甚麼問題，不過

a more modern, specialised long-range weapon.

武器都變得更加現代化，而且要更長的射擊距離

Accuracy International was founded by a group of skilled competitive shooters, looking to

於是一群技術高超的射擊選手成立了 Accuracy International (精密國際) ，目的是要

design and build a new tactical rifle.

設計並製造新的戰術步槍

Their first design was the Precision Marksman, or the PM, in 1982.

1982年，他們設計了第一支自製槍支------ Precision Marksman (簡稱PM)

It was designed in response to the British Army's search for a new sniper rifle, and

英軍在尋覓新的狙擊步槍，而此槍正是為此而設計

would emerge triumphant in competition, earning the L96A1 designation.

並且贏到了 L96A1 設計比賽

Built for precision from the ground up, the platform is bedded on a solid aluminium chassis,

為了更精確，此槍裝嵌了固體鋁機殼

surrounded by a distinctive drab green hollow polymer stock.

以獨特的綠色包圍其，作為中空聚合物槍托

Not content with a single contract, AI shot for the Swedish military, who were in a similar

瑞典軍隊的處境也和英軍一樣

position to the Brits - seeking to replace their World War 2-era rifles.

他們都想用新槍以取代二戰時代的步槍

The Precision Marksman design was modified to cope with extremely cold temperatures - with

PM 則被改造以應付寒冷溫度

a milled bolt that minimised the surface area able to freeze together, and a larger trigger

用銑螺栓來減少表面積，防止槍支各部件都凍在一起，還有把扳機護環

guard to allow the use of heavy gloves.

變得更大，以方便射手在穿上手套時也能使用

These changes gave the updated rifle a new name: the Arctic Warfare.

這些改裝令這個新種槍支擁有新的名字： Arctic Warfare (精密國際AW狙擊步槍)(又譯為「北極作戰」) (以下簡稱AW)

It was accepted into service by the Swedes in 1991, as the PSG 90 - and the British Army

1991 年，此槍支正式在瑞典軍隊服役，正名為 PSG 90，而英軍

adopted the improved version as the L118A1.

則採用其進化版，正名為 L118A1

Later variants of the Arctic Warfare include the AWF with folding stock - and the AWP,

之後的AW 變種版本包括了可折疊的槍托，以及AWP

intended for law enforcement use with plain black furniture.

是執法人員的黑色傢俱

The AWS is a suppressed version, with an integral suppressor, and similar is the AW Covert - which

AWS 是靜音版本，它安裝了消音器

comes with a shortened barrel and folding stock.

也是短槍管步槍和擁有可折疊的槍托

The AW Magnum expanded the calibre offerings to a higher power band: with chamberings in

AW Magnum (AW 麥格農) 則是更大的口徑和更大的火力，而槍膛又分為

.300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua Magnum.

.300 Winchester Magnum(點300溫徹斯特麥格農) 和 .338 Lapua Magnum (點338 拉普麥格農)

These rounds deliver more kinetic energy on target, extending the rifle's reach and flattening

這次改造可以對目標打出更大的動量(能量)，加強了步槍的射程以及

the bullet's trajectory.

令其彈道更直

This makes the Magnum offerings particularly suitable for extreme ranges - and the AWM

此舉令麥格農產品特別適用於超~~~遠程狙擊，而AWM

was adopted by the British Armed Forces under the L115 designation.

則被英國武裝部隊正名為 L115 (A1)

It was this variant that would cataput the Arctic Warfare into the record books - as

這個改造而令AW系列創下了新紀錄

the AWM is responsible for the longest ever confirmed sniper kill, at two thousand, four

AWM 成為了擁有最長狙擊距離的槍支---------

hundred and seventy five metres.

2475米 (1.7 英里)(2.475 公里)

The shot took place in 2009, during the War in Afghanistan - fired by British sniper Craig

此槍的首殺於2009年誕生。在阿富汗戰爭時，英軍士兵

Harrison, Corporal of Horse in the Blues and Royals Royal Horse Guards.

Craig Harrison (克雷格·哈里森)，軍階為馬下士，英國御林軍

An incredible feat that placed the platform amongst the finest long-range rifles: no doubt,

造就這個不可思議壯舉，射出這個最遠距離的原因就是：不要猶豫

the Arctic Warfare is every inch a marksman's weapon.

每個狙擊手的武器都是AW

It was never meant to be cheap, nor intended for mass-production: these rifles are specialist

永遠不要在意其價錢，也不要在此其是大量生產的產品。

weapons for a specialised role.

這些是專門為專業人士而打造的步槍

Perhaps it's this 'boutique appeal' that has led to the familiar green thumbhole stock

可能此槍的標誌是綠色的拇指孔槍托

cropping up in a number of video games.

並於無數的遊戲中現身

Such weapons have always had a tough transition into interactive entertainment: truly realistic

這些武器通常都經歷過一段艱難的過渡期以令玩家透過娛樂與其互動

sniping is a test of patience and precision, engaging unseen and far from the fray.

現實世界中的狙擊是要很有耐心和精確，敵在明則我在暗，遠離戰場

Games normally take some liberties for the sake of balance - and so virtual sniping usually

為了保證遊戲的平衡性，遊戲的自由度是很大的，而且這種虛擬狙擊

takes place at closer ranges and at a faster pace than reality.

都是近距離狙擊，而且子彈飛行速度比現實快

Some titles do pride themselves on wide open maps - the Battlefield franchise, for instance

一些開放式地圖遊戲則以此為榮，例如戰地風雲系列

- but most FPS insist on cramming you and your rifle into a small arena surrounded by

但一些第一人稱射擊遊戲堅持要把你限制在一個小小的戰場

automatic weapons.

用自動武器來戰鬥

They are still top of the tree when it comes to ranged damage and precision - so while

但因為擁有長距離射距和高精准度，狙擊槍仍然是最棒的，所以

you might not have a spotter at your side, you can still vex the opposition from across

當你沒有人幫你偵察時，你手上的狙擊槍能夠讓你觀察

the map.

整張地圖

There's a curious trait shared by all bolt-action weapons in games: they all seem to do more

遊戲中「一拉一發」的槍都有一個奇怪的特性：它們都比其他的

damage than their semi-automatic counterparts, even if they're of the same calibre.

半自動同伴打出更多的傷害，儘管它們都是相同口徑的槍

Counter-Strike's AWP is top dog in terms of damage, and is the only weapon to kill an

CS 裏的 AWP 是能夠打出最高傷害的槍，而且是唯一一支槍可以

opponent in a single hit at any distance, anywhere above the legs - armoured or not.

於任何距離一發子彈幹掉敵人，無論對方有沒有裝甲，除了打中腿之外

It's this depiction that cemented the Arctic Warfare's iconic status: the Counter-Strike

要描述 AW 的標誌：就是CS 裏的

AWP is a legendary weapon, and certainly amongst the most recognisable weapons of first-person

AWP 真的是一把傳奇武器，而且是一把在第一人稱遊戲中最容易識別的武器

shooters.

CS 的知名度也令其出現在其他遊戲，

This popularity in Counter-Strike has led to its appearance in other titles - but no

但無論在甚麼遊戲都一樣，步槍都是最大威力的武器

matter the game, the rifle is always amongst the most deadly on offer.

在 使命召喚 系列中就一定是真的了。AW 步槍分別在

This is certainly true within the Call of Duty series, with the Arctic Warfare rifles

「黑色行動」中以 L96 之名、在「現代戰爭3」中以 L118A 之名和在「魅影」中以L115 之名現身

appearing as the L96 in Black Ops, the L118A in Modern Warfare 3, and the L115 in Call

好了，為甚麼步槍會如此強大？

of Duty: Ghosts.

這不是為了貼近現實，而是為了遊戲的平衡性

So, why is the rifle always so powerful?

當你打空一支半自動槍的彈匣時，「一拉一發」的槍

It's not for the sake of realism - but instead a question of balance.

都要手動退膛，也就是說射速會

While you can empty a semi-automatic weapon's magazine within a couple of seconds, a bolt-action

大大降低

weapon must be manually cycled for every shot - which means a drastically slower rate of

一個超大傷害的武器總是需要被施加一點限制

fire.

而這些OP 的武器很強調精準度

The high damage of such weapons is necessary to keep them relevant, then - and as a side

很幸運啦，通常 AW 槍都是預設安裝了一個狙擊鏡

effect, this places a much stronger emphasis on first shot precision.

能夠把視線高度放大也是一把雙刃劍-----能夠加強

Luckily, you'll most often find the Arctic Warfare supplied with a scope by default.

對長程武器的可控制性

A highly magnified view proves a double-edged sword, however - and can help to further reinforce

在使用狙擊鏡時，通常你的鏡外視野都沒有了

the intended long-range role of the weapon.

一些遊戲例如「使命召喚：魅影」中，雖然你也有鏡外視野，但

Often, your peripheral vision will be blocked out entirely while aiming - and while some

由於眼睛驟瞧點的關係，鏡外視野仍然有限制

games, such as Call of Duty: Ghosts, offer a dual-rendered view - you will still suffer

把視線拉近的確能有助於幹掉遠處的目標，但狹窄的視野

in the reactivity stakes.

會讓你看不到來自近處的威脅，而且在你轉換到意想不到的視野時

A closer view helps when tackling distant targets, but a narrower field of vision can

是個危急的時間

blind you to closer threats - and readjusting your sights to an unexpected angle can take

狹窄的視野配上低射速，這會令此武器

critical time.

不適用於近距離戰鬥：但當然仍然有人會嘗試

This tunnel vision, paired with an intrinsically slow rate of fire, generally makes the weapon

AW 系列有很多不同的名字，但唯一沒有不同的是

ill-suited for close quarters battle: but of course, there are still some who'll try.

它優秀的表現

The Arctic Warfare series might be known by many names: but there's no mistaking its uncompromised

它需要一發精準的射擊，給了對手一個嚴厲的懲罰。但如果你想

performance.

凍住對手的行動.....

It demands first-shot precision, and severely punishes wayward shots: but if you want to

.....這是一把冷血無情的步槍

freeze out the opposition...

一把優雅且精準的武器對於任何人都是致命的

...this rifle is ice cold.

如此強大的威力已經成為一門宗教：而它的信徒們生為追求一發子彈置敵於死地的刺激感

A refined weapon of precision that is deadly in every incarnation.

這是難得而簡單的選項：緩慢的輸出以及嚴格的功能

Its power compels a cult-like following: those who live for the thrill of a one-shot kill.

Arctic Warfare 狙擊步槍：

It's seldom the easy option: its potency reigned in with slow output and exacting function.

紀錄保持者，

The Arctic Warfare:

為專業而製，

Record holder.

也力大無窮。

Purpose-built.

感謝觀看，下次再見~~

Powerhouse.

Thank you very much for watching, and until next time - farewell.