Skills

Skills are a feature in Tomb Raider (2013). Skill points are earned by earning experience points (XP), which can be earned through combat (with bonus XP awarded for headshots, stealth kills and executions), hunting, exploration, raiding tombs, collecting artifacts (with bonus XP awarded for examining them closer) and story progression. Skill points can be spent on skills, which improve various aspects of Lara Croft's abilities. Along with gear and its associated Salvage points, Skills form the upgrade system of the game.

Upgrading skills

Skills can be upgraded at camps by spending skill points. Each skill takes one skill point to master (unlock).

Skill levels

Depending on how many skill points have been spent so far, Lara will have a skill level. Each skill requires a certain skill level to unlock. The skill levels are as follows:

Tier Name Number of skill
points required
1 Rookie 0
2 Hardened 7
3 Specialist 14

Tier	Name	Number of skill points required
1	Rookie	0
2	Hardened	7
3	Specialist	14

Reaching Hardened allows Lara to use her Climbing Axe as a melee weapon.

Skill Trees

Skills are divided into three categories: Survivor, Hunter, and Brawler.

Survivor

Survivor skills are more passive skills that are mostly to do with traversal, exploration and looting.

Skill Tier Description Use
Animal Instincts 1 Keen observation allows you to spot hard-to-find animals and food sources. Press '''[Survival Instinct]''' to activate Survival Instincts to see animals and food glow.
Survivalist 1 Earn extra rewards when looting animal corpses and food caches. Loot animal corpses and food caches for extra XP.
Advanced Salvaging 1 Thoroughly search crates and caches to find extra salvage. Collect extra salvage from crates and other sources.
Bone Collector 1 Carefully looting animal corpses will reward you with extra salvage. Collect salvage when looting animal corpses.
Arrow Retrieval 1 Resourceful archers can recover arrows from the bodies of enemies. Loot an enemy or animal killed with the bow to retrieve arrows.
Scavenging 1 ''Requires Arrow Retrieval.'' Spotting hidden pockets on enemy corpses will reward you with extra ammunition Loot an enemy corpse and receive extra ammunition.
Climber's Agility 2 Increase your climbing skills to traverse the environment with more speed and resist falling damage. Press '''[Scramble]''' when landing from a hard fall to reduce damage - also increases climbing speed.
Orienteering 2 Use your keen perception to find hidden rewards in the environment. Press '''[Survival Instinct]''' to see collectibles glow.
Cartography 3 ''Orienteering required.'' All tomb entrances and map locations will be revealed on your map Examine your map closely to learn locations of treasure maps and tomb entrances.

Skill	Tier	Description	Use
Animal Instincts	1	Keen observation allows you to spot hard-to-find animals and food sources.	Press '''[Survival Instinct]''' to activate Survival Instincts to see animals and food glow.
Survivalist	1	Earn extra rewards when looting animal corpses and food caches.	Loot animal corpses and food caches for extra XP.
Advanced Salvaging	1	Thoroughly search crates and caches to find extra salvage.	Collect extra salvage from crates and other sources.
Bone Collector	1	Carefully looting animal corpses will reward you with extra salvage.	Collect salvage when looting animal corpses.
Arrow Retrieval	1	Resourceful archers can recover arrows from the bodies of enemies.	Loot an enemy or animal killed with the bow to retrieve arrows.
Scavenging	1	''Requires Arrow Retrieval.'' Spotting hidden pockets on enemy corpses will reward you with extra ammunition	Loot an enemy corpse and receive extra ammunition.
Climber's Agility	2	Increase your climbing skills to traverse the environment with more speed and resist falling damage.	Press '''[Scramble]''' when landing from a hard fall to reduce damage - also increases climbing speed.
Orienteering	2	Use your keen perception to find hidden rewards in the environment.	Press '''[Survival Instinct]''' to see collectibles glow.
Cartography	3	''Orienteering required.'' All tomb entrances and map locations will be revealed on your map	Examine your map closely to learn locations of treasure maps and tomb entrances.

Hunter

Hunter skills are used to increase Lara's skill with her ranged weapons.

Skill Tier Description Use
Steady Shot 1 A focused mind allows you more time to aim deadly shots with your bow. Hold charged bow shots for double the time.
Ammo Capacity 1 Efficient use of bags and pockets allows you to carry more ammunition. Increases total extra ammunition you can carry for all weapons.
Heavy Lifter 2 ''Ammo Capacity required.'' Your increased strength allows you to carry the maximum amount of ammunition. Maximizes total extra ammunition you can carry for all weapons.
Accomplished Killer 2 Eliminate your enemies with finesse to earn greater rewards. Earn extra XP with headshots, Finishing moves and stealth kills.
Bow Expert 3 Stab enemies at close range with your arrows for extra rewards. Also unlocks headshot reticule. Press '''[Melee]''' while using the bow to finish stunned emenies with an arrow.
Pistol Expert 3 Execute enemies at point blank range for extra rewards. Also unlocks headshot reticule. Press '''[Melee]''' to finish stunned enemies with pistol and earn bonus XP.
Rifle Expert 3 Unload your rifle at close range to brutally finish enemies and earn bonus rewards. Press '''[Melee]''' to finish stunned enemies with the rifle and earn bonus XP.
Shotgun Expert 3 Blast enemies with the shotgun at close range to stop them in their tracks and earn extra rewards. Press '''[Melee]''' to finish stunned enemies with the shotgun and earn bonus XP.

Skill	Tier	Description	Use
Steady Shot	1	A focused mind allows you more time to aim deadly shots with your bow.	Hold charged bow shots for double the time.
Ammo Capacity	1	Efficient use of bags and pockets allows you to carry more ammunition.	Increases total extra ammunition you can carry for all weapons.
Heavy Lifter	2	''Ammo Capacity required.'' Your increased strength allows you to carry the maximum amount of ammunition.	Maximizes total extra ammunition you can carry for all weapons.
Accomplished Killer	2	Eliminate your enemies with finesse to earn greater rewards.	Earn extra XP with headshots, Finishing moves and stealth kills.
Bow Expert	3	Stab enemies at close range with your arrows for extra rewards. Also unlocks headshot reticule.	Press '''[Melee]''' while using the bow to finish stunned emenies with an arrow.
Pistol Expert	3	Execute enemies at point blank range for extra rewards. Also unlocks headshot reticule.	Press '''[Melee]''' to finish stunned enemies with pistol and earn bonus XP.
Rifle Expert	3	Unload your rifle at close range to brutally finish enemies and earn bonus rewards.	Press '''[Melee]''' to finish stunned enemies with the rifle and earn bonus XP.
Shotgun Expert	3	Blast enemies with the shotgun at close range to stop them in their tracks and earn extra rewards.	Press '''[Melee]''' to finish stunned enemies with the shotgun and earn bonus XP.

Brawler

Brawler skills are used to increase Lara's proficiency, in melee combat, and maximum health. The Brawler skill tree isn't unlocked until the player reaches the Base Camp at the Base Approach.

Skill Tier Description Use
Pain Tolerance 1 Withstand more punishment in combat and live to fight another day. Take more damage before dying.
Dirty Tricks 1 Cleverly use dirt and rocks to blind enemies and leave them vulnerable to your attacks. Press '''[Scramble]''' to scramble and then '''[Melee]''' to throw dirt in enemies' eyes to blind them briefly.
Axe Strikes 2 Deliver two swift strikes with your climbing axe to stun your enemies. Tap '''[Melee]''' twice to stun enemies in close range with two swift axe strikes.
Axe Expert 2 ''Axe Strikes required.'' Use your climbing axe to deliver a deadly, stunning blow to your enemies. Press '''[Melee]''' to finish stunned enemies with the axe.
Dodge Counter 2 After dodging an enemy, stab them in the knee with an arrow to cripple them and leave them vulnerable to killing blow. Press '''[Scramble]''' to dodge them, then press '''[Melee]''' to stun enemies with an arrow to the knee.
Dodge Kill 2 ''Dodge Counter required.'' Skillfully dodge lightly armored opponents and then strike them at close range to kill them instantly. Press '''[Scramble]''' to dodge them, then press '''[Melee]''' to kill enemies without helmets.
Dodge Kill Mastery 3 ''Dodge Kill required.'' Striking after dodging becomes even more deadly, allowing you to kill almost any enemy. Press '''[Scramble]''' to dodge them, then press '''[Melee]''' to kill almost any enemies.

Skill	Tier	Description	Use
Pain Tolerance	1	Withstand more punishment in combat and live to fight another day.	Take more damage before dying.
Dirty Tricks	1	Cleverly use dirt and rocks to blind enemies and leave them vulnerable to your attacks.	Press '''[Scramble]''' to scramble and then '''[Melee]''' to throw dirt in enemies' eyes to blind them briefly.
Axe Strikes	2	Deliver two swift strikes with your climbing axe to stun your enemies.	Tap '''[Melee]''' twice to stun enemies in close range with two swift axe strikes.
Axe Expert	2	''Axe Strikes required.'' Use your climbing axe to deliver a deadly, stunning blow to your enemies.	Press '''[Melee]''' to finish stunned enemies with the axe.
Dodge Counter	2	After dodging an enemy, stab them in the knee with an arrow to cripple them and leave them vulnerable to killing blow.	Press '''[Scramble]''' to dodge them, then press '''[Melee]''' to stun enemies with an arrow to the knee.
Dodge Kill	2	''Dodge Counter required.'' Skillfully dodge lightly armored opponents and then strike them at close range to kill them instantly.	Press '''[Scramble]''' to dodge them, then press '''[Melee]''' to kill enemies without helmets.
Dodge Kill Mastery	3	''Dodge Kill required.'' Striking after dodging becomes even more deadly, allowing you to kill almost any enemy.	Press '''[Scramble]''' to dodge them, then press '''[Melee]''' to kill almost any enemies.