Rise of the Tomb Raider offers an expansive skill system that can be tailored to your preferred playstyle—whether you enjoy stealth, aggressive combat, or efficient resource gathering. With so many options, narrowing down which skills to pick can be tough, especially since many synergize in powerful combinations. This guide breaks down ten of the best skills you should aim for as you level up, focusing on those that can be acquired through the skill tree (excluding tomb-exclusive or codex abilities). While there are many worthwhile choices, these stand out for their long-term value, synergy, and impact on gameplay.

1. Avid Learner – Maximize XP from the Start

Arguably one of the most important early-game skills, Avid Learner boosts XP gains from finding survival caches, documents, relics, and completing challenges. The reason this skill is so crucial is cumulative benefit—the earlier you pick it, the more value you gain over time. By maximizing XP intake early, you’ll unlock other powerful skills faster. It’s a foundational pick for any build and a smart investment for a smooth progression curve.

2. Deadly Force – Stealth Finishers Made Faster

Deadly Force increases the speed and ease of stealth finishers. While it’s a Tier 2 skill requiring eight prior skill unlocks, the difference it makes is immediate. Faster stealth takedowns mean fewer chances of being spotted, less time fumbling with button mashing, and a cleaner flow in enemy encounters. If you enjoy silent approaches, this skill will save you both time and frustration.

3. Breath Control + Nerves of Steel – Bow Precision Combo

Since the bow is an essential tool throughout the game, improving its performance should be a priority. Breath Control (available early) and Nerves of Steel (requires eight other skills) both increase the duration you can steady your aim. This makes headshots more reliable, especially when using powerful but slower bows like the compound bow. These skills pair beautifully and make precision shooting less stressful, especially in tense situations.

4. Thick-Skinned + Heart of Stone – Damage Reduction Duo

These defensive skills reduce incoming damage from gunfire and melee attacks. Thick-Skinned is available early, while Heart of Stone is a Tier 3 skill requiring 19 total skill unlocks. On lower difficulties, you might not feel the difference as much, but on Seasoned Raider and Survivor, where health regen is limited or absent, this duo is essential. Together, they provide much-needed survivability for aggressive or risky encounters.

5. Naturalist + Survivalist – More Crafting Materials

These two hunter-tree skills increase how many natural and man-made resources you gather. While not immediately flashy, they add up quickly. If you’re always short on specific materials—be it ores, screws, or herbs—these skills smooth out your crafting experience. They’re particularly useful if you frequently craft ammo, upgrades, or healing items and want to avoid constant resource scrounging.

6. Dragon Fire Shells – Superior Shotgun Ammo

Once you obtain the shotgun, this alternate ammo type is a game-changer. Dragon Fire Shells ignite enemies on impact, stripping armor and potentially killing them outright. Compared to hollow point rounds, they’re cheaper to craft (2 magnesite + 1 oil vs. 3 magnesite) and more effective against grouped or armored foes. These rounds are brutal in close-quarters and perfect for panic moments when you need to clear space fast.

7. Field Medic + Strong Medicine – Heal Smarter, Last Longer

Essential for high-difficulty play, these skills improve healing efficiency and resistance after bandaging. Field Medic (Tier 2) and Strong Medicine (Tier 3) are must-haves for Survivor difficulty, where health regen is disabled. They offer a safety net in firefights and give you breathing room to escape or reposition. Whether you’re stealthy or loud, healing faster and taking less damage while doing it is an invaluable edge.

8. Grenadier – Unlimited Explosive Potential

If you favor the assault rifle, unlocking the Grenadier skill after acquiring the grenade launcher attachment is a must. It allows you to craft grenade ammo anytime—either at camps or on the go—ensuring you’re never caught empty. Grenades are immensely powerful and effective in clustered combat zones, and having a steady supply turns the tide in challenging battles. Resource efficiency and raw power in one package.

9. Finesse – XP for Style and Stealth

Finesse rewards players with bonus XP for chaining headshots, stealth kills, and aerial takedowns. The more stylish and efficient your kills, the higher the multiplier. This skill encourages clean play and pairs well with triple shot or true shot bow skills. Even if you’re not a stealth expert, occasional multipliers offer a decent XP boost with little downside, making it an easy value pick.

10. Double Shot + Triple Shot + True Shot – Bow Mastery Trifecta

These three skills stack to form the ultimate bow combo. Double Shot lets you tag and fire at two enemies simultaneously, Triple Shot expands it to three, and True Shot adjusts aim toward the head for higher damage. Though Triple and True Shot require 19 skill unlocks, the payoff is immense. Clearing enemies silently and efficiently has never been easier, and these skills work well with Finesse for bonus XP. It’s best to wait until you can unlock all three to get the full benefit, but once active, they’re a bow user’s dream.

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While your ideal skill path will depend on how you play—be it stealth, combat, or exploration—the ten skills above provide a strong foundation for any approach. Prioritize early XP gain, streamline your core combat tools, and always invest in survivability. Rise of the Tomb Raider’s layered skill system is at its best when everything works in synergy, and these picks will give you a flexible and powerful toolkit for tackling any challenge that comes your way.