What’s going on everyone—Vinylic Puma here with a detailed breakdown of ten of the most impactful skills in Rise of the Tomb Raider. These aren’t just solid standalone abilities; many of them synergize exceptionally well, giving Lara more efficiency, damage output, or survivability depending on your playstyle. We’re sticking with skills that can be selected via XP leveling (not ones from Challenge Tombs like Geologist or Ancient Abilities), assuming you’ll complete all tombs anyway.
Let’s dive in. These picks are not in ranked order, but all are highly recommended.
1. Avid Learner – XP Gains that Snowball
This should be your first skill—hands down. Avid Learner grants bonus XP for examining documents, relics, survival caches, and completing challenges. The earlier you pick this up, the more it benefits you long-term. It’s one of the few skills that scales with your playthrough, helping you unlock every other ability much faster. Think of it as an XP multiplier that gets better the more you explore.
2. Deadly Force – Fast and Fluid Stealth Kills
Stealth finishers are essential, and Deadly Force makes them smoother and less frustrating. This Tier 2 skill not only speeds up stealth kills but eliminates the need for tedious button mashing. The improvement in pace and fluidity makes combat far more satisfying and efficient, especially in stealth-heavy zones.
3. Breath Control + Nerves of Steel – Steady as She Shoots
The bow is central to the game’s combat design, and these two skills make it significantly better.
- Breath Control (no prerequisites) increases the time you can hold a shot.
- Nerves of Steel (Tier 2) extends it further.
They’re particularly useful for weapons like the Compound Bow, which normally have short hold times. These upgrades help you line up precision shots in both stealth and head-on fights.
4. Thick-Skinned + Heart of Stone – Tankier Lara
Both reduce damage taken:
- Thick-Skinned is available early.
- Heart of Stone unlocks in Tier 3 after 19 skills.
These stack beautifully and make Lara much more durable, especially in higher difficulties like Survivor. Even in lower tiers, the damage mitigation comes in handy during chaotic encounters.
5. Naturalist + Survivalist – Crafting Powerhouse
Crafting is key, and running out of materials mid-upgrade or mid-fight is the worst. These two Hunter tree skills help:
- Naturalist increases natural resource yields (feathers, herbs).
- Survivalist boosts manmade resource pickups (cloth, salvage).
If you’re constantly short on materials, these are game-changers and well worth picking up once you’ve got about eight base skills unlocked.
6. Dragon Fire Shells – Burn Through Armor
Among the alternate ammo types, Dragon Fire Shells are arguably the most practical for shotguns. They ignite enemies, which either strip armor or deal lethal damage over time. Not only are they more resource-efficient to craft than hollow points (2 magnesite + 1 oil), they’re also far more useful in chaotic skirmishes.
If you’ve got the shotgun and have unlocked Tier 2, grab this for serious mid- to late-game effectiveness.
7. Field Medic + Strong Medicine – Healing That Matters
On higher difficulties, healing isn’t optional—it’s survival. These two skills give you the upper hand:
- Field Medic lets you heal faster.
- Strong Medicine gives you brief damage resistance after healing.
If you’re playing on Survivor difficulty, these are practically mandatory. They allow you to recover quickly and stay in the fight, buying precious seconds to reach cover or regroup.
8. Grenadier – Ammo on Demand
Got the grenade launcher attachment for your rifle? Great. Now make it viable with Grenadier, which lets you craft grenades instead of relying on enemy drops.
You can craft them on the fly or at campfires, which means you’re never stuck with an empty launcher during critical moments. Combine this with aggressive play, and you’ll tear through groups of enemies with ease.
9. Finesse – Bonus XP from Precision Stealth
Not everyone is a stealth master, but Finesse makes it worth trying. This skill gives bonus XP for chaining stealth kills, headshots, and death-from-above kills. Even if you only manage short combos, it still pays off.
It pairs incredibly well with Triple Shot and True Shot, letting you knock down multiple enemies while stacking up XP bonuses in the process.
10. Double Shot + Triple Shot + True Shot – The Ultimate Bow Combo
This trio of skills takes your bowplay to elite levels:
- Double Shot: Target two enemies.
- Triple Shot: Target three enemies.
- True Shot: Aim for heads instead of torsos.
This combo enables instant takedowns on multiple enemies. It’s especially efficient in stealth zones. While you’ll need 19 skills to unlock the full set, the payoff is immense.
Even if you don’t always use all three at once, True Shot alone is faster and more effective than trying to aim manually for headshots. Once you unlock them, these become your go-to tools for efficient crowd control.
Final Thoughts
There are dozens of great skills in Rise of the Tomb Raider, and this list only scratches the surface. What makes these 10 (or combos of 2–3) stand out is their long-term value, resource synergy, and difficulty scaling. Whether you’re a stealth-focused player, a combat-heavy brawler, or a balanced explorer, these picks will enhance your playthrough significantly.
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