Weapons Overview

Detailed overview of all weapon types in Tomb Raider (2013): Bow, Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun, with upgrade tips.

Lara acquires four primary weapon types throughout the game, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and upgrade paths. Mastering each weapon and knowing when to switch between them is key to overcoming Yamatai's challenges.

1. Bow (Makeshift Bow, Recurve Bow, Compound Bow)

• Acquisition: Early game, from the hanging man in Coastal Bluffs.
• Strengths: Silent kills, excellent for stealth, precise headshots, versatile (rope arrows, fire arrows, explosive arrows). Unlimited basic arrows (can be retrieved).
• Weaknesses: Slower fire rate than firearms, less effective against armored enemies without upgrades.
• Upgrades: Increased draw speed, damage, stability, ability to fire special arrows.

2. Pistol (Semi-Auto Pistol, 1911 Pistol, Magnum Pistol)

• Acquisition: Early game, found in the Coastal Forest.
• Strengths: Reliable, decent accuracy, good for finishing off weakened enemies, readily available ammo.
• Weaknesses: Low damage per shot, limited magazine capacity without upgrades.
• Upgrades: Increased damage, fire rate, magazine size, burst fire.

3. Rifle (Assault Rifle, Trench Rifle, Commando Rifle)

• Acquisition: Mid-game, found in the Mountain Temple.
• Strengths: High fire rate, good for crowd control, effective at medium range, can be upgraded with a grenade launcher.
• Weaknesses: Consumes ammo quickly, less precise than the bow at long range.
• Upgrades: Increased damage, fire rate, magazine size, stability, grenade launcher attachment.

4. Shotgun (Pump-Action Shotgun, Combat Shotgun, Full-Auto Shotgun)

• Acquisition: Mid-game, found in the Mountain Village.
• Strengths: Devastating at close range, excellent for crowd control, effective against armored enemies.
• Weaknesses: Very limited range, slow reload speed without upgrades, consumes ammo quickly.
• Upgrades: Increased damage, fire rate, reload speed, magazine size.

Always keep your weapons upgraded at Base Camps using Salvage. Prioritize upgrades that complement your playstyle and the challenges you're currently facing.