Shantytown

Navigate Shantytown in Tomb Raider (2013), a dangerous area filled with Solarii cultists and intense combat. Master platforming and puzzles on Yamatai.

Shantytown is a sprawling, multi-layered, and incredibly dangerous area that serves as a significant turning point in Lara's journey. This vast slum, built into the cliffs and valleys of Yamatai, is infested with Solarii cultists and presents a gauntlet of intense combat, intricate platforming, and environmental puzzles. Expect frequent, large-scale engagements, requiring both stealth and aggressive tactics. Resourcefulness and careful exploration are key to uncovering its many secrets, including numerous collectibles and optional Tombs.

Objectives and Key Encounters

Initial Entry and Rescue

Upon entering Shantytown, Lara's primary objective is to locate and rescue Sam. The path forward is fraught with danger from the outset, immediately testing your combat skills.

• First Encounter: You'll immediately face a group of Solarii near the entrance. Utilize cover and aim for headshots to conserve precious ammo. The Bow with the Precision Shot skill is highly effective here.
• Bridge Crossing: After the initial skirmish, you'll need to cross a rickety bridge. Be prepared for more enemies on the other side, including archers positioned on elevated platforms. Take them out first with your bow.
• Sam's Location: Follow the path through the shacks, using stealth takedowns where possible to thin out patrols. Sam is being held captive in a fortified area, identifiable by increased enemy presence and barricades.
• Rescue Operation: This will involve a significant firefight. Prioritize enemies with melee weapons who rush your position and take out archers on elevated platforms first. Use environmental hazards like explosive barrels to your advantage, especially against clustered enemies. The Shotgun is excellent for crowd control here.

The Well of Tears

Following Sam's rescue, Lara must navigate through the infamous Well of Tears, a particularly challenging section of Shantytown known for its dark, claustrophobic environments and water-based puzzles.

• Path to the Well: The journey to the Well of Tears involves navigating through more enemy patrols and precarious platforming sections. Look for climbable surfaces (marked with white paint) and ziplines. Keep an eye out for hidden GPS Caches along these routes.
• The Well's Entrance: The entrance to the Well of Tears is heavily guarded. Expect multiple waves of Solarii, including armored enemies. Use your Shotgun for close-quarters combat against shielded foes and the Assault Rifle for sustained damage against armored targets. Consider equipping the Grenade Launcher attachment for the rifle if available, as it's highly effective against groups.
• Inside the Well: This area is a dark, claustrophobic series of tunnels and chambers. Be wary of traps and ambushes. The main puzzle here involves manipulating water flow to open a path forward.
• Well of Tears Puzzle: To proceed, you'll need to restore power to a large gate by activating two water wheels.
  1. First Water Wheel: Locate the first water wheel. It will be blocked by debris. Use your Axe to clear the blockage, allowing it to spin freely.
  2. Diverting Water: Find the mechanism to divert water to the second wheel. This involves using a rope arrow to pull down a counterweight, which in turn redirects the water flow. You may need to climb to an elevated position to get a clear shot.
  3. Second Water Wheel: Once the water is diverted, the second wheel will activate. This will power the gate mechanism.
  4. Opening the Gate: With both wheels active, the main gate will open, allowing you to continue deeper into the Well of Tears. Be prepared for a few more Solarii ambushes as you pass through.

Ascending Shantytown

After the Well of Tears, Lara must ascend higher into Shantytown, facing increasingly difficult challenges, intricate platforming sequences, and formidable enemy encounters. This section is a true test of all the skills you've acquired.

• Elevated Combat: Many encounters will take place on rooftops and elevated walkways. Use your Bow for stealth kills and to pick off distant targets. The Pistol with the Silencer upgrade is also invaluable for maintaining stealth.
• Navigating the Slums: The ascent involves a complex series of jumps, rope slides, and wall scrambles.
  • Tricky Platforming Section 1 (Collapsing Bridge): After a major firefight, you'll encounter a collapsing wooden bridge. Sprint across it and be ready to jump at the last second to a nearby ledge.
  • Rope Ascender Required: Certain areas will require the Rope Ascender (acquired later in the game, but essential for 100% completion here) to pull down heavy obstacles or create new paths. Keep an eye out for thick ropes that can be pulled.
  • Wall Scrambles: Look for rough, climbable walls, often marked by white paint or distinct textures. Use your Axe to grip and climb.
• Environmental Hazards: Be mindful of collapsing structures, explosive barrels, and areas where enemies can push you off ledges. Use these hazards against your foes whenever possible.
• Heavy Resistance: Expect to encounter Solarii with shields and heavy armor. The Shotgun is effective against shields, and precise headshots or Explosive Arrows are crucial for armored foes. Consider the Body Shot Damage skill for your rifle to quickly dispatch armored enemies.
• The Gondola: A key objective involves reaching a gondola system to traverse a large chasm. This area will be heavily defended by multiple waves of Solarii, including archers and shielded enemies. Clear the area methodically, using cover and prioritizing threats. Once the area is secure, activate the gondola to proceed.
• Final Ascent to the Monastery: After the gondola, the path leads to the base of the Monastery. This final push involves more intense platforming, including a section where you must climb a tall, rickety tower while under enemy fire. Use quick movements and cover to avoid being shot down.

Enemy Types and Combat Strategies

Shantytown throws a diverse array of Solarii cultists at Lara. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses is vital for survival. Upgrading your weapons and skills at base camps is highly recommended before engaging in major firefights.

• Standard Solarii: Armed with various firearms (pistols, rifles) and melee weapons. Easily dispatched with headshots. Use the Pistol or Bow.
• Archers: Often positioned on high ground, they can pin Lara down. Prioritize them immediately with your Bow or Rifle.
• Melee Rushers: Equipped with pickaxes or machetes, they will charge Lara directly. Use dodge counters (timing a dodge and then pressing melee) or the Shotgun to stop their advance. The Dodge Kill skill is invaluable here.
• Shielded Solarii: Carry wooden shields that block frontal attacks. Use the Shotgun to break their guard, or flank them. Explosive Arrows are also highly effective, often destroying the shield and damaging the enemy.
• Armored Solarii: Heavily armored, requiring multiple headshots or explosive damage to take down. Aim for exposed areas (head) or use powerful weapons like the Rifle with the Grenade Launcher or the Shotgun at close range. The Body Shot Damage skill for the rifle helps immensely.
• Flamethrower Solarii: A dangerous enemy encountered later in the area. Keep your distance and aim for the fuel tank on their back for an explosive finish. The Rifle is ideal for this.

General Combat Tips:

• Cover is King: Always utilize the abundant cover provided by the shacks and debris. Moving between cover is crucial.
• Stealth Takedowns: Use stealth to thin out enemy patrols before engaging in open combat. The Bow is excellent for silent kills, especially with the Headshot Reticle skill.
• Environmental Kills: Look for explosive barrels, weak structures, or ledges to push enemies off. Shooting ropes holding heavy objects can also crush enemies below.
• Weapon Variety: Switch between your Bow, Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun based on the situation. Upgrade your weapons at base camps frequently.
• Survival Instinct: Use Survival Instinct frequently to highlight enemies, collectibles, and interactive objects. This is especially useful in the darker sections of the Well of Tears.

Recommended Weapon Upgrades and Skills

Investing in the right upgrades and skills will significantly ease your journey through Shantytown's challenges.

Weapon Upgrades:

• Bow:
  • Compound Bow: Increased damage and range.
  • Explosive Arrows: Essential for armored enemies and groups.
  • Rope Arrows: Crucial for environmental puzzles and creating new paths.
• Pistol:
  • Silencer: Great for stealth takedowns and conserving ammo.
  • Extended Magazine: More shots before reloading.
• Shotgun:
  • Full Choke: Tighter spread, more effective at slightly longer ranges.
  • Damage Upgrade: Maximizes its close-quarters potential against shielded and heavy enemies.
• Assault Rifle:
  • Grenade Launcher: Highly effective against groups and armored foes. A game-changer in Shantytown.
  • Damage Upgrade: Improves overall effectiveness.

Skills (Survivor, Hunter, Brawler):

• Survivor Tree:
  • Survivalist: Increases salvage from crates. (Essential for upgrades)
  • Scavenging: Increases salvage from enemies.
  • Axe Climber: Allows faster climbing with the axe.
  • Axe Expert: Improves axe combat.
• Hunter Tree:
  • Arrow Retrieval: Recover more arrows from fallen enemies. (Crucial for bow users)
  • Headshot Reticle: Makes headshots easier with the bow.
  • Precision Shot: Increases bow damage for headshots.
  • Body Shot Damage: Increases rifle damage to the body, useful for armored enemies.
• Brawler Tree:
  • Dodge Kill: Perform an instant kill after a successful dodge, invaluable against melee rushers.
  • Dodge Counter: Stuns enemies after a successful dodge.
  • Pain Tolerance: Reduces damage taken.

Collectibles and Challenges

Shantytown is a treasure trove of collectibles and challenges. Dedicate time to explore thoroughly, as many are hidden in obscure corners or require backtracking once new gear (like the Rope Ascender) is acquired. Use your Survival Instinct often to highlight interactive objects and collectibles.

Relics (15 Total)

Relics are often found in small alcoves, hidden rooms, or behind destructible barriers. They provide insight into the island's history.

• Katakana Dictionary: Found near the initial entry point, often in a small shack or under a lean-to.
• Old Photograph: Can be found in one of the higher shacks after a major firefight, often on a table or shelf.
• Medicinal Herb Vial: Often located in a small cave or alcove accessible via platforming, sometimes near a waterfall.
• Ancient Sword: Hidden in a hard-to-reach area, possibly requiring a rope arrow to access.
• Jade Statue: Found within the Well of Tears, often in a side chamber.
• Hannya Mask: Located in the upper sections of Shantytown, possibly near the gondola station.

Documents (10 Total)

Documents provide lore and backstory, shedding light on the Solarii cult and the Endurance crew. They are usually found on tables, shelves, or near campfires.

• Solarii Journal Entries (e.g., "The Mission," "The Ritual"): Several entries detailing the cult's beliefs and activities, often found in Solarii camps.
• Endurance Crew Manifests (e.g., "Sam's Journal," "Grim's Log"): Documents shedding light on the fate of the Endurance crew, usually found in areas where the crew members were last seen.

GPS Caches (15 Total)

These small, glowing devices are often well-hidden. Listen for their distinctive beeping sound when nearby. Many require careful platforming or searching behind waterfalls and under structures.

• There are numerous GPS Caches scattered across all levels of Shantytown. Check under bridges, behind waterfalls, on high ledges, and inside abandoned shacks.

Challenges

Shantytown features several challenges that reward XP and provide a deeper understanding of the environment. Completing them contributes to 100% completion.

• Illumination (10 Lanterns): Destroy 10 Solarii lanterns. These are typically found hanging from shacks or poles. Use your bow to shoot them down.
• Egg Poacher (5 Nests): Destroy 5 bird nests. Look for nests high up in trees or on ledges, often requiring precise bow shots.
• Mine Sweeper (10 Mines): Disarm 10 Solarii tripwire mines. These are often found guarding pathways or entrances. Approach carefully and disarm them by interacting with them. They are usually marked by a red laser tripwire.
• Pyromaniac (4 Effigies): Burn 4 Solarii effigies. These large, wooden structures can be burned using fire arrows or by shooting nearby explosive barrels.

Tombs (1 Optional Tomb)

Shantytown contains at least one optional tomb, offering a unique puzzle and a significant reward. These are often hidden off the main path.

• Tomb of the Unworthy: Located in a hidden cave accessible from the main Shantytown area. Look for a small, easily missed entrance. The puzzle involves manipulating a hanging cage and using fire to burn away obstacles to reach the treasure.
  • Reward: Axe Upgrade (e.g., "Axe Climber" skill, allowing for faster climbing or new climbing surfaces, or a significant XP boost).

Base Camps

Several base camps are strategically placed throughout Shantytown, allowing you to fast travel, upgrade skills, and enhance weapons. Utilize them frequently.

• Shantytown Cliffside: Often the first camp you encounter upon entering the area, providing an early opportunity to upgrade.
• Well of Tears Entrance: Located just before or after the Well of Tears section, a crucial checkpoint.
• Gondola Station: Found near the gondola system, providing a good checkpoint before the next major area and a chance to prepare for the final ascent.
• Windmill: A camp located in the higher, more open sections of Shantytown, often near a large windmill structure.

Common Pitfalls and Missables

• Overlooking Stealth: Rushing into every encounter will quickly deplete your resources and health. Use stealth to your advantage, especially with the silenced pistol or bow.
• Ignoring Upgrades: Weapon and skill upgrades are crucial for surviving Shantytown's tougher enemies. Visit base camps frequently and spend your salvage and XP.
• Missing Collectibles: Many collectibles are in easily missed corners or require backtracking once new gear (like the Rope Ascender) is acquired. Use Survival Instinct and check your map regularly for areas you haven't fully explored.
• Underestimating Environmental Hazards: Don't just focus on enemies; the environment itself can be deadly. Watch your footing during platforming sections, and be aware of collapsing structures.
• Forgetting to Scavenge: Always loot fallen enemies and open resource crates to maintain your ammo and salvage supply. This is vital for keeping your weapons upgraded.
• Not Exploring Side Paths: Shantytown is designed with many optional paths and hidden areas. Take the time to explore every nook and cranny to find all collectibles and the optional tomb.