NOTE: This is a FIRST DRAFT. I have included every major collectible item, but I have not yet fully optimized the order in which they are collected. Combat strategy is based on the medium ("Tomb Raider") difficulty setting, so your experience may vary. In addition to the walkthroughs for each level, separate pages for Controls & Gameplay Tips, Crafting, Skill & Weapon Upgrades, and Collectible Items will be added soon.
SAVING, CHECKPOINTS & TECH SUPPORT: This game incorporates autosave checkpoints. If you only rely on one save slot, you may run into trouble if you get stuck, encounter a bug, or if your autosave becomes corrupted. To avoid problems, I highly recommend changing your save slot in the pause menu at least once per level. If you encounter a bug that can't be fixed by restarting the game, reloading a different save, restoring a backup save in the Xbox version, or rebuilding the game cache in the PC version, I encourage you to visit the Official Rise of the Tomb Raider Support Forum and or put in a support request with Square Enix. I also have PC save files for download.
SOVIET INSTALLATION
AREA 5A: INSTALLATION VISTA
Updated: 12/26/16(†)
Camps: Installation Vista
Weapons/Gear: Ancient Bow Part (1/4), Semi-Auto Pistol Part (2/4)
Relics: none (18) Documents: 3 (26) Murals: 2 (12) Coin Caches: 1 (9) Survival Caches: 3 (21) Strongboxes: 1 (14)
Monoliths: none (3) Archivist Maps: none (9) Explorer Satchels: none (6)
Challenge Tombs/Codices: none (3) Crypts: 1 (2) Challenges: 1 (4)* Missions: none (5)
Area Maps: Installation Vista & Train Yard Detail | Entire Soviet Installation
NOTE: The Soviet Installation is a HUGE area, so I have divided the walkthrough into several sections centered on the main base camps. This walkthrough covers the area from the start of the level to the Train Yard. Check the level menu for the others. The first number in each of the stat lines above is for this area alone. The number in parentheses is for the entire Soviet Installation. While all important items are noted in the walkthrough and annotated level map, you will not be able to get everything on your first pass. Also, while the document, relic, and strongbox locations are fixed, the exact items may vary depending on the order in which you find them.
For subsequent visits, check out the section below on Revisiting This Area Later in the Game and the separate Soviet Installation Collectibles Guides.
OBJECTIVE: Sneak into the Old Soviet Base
CLIFFSIDE ABOVE THE TRAIN YARD: After the cutscene, dig up a survival cache (1/21) buried near the wall to the north of the Installation Vista Base Camp. (screenshot) Then use the camp to make any skill and weapon upgrades you may have unlocked.
At this point, you can begin to specialize in a particular skill set (Brawler, Hunter, Survivor) or spread your early skills out among the three sets. I tend to do the latter, so I usually choose either Eye for Detail (Survivor), Iron Hide or Dodge Counter (Brawler) for my next upgrade. You may or may not have the resources needed for weapon upgrades right now, but don't forget you can also upgrade your climbing axe. You'll be using it throughout the game, so those improvements will be very useful.
NOTE: On the harder difficulty settings, some of the base camps require hardwood in order to start a fire. This camp does not require wood, since it is activated automatically following the cutscene. However, it's a good idea to keep some hardwood in your inventory for campfires as well as arrow crafting.
Ride the zip line down into the canyon and dig up another survival cache (2/21) on the left side of the path just before the orange metal pole that anchors the line. (screenshot) There are birds and rabbits to hunt, as well as some trees you can strip for hardwood.
If you need to get back up to the campsite before reaching the next fast-travel camp, there's a tall tree with broken branches you can use to reach a climbable wall and from there, climb back onto the ledge where you started. (screenshot)
THE ASTRONOMER'S CRYPT: Continue down the path, but before you reach the corpse leaning against the stump, there's a wooden box sitting on a ledge on the right. Open the box for some supplies. Then squeeze through the crack in the stone wall into the hidden area beyond. At this point, your in-game map is updated, showing you've discovered the entrance to a crypt—one of many you'll encounter during your travels. (screenshots)
Enter the CAVE ahead to initiate a Challenge: Into Darkness. The goal is to explore 5 caves scattered around the Soviet Installation. (This cave is marked C1 on the annotated level map.) Pick the 2 mushrooms on the ground ahead and collect 2 magnesite ore deposits, one on the right side of the cave, the other on the left near the bricked-up archway. Use your axe to break down the wall so you can get through the doorway into the cave beyond. (screenshots)
*NOTE: The Into Darkness Challenge can be started in this area, but most of the other caves are in the LOGGING CAMP area, which is covered on a separate page. There are more than 5 caves, so you can still complete the challenge without entering this particular crypt.
Pick up 2 Byzantine coins in the next small chamber. The next contains a mural (1/12) inscribed in Greek. It is called Kokkos, the Astronomer and can be reviewed in the Crypt Murals section of the Documents screen. If you've discovered all the other Greek writings so far, this should increase your proficiency to Level 3 Greek as well as giving XP. (screenshots)
Continue along the tunnel until you can drop down to a lower level. Enter the cave on the left with the dripping water and icicles. Go around to the right and jump from the end of the ledge to the slightly higher ledge on the far side of the room. Mine some magnesite ore and then continue into the dark alcove to find a document (1/26), Kokkos, The Astronomer from the Crypts of the Founders series. Examine it for XP and Greek proficiency. Drop down into the center of the cavern. Go through the small opening in the ice wall to find mushrooms, 2 Byzantine coins, and a container with cloth and another coin sitting on a ledge near a skeleton. Then return through the doorway in the ice and climb back onto the ledge on the right. Go through the archway into the main passage and continue downstairs to the left. (screenshots)
Where the passage widens, go through the rough archway on the left and climb up three ledges to find 2 coins and hardwood. Turn around and use Survival Instinct to spot another container on the high ledge opposite. Jump across to get it. Then climb back down, return to the main passageway, and continue to the left to find the crypt proper. Along with the remains of Kokkos of Nicea, there are 2 piles of coins, one behind the sarcophagus, one to the left (4 coins in all). Open the sarcophagus to receive an ANCIENT BOW PART (1/4) plus 3,000 Expedition credits. When you find the other three parts of this bow, you'll be able to build it at any base camp. (screenshots)
Return along the passage the way you came. When you reach the room with the broken ladder lying on the ground, scramble up the wall on the left and continue along the tunnel to the exit. Cross the open area and squeeze through the gap in the rocks to get back on the path.
OUTSKIRTS OF THE TRAIN YARD: Turn right and follow the path toward the sitting corpse. Lara goes into a defensive crouch, indicating there are enemies ahead. Examine the document (2/26) sitting on the stump near the body. This is First Kill from the Heart of Darkness series. (screenshot)
Move into the bushes as you approach the first Trinity soldier. Either take him out with a silent headshot or sneak up behind him and, when you see the Melee Icon above his head, press Y/F/Triangle to kill him with a bow choke. (screenshot)
Loot the body then move quietly into hiding behind the fuel drums ahead. If you're stealthy, the 2 soldiers here will not notice. A tutorial explains how to throw objects to create a distraction. press Interact to pick up one of the bottles lying on the ground. Hold LT/Right Mouse/L2 and you'll see a white arc, showing the trajectory the bottle will take when you throw it. Use the right stick/mouse to aim for the area to the left of the dilapidated train car. Then press RT/Left Mouse/R2 to toss the bottle. (Or press B/C/Circle to drop the bottle if you change your mind.) When you throw the bottle, one of the soldiers goes to investigate. Wait for the other to turn his back, then kill him with a headshot. Now quickly take out the other man before he realizes what has happened. (screenshots)
Search the bodies and crack open 2 salvage crates, one on each side of the old train car. There's also a rotten tree stump with some poison mushrooms off to the left of the train car, and hardwood saplings and birds' nests containing feathers in this area so you can craft more arrows. Use Survival Instinct if you're having trouble spotting them. (screenshot) There's also a survival cache (3/21) buried behind the boxes with the yellow strapping. (screenshot)
Now continue to the end of the path and scramble up through the opening in the metal structure. (screenshot) Lara sees that some of the nearby buildings are burning, and a helicopter, presumably carrying more Trinity operatives, has just arrived.
OBJECTIVE: Investigate the Helicopter Landing Area
SUPPLY DEPOT WITH LENIN STATUE: Drop down and stay to the right, out of sight of the Trinity soldiers ahead. There are 5 men talking among themselves, examining supplies, and generally doing vague, NPC-like things. With your limited arsenal, you do not want to fight them all at once. Better to take them out quietly, one at a time.
Before advancing, pick the herbs growing on the right near the metal platform. If you like you can scramble up onto the platform to get a bottle, but don't stay up there too long or you may be spotted. Move around the left side of the platform into the bushes. Now use Survival Instinct to scope out the situation. A tutorial reminds you that enemies highlighted in red can see each other so killing any of them will alert the others. Enemies that glow yellow can be killed without attracting attention, as long as you do it quickly and quietly. If necessary, you can throw bottles or lanterns to draw one enemy away from the others, but that probably won't be necessary here. (screenshots)
Take out the nearest man, either with a headshot from your bow once he's standing apart from the others, or by waiting until he approaches and using a stealth takedown. Now, if you're patient, the 2 guys in the middle should split up. Kill the one on the left with a headshot. Then go for the 2 inside the building. The one on the lower level mostly keeps his back turned, so you should be able to line up a headshot. The one above tends to pace back and forth. If you can't manage a headshot, use two quick shots in succession, which you can do more easily if you found the Ancient Abilities codex in the Ice Ship Challenge Tomb. Finally, move around to the right and finish off the last guy who seems to be romancing a wooden storage box. Either sneak up behind him for a stealth kill or take him out with a quick headshot. (screenshots)
Search all the bodies. There's also a box containing hardwood and magnesite ore, plus more herbs growing in front of the building on the right. Search around for hardwood trees and feathers too. Don't bother crafting arrows, though, since there are some already made inside the building.
BUILDING INTERIOR: Just inside, on the left, is a salvage crate. Enter and go up the stairs behind the computer display. (screenshot) At the top on the right is a mural (2/12). (screenshot) Examining it improves Lara's Russian and provides a little XP. (It is called Man of the People and can be reviewed in the Soviet Crests section of the Documents screen.)
On the same level as the mural, you'll find arrows, a container of cloth, a salvage crate, and a document (3/26): Mistakes from the series Conspiracy Theories. (screenshot) Exit through the doorway near the mural and proceed along the front of the building to the corner. Pry open the strongbox (1/14) to obtain a SEMI-AUTO PISTOL PART (2/4). (screenshot)
NOTE: The first part for this weapon was found in the Siberian Wilderness level. When you find the other two you can build the weapon at any base camp.
CLIMBING THE TOWER: Follow the catwalk and climb the yellow ladder near the painted star. Go around to the left and climb another ladder. Continue around to the back of the tower and jump forward to grab the ledge ahead. It swings downward, and you need to press Interact to hang on. Once the ledge settles, climb it like a ladder. Then jump to grab the bottom of the metal plate mounted on the wall to the left. Scramble up the painted metal surface and grab the top. Then climb around to the left and pull up into the top of the tower. Walk along the narrow beam, which juts out over the courtyard far below. Then ride the zip line down into the TRAIN YARD. (screenshots)
REVISITING THIS AREA LATER IN THE GAME
NOTE: The separate Soviet Installation Collectibles Guide includes all items, missions, and challenges, but you may want to wait to look at it until you've completed the level, since it does contain spoilers for later sections of this level.
COIN CACHE: When you decipher the monolith (3/3) near the SECOND WOLF DEN on the north side of the LOGGING CAMP, 3 coin caches will be revealed on your in-game map. One of them can be found just outside the cave leading to THE ASTRONOMER'S CRYPT. To get there, fast travel back to the Installation Vista Base Camp. Ride the zip line down from the cliff and then follow the path down the hill. Before you reach the corpse leaning against stump, squeeze through the crack in the stone wall on the right. (screenshot) The coin cache (9/9) is buried in the sheltered area just before the cave entrance. (screenshot)
SURVIVAL CACHE: In the course of completing The Unlucky Ones Mission, you'll come across an Explorer Satchel, which reveals the locations of several survival caches, including one here in the Installation Vista area. If you missed the third survival cache (3/21) earlier, head downhill past the corpse leaning against the stump until you come to the clearing with the boxcar where you killed some Trinity soldiers earlier. Use the map to help locate the cache, which is buried behind the boxes with the yellow strapping. (screenshot)
To get back to the base camp, return up the hill. Climb the tall tree with broken branches to reach a series of wooden handholds and ledges leading back to the top. (screenshot)
†UPDATE HISTORY: 12/23/15 - First draft of walkthrough posted online.
1/30/16 - Added PC keyboard controls. Also reordered a few collectibles in other parts of the Soviet Installation, which resulted in the last survival cache in this area also being renumbered (was 15/21, now 16/21).
2/7/16 - Renumbered survival caches again due to changes in other levels. 16/21 is now 17/21.
4/24/16 - Renumbered survival caches yet again. While drafting the Quick Collectible Guides, I decided it made more sense to number them in the order they appear in the levels. Other Soviet Installation maps and screenshots were also changed to reflect this. Also added a pickup I'd missed in the Astronomer's Crypt, thanks to a tip from Sam.
10/11/16 - Added PS4 controls.
12/26/16 - Added a few notes about the harder difficulty settings after completing the game on Survivor.
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