Rise of the Tomb Raider - Weapons and Weapon Upgrades

Updated: 10/11/17(†)

BOWS · HANDGUNS · RIFLES · SHOTGUNS · MELEE WEAPONS

This page includes a complete list of weapons, and weapon upgrades. Some are acquired as you play through the game. Some are crafted from found items. Some are rewards for completing missions or reaching in-game milestones, and a few are purchased DLC.

SELECTING AND CHANGING WEAPONS: Early in the game Lara has limited weaponry. You gradually find and unlock more weapons as you go. By the time you reach The Acropolis level you should have acquired each of the 4 basic weapon types—BOW, HANDGUN, RIFLE, and SHOTGUN—plus the COMBAT KNIFE and the CLIMBING AXE, which can be used as a melee weapon.

Lara can equip one of each basic weapon type at a time. To switch weapons while playing use the D-Pad or numbers 1-2-3-4 on the keyboard.

In order to swap out one weapon for another of the same type, you must use a Base Camp to access the Weapons menu. Here you can see the different types of BOW, HANDGUN, RIFLE, and SHOGTUN you've unlocked (if any), select the one from each type that you want to carry with you for now, and make upgrades using crafting ingredients you have found. More on this below.

If you're playing on PC and find yourself in a tough spot with the wrong weapon, you can reload the 'Last Campsite Save' in order to change your loadout and try again.

UPGRADING WEAPONS AND GEAR: Most weapons have four tiers of upgrades which you will unlock gradually. The first tier of upgrades is available as soon as you acquire a weapon. In order to unlock the second, third, and fourth, you must acquire special tools: the CRAFTING TOOL, the ENHANCEMENT TOOL, and REFINEMENT TOOL. You'll find two in strongboxes and buy the third from the SUPPLY SHACK in the Soviet Installation. Once you have unlocked a set of upgrades for a particular weapon, you'll still need to collect the necessary crafting ingredients to make each upgrade. A few upgrades have other prerequisites. These are detailed in the weapon menu, which you can peruse at any base camp.

Weapon attachments are covered below. Most attachments are automatically applied to all weapons of a particular type. Special ammo and equipment, such as arrow quivers and ammo pouches, are covered under Crafting.

This site also has a search function in case you're having trouble finding certain info.

BOWS

Makeshift Longbow · Recurve Bow · Compound Bow · Ancient Horn Bow · Grim Whisper · Death's Breath (DLC) · White Widow (DLC) · Guiding Light (DLC) · Dreamstinger (DLC)

MAKESHIFT LONGBOW

Lara makes this from items she finds in the Siberian Wilderness level. It's part of the story progression and can't be missed. This bow isn't very powerful but it's your only weapon for a while.

UPGRADES

TIER I

TIER II

RECURVE BOW

Found in the Gulag section of the Soviet Installation. It's part of the story progression, so you can't miss it. This bow replaces the makeshift longbow. Any upgrades you made to the Makeshift Longbow will carry over to the Recurve Bow.

UPGRADES

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

TIER IV

COMPOUND BOW

Built from 4 separate parts, which can be found inside strongboxes in the Soviet Installation. Strongbox locations are fixed but the contents are randomized, so you may not get the same parts I did in each location. Still, the walkthrough and level maps can help find the boxes themselves. Once you have all 4 parts, visit any base camp to craft and equip this bow. It deals heavy damage and is a good all-around choice for combat and stealthy sniping. Many of the upgrades from the Recurve Bow carry over to the Compound Bow.

UPGRADES:

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

TIER IV

ANCIENT HORN BOW

This is a reward for completing the Surveillance Disruption Mission in the Geothermal Valley. This Byzantine bow has a fast fire rate but does less damage per shot than the Compound Bow. Many of the upgrades from the Recurve and Compound Bows carry over.

UPGRADES:

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

TIER IV

GRIM WHISPER

Built from 4 separate parts found in the Crypts of the Founders. Two of these are in the Soviet Installation. Two are in the Geothermal Valley. When you have all the parts, assemble the bow at any base camp.

UPGRADES: Grim Whisper starts with a slightly higher base damage but otherwise has the same stats and upgrades as the Ancient Horn Bow, above. All upgrades carry over from one to the other.

DEATH'S BREATH (DLC skin)

This is part of the Tactical Survivor DLC pack. Its stats are exactly the same as the Compound Bow but it has carbon fiber limbs with orange accents.

WHITE WIDOW (DLC skin)

This is part of the Sparrowhawk DLC pack, which was originally only available as a pre-order bonus but is now for sale. Its stats are exactly the same as the Recurve Bow but it's made from bleached wood.

GUIDING LIGHT (DLC skin)

This is part of the Ancient Vanguard DLC pack, which is available separately or as part of the Season Pass. Its stats are exactly the same as the Ancient Horn Bow but it has some pretty gold accents.

DREAMSTINGER (DLC)

A reward for completing the Baba Yaga: Temple of the Witch DLC. This bow is similar to the other ancient bows but adds a special upgrade to poison arrows so they cause enemies to hallucinate. Except for this, the stats and upgrades are exactly the same as the Ancient Horn Bow, above.

SPECIAL ARROWS

Fire arrows, poison arrows, grenade arrows, and other special arrow types are covered on the Crafting and Equipment page.

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HANDGUNS

Revolver · Semi-Auto Pistol · Heavy Pistol · Python/Venom Hand Cannon (DLC) · Moon Shadow (DLC) · Accipiter Nox (DLC) · Rattlesnake (DLC) · Hailstorm (DLC) · Handgun Attachments

During the Syria level, Lara carries a pistol with unlimited ammo. Once the story takes you to Siberia, she's stranded without any weapons, so it will be a little while until you acquire a new handgun.

REVOLVER

Lara acquires this weapon in the Train Yard area of the Soviet Installation. It's part of the story progression and can't be missed. This is not a very powerful gun, but for a while it will be your only alternative to the bow.

UPGRADES:

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

TIER IV

SEMI-AUTO PISTOL

Assembled from 4 separate parts found in strongboxes. Since the contents of each strongbox may vary, I can't give precise directions here, but you can find all strongbox locations in my walkthroughs and accompanying level maps. Once you have all 4 parts, visit any base camp to assemble and equip the weapon. With its faster fire rate and generally improved stats, the Semi-Auto Pistol is a step up from the Revolver, and many of the upgrades from the Revolver carry over.

UPGRADES:

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

TIER IV

HEAVY PISTOL

Built from 4 separate parts found in strongboxes. Again, strongbox contents are somewhat random, so try to find them all using the walkthroughs and level maps if necessary. When you have all the parts, visit any base camp to build the weapon. It does more damage than the Semi-Auto Pistol but compensates with a slower fire rate. Most of the previous handgun upgrades carry over.

UPGRADES:

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

TIER IV

PYTHON OR VENOM HAND CANNON (DLC)

This gun is part of the Apex Predator DLC pack, which was originally a pre-order bonus but is now available for purchase. I'm not sure why, but certain versions of this pack call the weapon the "Python Hand Cannon," while others call it the "Venom Hand Cannon." It seems to be the same weapon in any case. It has a slower fire rate and smaller ammo capacity than most of the other handguns but deals heavy damage. Its upgrade tree is identical to the Revolver.

MOON SHADOW (DLC Skin)

This is part of the Remnant Resistance DLC pack offered as a pre-order bonus when purchasing the game through the Xbox Store. The gun's stats are identical to the Heavy Pistol, above, but it has a sexy black finish and an ivory grip inlay.

ACCIPITER NOX (DLC Skin)

This is part of the Siberian Ranger DLC pack. Its stats are identical to the Semi-Auto Pistol, above, but it has a sexy black finish and an ivory grip inlay.

RATTLESNAKE (DLC Skin)

This was a Community Reward given to everyone who played the game during the first month (November 2015). Its stats are identical to the Revolver, but it has a shiny gold finish. Perhaps this will be released again in the future.

HAILSTORM (DLC)

This automatic machine pistol is reminiscent of the Uzi from the classic Tomb Raider games. It has the same upgrades as the Semi-Auto Pistol but does slightly less damage and has a larger ammo capacity and faster fire rate. It is part of the 20 Year Celebration DLC pack.

HANDGUN ATTACHMENTS

Pistol Sight – Increases zoom factor, applied to all handguns, cannot be removed. This is a reward for completing the Dangerous Territory Mission in the Soviet Installation.

Pistol Suppressor – Quiets shots for stealth, applied to all handguns, cannot be removed. Purchased from the Supply Shack in the Soviet Installation.

SPECIAL AMMUNITION

Hollow-point bullets are covered on the Crafting and Equipment page.

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RIFLES

Assault Rifle · SMG · Bolt Action Rifle · Military Rifle · Goldenfang (DLC) · Snowflake (DLC) · Rifle Attachments

ASSAULT RIFLE

This will be your first rifle. It is obtained in the Gulag section of the Soviet Installation as part of the story progression, so it can't be missed.

UPGRADES:

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

TIER IV

SUBMACHINE GUN (SMG)

Built from 4 components found in various strongboxes. Again, the contents of each strongbox varies. Check the walkthroughs and level maps if you're having trouble locating any of the boxes. This gun has a faster fire rate than the Assault Rifle but does less damage per round. Many of the upgrades from the Assault Rifle carry over to the SMG.

UPGRADES:

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

TIER IV

BOLT ACTION RIFLE

Built from 4 components found inside various strongboxes. This gun is much slower to fire and reload than the other rifles but its heavy damage makes it a great sniper rifle, especially once you unlock the suppressor and laser sight, below. Some upgrades carry over from the other rifles.

UPGRADES:

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

TIER IV

MILITARY RIFLE

This multi-purpose rifle offers a good balance of damage and speed. It can be purchased from the Supply Shack in the Soviet Installation. Many of the upgrades from the other rifles carry over to this one.

UPGRADES:

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

TIER IV

GOLDENFANG (DLC Skin)

This was a Community Reward given out for the milestone of 55 million headshots made. Its stats are identical to the Bolt Action Rifle, but it has a shiny gold finish.

SNOWFLAKE (DLC Skin)

This is part of some DLC pack or Community Reward yet to be announced. When I have details, I will add them here. Its stats are identical to the Military Rifle, above, but it has an arctic camo paint job. Apparently some PC players received the Snowflake skin but then lost it in a subsequent patch. (See this thread on the Steam Forums.)

RIFLE ATTACHMENTS

Rifle Suppressor – Reduces noise of gunfire. Applied to all rifles. Cannot be removed. A reward for completing the Gulag Recon Mission in the Soviet Installation.

Laser Sight – Increases zoom factor and adds an aim pointer. Applied to all rifles. Cannot be removed. Purchased from the Supply Shack in the Soviet Installation.

Grenade Launcher – Launches frag grenades using the Alt Fire button. Applied to all rifles. Cannot be removed. Purchased from the Supply Shack in the Soviet Installation.

SPECIAL AMMUNITION

Grenades are covered on the Crafting and Equipment page.

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SHOTGUNS

Pump-Action Shotgun · Break-Action Shotgun · Full-Auto Shotgun · Tactical Shotgun · Shotgun Attachments

PUMP-ACTION SHOTGUN

This weapon is given to Lara before the battle against the Trinity invaders in the Geothermal Valley. It is part of the story progression, so you can't miss it.

UPGRADES:

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

TIER IV

BREAK-ACTION SHOTGUN

This weapon is assembled from 4 components found inside various strongboxes. This gun does heavy damage, especially at close range but it is slow to reload and has limited ammo capacity. A few of the upgrades from the Pump-Action Shotgun also apply here.

UPGRADES:

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

TIER IV

FULL-AUTO SHOTGUN

This weapon is assembled from 4 pieces found inside strongboxes. It is faster to fire and reload than the Pump-Action or Break-Action guns but does less damage. Some of the upgrades from the other shotguns also apply here.

UPGRADES:

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

TIER IV

TACTICAL SHOTGUN

This shotgun is a good all-round close-combat weapon. It's not as powerful as the Break-Action Shotgun, but it has much faster fire and reload speeds. It can be purchased from the Supply Shack in the Soviet Installation. Most of the upgrades for this gun also apply to the other shotguns.

UPGRADES:

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

TIER IV

THUNDERCLAP

This golden shotgun is a reward for 100% Completion. It similar to the Break-Action Shotgun but does even more damage per round. Its other stats are moderate except for its small ammo capacity.

UPGRADES: Identical to the Break-Action Shotgun, above.

VOIDHAMMER (DLC Skin)

This is part of the Cold Darkness Awakened DLC pack, which is available separately or as part of the Season Pass. Its stats are identical to the Break-Action Shotgun, above, but it has a slightly different look with some brass accents.

HARBINGER (DLC Skin)

This was a Community Reward given to all players to celebrate the discovery of 18,000,000 campsites game wide. Its stats are identical to the Full-Auto Shotgun, above, but it has a distressed red paint job.

SHOTGUN ATTACHMENTS

Shotgun Spreader Choke – Narrows the shot spread for more focused damage. Applied to all shotguns and cannot be removed. This is a reward for completing the Misguided Intelligence Mission in the Soviet Installation.

SPECIAL AMMUNITION

Incendiary shotgun shells, called Dragonfire shells in this game, are covered on the Crafting and Equipment page.

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MELEE WEAPONS

Climbing Axe · Combat Knife

CLIMBING AXE

Lara's climbing axes are available throughout the game. In-game tutorials explain climbing with axes, using the axe as a lever or pry bar, and using the axe as a melee weapon. Some time around the Siberian Wilderness level, you will unlock your first upgrades. Try to complete all axe upgrades as soon as you can. It will make them much stronger in combat, allowing you to do more damage and even break through enemy armor. You'll also save time and button mashing when prying open doors and containers.

UPGRADES:

TIER I

TIER II

TIER III

Deathsong Hatchet (DLC Skin)

This is part of the Wilderness Survivor DLC pack, which is available separately or as part of the Season Pass. When you equip the Nightshade outfit from this pack, Lara's axes automatically appear as twin hatchets. Their stats are unchanged.

Wreckoner Battle Axe (DLC Skin)

This is part of the Hope's Bastion DLC pack. When you equip the outfit from this pack, Lara's axes automatically appear as twin battle axes. Their stats are unchanged.

Vintage Pickaxe (DLC Skin)

This is part of the Endurance Mode DLC pack. When you equip the outfit from this pack, Lara's axes automatically appear as pickaxes. The outfit also confers increased melee damage.

COMBAT KNIFE

This bit of gear is found in the Abandoned Mines. It is required for progression so you can't miss it. The knife is used to cut rope lines (by standing close and pressing Melee) and is also used to attack enemies if you've unlocked the Death From Above skill.

Piercing Truth Dagger (DLC Skin)

This is part of the Prophet's Legacy DLC pack, which is available separately or as part of the Season Pass. When you equip the Immortal Guardian outfit from this pack, Lara's knife automatically changes into an dagger with an ornate scabbard.

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[Main Rise of the Tomb Raider Page]

†UPDATE HISTORY: 4/1/16 - Page first posted online. 4/2/16 - Added the Wire Spool, a key piece of equipment that does not appear in the Inventory, and a note about Greek Fire under Fire Arrows.
9/14/16 - Sections on ammo and equipment crafting moved to the separate Crafting and Equipment page.
11/26/16 - Added the Hailstorm machine pistol.
10/11/17 - Corrected the listing for the Accipiter Nox pistol, thanks to Pedro.


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