Among the new additions to the Tomb Raider gameplay formula is skill management. In this game Lara posses three different types of skills, related to the three main aspects of the game: surviving, hunting and fighting. The skills are really diverse and all serve a certain, useful purpose: leveling them up will be bring some good advantages whenever you level them up. In the end it all depends on your playstyle: some gamers may be better and uncovering treasures and areas or discovering enemies while some other may be better in the combat sequences of the game. You can improve these skills to improve your abilities in your best field or get some help in some other field where you are not so good. We’re not talking about role playing game level of customization but having a choice is better than having none at all! The inclusion of skills also makes the gameplay experience somewhat deeper. To improve your skills you’ll have to fill Lara’s experience shield, obtaining a single skill point used to improve unlocked skills or unlocking new skills. You will have to invest 7 skill points in rookie skills to unlock the higher tier; to unlock the final tier, seven more points must be used. Get as much experience as you can and you will be able to unlock most skills in the game as soon as possible.
Hunter Skills
Heavy Lifter is a hardened skill. With this skill you will be able to carry the max amount of ammunition for all your weapons. This skill can only be mastered after learning the Ammo Capacity one. Between this one and Orienteering I found the latter to be of more use, overall. But it mostly depends on your own playstyle so it’s really up to you. Please note that to unlock the extremely useful Cartography skill you will be needing 7 skill points, meaning that sooner or later you may want to learn Heavy Lifter as well since it’s still more useful than other hardened skills. It’s just the timing that could be different. In any case it’s not an essential skill and you’ll be able to make it through the game even learning it late during the single player campaign.
