The Survivor Tomb Raider trilogy's final installment, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, introduces a vast skill tree offering players unprecedented freedom to customize Lara Croft. Unlike its predecessors, this game empowers players to tailor Lara's abilities to match their preferred playstyle. Navigating this expansive skill tree can be overwhelming, so here are crucial skills to acquire early on for a smoother start in Lara's adventure through Mexico and Peru.

7 Puma's Charge

Ability: Speed Up Draw Weight, Reduce Time Between Charged Shots

• Skill Points: 2pts

The bow is Lara's weapon of choice for stealth and precision in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Puma's Charge skill accelerates arrow drawing, crucial for silent long-range eliminations. Swift charged shots not only aid in hunting but also in dispatching enemies swiftly and quietly.

6 Puma's Feint

Ability: Counter Unarmored Foes After Dodging

• Skill Points: 2pts

In close combat, Puma's Feint skill allows Lara to incapacitate unarmored enemies swiftly. Dodging is key to survival, and countering after dodging provides a tactical advantage, especially against the numerous unarmored foes encountered early in the game.

5 Serpent's Strike

Ability: Execute Stealth Takedowns Silently

• Skill Points: 1pt

Stealth is paramount in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Serpent's Strike skill enables silent takedowns, crucial for maintaining stealth and avoiding alerting nearby enemies. Prioritizing this skill enhances the core stealth mechanics of the game.