Tomb Raider Guide | How to Fight the First Group of Guards

A guide to fight the first group of guards in Tomb Raider.

Game Guide by Shadi on Dec 19, 2025

You now have your Pistol and must engage a hostile group. This section involves combat from cover, navigating an environmental hazard, and returning to stealth tactics.

Initial Combat with the Pistol

A game tip states that the Pistol is the optimal weapon here. Remain behind your cover and lean out only to fire. Aiming for an enemy's head will result in an immediate kill.

You receive 15 XP per eliminated guard, with a total bonus of 100 XP for clearing the area.

Tomb Raider, Guide, How to Fight the First Group of Guards

Looting and Forcing an Entry

Once all guards are defeated, search their bodies for supplies. Proceed forward and find a sealed building entrance. Use your Pry Axe by tapping the action button repeatedly to break it open.

Quick-Time Escape from Fire

After you enter, enemies will set the building ablaze. A button prompt will appear on screen. Tap this button several times in quick succession to have Lara escape. Failure to act swiftly will result in Lara burning.

Advancing and Switching to the Bow

You can now move forward, jumping across gaps as required. As you near a hill, the game will prompt you to switch back to the Makeshift Bow for a tutorial.

Take cover, aim, and fire a single shot to kill the guard ahead. While being spotted no longer causes instant death, it is best to remain undetected.

Tomb Raider, Guide, How to Fight the First Group of Guards

Climbing and Engaging a Second Group

Approach a climbable wall and ascend to an upper ledge. Follow the wooden balcony to its end, then jump to grab broken structural pieces on your left. Move left as far as possible, then climb up to the top ledge.

From this new cover position, use either your Bow or Pistol to engage the new enemies. Note that in addition to the two visible guards, a third will climb down a ladder to join the fight.

Also, check our Tomb Raider (2013) Review and Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition Review, and other guides below.