Tomb Raider Guide | How to Reach the Research Base to Find the Tomb

Here's a guide on how to reach the Research Base to find the Tomb in Tomb Raider.

Game Guide by Shadi on Dec 17, 2025

This walkthrough covers the Research Base segment of the Storm Chaser mission. Your goal is to navigate the flooded facility, solve a multi-floor elevator puzzle, and safely reach the entrance to the Ancient Tomb.

Initial Descent into the Base

Start by using your Climbing Axe on the interactive wall. Descend and release at the bottom to land in water. Proceed forward, watching for secrets.

Cross the flooded corridor until you find another climbable wall. Use the Climbing Axe to ascend, then locate and squeeze through a crack.

Entering the Research Lab

Jump down into the research lab. Be aware that two bandits are in the next room. Attack them by surprise to avoid a prolonged fight. After they are dealt with, drop down into another flooded corridor.

Tomb Raider, Guide, Reach the Research Base, Find the Tomb

Accessing the Staircase Control Console

Move ahead and climb onto a ledge. Continue until you find a control console. Interact with it to unlock the staircase. You begin on the second floor. To progress, you must reach the first floor by solving an elevator puzzle.

Beginning the Elevator Puzzle

Remain on the second floor and interact with a terminal to call the elevator. Listen to Lara's observation. The objective is to destroy four elevator control mechanisms. This will cause the elevator to fall, opening the path to the first floor.

Destroying the First Mechanism

From the terminal, turn right and climb a nearby crate. Use your Climbing Axe to destroy the first mechanism.

Using the Elevator Shaft to Explore

Enter the elevator. Inside, find a hole in the wall and jump through it to reach the staircase. You can now open a previously blocked door on the second floor from this side using your axe, granting full access to the upper staircase.

Tomb Raider, Guide, Reach the Research Base, Find the Tomb

Destroying the Second Mechanism

Go to the fourth floor by jumping across a broken section of stairs. Call the elevator from here. Return to the third floor, find a ladder, and climb it. In the narrow passage at the top, locate and destroy the second mechanism with your axe.

Destroying the Third Mechanism

Climb down the ladder. Face the elevator shaft and use your shotgun to destroy a barricade on the left wall. Call the elevator to the third floor and wait for it.

Then, return to the fourth floor. Call the elevator again, but immediately jump down the shaft to land on its roof.

As it passes the destroyed barricade, jump to the opposite interactive wall and catch it with your axe. Traverse left, jump to another wall, and continue to a small balcony. Destroy the third mechanism there.

Destroying the Final Mechanism

Jump down to the staircase. Go to the third floor and call the elevator. Start heading to the second floor, but stop halfway when you see a balcony. Jump to it. Destroy the fourth and final mechanism here to complete the puzzle, earning 100 XP.

Getting to the First Floor and Moving Toward the Tomb

Go back to the second floor. To reach the first floor, leap into the vacant elevator shaft. Use a hole in the wall to access the western corridor.

There are two bandits ahead, so proceed cautiously down the next corridor. Don't attack until they've turned away. Once the area has been secured, proceed westward along the straight line.

The Ancient Tomb will be your destination. To start a cutscene, ascend the stairs. Attempting to leave the chamber will then start a new battle.

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