Mission Of San Juan Tomb Puzzle And Exploration Guide
Exploring the Mission of San Juan in Shadow of the Tomb Raider offers players some of the most intricate environmental puzzles in the entire campaign. Navigating through the regional challenges requires careful observation, resourcefulness, and a strong grasp of water and light mechanics. This guide breaks down essential exploration techniques and provides clear solutions to master the tombs hidden within this lush territory.
Finding and Navigating the Hidden Tomb Intrance
Locating the entrance to the local challenge tomb begins near the flooded ruins east of the main hub. Players must dive into underwater passages while carefully avoiding aggressive aquatic wildlife like moray eels. Clearing wooden barriers with rope arrows allows you to drain submerged chambers and advance deeper into the cavern system.
Submerged rafts play a crucial role in creating pathways across deep pools. Cutting the ropes binding these wooden platforms allows them to float to the surface, granting access to high ledges. Maintaining awareness of nearby base camps ensures you can save your progress before entering the main puzzle chambers.
Mastering the Water Level Mechanics
The core challenge inside the Thirsty Gods tomb revolves around manipulating water levels to reach ancient rewards. Players must operate central turning mechanisms to divert water currents onto large stone blocks or water wheels. Lowering the water level reveals essential anchor points and floating platforms necessary for traversal.
Timing is critical when connecting rope tethers between moving gears and structural floodgates. If water continues to turn the wheel for too long, tension will snap the rope and force you to reset the mechanism. Securing the raised gate quickly allows Lara to swim through the newly opened passage before the timer expires.
Solving Library and Light Refraction Puzzles
Beyond challenge tombs, the main narrative inside San Juan features elaborate library puzzles centered around light manipulation and ancient murals. Players must break down compromised walls to reveal light sources that activate hidden mechanisms. Adjusting reflective mirrors directs beams toward specific Stations of the Cross depictions to open secret crypt doors.
Collaborating with companions like Jonah is often necessary to clear debris or adjust heavy mirror stands. Selecting the correct station based on historical clues prevents triggering unwanted environmental traps. Navigating these multi-stage riddles rewards players with rich lore entries and critical story progression.
Claiming Exploration Rewards and Skill Upgrades
Completing the tomb challenges in Mission of San Juan yields powerful survival perks that enhance Lara's combat capabilities. Reaching the central altar grants unique abilities such as Sip's Strike, which increases damage dealt by charged arrows against heavily armored foes. Gathering nearby resource caches and ancient artifacts further maximizes your overall completion status.
Thoroughly searching every corner of the tomb ensures you do not miss rare crafting materials or relic collectibles. Leaving the tomb through upper exit tunnels provides a swift route back to the surface world. Utilizing these exploration strategies turns complex puzzle rooms into straightforward, highly rewarding milestones.