Tomb Raider Guide | How to Rescue the Captured Crew

A guide about the Geothermal Caverns and releasing the hostages in Tomb Raider.

Game Guide by Shadi on Dec 19, 2025

You will awaken in a different location following the ritual cave cutscene. To free the captured Endurance crew members, you must navigate the perilous Geothermal Caverns, eliminate adversaries along the way, and solve an environmental puzzle.

Initial Navigation and Exploration

Head south through the corridors after you climb out of the blood pool. Keep going east until you hit the Geothermal Caverns. Keep your eyes open—there are tons of Collectibles scattered around here.

Grab the arrows near a corpse, then shoot a Fire Arrow at the explosive gas cloud to blow up the barricade blocking your path.

Just make sure you're not holding a lit Torch when you go through the gas, or you'll take damage. You can also stop at the Base Camp here if you want to unlock the sixth Lara's Journal.

Tomb Raider, Guide, How to Rescue the Captured Crew

First Combat Encounter and Progression

Squeeze through the narrow rock passage, and you'll trigger a cutscene. When it's over, turn right and head down. Get into cover and fire a Fire Arrow at the gas cloud to take out at least one enemy and scatter the others.

Check the side passages in this part of the cave for Collectibles. Look for a handwheel you can turn. Back up and shoot a Fire Arrow at the gas that comes out—this'll blow up the gate.

Stealth and Combat Through the Eastern Passage

Go through the eastern passage you just opened, but duck into cover right away. Two guards are going to come at you. Wait until they split up, then take them out one by one with stealth kills or arrows.

Grab some arrows and carefully move toward the next group while staying in cover. Fire a Fire Arrow at a gas cloud to ambush them, but stay behind cover and keep an eye on the enemies trying to flank you. Once the fight's over, search around for supplies.

Ascending and Traversing the Upper Levels

Head to the barricaded passage, then turn around and take the path up to the upper levels of the cave. There's a Base Camp called Catacombs nearby if you need it. Find the Valve you can interact with and use it.

Back up and shoot a Fire Arrow at the gas—this'll shift a big crate. Jump on the crate and use it to reach a higher ledge (you'll need to bounce off the wall). From up here, shoot the gas cloud near the group of guards to take them out.

Upper Gallery and Further Infiltration

Move along the upper gallery until you spot a climbable wall. Use your Climbing Axe to scale it.

At the top, keep going until you reach the fourth section of the caves. Start sneaking when you get close to more enemies. Take out the first lone guard with a stealth kill, then head left and drop another one with your Bow.

For the larger group, use Fire Arrows on the gas clouds rather than fighting them head-on. When everyone's down, loot the bodies and search the area.

Puzzle Mechanics and Gas Manipulation

Head west, and you'll find a Valve you can smash with your Climbing Axe. Before you blow it up, though, shoot a Rope Arrow at the marked spot to pull the wooden structure out of the way. Then fire a Fire Arrow at the gas. The explosion will open up a passage on the right.

Escape Sequence and Final Confrontation

You need to get out of here fast. Sprint down the corridor you just unlocked without stopping. When Lara starts sliding, keep running through the gas-filled area; otherwise, you'll be poisoned.

Grab onto the ledge when you can to keep moving. Take out the last group of guards—start with the lone one and be ready for backup to show up.

Tomb Raider, Guide, How to Rescue the Captured Crew

Hostage Rescue Puzzle

To get the hostages out of their cages, you'll need to work through a puzzle with several steps. First, go left and find the Valve. Smash it with your Climbing Axe, then back up and shoot a Fire Arrow at the gas. The explosion will open a passage above you.

Use it to reach the upper ledges, then jump to the rope platform, and from there to the cages. Get on the other side of a cage and fire a Fire Arrow at the gas below it. Then quickly shoot another Fire Arrow at the second gas cloud above to push the big object further.

If you're too slow, just do the two shots again. Climb back to the top of the cage, and when Lara lets go, hit the action button right away. Jump from the cage to the next platform. Use your Climbing Axe to destroy the two Valves here.

For the last part, position yourself where you can see both gas clouds at once. Fire a single Fire Arrow to set off both explosions at the same time—this'll free the hostages.

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