This DLC is part of the Rise of the Tomb Raider 20 Year Celebration edition. If you already own the original version of the game on PC or Xbox One, you can get this DLC as part of the Season Pass or by purchasing the 20 Year Celebration pack. If you're having trouble activating the DLC, see here. You can play this DLC any time after reaching the Siberian Wilderness level in the main story. To access the new content, choose Croft Manor from the main menu. Then choose New Story - Blood Ties. (New Expedition - Lara's Nightmare will be covered in a separate section.) Both PlayStation VR and SteamVR include support for Blood Ties.
You can't save your game during Croft Manor except via the autosave. If you quit and return later, the game should allow you to continue from where you left off. As far as I know, there are no known issues, but you can always refer to the Rise of the Tomb Raider Master Bug Post on the Square Enix forums if you run into trouble.
BLOOD TIES (CROFT MANOR) DLC
Updated: 12/11/17(†)
Relics: 54 Documents: 40 Murals: 2
Area Maps: Croft Manor*
NOTE: The in-game map is upside down. Lara refers to the wing with her mother's bedroom and atelier as the "west wing," but it's on the right side of the map. So that means east is left, north is down, and south is up on the map.
OBJECTIVE: Open Lord Croft's Safe
During the initial cutscene Lara reads a letter from her uncle ordering her to vacate the manor unless she can find legal proof to support her claim of ownership. This counts as document #1.
To streamline the walkthrough, all documents and relics are listed in a table at the end of the walkthrough in the same order in which they appear in the in-game Document and Relic viewers. Since most are not difficult to find, especially using Survival Instinct, this should make it easier to zero in on any you may have missed the first time. Also, the objectives are updated more frequently than I have listed. I've just included the major goals. Check the in-game map screen if you forget your current objective.
RICHARD CROFT'S STUDY: Lara notices the locked wall safe. The first major puzzle is to piece together the combination for the safe by examining various documents and relics. While you're here, pick up the following collectibles:
OBJECTIVE: Find an Alternate Route to the Library
CORRIDOR TO STUDY: Exit the study into the adjacent corridor. The door on the left leads to the LIBRARY, but it's locked. You'll need to find another way in. Examine relic #8, a hand-drawn map Lara made as a child, sitting on the boxes on the right side of the corridor. (screenshot) This map provides a clue to help you reach the LIBRARY.
The entrance to the SERVANTS' PASSAGES is just ahead on the right, but if you try to enter, Lara says it's too dark. You'll need to find a flashlight before you can explore here. For now, let's go after a few more pickups. Relic #9, an Ankh from Richard's collection, is in a glass case opposite the servants' entrance. (screenshot) Continue to the end of the corridor and enter the next room.
EAST WING SITTING ROOM: Pick up document #4, a note from Lara to her dad, on the red leather chair near the fireplace and document #5 on the coffee table near the open laptop. Then examine the suit of armor in the corner by the door. This actually counts as mural #1. (screenshot) There is also an entry about it under Documents, but the Suits of Armor series is not counted toward the 40-document total. Continue through the doorway near the suit of armor.
MAIN HALL UPPER LEVEL: Head to the left along the upper level. Open the lacquered cabinet to find relic #10, a Phoenix Figurine. (screenshot) Continue along the upper level to the far corner, where you'll find relic #11, a cigarette case sitting on a windowsill. (screenshot) There's also a locked trunk. Later, you'll find the key to open it.
As you continue around the upper level, Lara remembers an incident in which her father warned her away from the WEST WING, where her mother's rooms had been. These doors are locked, but again, we'll find the key shortly. Descend the main staircase.
MAIN HALL LOWER LEVEL: There are several items to collect here. As you come down the main staircase, you'll see another leather-bound diary on the table by the hearth. This is document #6, one of Amelia's diary entries. In the main entryway, on the far side of the room, is a box containing a FLASHLIGHT. This also counts as relic #12, part of the "Gear" set. (screenshot) When you retrieve the flashlight, Lara attaches it to her lapel. She'll automatically turn it on when necessary, so you're ready to explore that dark passageway. But first make a few more pickups.
On the table opposite the box that held the flashlight, pick up Lara's phone to hear document #7, a message to Jonah. (screenshot) Just around the corner, on a shelf near a desiccated potted palm, is document #8 another letter from Atlas de Mornay, and relic #13, an Ouroboros amulet in a glass case. (screenshot)
Finally head for the alcove to the left of the staircase, near the rubble-strewn hole in the floor to find another ancestor's bust sitting in an alcove. This is relic #14. (screenshot)
There's nothing more we can do here now, so climb the stairs and head to the right, back into the EAST WING SITTING ROOM and the CORRIDOR TO THE STUDY. Go through the door on the right, just before the study. If you activate Survival Instinct, you'll notice it's marked with a child's handprints. (screenshot) Now that Lara has the FLASHLIGHT, you'll be able to see where you're going.
NOTE: Unless you actually examined relic #8, Lara's map, you will not be able to open the hidden door to the servants' passages.
Objective: Use the Servants' Passages to Reach the Library
SERVANTS' PASSAGES: Behind the door is document #9 a letter from Lara's uncle to her mother. (screenshot) Go down the stairs. At the bottom, retrieve document #10, one of Richard Croft's audio recordings. (screenshot) The door next to this document doesn't open yet, so continue down to the basement. At the bottom of the stairs, sitting on a wooden crate, is document #11 another letter from Atlas to Amelia. (screenshot)
WINE CELLAR: Enter the dank cellar lined with shelves of old bottles. Pass by the rolling cart for now and continue to the end of the main isle, where you'll find document #12, a note from Winston to Lara's father, sitting on a wooden table near a green chair. (screenshot)
Turn around and head back the way you came. Grab the rolling cart and push it out of the way. Then move through the gap between the shelves on the left. (screenshot) Ahead on the right is the servants' dining table. After a brief flashback, examine relic #15, the chessboard Lara and Winston used to use. (screenshot) You'll need to find a CROWBAR in order to open the 2 metal lockers here.
Turn around and head back down this aisle. Just ahead on the left, is another of Amelia's journals, document #13, and a little farther along, on one of the wooden shelves, is document #14 written by Winston. (screenshot)
Go through the gap between the wooden crates and shelves that held the last two documents. Turn right and continue to the end of the aisle. Pull another rolling cart out of the way. Go around behind it and pull the next rolling cart to clear the doorway. Go back around to the other side of the shelves, turn left, and continue through the doorway that was previously blocked by the cart. (screenshot) Just beyond the doorway is relic #16, a crystal decanter. (screenshot)
BASEMENT TUNNELS: Proceed forward through a low tunnel. At the first bend, you'll spot a relic behind the fence on the left. You can't reach it from here, but you'll approach it from behind shortly. Continue through a section with rusty water on the floor and old iron pipes lining the walls and ceiling. Turn left at the painted wooden bird figure. (screenshot) Proceed straight ahead, keeping the long basement wall on your right, until you come to the far corner. Turn left here, then right, then left again, still walking through the rusty water. As you step out of the water onto the earthen floor, go around the wooden barrier to the back right corner to find relic #17, Lara's mummified teddy bear in its tiny sarcophagus. (screenshot)
Turn around and leave this alcove, heading toward the back right corner of the basement when facing away from the box where you found the bear mummy. Watch out for the "deadly trap" laid out ahead. A yellow plastic box suspended from the ceiling with a rope snare below. In the middle of the snare is relic #18, a Trap Mechanism crafted by Winston. (screenshot)
Continue around to the right into a part of the tunnel lined with collapsed brickwork. A little farther on, you emerge into a dry section of the basement. There's a metal door on the left, but it is just for decoration. It won't open even when you find a key. Squeeze through the gap between the piled-up wooden crates. (screenshot) Then immediately make a U-turn to the left (screenshot) to find relic #19, the Anubis bust you glimpsed through the fence earlier. (screenshot)
Go back the way you came and continue forward past the electrical breaker box and another metal locker you can't open yet. Climb the ladder to the floor above. (screenshot) Before entering the LIBRARY, examine relic #20, a set of renovation plans, and document #15, one of Lord Croft's journals. Then push through the door marked with young Lara's handprints. (screenshot)
OBJECTIVE: Search for the Combination in the Library
LIBRARY: The secret panel you just came through closes behind you as you enter the LIBRARY, leaving only a wall of bookshelves. First, head to the right and activate the gramophone to hear a nostalgic track from Tomb Raider 2. Examine the suit of armor, at the west end of the room. This counts as mural #2. (screenshot) It also unlocks one of the Suits of Armor documents, but this is not counted toward the total. There are a number of other collectibles in this room.
On the southwest side of the library there's a rolling ladder that will enable you to access the upper level. (screenshot) Pull it to the left and climb up. Turn right and pull the rolling cart out of the way. Then climb back down, push the ladder back into its original position, and climb back up again. With the cart out of the way, you can now can make your way around the far side of the upper level. Here you'll find relic #27, another of Lara's childhood Expedition Maps, sitting on top of a locked chest. (screenshot)
Climb or jump down to the floor. Stand near the fireplace and hold Interact to use the LIGHTER to light the fire. (screenshot) Then press Interact again to hold the map you just found up to the fire. This activates the invisible ink so you can see the complete map. The revealed map counts as a separate relic #28.
Objective: Use the Treasure Map to Find the Master Key
Turn around to and approach the chest near the bookshelves. Now that you've deciphered the map, this chest moves. (screenshot) Push it aside to find a metal box underneath. Open it to find relic #29, the MASTER KEY, which will allow you to open the locked doors and chests throughout the manor.
Use the rolling library ladder to climb back to the upper level. Go around to the right and use the key to open the chest upon which the expedition map was resting. (screenshot) Inside is relic #30, Lara's homemade Egyptian crown. This is one of the Safe Combination Clues. (screenshot)
Objective: Search for the Remaining Combination Clues in the Atelier and Master Bedroom
Use the Master Key to unlock the door to the left of the chest where you found the crown. (screenshot) This leads back into the EAST WING CORRIDOR near the LIBRARY. Head to the left to get back to the MAIN HALL.
MAIN HALL UPPER LEVEL (again): Go around the to the southwest corner of the upper level, where you found Ana's Cigarette Case (relic #11) earlier. Now that you have the key you can unlock the chest here to find relic #31, the Croft Family Crest. (screenshot) Now head for the northwest corner, unlock the doors here, and enter the forbidden wing. (screenshot)
WEST WING RUINED CORRIDOR: A fallen tree has smashed though the wall here. The place is a mess, but when has a little chaos ever stopped Lara? The master bedroom is straight ahead. The atelier is off to the right. It doesn't matter which you explore first.
MASTER BEDROOM: In the corridor leading to the bedroom, there's a wooden cabinet containing document #20, another of Richard's recorded journals. (screenshot) Unlock the doors at the end of this corridor and enter the bedroom, where you'll find several collectibles.
When you have everything here, return the way you came. Turn left just before the fallen tree and follow the other corridor toward the Atelier. (screenshot) Just before the doors to Amelia Croft's studio, there's a cabinet containing document #24, a letter from Winston to Lord Croft. (screenshot)
AMELIA'S ATELIER: Inside the studio are several of Lara's mothers paintings as well as a number of collectibles.
If you like, you can go into the adjacent MUSIC ALCOVE for a little flashback, but there are no documents or relics there. (screenshot)
OBJECTIVE: Return to the Study to open Lord Croft's safe
When you have everything here, follow the corridors back to the MAIN HALL and cross over to the opposite side of the UPPER LEVEL. Then continue through the SITTING ROOM and CORRIDOR back to the LIBRARY. (screenshot)
LIBRARY - OPENING THE SAFE: You should now have all the necessary clues to open the safe. There are seven in all, 4 documents and 3 relics. If you're missing any of them, check the lists below and walkthrough above. Now to piece together the clues.
According to Richard's note titled "Clues" (document #20), the three digits of the combination correspond to Lara's expedition treasure, his favorite painting by Amelia, and the day of their wedding anniversary. For the first clue, examine Lara's Egyptian crown (relic #30) and notice the hieroglyph of the two birds. This corresponds to the number 5 on the Hieroglyphics worksheet (relic #23). So the first digit is 5.
Richard's note associates the second digit with his favorite painting by Amelia. In her diary entry titled "Moving In" (document #28), she mentions that Richard liked the picture with the blocks of red. Reviewing that painting (document #27), we see there are 4 red blocks, so the second digit is 4.
The clue to the third digit is Richard and Amelia's wedding anniversary. From the necklace found in the bedroom (relic #35), we learned her birthday was October 13. Her diary entry "An Unlikely Union" (document #24) says that they were married 4 days before her birthday. So the third digit would be 9.
Approach the locked safe and press Interact. (screenshot) Then enter the three digits: 5-4-9 to open it. There are several objects inside:
OBJECTIVE: Solve the Mystery of the Blank Letter
To decipher the mysterious blank letter, return through the CORRIDOR and SITTING ROOM to the MAIN HALL and descend to the LOWER LEVEL. If you haven't already lit the fireplace there, do so now. Then press Interact to hold the letter up to the fire, revealing the previously hidden markings. One side shows a map of sorts. (screenshot) The other has mysterious markings which, when you rotate the paper just so, resolve into hieroglyphs. (screenshot) The blank letter revealed counts as relic #44, also one of the Final Puzzle clues. (screenshot)
If you then compare the glyphs to the ones on Lara's worksheet (relic #23), you'll find they represent the numbers 1-4-2 (which also happens to be Lara's birthday, February 14).
To use this combination, head for the SERVANTS' PASSAGES. To get there from the MAIN HALL, unlock the doors in the northeast corner, to the right of the main staircase when facing it, and enter the corridor beyond. (screenshot)
EAST WING LOWER LEVEL CORRIDOR: Directly ahead is document #30, a note from Winston to Lara, sitting on a metal cart. (screenshot) Pass by the door on the right, opposite the cart. This leads back into the LIBRARY. Instead, unlock the next door on the left to get back into the SERVANTS' PASSAGES.
Go down the stairs to the WINE CELLAR, continue about halfway along the racks until you can move through a gap between the shelves on the right. (screenshot) Make a U-turn to the right and then head for the far left corner of the room. There's a movable shelf here that you can spot easily using Survival Instinct. (screenshot) Push this shelf to reveal another keypad and then enter the digits you deciphered earlier: 1-4-2. This opens a secret door nearby. (screenshot)
OBJECTIVE: Search Lard Croft's Secret Vault for Clues
LORD CROFT'S SECRET VAULT: The door closes behind you as you follow the hallway to the vault. Inside there are a number of collectibles to retrieve.
Once you have the CROWBAR (above) you can use it to pry the plaque out of the wall. Then use it again to break through the wall so you can get out. (screenshot)
If you use the light switch next to the Sun-Shaped Plaque, the room is bathed in black light revealing more of Richard's notes and calculations. Unfortunately this doesn't figure in any puzzles, but it is a nice, paranoid touch.
OBJECTIVE: Solve the Riddle of the Sun Shaped Plaque
BASEMENT TUNNELS (again): When you break through the wall of the vault, you emerge in the tunnels below the LIBRARY. Use the crowbar you just found to pry open the metal locker here to find document #35, a letter from Lara to her dad. (screenshot)
There's another locker back in the area with the servant's dinner table, where you found the chessboard (relic #15) earlier. You can get there through the tunnels or by climbing the ladder shown in the previous screenshot to reach the LIBRARY. Then exit through the door near the suit of armor, go through the door ahead on the right into the SERVANTS' PASSAGES, and descend the stairs to the BASEMENT. Then head for the southeast corner of the WINE CELLAR to find the servants' dining area and 2 metal lockers, one of which contains document #36, Winston's thoughts on the sealing of the west wing. (screenshot)
MAIN HALL LOWER LEVEL (again): Return upstairs to the MAIN HALL and place the sun-shaped plaque into the recess in the center of the floor. This points the way to the CRYPT. (screenshot) Climb the stairs to the landing and press Interact to break down the wall with the crowbar. (screenshot)
OBJECTIVE: Investigate the Croft Family Crypt
CRYPT: Follow the stairs downward. Just before the main chamber on the left you'll find document #37, the last of Lord Croft's recorded journals, sitting in a little alcove. (screenshot)
As you enter the crypt, go down the stairs on the right to find relic #51, a golden rose, sitting on a pedestal in the corner. (screenshot) Finally, approach the sarcophagus and read document #38, Amelia's final letter to her daughter. (screenshot)
MAIN HALL: After the cutscene and a brief credits sequence, we flash forward a few days. Lara discovers a letter near the entryway. This is document #39, a letter from her uncle relinquishing his claim on the manor. (screenshot) Hurrah! Job well done!
As you explore further, Lara talks to herself about how this experience has altered her feelings about the manor. There's no physical item to find, but this is document #40, titled "Reconciliation."
If you have already finished the main game (i.e., beaten the final boss, watched the end-game cutscenes, and returned to the Geothermal Valley), you'll find relics #52, #53, and #54, several of Lara's own prized possessions, waiting for you upstairs in the STUDY. (screenshot)
If you have not yet beaten the game, exit to the main menu and continue playing through the main storyline. Later, when you've beaten the game, return to Lara's home (choose Croft Manor from the main menu, then Continue Story - Blood Ties) and head back to the STUDY to collect the last 3 relics.
CROFT MANOR DOCUMENTS
This list follows the same order as the in-game document viewer. (Press Tab/Select/touchscreen then page to the right to select documents.) The numbers in the left column correspond to the document numbers in the walkthrough.
# | TITLE | LOCATION |
SAFE COMBINATION CLUES (4) | ||
26 | Moving In | Amelia's Atelier |
18 | Clues | Library |
21 | An Unlikely Union | Master Bedroom |
27 | Amelia's Paintings | Amelia's Atelier |
LORD CROFT'S JOURNALS (12) | ||
37 | The Return | Crypt |
33 | The Ritual | Secret Vault |
22 | Stopping Time | Master Bedroom |
31 | Keeping Secrets | Secret Vault |
15 | Cracks in the Foundation | Basement Tunnels (near Library) |
20 | Consumed by Grief | Master Bedroom Corridor |
17 | Invisible Ink | Library |
19 | Discoveries | Library |
29 | Broken | Study (inside safe) |
23 | A New Croft | Master Bedroom |
2 | First Impressions | Study |
10 | Travels Together | Servants' Passages |
ATLAS DE MORNAY (7) | ||
5 | Clearance | East Wing Sitting Room |
1 | Notice Served | Study (revealed in first cutscene) |
8 | A Subtle Threat | Main Hall Lower Level |
11 | A Brother's Plea | Servants' Passages |
9 | A Brother's Warning | Servants' Passages |
34 | Blame | Secret Vault |
39 | Capitulation | Main Hall (after completing Blood Ties) |
AMELIA'S JOURNALS (8) | ||
3 | Next Steps | Study |
32 | Facing Death | Vault |
38 | A Letter to My Daughter | Crypt |
6 | A Life of Possibilities | Main Hall Lower Level |
25 | Games We Played | Amelia's Atelier |
13 | Decisions | Wine Cellar |
16 | The Journey | Library |
28 | A New Love | Amelia's Atelier |
WINSTON (5) | ||
30 | Storms Pass | East Wing Lower Level Corridor |
36 | Respectful Duty | Wine Cellar (requires crowbar) |
12 | Little Angel | Wine Cellar |
14 | Birthday Expedition | Wine Cellar |
24 | Concern | Atelier Corridor |
MESSAGES (3) | ||
35 | A Letter to Dad | Basement Tunnels (requires crowbar) |
7 | A Message to Jonah | Main Hall Lower Level |
4 | Asking about Mom | East Wing Sitting Room |
LARA CROFT (1) | ||
40 | Reconciliation | Main Hall (after completing Blood Ties) |
SUITS OF ARMOR (not part of total) | ||
Sir Lancelot's Suit of Armor | East Wing Sitting Room | |
Sir Reginald's Suit of Armor | Library |
CROFT MANOR RELICS
This list follows the same order as the in-game relic viewer. (Press Tab/Select/touchscreen then page to the right to select relics.) The numbers in the left column correspond to the relic numbers in the walkthrough.
# | NAME | LOCATION |
THE FINAL PUZZLE (3) | ||
50 | Sun Shaped Plaque | Secret Vault |
43 | Blank Letter | Study (inside safe) |
44 | Blank Letter (Revealed) | Study (inside safe) |
SAFE COMBINATION CLUES (3) | ||
30 | Egyptian Crown | Library (requires master key) |
35 | Amelia's Necklace | Master Bedroom |
23 | Hieroglyphics Worksheet | Library |
LARA'S CHILDHOOD (11) | ||
8 | Expedition Map - 1 of 2 | Corridor to Study |
28 | Expedition Map - 2 of 2 (Revealed) | Library |
27 | Expedition Map - 2 of 2 | Library |
3 | Photo of Lara, Richard, and Ana | Study |
15 | Old Chessboard | Wine Cellar |
22 | Lara's Childhood Drawing | Library |
25 | Note from Winston | Library |
1 | Photo of Lara wearing an Egyptian Crown | Study |
18 | Trap Mechanism | Basement Tunnels |
17 | Mummy Bear | Basement Tunnels |
41 | Clay Imprint of Lara's Hand | Study (inside safe) |
AMELIA'S BELONGINGS (5) | ||
38 | Photo of Amelia Holding Lara | Amelia's Atelier |
39 | Picture of Amelia and Lara Painting Together | Amelia's Atelier |
40 | Gallery Pamphlet | Amelia's Atelier |
33 | Amelia's Perfume Bottle | Master Bedroom |
34 | Photo of Amelia on Her Wedding Day | Master Bedroom |
LORD AND LADY CROFT (2) | ||
16 | Croft Decanter | Wine Cellar |
32 | Amelia's Wedding Ring | Master Bedroom |
IMMORTALITY COLLECTION (5) | ||
9 | Egyptian Ankh | Corridor to Study |
13 | Ouroboros Amulet | Main Hall Lower Level |
46 | Jade Dragon Statue | Secret Vault |
19 | Ancient Anubis Bust | Basement Tunnels |
10 | Phoenix Figurine | Main Hall Upper Level |
ANCESTOR'S LEGACY (5) | ||
4 | Benjamin Croft Statue Bust | Study |
14 | Unknown Statue Bust | Main Hall Lower Level |
36 | Bust of Richard Croft | Master Bedroom |
31 | Croft Family Crest | Main Hall Upper Level (requires master key) |
51 | The Golden Rose | Crypt |
CROFT EXTENDED FAMILY (1) | ||
11 | Ana's Cigarette Case | Main Hall Upper Level |
LORD CROFT'S BELONGINGS (9) | ||
5 | African Mask | Study |
49 | Lord Croft's Codex | Secret Vault |
42 | Lord Croft's Unpublished Manuscript | Study (inside safe) |
6 | Ancient Map of Northern Syria | Study |
47 | Tibetan Scroll | Secret Vault |
37 | Pocket Watch | Master Bedroom |
7 | Truth Behind Myth | Study |
2 | Lord Croft's Diploma | Study |
24 | Egyptian Hieroglyphics Book | Library |
GEAR (4) | ||
21 | Old Lighter | Library |
12 | Flashlight | Main Hall Lower Level |
29 | Master Key | Library |
48 | Crowbar | Secret Vault |
THE RENOVATIONS (3) | ||
45 | Missing Renovation Page | Secret Vault |
26 | Photograph of the Library | Library |
20 | Renovation Plans | Basement Tunnels (near Library) |
LARA'S ADVENTURES (3) | ||
53 | The Atlas | Study (after finishing main game) |
54 | Roth's Pistols | Study (after finishing main game) |
52 | Yamatai Sword | Study (after finishing main game) |
†UPDATE HISTORY: 10/16/16 - First draft of walkthrough posted online.
2/15/17 - (Hopefully) clarified the requirements for finding the last three relics.
12/11/17 - Added note about SteamVR compatibility.
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