Navigating the treacherous terrains of the Mountain Village in the 2013 reboot of Tomb Raider offers players numerous collectibles to uncover, including the elusive bird nests tied to the Egg Poacher challenge. Finding all five nests scattered across the multi-tiered cliffs requires a sharp eye and a thorough understanding of the vertical layout of this iconic map zone. Securing these optional objectives rewards Lara Croft with valuable experience points that aid in upgrading her essential survival skills.
Locating the Mountain Village Treasure Map
Before hunting down individual collectibles, finding the region's treasure map can significantly simplify your exploration process. The map is located high up in the northern reaches of the village, hidden within a waterfall cave near the entrance to the coastal forest path. Reaching this spot requires utilizing Lara's climbing axe to scale the craggy rock faces and leap across several broken wooden bridges.
Once obtained, the map highlights the locations of all relics and GPS caches directly on your in-game interface. However, it is important to note that challenge items like bird nests remain hidden from the overview. Therefore, players must still manually track down the nests required for the specialized poaching achievement.
Finding the Hidden Bird Nests
The first bird nest is relatively easy to spot near the village plateau where Lara initially encounters the wounded Roth. Search the rooftops of the damaged wooden huts located near the central campfire area to collect the first egg. Climbing up the roofs gives you a clear vantage point of the surrounding vertical drops.
The remaining nests require navigating higher into the mountainous structures by using ziplines and ropes. One nest sits precariously on a high cliff edge near a thundering waterfall on the eastern side of the valley. Another can be found tucked away under a collapsed roof structure near the top of the highest zipline tower.
Navigating the Vertical Terrain
Traversing this specific region effectively demands mastery over Lara's traversal mechanics, particularly the scramble and rope arrow techniques. Many areas are inaccessible during your first visit, meaning players will need to backtrack later once better gear is unlocked. Returning with the shotgun or advanced rope ascender allows you to break through barriers that block access to hidden ledge locations.
Keep a close eye on your surroundings for white ledge paint, which indicates climbable surfaces. Utilizing Lara's survival instincts highlights nearby interactive elements, helping you pinpoint the exact elevation of hidden items. Planning your climbing routes carefully prevents accidental falls into the dangerous ravines below.
Maximizing Rewards and Upgrades
Completing the Egg Poacher challenge provides a substantial boost to Lara's experience pool, allowing players to unlock powerful combat and harvesting capabilities early in the campaign. In addition to the nests, salvaging the nearby crates marked on your map ensures a steady stream of weapon upgrade components. Fully exploring the Mountain Village acts as a foundation for surviving the harder encounters later in the game.
Thoroughly clearing every objective ensures you do not miss out on narrative documents that flesh out the mysterious history of Yamatai island. Taking the time to hunt down these secrets enriches the overall gameplay experience while making Lara significantly more resilient. Ultimately, careful exploration turns a hostile environment into a treasure trove of progression opportunities.