You're wandering through the rain-slicked forests of Yamatai in the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot, feeling pretty good about your bow skills, and then you stumble into a cave. It’s cold. It’s damp. Suddenly, you’re staring at the Hall of Ascension, one of the game's earliest optional tombs that actually makes you use your brain instead of just your reflexes.
It’s frustrating.
Most people get stuck here because they try to brute-force the mechanics. They see a giant crank, they see a lift, and they see a window, but the timing feels impossible. Honestly, the physics in this specific room can be a bit wonky if you don't understand exactly what Crystal Dynamics wanted you to do. You aren't just climbing; you're playing with wind.
The Hall of Ascension is a Lesson in Timing
The tomb is located in the Mountain Village area. You'll find it tucked away behind a waterfall near the northern part of the map. Once you squeeze through the narrow crevices and light your torch, you’re greeted by a massive, drafty chamber. There’s a central lift platform and a crank on the left that operates two shutters on the far wall.
Here is the thing: the wind is your enemy and your best friend.
When you turn that crank, you open the shutters. A massive gust of wind blows through, pushing the hanging platform toward the back of the room. If you just stand there watching it, the shutters close, the wind stops, and the platform swings back to its starting position. You’ve achieved nothing. You’re just a girl in a cave getting cold.
🔗 Read more: Venom in Spider-Man 2: Why This Version of the Symbiote Actually Works
To solve the Hall of Ascension, you have to manipulate the "swing" of the lift.
Start by running to the crank on the left side of the room. Turn it all the way until the shutters are wide open. Now, don't just stand there. Immediately run to the center of the room. You need to wait for the lift to reach the peak of its backward swing—pushed by the wind—and then quickly jump onto it.
Why the Jump Timing Fails Most Players
Timing is everything. If you jump too early, the wind hasn't pushed the lift far enough. If you jump too late, the shutters close, the wind dies, and the platform starts returning to the center. You have about a three-second window of perfection.
Once you are on that platform, you need to look toward the wooden walkway on the right wall. As the shutters close and the platform swings back toward the entrance, the momentum will carry you close enough to leap to a small wooden ledge.
It feels like a leap of faith.
💡 You might also like: The Borderlands 4 Vex Build That Actually Works Without All the Grind
Lara barely grabs it. You’ll probably have to tap the "interact" button (X on PlayStation, E on PC, or A on Xbox) to prevent her from slipping. This "saving grab" mechanic is a staple of the 2013 reboot, and this tomb is basically a tutorial in making sure you're paying attention to those prompts.
Reaching the Treasure Ledge
Once you’re hanging onto that wooden ledge, shimmy to the right. Don't rush. The camera angle can be a bit deceptive here, making it look like you're going to fall into the abyss, but the path is solid. Follow the ledge around the corner until you can pull yourself up onto the upper balcony.
From here, it’s a straight shot to the big chest.
Inside, you’ll find some salvage, a map detail for the Mountain Village, and a Skill Point. For players looking to max out Lara’s abilities early in the game, the Hall of Ascension is basically mandatory. It provides a massive XP boost that can help you unlock the "Steady Shot" or "Paine Killer" skills much faster than just hunting deer or headshotting Solarii cultists.
Common Glitches and Physics Hiccups
Sometimes, the lift gets stuck.
📖 Related: Teenager Playing Video Games: What Most Parents Get Wrong About the Screen Time Debate
I’ve seen instances where the platform clips into the floor geometry if you try to stand under it while it’s moving. If the platform looks like it’s vibrating or refusing to swing, the best fix is usually to just walk out of the tomb area until the game "unloads" the room and then walk back in. This resets the physics objects.
Also, make sure you have the climbing axe. You can't even get into the Mountain Village area properly without it, but some players try to sequence-break their way into tombs before they have the necessary gear. You don't need any special arrows for this—no fire, no rope—just the axe and a bit of patience.
What This Tomb Tells Us About Lara’s Journey
There is a narrative weight to these locations. The Hall of Ascension isn't just a random puzzle; it’s part of the ancient Himiko lore scattered throughout the island. The architecture suggests it was a place of ritual, where followers of the Sun Queen would "ascend" to prove their worth.
By completing it, Lara isn't just getting loot. She’s retracing the steps of the people who inhabited Yamatai centuries ago. It’s a subtle bit of world-building that makes the island feel lived-in and terrifying. You’re solving puzzles in a graveyard.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Playthrough
- Check your frame rate: If you're playing the "Definitive Edition" or on a high-end PC, sometimes the physics engine tied to the shutters can act up if your FPS is north of 120. Capping it at 60 can actually make the platform swing more predictably.
- Ignore the loot until the end: Don't try to grab the small boxes on the floor until the main puzzle is solved. It breaks your flow and ruins the timing of the crank.
- The "Double Jump" trick: You can't actually double jump, but if you jump and then immediately press the scramble button toward the ledge, Lara gets a tiny bit of extra distance in her lunge. Use this if you’re consistently falling short of the balcony.
- Watch the shutters, not the crank: The sound of the shutters slamming shut is your cue. If you hear the "thud" before you've jumped to the platform, you've already lost the momentum. Start over.
The secret to mastering the Hall of Ascension is realizing it’s a race against a closing window. Literally. Get the crank open, get to the platform, and use that gust of wind to propel yourself into the next stage of Lara's evolution. It’s one of the more satisfying "Aha!" moments in the early game once the physics finally click for you.