When Should You Tackle the Baba Yaga DLC in Rise of the Tomb Raider?
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The Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch DLC for Rise of the Tomb Raider offers a unique and intriguing side adventure, but when exactly should you dive into this eerie expansion? The short answer is: as soon as you get access to it. This is because the DLC’s storyline is completely independent of the main game, and completing it early unlocks unique and valuable items that enhance your gameplay throughout the rest of your adventure. There’s no narrative or story reason to delay this side-quest, and it won’t impact your experience of the core story if you do it earlier in your campaign.
Why Early Access is Best
The Baba Yaga DLC doesn’t tie into the main storyline of Rise of the Tomb Raider in any significant way. It’s a standalone adventure that sees Lara venturing into the mysterious Wicked Vale in search of a missing man. It introduces new environments, enemies, and, of course, the formidable Baba Yaga herself. The items you earn through this DLC will give you a competitive advantage and allow you to experience the main campaign with these new abilities.
By completing the DLC early, you gain:
- Unique Weapons and Gear: These items are exclusive to the DLC and provide tangible benefits in combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving.
- Enhanced Abilities: Some of the rewards from the Baba Yaga DLC boost your existing abilities, making the main game feel a bit easier and more fun.
- No Spoilers: Unlike some DLCs that are intended to be played after the main story, Baba Yaga doesn’t contain any spoilers for the Rise of the Tomb Raider narrative.
- A Change of Pace: Taking a break from the main questline to explore the Witch’s lair can be refreshing and allow you to come back to the main storyline feeling rejuvenated.
Getting Started with Baba Yaga
To begin the Baba Yaga DLC, you need to head to the Soviet Installation area within the game. Once you arrive, you should receive a quest marker indicating that something is bothering Trinity within the area. This quest will direct you to the DLC content. This is your entry point to the Wicked Vale and will start your journey.
A Deep Dive into the DLC
The Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch DLC itself is relatively short, taking roughly 1.5 hours to complete the main objectives and around 2.5 hours for full 100% completion. This means it doesn’t represent a massive detour from the main game, and you can easily jump in and out of it as you desire.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about the Baba Yaga DLC and its place within the Rise of the Tomb Raider experience:
1. How Long is the Baba Yaga DLC?
The main story of the Baba Yaga DLC is approximately 1.5 hours long. However, for those aiming for 100% completion, including exploration and optional objectives, it can take around 2.5 hours.
2. What is the Baba Yaga DLC about?
The DLC takes Lara into the mysterious Wicked Vale in Siberia where she searches for a missing man, encountering the legendary Baba Yaga, a powerful and terrifying witch from Slavic folklore.
3. Where does the Baba Yaga DLC take place?
The DLC unfolds in the new location called the Wicked Vale which is accessed through the Soviet Installation area.
4. Is the Baba Yaga DLC stand-alone?
Yes, the Baba Yaga DLC is a standalone side story. It does not impact the main story of Rise of the Tomb Raider and can be played at any point after you unlock it.
5. What unique rewards does the Baba Yaga DLC offer?
The DLC rewards you with unique weapons, gear, and enhanced abilities that can be used throughout the main game. These rewards greatly assist in gameplay and make exploration easier.
6. What is Baba Yaga’s weakness?
According to folklore, Baba Yaga is vulnerable to fire and sunlight and is believed to be defeated by those who show kindness.
7. Is Baba Yaga a male or female character?
Baba Yaga is traditionally depicted as a female ogress or witch in Slavic folklore, known for her powerful magic and fearsome nature.
8. Where can I start the Baba Yaga DLC?
You can access the DLC from the Soviet Installation area. A quest marker will appear, indicating that something is amiss and beckoning you to the Wicked Vale.
9. Is the Baba Yaga DLC worth playing?
Absolutely! The Baba Yaga DLC is a worthwhile addition to Rise of the Tomb Raider. It offers a unique setting, challenging gameplay, and valuable rewards, enhancing the overall experience.
10. Does the order of playing Tomb Raider games matter?
For the most part, the order doesn’t matter too much. The only titles that are strongly connected through a continuing story are Legend and Underworld. The most recent trilogy of games: Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015), and Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018) have some narrative threads running through them, but they can be enjoyed in any order.
11. Is the Baba Yaga DLC more challenging than the base game?
While the DLC presents new challenges, it is generally comparable to the difficulty of the base game. It does introduce new enemy types and puzzle elements, but nothing that a seasoned Tomb Raider player won’t be able to handle.
12. Is there any connection between the Blood Ties DLC and the Baba Yaga DLC?
No, the Blood Ties DLC and the Baba Yaga DLC are separate and unrelated experiences. Blood Ties is a separate piece of content that explores Lara’s family history.
13. How long does it take to complete Blood Ties DLC?
The Blood Ties DLC is a shorter experience than the Baba Yaga one, usually taking around 8-10 hours to get all the achievements associated with it. It’s designed for after you have finished the main game, unlike Baba Yaga.
14. What is unique about the Wicked Vale?
The Wicked Vale is a mysterious, eerie location with a fantastical and supernatural element to it. It is unlike any other area in the base game.
15. Does the Baba Yaga DLC spoil the main story?
No, the Baba Yaga DLC doesn’t spoil the main storyline of Rise of the Tomb Raider. It is a standalone side-quest that can be enjoyed at any point during your playthrough.
Conclusion
The Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch DLC is best enjoyed as soon as it becomes available within Rise of the Tomb Raider. This approach grants you early access to unique items and abilities that will enhance your entire gameplay experience without interfering with the main narrative. So, grab your gear, venture into the Wicked Vale, and face the legendary Baba Yaga – you’ll be glad you did!