Melee Combat has been fairly limited within the Tomb Raider series, though there have been some weapons to allow close quarters combat.
Hand to Hand[]
Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness is the first game in the series to allow hand to hand combat. Lara can punch and kick enemies, and perform stealth take-downs.
In Tomb Raider: Legend Lara can kick enemies to stagger them, or jump on enemies, which will also stagger them, and cause the game to go into "Adrenaline Mode" allowing her to shoot nearby enemies.
In Tomb Raider: Underworld Lara can once again kick enemies, to stagger them, now with a larger variety of kicks, including a jump kick and a roundhouse kick. Once again, Lara can jump on enemies to go into Adrenaline mode, though will only be allowed to kill one enemy. During the Lara's Shadow DLC, Doppelganger, has more melee attacks, and has increased strength and speed, and can dispatch larger enemies with just a few hits.
In Tomb Raider Lara can shove enemies in order to stagger them, or push them off ledges if they are are close enough. Lara can perform two stealth take-downs; Lara will strangle enemies with her bow, or as the game progresses, Lara will learn the skill to use her axe for melee strikes and finishers. Lara can also hit stunned enemies with rocks to finish them, or stab them with her arrows to or cripple or kill them.
In Rise of the Tomb Raider Lara has many of her same melee attacks, though now she has twin climbing axes allowing her to do more damage. Lara will also strike enemies with her bow to stun them before choking them with it. She also gains a combat knife, which can be used for quieter take downs. She can also gain the skill to take enemies down with glass bottles, or perform take-downs from above and below.
Weapons[]
Pole Arms[]
In Tomb Raider: Underworld, Lara can take poles and use them as staffs to deal more melee damage.
Climbing Axe[]
Tomb Raider[]
Lara's climbing axe doubles as a melee weapon. It is based on a DMM Rebel Ice Axe.
It can be used for swift strikes, executions and stealth finishers.
Rise of the Tomb Raider[]
Lara can carry two axes, which gives her two hits per swing.
Tactical Knife[]
Lara acquires a knife for stealth take-downs and finishing movies in Rise of the Tomb Raider. It appears to be Soviet Era. It can also be used to cut ropes. It is also known as the Hunting Knife, and the Combat Knife. The prototype for this knife is the Soviet NR-40 combat knife.
Impromptu Weapons[]
In Tomb Raider: Underworld, Lara will be able to use poles that she picks up as a bat or staff.
In Tomb Raider Lara will use her Bow in order to strangle unaware enemies, before the skill to use the climbing axe for stealth take-downs is learned. Lara will also use the arrows on their own, for the Dodge Counter/Kill attacks, causing her to stab enemies in the knee/head, dependent on how well timed the attack is. Lara may also use a rock to bludgeon stunned enemies.