It Takes Two Tier List — Current Rankings

This It Takes Two tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.

Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.

Builds Rankings

Detailed Builds Analysis

Cody (Player 1) (S-Tier)

Cody's abilities tend toward support and setup — sap grenades create explosive zones, magnets pull and hold objects, and size-shifting accesses tiny passages. His kit often sets up May's more direct abilities. Best for players who enjoy strategic thinking.

Best with: Chapter-specific abilities (sap, magnets, size-shift, time clone) Stat focus: N/A — abilities change each chapter

May (Player 2) (S-Tier)

May's abilities are typically more direct and action-oriented — match gun ignites Cody's sap, nails pin objects in place, and her hammer smashes through obstacles. Her kit tends toward the 'execute' role in the combo. Best for action-focused players.

Best with: Chapter-specific abilities (match gun, nails, shrink ray, time reversal) Stat focus: N/A — abilities change each chapter

Ranged Specialist (A-Tier)

In chapters with ranged combat (The Tree, Space), one player handles crowd control while the other focuses targets. The ranged-focused player should prioritize covering their partner and managing ammo-equivalent resources.

Best with: Match gun, sap grenades, long-range chapter abilities Stat focus: N/A — no persistent stats

Melee Specialist (A-Tier)

Several chapters feature close-range combat where one player tanks while the other deals damage. The melee-focused player draws aggro and uses defensive abilities to protect the ranged partner.

Best with: Hammer, ground pound, close-range chapter abilities Stat focus: N/A — no persistent stats

Puzzle Solver (S-Tier)

The player who naturally takes the lead on puzzle sections, calling out solutions and coordinating timing. Many puzzles require precise simultaneous actions, so clear verbal communication from the puzzle-solver role is critical.

Best with: Voice communication, patience, environmental awareness Stat focus: Communication > Observation > Timing

Equipment Rankings

Equipment Analysis

Cody's Sap Grenades (Tree): Throwable sap that sticks to enemies and surfaces. Doesn't deal damage on its own but explodes when May ignites it with her match gun. Creating sap zones before combat encounters lets May detonate for massive AoE damage.

May's Match Gun (Tree): Fires flaming matches that ignite Cody's sap on contact. Also deals direct fire damage to enemies. The interaction between sap and matches is the first example of the game's asymmetric combo design.

Cody's Magnet (Shed): Attracts or repels magnetic objects and nails. Used for pulling platforms, redirecting May's fired nails, and solving physics puzzles. The push/pull toggle creates creative puzzle solutions.

May's Nails (Shed): Fires nails that stick into surfaces and can be used as platforms or pins. Cody's magnet can redirect them mid-flight. Nailing objects in specific positions is key to many Shed puzzles.

Cody's Size-Shift (Pillow Fort): Ability to shrink and grow, accessing tiny passages and becoming giant to interact with large objects. The size differential between Cody and May creates the chapter's unique puzzle perspective where both players see the same space differently.

Meta Analysis

The current meta in It Takes Two centers on asymmetric co-op and genre-shifting gameplay. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one.

What's strong right now:

• Cody (Player 1) with Cody's Sap Grenades (Tree) is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
• ability swapping builds are gaining ground as players find new synergies.
• Ranged Specialist remains essential for learning hard content.

What's underrated:

• May (Player 2) is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
• Cody's Magnet (Shed) offers excellent performance for its investment level.

What's overhyped:

• Pure Puzzle Solver builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.

Quick Picks by Situation

For full build guides, see It Takes Two builds. For progression help, check the walkthrough.