This Chained Together 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
| Tier | Build | Rating | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | The Anchor | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | The Jumper | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | The Caller | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Solo Climber | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | The Fourth Weight | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
Detailed Builds Analysis
The Anchor (A-Tier)
The Anchor is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Standard jump. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
The Jumper (A-Tier)
The Jumper is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Long jump. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
The Caller (A-Tier)
The Caller is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Chain swing. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Solo Climber (A-Tier)
Solo Climber is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Launcher catapult. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
The Fourth Weight (A-Tier)
The Fourth Weight is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Partner drag. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard jump | The Hell Cliffs and any short gap where precision matters more than distance | The basic hop that covers short gaps. |
| Long jump | Everything above The Whispering Vault, where gap sizes exceed the standard jump | The running jump that covers real distance. |
| Chain swing | Gaps that are wider than a long jump, especially around The Harbor's crane sections | Using the chain as a pendulum by anchoring one player and swinging the other. |
| Launcher catapult | Fast vertical gain in the upper zones and Lava mode runs where time is the constraint | Catapults placed in later zones that fling players upward. |
| Partner drag | Rescuing a partner who is hanging, and short assists where a jump is not possible | Deliberately using your own weight to pull a teammate across a gap they cannot jump. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Equipment Analysis
Standard jump: The basic hop that covers short gaps. Its range is short enough that most ledges in the upper zones cannot be cleared with it, which catches out players who never learned the long jump.
Long jump: The running jump that covers real distance. Learning it in Solo mode before co-op is the single highest value thing a new player can do, because a failed long jump in co-op drags a partner down too.
Chain swing: Using the chain as a pendulum by anchoring one player and swinging the other. It is not a documented mechanic so much as an emergent one that falls out of the physics simulation.
Launcher catapult: Catapults placed in later zones that fling players upward. Check what is above you before triggering one, because launching into a ceiling or a hazard sends the whole chain back down.
Partner drag: Deliberately using your own weight to pull a teammate across a gap they cannot jump. Effective and also the most common cause of accidental group falls, so it needs a countdown.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in Chained Together centers on Simulated chain physics and Shared fall punishment. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one. Our combat guide explains these interactions in depth.
What's strong right now:
- The Anchor with Standard jump is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Height gated zones builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- The Caller remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- The Jumper is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Chain swing offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure The Fourth Weight builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Build | Best Gear | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | The Anchor | Standard jump | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | The Jumper | Long jump | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | The Caller | Chain swing | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Solo Climber | Launcher catapult | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | The Fourth Weight | Partner drag | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
More Chained Together Guides
- Chained Together Chained Together Overview
- Chained Together Best Builds
- Chained Together Walkthrough
- Chained Together Beginner's Guide
- Chained Together Tips & Tricks
- Chained Together Weapons Guide
- Chained Together Combat Guide
- Chained Together Boss Guide
- Chained Together Maps & Locations
- Chained Together Crafting Guide
- Chained Together Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Chained Together, check out these related guides:
- Red Dead Redemption 2 Tier List: adventure game with similar mechanics
- Sea of Thieves Tier List: adventure game with similar mechanics
- Dredge Tier List: adventure game with similar mechanics
