It Takes Two is Hazelight Studios' GOTY-winning cooperative adventure that can only be played with a partner. You play as Cody and May, a divorcing couple magically transformed into dolls by their daughter's tears. Each chapter introduces entirely new mechanics — one level you're a third-person shooter, the next a rhythm game, then a Diablo-style dungeon crawler. The asymmetric design means both players always have different abilities that must be combined to progress. With the Friend's Pass allowing a second player to join free, it's the most accessible premium co-op game available.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cody's Sap Grenades (Tree) | S | AoE setup, environmental traps, boss fight combos | Throwable sap that sticks to enemies and surfaces. |
| May's Match Gun (Tree) | A | Detonating sap, direct damage, range combat | Fires flaming matches that ignite Cody's sap on contact. |
| Cody's Magnet (Shed) | A | Puzzle solving, redirecting projectiles, platform manipulation | Attracts or repels magnetic objects and nails. |
| May's Nails (Shed) | B | Creating platforms, pinning objects, precision puzzle solving | Fires nails that stick into surfaces and can be used as platforms or pins. |
| Cody's Size-Shift (Pillow Fort) | B | Accessing hidden areas, perspective-based puzzles, Pillow Fort chapter | Ability to shrink and grow, accessing tiny passages and becoming giant to interact with large objects. |
S-Tier: 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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | AoE setup, environmental traps, boss fight combos |
| Key Mechanic | asymmetric co-op |
| Recommended Build | Cody (Player 1) |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Cody's Sap Grenades (Tree): Pairs naturally with Cody (Player 1) thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: 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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Detonating sap, direct damage, range combat |
| Key Mechanic | genre-shifting gameplay |
| Recommended Build | May (Player 2) |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using May's Match Gun (Tree): Pairs naturally with May (Player 2) thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: 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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Puzzle solving, redirecting projectiles, platform manipulation |
| Key Mechanic | ability swapping |
| Recommended Build | Ranged Specialist |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Cody's Magnet (Shed): Pairs naturally with Ranged Specialist thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: 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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Creating platforms, pinning objects, precision puzzle solving |
| Key Mechanic | minigame competitions |
| Recommended Build | Melee Specialist |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using May's Nails (Shed): Pairs naturally with Melee Specialist thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: 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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Accessing hidden areas, perspective-based puzzles, Pillow Fort chapter |
| Key Mechanic | narrative integration |
| Recommended Build | Puzzle Solver |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Cody's Size-Shift (Pillow Fort): Pairs naturally with Puzzle Solver thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear The Tree
- May's Match Gun (Tree) → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Cody's Magnet (Shed) → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Cody's Sap Grenades (Tree) → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying — one strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Use the Friend's Pass — only one copy of the game is needed; the second player downloads a free trial that accesses the full game in co-op
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More It Takes Two Guides
- It Takes Two It Takes Two Overview
- It Takes Two Best Builds
- It Takes Two Tier List
- It Takes Two Walkthrough
- It Takes Two Beginner's Guide
- It Takes Two Tips & Tricks
- It Takes Two Combat Guide
- It Takes Two Boss Guide
- It Takes Two Maps & Locations
- It Takes Two Crafting Guide
- It Takes Two Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy It Takes Two, check out these related guides:
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- Sea of Thieves Weapons Guide — adventure game with similar mechanics
- Dredge Weapons Guide — adventure game with similar mechanics
