Beloved by the world as simultaneously simple and perplexing, Tetris has been one of my favorite games for years. Clearing rows by placing blocks sounds trivial until you try to play it yourself, and I pride myself on my extensive Tetris experience. Since 6th grade, I’ve amassed a high score of 11 million on a Tetris-style browser extension called Stacker. It’s familiarized me significantly with Tetris blocks, and I’ve come to develop some strong sentiments for each one. Today, we’ll take a look at the literal building blocks of Tetris, ranking them by their shapes, rotations, and versatility in difficult situations.

5. Square

Unfortunately, the humble square must come last. With no different rotated shapes and a rather rigid structure, this block lacks variability and versatility in its usage. Furthermore, placement is difficult when there are no flat surfaces, meaning a gap will be created no matter where it’s put. Tetris’s puzzling aspect is largely dependent on a player’s ability to visualize block rotations, but this O-shaped piece takes away any creativity involved, making it a challenge to most. No matter how you turn or place this piece, it’s simply too straitlaced to have fun with.

4. S and Z-Tetrominos

Any true Tetris connoisseur has fumbled with these zigzag blocks, officially named the S-Tetromino and Z-Tetromino. With slightly more options for orientation, these blocks fit neatly into the jagged landscape formed by most players when trying to clear rows. Their odd shape gives them a lot of personality, and both blocks are a strong asset in any game of Tetris. However, they pose a challenge when there are only flat surfaces. Although they don’t bring much satisfaction to place down due to their unsightly edges, I have gradually learned to appreciate them for their uses regardless.

3. J and L-Tetrominos

These pieces, shaped like a J and L, display a clear example of the creativity ingrained in Tetris. With four different rotations, these Tetrominos come in handy at any time. The best Tetris players are those who can utilize these pieces to their advantage, and I always enjoy watching newer players work out what to do with these in tricky situations. Having struggled with mixing up these two, I’ve begun to distinguish them by their color to place them properly. The more you play, the more you’ll learn the various rotations that make for satisfying drops.

2. I-Tetromino

Speaking of satisfying drops, the absolute master of clearing Tetris rows is the longest thin piece in the game. As one of my personal favorites, this I-shaped Tetromino is famous across the board for its ability to clear up to four rows in one go. It always arrives when you need it most, swooping in to save your game despite only having two rotations. In fact, when I first watched videos of competitive Tetris, I learned a tactic where players stack their blocks to leave a one block gap on the right or left. That column is reserved for the longest piece, which creates combos and therefore earns more points per row.

1. T-Tetromino

Last but not least is my favorite block, the T-Tetromino. Especially iconic for it s unique shape, this figurehead piece surpasses all others in versatility and rotation. Many experienced players know how to fit this shape under gaps and in tight spaces. Not only can it be placed flat, fit into ridges, or clear rows easily, this Tetromino simply brings so much fun to a puzzling and occasionally stressful game. It molds well with any piece in the game, and the amount of creativity that a player can exhibit places this piece at the top of my list.