Your Friends list is full of people you can invite to co-op games — but how well do you really know your co-op buddies? From the micromanagers to those who constantly need hand-holding, we’ve mapped out the four most prominent teammates you’ll pair up with in co-op play…and how best to use them to your advantage!

#1: The Commander

WHO HE IS:
Also known as The Quarterback, this guy’s part of every team dynamic — calling the shots, barking orders, and telling you exactly what’s going to happen in any given game and how each of you will tackle it. Any failure on his part will most likely be blamed on online lag…or on you.

HE’S A GREAT TEAMMATE IN:
• Left 4 Dead/Left 4 Dead 2 — Someone directing traffic is essential during any zombie apocalypse, whether you’re coordinating an attack on Survivors in Versus mode or circumventing certain slaughter by the Infected as a team of puny humans.

• Borderlands — Having a shot-caller helps tremendously in finding the right way to take down bandits (or worse) during quests. You can net some serious XP for all-important level-boosting.

• Halo: Reach (and the upcoming Halo CE: Anniversary) — Halo is the game series Commander types were born to play. Bossing folks around is key, as carefully planned tactics may be the only way to weather Firefight’s countless rounds.

HE’S A LOUSY TEAMMATE IN:
• Lego Star Wars/Lego Indiana Jones — Well, they’re not bad teammates so much as inessential leaders. Do you really want someone micromanaging the number of studs you collect, or telling you how to perform totally obvious co-op feats?

• Rock Band/Guitar Hero series — Any type of collective group gaming experience that riffs off of good vibes absolutely doesn’t need someone harshing everyone’s Star-Powered mellow by yelling out orders.

FAMOUS LAST WORDS:
“Okay, here’s what we’re gonna do. You go right, and you go left. Now follow me and do exactly what I do.”