Two Strikes is still in development, everything in here is subject to change, and some bugs might invalidate or make unreliable some of the information written here.
I am just one fallible person, some of the information might be wrong/biased and the notation I’ve chosen might not be the best or in line with your preferences.

This guide is a work in progress.

W: Weak attack
S: Strong attack
G: Guard/Block/Defence
FD: Forward dash
BD: Backward dash
[Character name].[Move]: A specific character’s move, for example: Kenji.W
[Move][Number]: A specific part of a multi-hit move, for example: Tomoe.W2
[Attack]![Dash]: An attack cancelled by a dash, for example: Goemon.S!BD

On hit: When your attack lands and damages the enemy, putting them in hit stun.
Hit stun: The period of time when your character cannot perform any action after getting hit by an attack.
On block: When your attack lands but the opponent defends against it, preventing them from taking damage but putting them in block stun.
Block stun: The period of time when your character cannot perform any action after blocking an attack.
On whiff: When your attack doesn’t land, neither hitting nor getting blocked.
Safe: A move that is safe means you can block or avoid any retaliation from the opponent once your recovery is over.
Unsafe: A move that is unsafe means your opponent can retaliate and hit you before your recovery is over.
Punish: Attacking someone when they are unable to block, making the damage guaranteed.
Corner: Both edges of the stage, where you can no longer move back.

Startup: Usually the period of time that occurs after pressing your attack button, but before your attack is capable of making contact with the opponent. However, in this guide I have separated the part of the move that is cancellable from dashes that occur before the moves hit (and that are generally not cancellable).
Recovery: The period of time that occurs after your attack has finished hitting, but before you gain back control of your character.

Walk speed: Speed at which a character moves when pressing right or left on the d-pad.
Active block time: Duration of the defence animation and window in which the character will block attacks when pressing G.

If you’re curious about general fighting game terms, I recommend https://glossary.infil.net/, as I have used some of their definitions here.

Two Strikes is accessible thanks to its simple mechanics. You die in two weak hits or one strong hit, characters only have 2 or 3 attacks, dashes and a block. Without endless movelists to learn, complicated inputs and timings to master, a huge roster… you can fully focus on footsies and mind games.

If you are not familiar with the concept of footsies, I recommend watching this to understand the basics: https://youtu.be/96MKkqOlpKs

To play good footsies in Two Strikes, we will need to understand each attack’s speed and range, in which situation they are safe or unsafe, and how to punish them. By the end of the guide, hopefully you will have a good idea of which moves to use in which situation.

To play effective mind games in Two Strikes, we will need to use feints. Since blocking is timing based in this game, mixing up the moment when your attack is going to hit is the way to open up your opponent and get a hit in. You can achieve this by delaying your attacks when your opponent expects a strike, or by using the built-in mechanic that lets you cancel an attack’s startup. Feinting effectively will be something you learn as you play the game and figure out your opponent, so the guide won’t focus on this aspect (at least for now).

This section will aim to provide general information on each character. It is a bit barebones at the moment but the goal is to add lore, an overview presenting strength and weaknesses, possibly screenshots or videos of the moves in game, and generic tips on how to play the character.

And since I don’t know where else to put it, here is a recap of characters’ walk speed and active block time:
Fastest to slowest

1. Ayai
   
2. Goemon
   
3. Tomoe
   
4. Kenji, Hozoin

Longest to shortest

1. Goemon, Hozoin, Ayai
   
2. Kenji, Tomoe

To be added once more information is available
WIP
Kenji has the slowest walk speed (same as Hozoin)
Cancellable moderate speed startup
Medium range cut
Moderate speed recovery

Always safe on block
Often unsafe on whiff
Cancellable slow startup
Long range cut
Slow recovery

Often safe on block
Often unsafe on whiff
Has the less active frames (same as Tomoe)
Short forward dash
Medium backward dash
WIP

To be added once more information is available
WIP
Tomoe has the second to last slowest walk speed
Multi-hit move
W1 does not combo into W2
Cancellable fast startup
Short range cut

Always safe on block
Always unsafe on whiff unless you follow up with W2!BD
Cancellable fast startup
Short forward dash
Short range cut
Moderate speed recovery

Always safe on block
Often safe on whiff if opponent didn’t react to the W1 whiff

Can be avoided by some moves:

• Tomoe.BD
  
• Goemon.S recovery
  
• Ayai.S1

Non-cancellable startup
Long forward dash
Medium range cut
Slow recovery

Often unsafe on block
Always unsafe on whiff

If blocked, Tomoe will fall to the ground, wait a bit, then do a long backward roll
Has the less active frames (same as Kenji)
Short forward dash
Long backward roll

Can go under some moves:

• Tomoe.W2
  
• Hozoin.W

WIP

To be added once more information is available
WIP
Goemon has the second fastest walk speed
Non-cancellable fast startup
Long backward jump
Short range projectile
Moderate speed recovery

Always safe on block
Often safe on whiff

Can go over some moves:

• Hozoin.W
  
• Hozoin.FD

Cancellable moderate speed startup
Long forward jump
Short range cut
Slow crouch recovery

Often unsafe on block
Always unsafe on whiff

Jump might be able to go over some moves but my testing has been inconclusive
Crouch can go under some moves:

• Tomoe.W2
  
• Hozoin.W

Has the most active frames (same as Hozoin and Ayai)
Blocking a weak attack will create a smoke cloud
Short forward dash
Smoke cloud

Lasts 3 seconds
Completly hides everything covered by it
Can have multiple active at the same time
WIP

To be added once more information is available
WIP
Cancellable slow startup
Long range thrust
Moderate speed recovery

Always safe on block
Often safe on whiff

Can be avoided by some moves:

• Tomoe.BD
  
• Goemon.W
  
• Goemon.S recovery
  
• Ayai.S1

Cancellable slow guard startup
Medium range cut
Slow recovery

Always unsafe on block and whiff

If hit during guard, the move doesn’t continue into the attack animation and ends as if you had guarded normally
Has the most active frames (same as Goemon and Ayai)
Non-cancellable slow startup
Short range thrust
Moderate speed recovery

Always safe on block
Often unsafe on whiff

Can be avoided by some moves:

• Goemon.W

Long backward dash
WIP

To be added once more information is available
WIP
Cancellable fast startup
Medium forward dash
Short range cut
Long backward dash
Short recovery

Always unsafe on block
Almost always unsafe on whiff
Multi-hit move
On hit, S1 combos into S2
S1 and S2 are both weak attacks (deal 1 damage each)
Cancellable moderate speed crouch startup
Cancellable long forward crawl
Short range cut

Always unsafe on block
Almost always unsafe on whiff

Crouch and crawl can go under some moves:

• Tomoe.W2
  
• Hozoin.W
  
• Ayai.S2

Non-cancellable fast startup
Short forward dash
Short range cut
Short recovery

Always unsafe on block and whiff
Has the most active frames (same as Goemon and Hozoin)
Long forward dash
Short backward dash
WIP

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

Move Comparison compare speed and range of different moves against each other.
Move Properties gives information on wether a move is safe or unsafe in different situations and how to punish if applicable.

I aim to add a Gameplan section in the future, aiming to give an idea of how to play the matchup for each character given the previous information.

Unless specified otherwise, all moves are safe on hit.

Kenji.W is faster than Kenji.S, but has less range
Kenji.W is safe on block and whiff (but can be punished by Kenji.W on whiff with extremely strict spacing and timing as there is a small window where his hurtbox extends)
Kenji.S is safe on block and whiff (but can be punished by Kenji.S on a read with good spacing and timing as you can dodge the move with the startup frames that move his hurtbox back)
WIP

Kenji has slower walk speed than Tomoe
Kenji has the same active block frames as Tomoe
Kenji.W has more range than Tomoe.W, but is slower
Kenji.W is faster than Tomoe.S, but has less range
Kenji.S has more range than Tomoe.W, but is slower
Kenji.S is slower and has less range than Tomoe.S
Kenji.W is safe on block
Kenji.W is unsafe on whiff, punished by Tomoe.S
Kenji.S is safe on block
Kenji.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Tomoe.S

Tomoe.W1 is safe on block
Tomoe.W1 can be unsafe on whiff depending on the followup:

• Tomoe.W2 is unsafe, punished by Kenji.W
  
• Tomoe.W2!FD is unsafe, punished by Kenji.W
  
• Tomoe.W2!BD is safe except in the corner, punished by Kenji.W

Tomoe.W2 is safe on block
Tomoe.W2 is unsafe on whiff, punished by Kenji.W
Tomoe.S is unsafe on block, punished by Kenji.W
Tomoe.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Kenji.W and Kenji.S
WIP

Kenji has slower walk speed than Goemon
Kenji has less active block frames than Goemon
Kenji.W is slower than Goemon.W and can’t reach Goemon
Kenji.W is faster than Goemon.S but has less range
Kenji.S is slower than Goemon.W and can’t reach Goemon unless he starts his move in the corner
Kenji.S is slower and has less range than Goemon.S
Kenji.W is safe on block
Kenji.W is unsafe on whiff, punished by Goemon.S
Kenji.S is safe on block
Kenji.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Goemon.S

Goemon.W is safe on block and whiff
Goemon.W in the corner is mildly unsafe on whiff, punished by Kenji.S if he reacts very fast
Goemon.S is safe on block
Goemon.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Kenji.W and Kenji.S
WIP

Kenji has the same walkspeed as Hozoin
Kenji has less active block frames than Hozoin
Kenji.W is faster than Hozoin.W, but has less range
Kenji.W is faster than Hozoin.S, and has similar range but gets blocked
Kenji.W is faster and has more range than Hozoin.FD
Kenji.S is slower and has less range than Hozoin.W
Kenji.S has more range than Hozoin.S and is of similar speed
Kenji.S is slower than Hozoin.FD but has more range
Kenji.W is safe on block
Kenji.W is unsafe on whiff, punished by Hozoin.W
Kenji.S is safe on block
Kenji.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Hozoin.W

Hozoin.W is safe on block and whiff
Hozoin.S is unsafe on block and whiff, punished by Kenji.W (preceded by a forward step of whiff or if blocking from far) and Kenji.S
Hozoin.FD is safe on block
Hozoin.FD is unsafe on whiff, punished by Kenji.W
WIP

Kenji has slower walkspeed than Ayai
Kenji has less active block frames than Ayai
Kenji.W has more range than Ayai.W, but is slower
Kenji.W is faster than Ayai.S, but has less range
Kenji.S has more range than Ayai.W, but is slower
Kenji.S has less range and is slower than Ayai.S
Kenji.W is safe on block
Kenji.W is unsafe on whiff, punished by Ayai.W (need to step forward first to compensate for the range)
Kenji.S is unsafe on block, punished by Ayai.W
Kenji.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Ayai.S

Ayai.W is unsafe on block, punished by Kenji.W (and Kenji.S but with very strict timing, very unreliable, not recommended)
Ayai.W is unsafe on whiff, punished by Kenji.W
Ayai.S1 is unsafe on block and whiff, punished by Kenji.W
Ayai.S2 is unsafe on block and whiff, punished by Kenji.W or Kenji.S depending on when he reacts
WIP

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

Tomoe.W is faster than Tomoe.S, but has less range
Tomoe.W1 is safe on block
Tomoe.W1 can be unsafe on whiff depending on the followup:

• Tomoe.W2 is unsafe, punished by Tomoe.W and Tomoe.S (only if W2 is out of range)
  
• Tomoe.W2!FD is unsafe, punished by Tomoe.W
  
• Tomoe.W2!BD is safe

Tomoe.W2 is safe on block and whiff (if opponent hasn’t reacted to a W1 whiff)
Tomoe.S is unsafe on block, punished by Tomoe.W and Tomoe.S
Tomoe.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Tomoe.S
WIP

Tomoe has a slower walk speed than Goemon
Tomoe has less active block frames than Goemon
Tomoe.W is of similar speed to Goemon.W, but has less range
Tomoe.W is faster than Goemon.S, and has a similar range
Tomoe.S is slower than Goemon.W
Tomoe.S is faster and has more range than Goemon.S
Tomoe.W1 can be somewhat unsafe on hit, Goemon.W can hit if Tomoe.W2 is not cancelled but then Goemon will get hit by it and die, so the best he can get is a double kill if Tomoe was already injured.
Tomoe.W1 is safe on block
Tomoe.W1 can be unsafe on whiff depending on followup:

• Tomoe.W2 is unsafe, punished by Goemon.W or Goemon.S (Goemon can get hit if he uses S depending on timing)
  
• Tomoe.W2!FD is unsafe, punished by Goemon.W (strict timing)
  
• Tomoe.W2!BD is safe

Tomoe.W2 is safe on block and whiff
Tomoe.S can be unsafe on block, punished by Goemon.W if Tomoe strikes close, and punished by Goemon.S in the corner (when not in the corner, the way homing works makes it not a reliable punish)

Goemon.W is safe on block and whiff
Goemon.S is safe on block
Goemon.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Tomoe.W and Tomoe.S
WIP

Tomoe has a faster walk speed than Hozoin
Tomoe has less active block frames than Hozoin
Tomoe.W is faster than Hozoin.W, but has less range
Tomoe.W is faster than Hozoin.S
Tomoe.W is faster than Hozoin.FD, but has less range
Tomoe.S has more range than Hozoin.W, and is of similar speed
Tomoe.S is faster than Hozoin.S and has more range, it also hits when Hozoin’s defence animation is finished but before he strikes if both move start at the same time
Tomoe.S has more range than Hozoin.FD, but is slower
Tomoe.W1 is safe on block
Tomoe.W1 can be unsafe on whiff depending on the followup:

• Tomoe.W2 is unsafe, punished by Hozoin.W and Hozoin.FD
  
• Tomoe.W2!FD is unsafe, punished by Hozoin.W and Hozoin.FD
  
• Tomoe.W2!BD is safe except in the corner, punished by Hozoin.W (depending on timing) and Hozoin.FD

Tomoe.W2 is safe on block and whiff (if opponent hasn’t reacted to a W1 whiff)
Tomoe.S is safe on block
Tomoe.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Hozoin.W

Hozoin.W is safe on block
Hozoin.W is unsafe on whiff, punished by Tomoe.S
Hozoin.S is unsafe on block, punished by Tomoe.W or Tomoe.S
Hozoin.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Tomoe.S
Hozoin.FD is safe on block and whiff
WIP

Tomoe has a slower walk speed than Ayai
Tomoe has less active block frames than Ayai
Tomoe.W is of similar speed than Ayai.W but has less range
Tomoe.W is faster than Ayai.S, but has less range
Tomoe.S has more range than Ayai.W, but is slower
Tomoe.S is faster than Ayai.S and has similar range
Tomoe.W1 is safe on block
Tomoe.W1 can be unsafe on whiff depending on the followup:

• Tomoe.W2 is unsafe, punished by Ayai.W and Ayai.S
  
• Tomoe.W2!FD is unsafe, punished by Ayai.W
  
• Tomoe.W2!BD is safe except in the corner, punished by Ayai.W

Tomoe.W2 is safe on block
Tomoe.W2 is safe on whiff (if opponent hasn’t reacted to a W1 whiff), might be punishable by Ayai.W but only with very strict spacing and timing
Tomoe.S is unsafe on block and whiff, punished by Ayai.W and Ayai.S

Ayai.W is unsafe on block and whiff, punished by Tomoe.W
Ayai.S1 is unsafe on block and whiff, punished by Tomoe.W and Tomoe.S (if S2 not in range to hit)
Ayai.S2 is unsafe on block and whiff, punished by Tomoe.W
WIP

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

Goemon.W is faster than Goemon.S, but has less range
Goemon.W is safe on block and whiff
Goemon.S is unsafe on block, punished by Goemon.W
Goemon.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Goemon.W and Goemon.S
WIP

Goemon has a faster walk speed than Hozoin
Goemon has the same active block frames as Hozoin
Goemon.W is faster than Hozoin.W, but has less range
Goemon.W is faster than Hozoin.S, but has less range
Goemon.W is faster than Hozoin.FD, but has less range
Goemon.S has more range than Hozoin.W, but is slower
Goemon.S is faster and has more range than Hozoin.S
Goemon.S has more range than Hozoin.FD, but is slower
Goemon.W is safe of block
Goemon.W is safe on whiff except in the corner, punished by Hozoin.W
Goemon.S is safe on block
Goemon.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Hozoin.FD

Hozoin.W is safe on block and whiff
Hozoin.S is unsafe on block, punished by Goemon.W or Goemon.S
Hozoin.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Goemon.S
Hozoin.FD is safe on block and whiff
WIP

Goemon has the same active block frames as Ayai
Goemon has the same defence active frames as Ayai
Goemon.W is of similar speed than Ayai.W, but has less range
Goemon.W is faster than Ayai.S, but has less range
Goemon.S has more range than Ayai.W, but is slower
Goemon.S is of similar speed than Ayai.S, but is slower
Goemon.W is safe on block and whiff
Goemon.S is unsafe on block, punished by Ayai.W
Goemon.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Ayai.W and Ayai.S

Ayai.W is unsafe on block, punished by Goemon.W
Ayai.W is safe on whiff except in the corner, punished by Goemon.S
Ayai.S1 is unsafe on block and whiff, punished by Goemon.W
Ayai.S2 is unsafe on block and whiff, punished by Goemon.W (if close enough)
WIP

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

Hozoin.W is faster and has more range than Hozoin.S
Hozoin.W has more range than Hozoin.FD, and similar speed
Hozoin.S has more range than Hozoin.FD, but is slower
Hozoin.W is safe on block
Hozoin.W is unsafe on whiff, punished by Hozoin.W (strict spacing and timing as his hurtbox extends)
Hozoin.S is unsafe on block, punished by Hozoin.W, Hozoin.S and Hozoin.FD
Hozoin.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Hozoin.W
Hozoin.FD is safe on block
Hozoin.FD is unsafe on whiff, punished by Hozoin.W
WIP

Hozoin has a slower walk speed than Ayai
Hozoin has the same active block frames as Ayai
Hozoin.W has more range than Ayai.W, but is slower
Hozoin.W is faster than Ayai.S, but has less range
Hozoin.S has more range than Ayai.W, but is slower
Hozoin.S is slower and has less range than Ayai.S
Hozoin.FD is slower and has less range than Ayai.W
Hozoin.FD is faster than Ayai.S, but has less range
Hozoin.W is safe on block and whiff
Hozoin.S is unsafe on block, punished by Ayai.W and Ayai.S
Hozoin.S is unsafe on whiff, punished by Ayai.S
Hozoin.FD is safe on block
Hozoin.FD is unsafe on whiff, punished by Ayai.W

Ayai.W is unsafe on block, punished by Hozoin.FD
Ayai.W is unsafe on whiff, punished by Hozoin.W and Hozoin.FD
Ayai.S1 is unsafe on block, punished by Hozoin.W and Hozoin.FD
Ayai.S1 is safe on whiff if Ayai.S2 is in range to hit
Ayai.S2 is unsafe on block and whiff, punished by Hozoin.W and Hozoin.FD

WIP

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

Ayai.W is faster than Ayai.S, but has less range
Ayai.W is unsafe on block, punished by Ayai.W and Ayai.S
Ayai.W is unsafe on whiff, punished by Ayai.W
Ayai.S1 is unsafe on block, punished by Ayai.W
Ayai.S1 is unsafe on whiff, punished by Ayai.W and Ayai.S
Ayai.S2 is unsafe on block, punished by Ayai.W
Ayai.S2 is unsafe on whiff, punished by Ayai.W
WIP

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

To be added once character is playable.

There you have it, I hope this will help you understand and enjoy the game more. The guide isn’t complete but I still wanted to get it out there because I think the matchup data is quite valuable. If you wish to contribute, let me know.

Now go and play some Two Strikes !

Here’s some possibilities for future updates (if I’m not too lazy to do them)

• New characters
  
• Lore
  
• Overviews
  
• Gameplans
  
• In-game screens/videos of moves
  
• More art