Arcade Stick, Gamepad or keyboard?

[el webo mío]

Hi, everyone! I'm thinking in buying a control and I'm impressed by the amount of people that use arcade sticks in competitions, so I'm considering to buy one of these. However, I've played with gamepads and keyboards my entire life, so I don't know how much advantage an arcade stick could have. I've read a lot of threats about which control is the best for fighting games, and I think it depends which fighting game exacly you're going to play.

So which would you recommend for Skullgirls? An arcade stick, a Logitech F310 -that's the best gamepad I can affort now- or should I keep playing in my keyboard?

[Meow-Professor]

Originally posted by SenorChalo:

Hi, everyone! I'm thinking in buying a control and I'm impressed by the amount of people that use arcade sticks in competitions, so I'm considering to buy one of these. However, I've played with gamepads and keyboards my entire life, so I don't know how much advantage an arcade stick could have. I've read a lot of threats about which control is the best for fighting games, and I think it depends which fighting game exacly you're going to play.

So which would you recommend for Skullgirls? An arcade stick, a Logitech F310 -that's the best gamepad I can affort now- or should I keep playing in my keyboard?

It is really whatever controller you prefer. All of them are viable, with each controller being used in tournaments. Fightsticks have some advantages, mainly having plenty of fingers for each button and fluent movement, but using one isn't worth it if you don't feel comfortable with it. Use whatever you find most comfortable.
if I really had to, personally I'd suggest fightstick > keyboard > gamepad > PS3 controller > Xbox controller.

[gluemchen|A place far far away]

Like it was said already a tool is only there to enhance what you already can do. So if you are fairly comfortable with a pad already and you might not want to relearn to play with arcade stick then maybe stick with a pad. If you like playing on keyboard and you wish to compete competitivly at local get togethers or tournaments, then maybe a hitbox might be a good alternative. It all comes down to "This feels natural to me personaly in my hands and it's easier for me to input what i need to do with it" Either stick to what is already good for you or try to find a way to test the input device in question from someone or somewhere, before you commit to a huge investment. When i say competitiv in combination with input devices you have to keep in mind that if you intend to at some point use your skills at a local showing, then you have to make sure the systems and games used at said event support your input device of choice. But if this matters not to you.... just stick to what you're already good at.

[el webo mío]

Originally posted by gluemchen:

Like it was said already a tool is only there to enhance what you already can do. So if you are fairly comfortable with a pad already and you might not want to relearn to play with arcade stick then maybe stick with a pad. If you like playing on keyboard, but you wish to compete competitivly. Then maybe a hitbox might be a good alternative. It all comes down to "This feels natural to me personaly in my hands and it's easier for me to input what i need to do with it" Either stick to what is already good for you or try to find a way to test the input device in question from someone or somewhere, before you commit to a huge investment.

I also though about getting a hitbox, so I modified the commands in my keyboard to simulate it (Left=W, Down=E, Right=F, Up=Space). It was horrible. I just can't use my entire left hand for those kind of movements. Guess I'd need more practice, but for now I prefer to use something I can rely. As you said, it's better to use something that it's easier to me to imput what I need to do with it, and SG isn't the only game I play.

Originally posted by Meow-Professor:

It is really whatever controller you prefer. All of them are viable, with each controller being used in tournaments. Fightsticks have some advantages, mainly having plenty of fingers for each button and fluent movement, but using one isn't worth it if you don't feel comfortable with it. Use whatever you find most comfortable.
if I really had to, personally I'd suggest fightstick > keyboard > gamepad > PS3 controller > Xbox controller.

I've heard too many things about how bad the Xbox Controller is for fighting games, but I remember playing Mortal Kombat in an Xbox 360 and it was great. Maybe, as I said, it depends of which fighting game you're going to play. Don't know if it'll be good for SG, but for making Cerebella and Double's blockbusters, I think its left stick would be great -maybe not for the rest of moves.

I'm interesed in the Logitech F310 because of its Saturn-like pad and its tool to emulate keyboard and mouse commands. Do you guys know how good is it for a fighting game -or at least for SG?

[Muro]

Originally posted by SenorChalo:

I've heard too many things about how bad the Xbox Controller is for fighting games, but I remember playing Mortal Kombat in an Xbox 360 and it was great. Maybe, as I said, it depends of which fighting game you're going to play. Don't know if it'll be good for SG, but for making Cerebella and Double's blockbusters, I think its left stick would be great -maybe not for the rest of moves.

The argument against the Xbox pad usually boils down to "its D-pad sucks". Which it does, but it does indeed also have the often forgotten left analog stick. As someone who's been using the latter for movement and inputs in SG for the past 2,5 years, I can say it can be both comfortable and effective.