When to buy a stick?

[leetgamer1234]

I'm still a complete new player at this game (only 5 hours currently) but I am loving the game so far. Problem is I have to play with a keyboard. I was wondering at what point a keyboard becomes a limitation (especially as my low end keyboard cannot receive more than 2 inputs at a time meaning I can't back throw). So at how many hours would you say a stick is worth it and which do you recommend?

[Washing Machine]

A non-gaming keyboard is indeed a problem. Sticks are pretty expensive though, and a fairly serious investment. They're not magically going to make you way better, it's going to take months just to get comfortable with a grip. Pad is a way cheaper option and more than viable as well.

Just suggesting you make sure you're not wasting hundred(s) on a fightstick just to give up on using it a week later, which is a fairly common thing people do.

[leetgamer1234]

So should I play until I have say 100 hours or so until I splash out or potentially look for a cheaper one such as: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hori-4961818025127-Fighting-Stick-Mini/dp/B019MMN94A/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=fightstick&qid=1559416035&s=gateway&sr=8-9
to see if I suit them?

[Washing Machine]

Up to you, just warning about a common thing. See way too many tales of dudes buying a stick, then they feel way worse due to having to relearn execution entirely, and drop the stick.

I still say sticks are awesome though because the sound of bashing the buttons is glorious.

[Scribonius Largus]

A keyboard (with n-key rollover or 8+-key rollover) is cheaper and actually superior, since it allows you to more easily do stuff that you'd have to practice on a stick.

Don't feel pressured into buying an arcade stick just because it's a fighting game. If you're not familiar with them and/or if you're not trying to replicate the arcade experience, they may not be worth it.

A pad, a hitbox, or a good keyboard will perform just as good, if not better, than an arcade stick.

[leetgamer1234]

So are you recommending that I just get a better keyboard more aimed for gaming?

[IITWLLII -ES-]

Originally posted by leetgamer1234:

So are you recommending that I just get a better keyboard more aimed for gaming?

it's personal preference.

Some players can perform pretty well on a keyboard (if there is no simultaneous input limitation), because they are used to it.

Others prefer controllers or arcade fight sticks, which are more comfortable for 360°++ inputs etc.

I've chosen an Arcade Fightstick because of health reasons, no more sore thumbs and much less risk for a carpal tunnel syndrome after playing long sessions it's also more comfortable for charge characters.

You can purchase both (stick and gamepad) for a day or two, then refund the ones you don't like.

A gamepad with 6 front facing buttons is very useful for Street Fighter's multiple inputs and combos, fightsticks have often 6-8++ front facing buttons:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hori-Fighting-Commander-Controller-PlayStation/dp/B01GVOFIAA/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=PS4+fighting+commander+HORI&qid=1559424632&refinements=p_72%3A419153031&rnid=419152031&s=gateway&sr=8-3

An alternative for keyboard players is a so called hitbox, which uses buttons instead of a joystick for directional inputs.

[leetgamer1234]

Yeah my current keyboard cannot handle more than 2 simultaneous inputs as far as I can tell, and I can already tell it's limitations. Relatively soon (like a month or so) I'll have ~£200 so I think I may just buy a cheaper stick and a new keyboard as I was already looking at buying a new keyboard. Thanks for your advice everyone, this is my first fighting game so wish me luck lol.

[Σnvy]

You don't need a arcade stick. If you buy one, you will have to un-learn everything, that's harder than learning from the start.

Originally posted by Someone in the past:

Play with that you are most comfortable with.

[The Big Slap]

I would recommend against tiny sticks. They should be as big as HRAP/TES+ minimum.
If budget is an issue check some second hand sites, you can often get good sticks in great condition because many buy them thinking they would magically become the next daigo but then they realize that its just another input device.

[PrideTheBest]

I suggest hitbox. Maybe the good quality, the quanba version and whatnot. Maybe practice on keyboard now and then when ps5 comes out, buy a good quality hitbox over there because if you buy a hitbox now, you're just gonna have to buy a hitbox later for ps5.

[Vyllis]

If you are used to press buttons instead of using a joystick, go for a hitbox then you wont have to re-learn completely.

[strike478]

Originally posted by leetgamer1234:

I'm still a complete new player at this game (only 5 hours currently) but I am loving the game so far. Problem is I have to play with a keyboard. I was wondering at what point a keyboard becomes a limitation (especially as my low end keyboard cannot receive more than 2 inputs at a time meaning I can't back throw). So at how many hours would you say a stick is worth it and which do you recommend?

There are two answearsL

1. When you spended enough of time with game to know you like given title and feel like you cant execute many moves as fast as you could on stick.


2. It is best to buy stick on a sale.Arcade stick is exotic (in compare to mice, keyboard or pad) accessory so producers usually try to take advantage of newbies who just started with new genre and want to get proper controller . So they put on very high price tag. Mine advice is to wait for sale various top producers often make 66-75% sales. Dont be lamb and don't pay them full price.
They feed on suckers.

3 (bonus). Among fighters some call for Stick more (BlazBlue, SF) some less (T,SC).
While vast majority players both casual and pro says that stick will give you advantage and for vast majority this seems to be true there are few casuals/pros who moved back from stick to pad so while I would say that in BB/SF many command lists feel like they were designed to put pad player at disadvantage peoples have various forms of manual agility and some will do equally good on pad. Don't buy pad but consider loaning one from friends. PS4 pad works natively with steam and X360/XBO needs only some drivers. Try it.

4. (bonus) I had 3 Razer mices. One of them lived and worked for 8 years two died in around 2 years. Razer's accessories have bad reputation. I suspect this company made itself so big name that they decided to ride of reputation instead of quality. Yeah their accessories have very high parametres but if you are unlucky there is high chance of getting unit which wil break soon.

[shingomouri]

Have you ever played arcade games? Famous fighting game players use Arcade Stick because they learned playing in Arcades. Tokido and Daigo use Arcade Sticks. Because of players from 90's and 2000's, there is a concept that Arcade Stick is perfect for Fighting Games. But it isnt a true fact.

Some players that use fighting pads became champions of premier tournaments in the world. Punk use the PS4 fighting pad and he is the recently champion of NCR, Combo Breaker and Final Round (premier events of SFV Tournaments).

It's a question of how much you're used to. I, for example, learned to play in arcades, so I'm used to playing with Arcade Sticks. However, for some characters, I find it easier to execute commands with the fighting pad instead of the stick.

You will have to train and see which control will be most comfortable for you. However it is worth remembering that good Arcade Sticks are very expensive. So if you want to try arcade stick, search for inexpensive options like Mayflash arcade stick, or Qanba Drone. These are in the range of $ 40 to $ 60. If you like to play with arcade stick, then you'll want to buy a more expensive model, such as the Hori RAP4, Qanba Obsidian, which are good models and, although expensive, has a lower relative cost than models like Victrix, Qanba Dragon or Hori Fighting Edge.

If you do not get used to sticks, you can still use good pads for good prices, or a hitbox control, which closely resembles playing with keyboard using arcade buttons.

[Deca Wolf]

This is my personal opinion on this one. If you grew up playing PC games on a keyboard then either invest in a better keyboard or a hitbox. I would only invest in a hitbox if you find you really love fighting games and plan on sticking with them for a while.

After that is said I would try to find a used one for sale either through reddit fight sticks, craigslist, or facebook marketplace. Usually you can find a really good stick that is not cheap quality for 75-120 USD. They usually hold their resale value too if you buy used inccase you do not like it.

If you grew up playing console games as well then just get a pad like a ps4 controller. They are pretty cheap and can be used for more than just fighting games.

If you grew up in the arcades then a stick would be a great trip down memory lane. I love fight sticks and own 3 of them. Even bought a panzer 3 with otto v2 kit and kaimana LED setup. With that I will probably always use fight sticks because it is what I am used to and prefer. Judging by trends and even Daigo FGC legend it seems Hitbox is the future for games the don't have block buttons and pad is the future for fighting games with block buttons. That one is just my take from the trends and online groups I follow.

Improving keyboard seems like safest bet in your situation though.

Final thoughts. A stick will not make you better or is the best option. There is no best option. If you can go to any local scenes then I am sure there are people that will let you try their setups out for yourself.

[PrideTheBest]

Originally posted by shingomouri:

Have you ever played arcade games? Famous fighting game players use Arcade Stick because they learned playing in Arcades. Tokido and Daigo use Arcade Sticks. Because of players from 90's and 2000's, there is a concept that Arcade Stick is perfect for Fighting Games. But it isnt a true fact.

Some players that use fighting pads became champions of premier tournaments in the world. Punk use the PS4 fighting pad and he is the recently champion of NCR, Combo Breaker and Final Round (premier events of SFV Tournaments).

It's a question of how much you're used to. I, for example, learned to play in arcades, so I'm used to playing with Arcade Sticks. However, for some characters, I find it easier to execute commands with the fighting pad instead of the stick.

You will have to train and see which control will be most comfortable for you. However it is worth remembering that good Arcade Sticks are very expensive. So if you want to try arcade stick, search for inexpensive options like Mayflash arcade stick, or Qanba Drone. These are in the range of $ 40 to $ 60. If you like to play with arcade stick, then you'll want to buy a more expensive model, such as the Hori RAP4, Qanba Obsidian, which are good models and, although expensive, has a lower relative cost than models like Victrix, Qanba Dragon or Hori Fighting Edge.

If you do not get used to sticks, you can still use good pads for good prices, or a hitbox control, which closely resembles playing with keyboard using arcade buttons.

Also don't forget in Japan sticks are heavy users too for example there are tournaments still there where you would use the arcade cabinets thus forcing you to use stick.