(feel free to skip the text wall and just answer off the subject)

So there is the NEO-GEO bundle thing going on, which lead to playing some old KOF. Which then lead to me wishing they looked like KOF XIII, which lead to watching KOF XIII tournaments on YouTube, which lead to me going “I didn't know you could get that crazy with game”, which lead to me playing a bunch of KOF XIII (not in the bundle BTW), which has resulted in angry thumbs.

I suspect playing SF every day for 10+ years when I was young may have something to do with it, but I have a decade old issue with my thumbs, and I'm not sure the D-Pad and I are going to make it much longer as a pair.

I'm thinking a fighting stick should be a good answer to my problem, but I have concerns. First is I'm not sure what all is going on in that world. I expected they could cost a little more than a pad, but I was surprised to see they can cost hundreds of dollars. There also seems to be a lot of talk about moding them, and generally speaking, there is a lot more going on that I expected to find. I'm looking for some general dos and don'ts on the issue. Any “watch out for...” situations might be useful as well.

I've also found them to be very awkward to use in the past. A pad is easy, and comfortable to hold. It's been a long time since I had a stick, but I seem to remember constantly trying to find somewhere to put it, or hold it to be comfortable to use. I think I concluded the only comfortable place for one was in an arcade cabinet, so I'm worried about the size of the whole affair and how practical that is going to be to use.

I'm also worried about the stick part. I know all the serious players use them. I get why when it comes to the buttons, but the stick has always puzzled me. I remember there was at least one SF combo I could never do on a joystick but I could on a pad simply because it took way too long to travel from one position to the next. Left to right on a pad is like crossing the hall. Left to right on a stick is like walking 15 min to the bus stop. I get that the precision is greater, but the distance is so much greater I don't know how the pros are making it work. The D-Pad is my biggest problem, but I'm concerned about going stick, and would like to know if there are different degrees of movement for different sticks out there and if this is an issue that has been discussed in some way.

So, who knows about these things?

Alright I've skipped the text.
I find it to be quite easy, they rarely fight back so I usually win.

So you are OK just running around beating up peaceful sticks without provocation? There are bad sticks that need fighting in this world, but this wasn't about going after peaceful, non-violent sticks.

If you are willing to do that I bet you do other barbaric things to them like burn them alive for heat.

is it weird that I came into this thread thinking you meant Kenpo sticks or something?

I think this happens to everyone who goes the same route. You get a bit enthusiatic, and this is then crushed by the price. The question becomes - are you really going to play fighting games that much? Well, that's actually not true anymore. If you watch MK or Tekken tournaments, you'll more often find people with pads. Sticks do still dominate in SF (and KoF, I guess, haven't seen much footage of those), but there are some very well-known people who use pads.

The other thing is - I agree, the stick makes the whole thing clumsier. I presume the people behind the HitBox also agree, though they've done nothing to bring the price down. I think your best bet are various fighting game communities - Shoryuken or some game-related subreddits or forums - if you're serious about purchasing one and want advice / opinions on specific models.

Fighting sticks? Damn, the first thing that came to my mind upon reading the title initially, was "escrima"... (traditional martial art)

I wish giantbomb would do the fighting game series again. I'd like them to do games that aren't easy to play anymore and that are interesting but aren't remember well. like bloody roar, tao feng, rival schools.

I can't speak to your fighting stick inquiry on account of I don't have one and generally try to play everything on keyboard including fighting games even though I do keep a controller around at times. I will say try to test out the Steam controller with a fighting game. it might solve your repetitive stress problems.

Is it weird that these were the two topics I was expecting and didn't even consider that it might be about the actual topic of discussion?

goes to show the sad state of fighting sticks in the game market.

I switched to only using sticks for fighting games some years ago. My reason is because I tend to play quite technical characters (mainly Carl in Blazblue), where a stick really helps compared to using a pad. It took me at least half a year to properly adjust to using them, and being able to play as naturally as with a pad. That said, I'm a slow learner so it might go much faster in your case. I found it most comfortable to simply have the stick in my lap while playing. It also helps since you don't have to make sure to have a suitable flat surface nearby if you want to play at a new location.

The main advantage, as you also mentioned, is the nice accessible button layout. I also have major problems with performing quick half-circle-motions, and DPs without getting trailing 6's, on a D-pad. On a stick I can now perform these more naturally and with a lot lower stress to my hands. Remember that the sticks are quite sensitive so you don't have to move it to the edge/corner in order for a direction to register. The actual distance you have to move is much less than is initially thought.

I've however never modded, or bought a custom made stick. Hopefully someone else will have some experience with them. Some of the retail sticks like HORI Real Arcade Pro 3/4 KAI, and the old MadCatz Tournament Editions, have excellent enough quality to warrant a purchase. I've also only played with square gate sticks, but I find them to work well with all types of motion.

The main negative is that now when I'm used to only playing with sticks, I always have to drag one with me wherever I go :)

The first thing that came to mind when I read that was 'eczema' (traditional icky disease).

Well my statement about playing SF every day for over 10 years was not in any way an exaggeration. I pretty much own the lot of them, and sometimes 2 or 3 copies of various games (I do tend to lag behind though). I don't play like I did 20 years ago, but I do game, and fighters are my fave, so I think it's warranted. It does go beyond fighters to anything that uses a pad. I fully expect surgery on my thumbs is going to have to happen at some point.

Unless I want to stop playing fighters, I'm probably going to have to switch to something. I'm just trying the analog stick out, but it's weird. I'm not sure if it is just not what I'm used to or if it's just a weird thing to do.

escrima = fighting sticks

*eczyma* = what? (does it have to do anything with fighting sticks?)

Are you even sober, bro? If yes, use some encyclopedia, every once in a while.

It's a pretty reasonable think to think given the similarity of the words. Ever seen this? Maybe he was joking and having a bit a fun. Either way, it's kind of a lame reason to launch a personal attack on someone.