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[Snowblindvictim]

I am a absolute and complete noob when it comes to fighting sticks.
So go easy on me with some of my questions.

When it comes to fighting games I've always just used the controller (playstation to be specific) and I have been thinking of making the plunge into getting a fight stick.
Question is, which one is the best for a complete and total newbie?
I've seen the TvC stick thrown around here and I have heard a lot about the Mad Catz TE
(Gootecks and Mike Ross pimp that stick all the time on their show and I'm thinking it might just be the advertising but I have no idea as to the actual quality of the stick.)

At one of my local Gamestops they have the new(ish) Marvel vs Capcom 2 stick would I be better off getting one of those?

 

[T-Matt]

Congrats! That is a fine piece of gaming hardware, and it's always nice to save $30+ on a new product.

It definitely made me less upset about not having the wii sticks there. I still kinda want one of the tatsunoko sticks though...these things are addicting.

 

[sixteen-bit]

I am a absolute and complete noob when it comes to fighting sticks.
So go easy on me with some of my questions.

When it comes to fighting games I've always just used the controller (playstation to be specific) and I have been thinking of making the plunge into getting a fight stick.
Question is, which one is the best for a complete and total newbie?
I've seen the TvC stick thrown around here and I have heard a lot about the Mad Catz TE
(Gootecks and Mike Ross pimp that stick all the time on their show and I'm thinking it might just be the advertising but I have no idea as to the actual quality of the stick.)

At one of my local Gamestops they have the new(ish) Marvel vs Capcom 2 stick would I be better off getting one of those?

TE sticks are very good retail sticks.
The MvC2 variant is the same, just different colored buttons and art.

Just be aware, that after a lifetime of using playstation controllers, you probably won't become proficient in stick overnight. You'll have to practice a lot just to get to where you were executionwise on pad.

 

[Prototype-03]

I am a absolute and complete noob when it comes to fighting sticks.
So go easy on me with some of my questions.

When it comes to fighting games I've always just used the controller (playstation to be specific) and I have been thinking of making the plunge into getting a fight stick.
Question is, which one is the best for a complete and total newbie?
I've seen the TvC stick thrown around here and I have heard a lot about the Mad Catz TE
(Gootecks and Mike Ross pimp that stick all the time on their show and I'm thinking it might just be the advertising but I have no idea as to the actual quality of the stick.)

At one of my local Gamestops they have the new(ish) Marvel vs Capcom 2 stick would I be better off getting one of those?

No need to get a stick if you're fine with the pad. The main reason I got a stick is because the buttons on the pad were counter intuitive for me, especially for a 6 button fighter (SF4). I'm still better with the dpad than the stick but I got good enough for that not to worry me. Is there any reason why you would like to jump to a stick? It's a huge investment and time (to learn).

 

[Mercutio]

TE sticks are very good retail sticks.
The MvC2 variant is the same, just different colored buttons and art.

Just be aware, that after a lifetime of using playstation controllers, you probably won't become proficient in stick overnight. You'll have to practice a lot just to get to where you were executionwise on pad.

Doesn't the MvC2 stick have two buttons reversed, or something? Like the L's and the R's? I can't remember. I know it would bug me for all other games though. I'd swap the wiring.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Doesn't the MvC2 stick have two buttons reversed, or something? Like the L's and the R's? I can't remember. I know it would bug me for all other games though. I'd swap the wiring.

Oh yeah, L1 and L2 are swapped where R1 and R2 are on the other TEs. Nice catch.

 

[Veal]

What are the general thoughts on Hitboxes? I saw the videos and thought the idea was ingenious, so I ordered one. Are they typically banned from tourney play? Would I be wasting my time trying to get good with one?

 

[frogg609]

I'm curious, is there a huge difference in feel between playing on a TE versus one of the HRAP VLXs? I know the buttons and stick are the same, but just with the different shape, any serious advantages/disadvantages to justify the 300 dollar pricetag?

 

[drkOne]

I'm curious, is there a huge difference in feel between playing on a TE versus one of the HRAP VLXs? I know the buttons and stick are the same, but just with the different shape, any serious advantages/disadvantages to justify the 300 dollar pricetag?

I'll just throw this in here, which helped me avoid burning more money on a new stick. I see more TEs around in tourneys than VLX or even V3/VX, so I doubt they're any better, surely no huge advantage at least.

 

[frogg609]

I'll just throw this in here, which helped me avoid burning more money on a new stick. I see more TEs around in tourneys than VLX or even V3/VX, so I doubt they're any better, surely no huge advantage at least.

I appreciate the input. Also, from videos I see, it seems like most players keep all 8 buttons on their TE sticks. Do they actually use the last 2, and, if so, what do they map those to?

 

[notworksafe]

What are the general thoughts on Hitboxes? I saw the videos and thought the idea was ingenious, so I ordered one. Are they typically banned from tourney play? Would I be wasting my time trying to get good with one?

Never been banned at any tourney I've been to. They do look pretty cool but I'd personally want to try one out before buying.

 

[Chavelo]

I'm curious, is there a huge difference in feel between playing on a TE versus one of the HRAP VLXs? I know the buttons and stick are the same, but just with the different shape, any serious advantages/disadvantages to justify the 300 dollar pricetag?

You'll get more chicks. Actually, there's a WHOLE LOT OF SPACE in there, perfect if you want to do some modding. I know Toodles has a dual-mod kit (I think Kitty VLX) that really easy to install for like 50 bucks. But then a TE has enough space to do that, too.

The way I would look at it, the question should be if you want to get yourself a Hummer equivalent of a stick. :-/

I appreciate the input. Also, from videos I see, it seems like most players keep all 8 buttons on their TE sticks. Do they actually use the last 2, and, if so, what do they map those to?

3 kicks/3 punches, two assists at a time, taunt, grab, focus... Usually a lot of people turn them off, tho. Just looks nice with 8 buttons, plus you have the option to use them for other games rather than just fighting games.

 

[Orayn]

3 kicks/3 punches, two assists at a time, taunt, grab, focus... Usually a lot of people turn them off, tho. Just looks nice with 8 buttons, plus you have the option to use them for other games rather than just fighting games.

How many tournaments allow you to assign multiple button presses to a single button, anyways?

 

[Chavelo]

How many tournaments allow you to assign multiple button presses to a single button, anyways?

Most of them usually do or don't care. Pretty sure wolfkrone has to use it. But that's just for in-game stuff.

 

[Orayn]

Most of them usually do or don't care. Pretty sure wolfkrone has to use it. But that's just for in-game stuff.

Good to know. If they're kosher to use, it's just another reason to spring for that hex inverter and return my stick to its 8-button configuration. Looks nicer, lets me set up weird, arbitrary control schemes if I want, and it's fun to drum my fingers across the whole first row when I'm bored.

 

[Threi]

if you are good at wiring I would suggest remapping the last two buttons' ground wire from common to the guide/turbo lockswitch ground. Works like a charm for me.

 

[Veal]

Never been banned at any tourney I've been to. They do look pretty cool but I'd personally want to try one out before buying.

Cool. I just tried some games on a keyboard to see if this would be too hard and I was really surprised at how fast learning moves was! Sure it's a bit cramped, but with more practice, I could definitely see myself preferring the Hitbox (not that I'm ready for tourney play!) I'm on a mechanical keyboard, so it feels a bit closer arcade buttons as well!

 

[LegatoB]

How many tournaments allow you to assign multiple button presses to a single button, anyways?

Some tournaments run by real stick-in-the-mud types have rules specifically disallowing it, but in practice this is never enforced. All of the default button mappings in current fighting games bind those buttons, and if you try to DQ someone because he reset the buttons to default and didn't take the time to un-map those, you're not going to endear yourself to anyone. (And honestly, any "advantage" given by mapping 3P/3K is incredibly minor.)

In my experience, games with a lot of pad players locally (Tekken, GG, BB) usually specifically allow it.

 

[RoninChaos]

How many tournaments allow you to assign multiple button presses to a single button, anyways?

Last I checked Evo doesn't allow this. I know we don't allow it at final round for the capcom games.

 

[Kadey]

I want it.

 

[Threi]

shit just got real on the SRK thread

*popcorn*

 

[MarkMan]

I want it.

What do you want?

 

[sixteen-bit]

shit just got real on the SRK thread

*popcorn*

SRK hyperlinks are weird for me. The Hakan B15 stick right?
It looks so cool.

 

[TGMIII]

Trying to get my hands on a Hori VLX Pro to the UK, anyone know where I can get one within europe or even import?

 

[Threi]

i was referring to the "big" custom stick makers going at it

 

[h3ro]

i was referring to the "big" custom stick makers going at it

YO' PAINT TURNS YELLOW

 

[Orayn]

I like the proposal that these warring stick-makers build battle bots to settle their differences. Battlebots with gorgeous wooden paneling and authentic Sanwa parts, of course.

 

[Pepto]

So I finally replaced my original buttons and the joystick:

Btw. MarkMan the Xbox 360 guide button doesn't work anymore. Is there any way to fix it without buying a new stick?

 

[depths20XX]

Wasn't there a video of the hitbox showing that you could hold a charge and still move forward, because it allows you to input two directions at the same time. I remember some guy was showing it in MvC3. I would think that would be reason enough to have them banned in tourneys, but it doesn't seem they are.

 

[sixteen-bit]

So I finally replaced my original buttons and the joystick:

Btw. MarkMan the Xbox 360 guide button doesn't work anymore. Is there any way to fix it without buying a new stick?

dat DoF

I believe the alternate for Guide is start + back + up on the d-pad simultaneously (though, I might be confusing that for PS3).

Wasn't there a video of the hitbox showing that you could hold a charge and still move forward, because it allows you to input two directions at the same time. I remember some guy was showing it in MvC3. I would think that would be reason enough to have them banned in tourneys, but it doesn't seem they are.

HitBoxes ("official") are designed to disallow contradictory inputs. The off-brand user-created ones don't.

 

[nilbog21]

hey guys my dog chewed through my madcatz TE so I tried to open it up to replace the USB wire, but it seems like the USB wires are conneccted directly into the board. is it possible to replace the cord on this stick or am i fucked? :\

 

[milkham]

hey guys my dog chewed through my madcatz TE so I tried to open it up to replace the USB wire, but it seems like the USB wires are conneccted directly into the board. is it possible to replace the cord on this stick or am i fucked? :\

you can get a usb cord, snip off the relevant end, cut off the remains of the chewed through cord and solder the same colored wires to the same spots on the board

 

[vocab]

What kind of dustwasher do I need for inside the JLF. My HRAP3 clips on the dustwasher inside the actual stick because it's worn out, so I need another one. Do I need one that fits the shaft or one without?

Or should I just buy this and be fine? http://www.lizardlick.com/Sanwa-JLF-CD-Shaft-Cover-Kit_p_243.html

 

[notworksafe]

That dustwasher is what I use. You should be fine with it.

 

[nilbog21]

you can get a usb cord, snip off the relevant end, cut off the remains of the chewed through cord and solder the same colored wires to the same spots on the board

holy shit, is this what im supposed to do?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myyWEEYjjuU&feature=related

help
is there maybe amore detailed guide somehwere on how to do this? I've looked everywhere

 

[Orayn]

holy shit, is this what im supposed to do?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myyWEEYjjuU&feature=related

help
is there maybe amore detailed guide somehwere on how to do this? I've looked everywhere

Shoryuken to the rescue!

 

[nilbog21]

thank you!

so, should i solder them to the backside of the board (the side where there is soldering)?

 

[Rice-Eater]

Introducing my 3rd stick, the Qanba Q4 RAF. It's the 3-1 stick that works with PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. I already have a Mad Catz TE-S and a Hori VLX, but I don't like the feel of my TE anymore and the VLX is a pain in the ass to take to tournaments plus I'm always afraid of that thing getting stolen if I don't keep it with me which is why I bought the Qanba. I really love this stick, it feels and looks great. Parts are all sanwa and working with both systems right out the gate is a great feature. This will be my tournament stick for the foreseeable future.

Here is a picture of it with my VLX just to compare. It's about the same size and weight of a Mad Catz TE for those who are wondering.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Rice-Eater, how difficult would it be to customize parts or change art on the Qanba? Does it open easily?

 

[Rice-Eater]

Rice-Eater, how difficult would it be to customize parts or change art on the Qanba? Does it open easily?

I don't plan on modding it so I haven't opened it up but it looks like it opens up the same way as a TE. Just unscrew 4 screws in the bottom and it should open up. After that I guess it should be easy to mod like a TE.

 

[Orayn]

thank you!

so, should i solder them to the backside of the board (the side where there is soldering)?

Solder the replacement wire where the original one met the board.
To be on the safe side, you should get a solder sucker or desoldering braid, melt and remove the existing solder and wires, then solder the new ones onto the same points. While it is an option to simply melt the old solder, pull out the wires and plunge in your replacements, that could get messy, and the last thing you want is a short.

The points you're after are 5V, D+, D-, and GND. On your new cable, 5V will be red, D- white, D+ green, and GND black. As it says in the video, you need to cut off the end of the donor cable, separate those four wires, then strip and tin them so they're ready to be soldered.

 

[frogg609]

Rice-Eater, does it come out of the box with all Sanwa, or did you have to request that special?

 

[Rice-Eater]

Rice-Eater, does it come out of the box with all Sanwa, or did you have to request that special?

All Qanba's as far as I know use Sanwa parts and the Q4 RAF is no exception. So no need to replace the buttons unless you just want different colored buttons I guess.

 

[Drkirby]

dat DoF

I believe the alternate for Guide is start + back + up on the d-pad simultaneously (though, I might be confusing that for PS3).


HitBoxes ("official") are designed to disallow contradictory inputs. The off-brand user-created ones don't.

Really, that is just bad game coding. It should be simple to make it if two opposing directions are held at the same time they just null each other out.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Really, that is just bad game coding. It should be simple to make it if two opposing directions are held at the same time they just null each other out.

AFAIK, most games do that anyway. MvC3 is the only offender.

 

[ToyBroker]

The new Tekken stick is super sexy.


And I had to quit using my stick....it's just so hard to learn with it and I get frustrated easily when I can't pick it up quickly--especially when I can pretty much own faces on a pad.


Dashing forwards/backwards is so hard for me on my TE

 

[notworksafe]

All Qanba's as far as I know use Sanwa parts and the Q4 RAF is no exception. So no need to replace the buttons unless you just want different colored buttons I guess.

The start button on the Q4 is off brand, fwiw.

 

[Kadey]

What do you want?

That stick.

 

[nilbog21]

would this USB cable work as a replacement for my madcatz TE?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10303&cs_id=1030301&p_id=5440&seq=1&format=2

seems really cheap..

 

[nilbog21]

Solder the replacement wire where the original one met the board.
To be on the safe side, you should get a solder sucker or desoldering braid, melt and remove the existing solder and wires, then solder the new ones onto the same points. While it is an option to simply melt the old solder, pull out the wires and plunge in your replacements, that could get messy, and the last thing you want is a short.

The points you're after are 5V, D+, D-, and GND. On your new cable, 5V will be red, D- white, D+ green, and GND black. As it says in the video, you need to cut off the end of the donor cable, separate those four wires, then strip and tin them so they're ready to be soldered.

what exactly is "tinning" them?

edit: adding solder to the tip of each wire?