I just got my SFXT fight stick in the mail. I play a lot of SFIV and UMVC3 and had visions of the stick immediately improving my game, but to be honest the opposite is true. After not being in an arcade for decades I can't get my head around an arcade style controller anymore.

I know there are a few fairly competitive players on here, so I was wondering if any of you have some helpful tips for me.

Also are there some rookie fightstick mistakes? Are there growing pains that everyone goes through when making the transition? And is it even realistic for me to expect the stick to make much of a difference outside of the fun factor?

I'll be honest with you sir. If you were doing fine on Pad...you should stick to pad. With the new games, you can get by on pad as the newer games are made for casual players who would not maybe own a stick.

If you are wanting to go in on stick, then you are going to suck at ALL games for the next 2-3 months. Stick is really hard to learn on. I wouldto tell you to learn on ST (or HDR on LIVE/PSN). One of the best execution laden games out there. If you can do a DP in that game pretty consistent, then you should not have a problem in SFxT...

As for actually learning, do what comes natural. Don't worry about what it may look like or whatever, just play the way that feels good.

You can look on Utube for ways to hold the stick and lay your fingers on the buttons. Myself, I lay the top of my palm on the kicks (bottom row) and my fingerTIPS on the punches (top row). That helps me find the bottom row when I need to switch my fingertips from Punches to Kicks.

Another game to help would be any of the Alpha/Zero series games...The super notations in that game are r-tarded, lol...very KoF like. Or you could actually go with nearly any KoF game too. 13 is REALLY hard to get down, but worth the time.

If after about a month or so it's still just not gellin', then don't feel bad about going back to Pad...

Personally what always stymies me at using a stick at home is the elevation. I grew up standing at an arcade machine that being hunched over with the stick on a table feels odd, not to mention if it isn't heavy enough or firmly attached, you have to compensate for it shifting around.

Of course that's a personal issue, and if you aren't having that trouble, I'd say find what works for you. huron makes some good points so you'd be well advised to follow what he said, although if you really want to take your game to that competitive level, a stick is a must. That being said, you have to gut check if you're ready to be playing the game for a few hours most days and putting in the time it takes to reach that level. You can get close to it with a more casual play style, but the same could be said for using a pad.

I'll also add that if you enjoy older fighters, the stick will seem much more useful. I couldn't stand any of the old Street Fighter or Tekken games on a pad, and they tend to be more demanding at even the mid-level.

JGon makes some good points also.

I don't really think stick is a must at higher level. Look at Wolfkrone, Hornet, Unknown in Marvel. Look at almost the vast majority of pad players in Tekken.
You're right though, if you want to play ST, A-Series, CvS2 or most older KoF's, then yeah, for the most part, you NEED to play on stick.
But most new players are NOT going to play those older games so that goes out the window.
The new games are honestly made for Pad first then stick. If you are going to play SFxT or SF4, then you 'can' get away on pad...trust me.

As far as you JGon and your issue of the hunching over and such, well I'm an OL school stick user and I play on the floor or if I'm in a chair, i play with it on my knees (the rubber stoppers right on my knees).
As for the stick shifting all around and such, then that tells me your putting to much effort into doing your motions.
Don't use your arms, just the wrist and fingers. Keep your arms rested and by your sides. Don't try to move the stick "through", just flick it. Keep your motions small. and tight. Don't need to do crazy motions for most games.

Stick is fun to use but nowadays not that necessary...

Thanks guys. I appreciate it. I guess I'll just be patient. I have KOF12, MvC2, and Third Strike so maybe I will start with those.

LoL@games...
KoF12 is not a great game, 13 is SO much better.
MvC2 is one of the greats, but requires a level of skill that unless you play way better people ALL the time, you'll never reach.
3s is not a great game either, but it's slightly more legit than SF4. Also, it does require a high skill level. So if you can get good at 3s/MvC2, then you should be fine for most games...

If you can get access to a program for your PC called "GGPO" or "Supercade", I would also recommend those too/more (PM me for details...).

Are you on LIVE or PSN?

I stop paying attention to the competitive scene and suddenly everyone is using a pad for Tekken? What has become of the world...

And using big motions is actually a part of the psychology I used to use while playing. It's surprisingly easy to throw someone off their game by slamming on the buttons to finish off a juggle or with a really heavy hit, and it sort of became a habit. Of course the edge wouldn't matter in online play when your opponent can't see you hitting things like a good, but I do enjoy local games with friends.

Honestly I'm not really looking for the hardest most technical game and I'm not looking to play tournaments or anything. I am just looking to get back to the point where I can play SFIV at my accustomed slightly above scrub level. I know you (Huron) are down on that game but I love big cast and I love how clean it runs. I have a place in my heart for SF2Turbo, and the Alpha series but I am all about the latest and greatest, so for me right now it is all about SFIV, UMVC3, next week's release of SFXT, and even dare I say MK9.

I do appreciate you guys saying that it will probably take me a while to make the leap though, but maybe I'll just keep plugging away with those games and have some patience that it will come eventually.

Well it's all good. You got to play what you like.
I'm not a big fan of SF4 and Mv3 is okay when you don't run into mindless button pressing.
As for your stick issue. I would prob' start on MvC3 before SF4. SF4 has these shortcuts that will screw you over if you don't know how to do the motion normally...
like a DP in SF2 is Forward, Down, Down-Forward+any punch. In SF4 it's just Down-Forwardx2. This command ONLY works in SF4 series of games. So if you go and try to play Mv3 and do that, you will not get the DP out.
That's why I say learn from the hardest, up. They even changed the charge times for DeeJay and Guile in SF4 to 1sec. SF4 is just not the best game to start learning stick from. But if thats pretty much ALL youre gonna play, then have at it.

But I still would say start with Marvel first then go to SF4...

That is definitely good to know DP has been my biggest sticking point so far.

I have not tested it in SFxT, but from what I gather, there are "some" shortcuts in the game. I don't know if DP is one of them but just to give you a heads up.

Also, you never answered my question from a previous post...are you on LIVE or PSN?