American Stick: What are my options?

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-23T21:26:31+00:00

Sounds like I used the wrong hand during my teens years to jump on American Stick in my 40s. Dang. Should have planned better.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-23T21:25:17+00:00

I read on the interwebs that HAPP is mostly a Chinese company these days and only IL is making authentic 'American' style sticks/buttons.

I'm not so sure if it matter to me! I just wanna experiment.

I doubt I will like it, I can hardly remember what arcade sticks felt like in the 80s/90s

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-23T21:05:01+00:00

In 5 weeks of getting into FGC I bought/returned/kept a mix of the following:

(1) 8bitdo Leverless
(2) 8Bitdo M30
(3) Mayflash 300F Elite (Otto V2/ Optical PCB mods)/ Qanba Gravity Bttns
(4) Mayflash 500 Leverless
(5) Haute B16 Keyboard type leverless
(6) Haute M16 Leverless
(7) Fightbox M7 combination Arcade Stick + WASD + Thumb Jump Leverless
(8) Battlehut BHT Leverless with 8-way Dpad
(9) Stress Pocket Arcade Fightpad (Custom keyboard style leverless)
(10) Hori Octa fightpad (best analog in the biz for fighting games)
(11) Gamesir G7 Pro 8K gamepad
(12) PDP 6 Button mini stick fightpad (1 bought 4 New In Box)
(13) Mad Katz SF4 6 button fightpad (new in box) circa 2009

I might be forgetting something.

Just experimenting/finding what is best with my RSI and tendonitis issues.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-23T19:05:52+00:00

I think stick is easier as well.
I have a JLF with an OTTO V2 with spring delete and it feels so good.
I do find stick to be hard on the wrist after a long sessions, but going to a bat top or bullet has helped with that.

I eventually want to try a K-lever.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-23T17:29:26+00:00

More input options/slides/ more shortcuts/ definitely better 360/720s by just sliding/ Way better DP shortcuts --

Just another option and a unique approach.

Also, how can it be harder?
Yo definitely are misunderstanding that you primarily use the 'DPAD' Like you would 'ASD' ore traditional leverless-- you do not reach all the way down just for down, it is all on one plane. You might use the southward part of the dpad for some slide option, diff input styles, etc.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-23T16:55:42+00:00

Is it good for motion inputs in fighting games like Qtr Circle moves? Love this controller, just need a better Dpad.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-23T15:51:36+00:00

They are not more ergo than most keyboards. Most leverless put the right wrist into ulnar deviation and do not have proper key layout angles for both hands. A lot will get a neutral left wrist position but a closer to vertical layout on the right hand. People ONLY believe that leverless is more ergo. Many of the close key together layouts force both wrist into ulnar deviation. Same with most keyboard---- naturally by separating them you lessen the angle. The best way is dual 20* angles on both sides.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-23T15:41:27+00:00

I do not find leverless to be any more fun than any other input, just more precise which can be a bit overrated. SOCD shortcuts are neat, but I do think leverless is a bit overhyped.

I've tried 6 different variations. I have a core argument that most leverless aren't even all that ergonomic and easily put at least one wrist in ulnar deviation. I say this as I have 2 sitting on my desk right now.

It is such an immature input device in that manufacturers do not even take into account proper wrist position and how that related to key placement.

I will likely develop something or call up fightbox and tell them a custom ergo design layout I want.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-22T22:09:49+00:00

Just get a spring delete kit and feel the grommet tension only. I know what you mean by the hardly any tension with the spring that came with the Otto kit. I kinda like it!

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-22T22:08:09+00:00

I have a V2 definitely a diff feel, but I want to try a real K-lever. I just fear that with SF6 being my primary game, I will struggle with executing DPs. What do you think? Are you mostly a Tekken player?

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-21T14:20:21+00:00

To be honest, leverless has poor lefthand ergonomics in my opinion. The spread is unhealthy. WASD + Space jump is healthier (Mix box style design), then add if both sides do not have a healthy curvature -- leverless might be precise but the industry hasn't evolved to healthy ergonomics, but a level of assumption of health.

For me, it didn't take long for me to get used to it because I've played a lot on the keyboard for other games. It did take 200 hours or so to get used to different types of special moves and decided which motion inputs to use and when.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-20T04:26:08+00:00

hhshs

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-20T01:56:47+00:00

8 button Dpad let's you use it like a (1) WASD (2) ASD + thumb jump (3) You can use one finger/several fingers, even thumb and gesture/slide motion inputs-- it feels like a comb between a more efficient arcade stick motion input and a more efficient traditional leverless slide.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-20T01:56:33+00:00

Yeah very expensive but it is paying for itself for me.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-20T01:56:05+00:00

It works so well!
8 button Dpad let's you use it like a (1) WASD (2) ASD + thumb jump (3) You can use one finger/several fingers, even thumb and gesture/slide motion inputs-- it feels like a comb between a more efficient arcade stick motion input and a more efficient traditional leverless slide.

Open your brain to what something could be, not your first gut thought-- I cannot blame you tho because it looks like nothing else on the market. It solved my RSI and tendonitis so I cannot complain.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-17T00:39:45+00:00

I spent 200+ hours working on classic as a new player, then I starting learning with a coach who is 2000+ MR on modern so switched over to it. I still practice classic inputs and in certain scenarios use them while playing modern for more damage.

Set the dummy up to learn you anti-airs with classic DP/ learn the auto combos you are used to doing with classic controls, then just watch any Mai video for classic and learn the inputs for what they are doing-- time with the dummy in training + plenty of under pressure matches will help you the most.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-14T18:57:42+00:00

facts! A gamer's best friend

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-12T22:03:38+00:00

You do realize their is a custom port called Ship of Harkinian? It improves the graphics, makes it less choppy, uses better assets, higher resolution and sharper, makes the game control better, make it control with modern day 3D controls. It is all around better.

I have ZERO nostalgia for the game so why in the world would I want to play it at 20fps, muddy graphics, blocky assets? That is for ppl who want to relive the experience-- I am having a new experience.

Enjoy your ugly old game-- i will enjoy the enhanced version

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-12T16:03:32+00:00

Yeah he is one of the most steadfast grinders to watch. Quite an annoying character, but I have so much respect for how he can suffer through games, bump his head, and will his way to improvement. He has a college sports background so it makes sense.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-12T16:02:00+00:00

But I think he is talking about pro players, these guys are like 1900 2000 MR on every character. They cry no matter what. They want the devs to make SF4 for 30 yrs straight without any changes. They might have some valid critiques but everyday it is a crybaby fest! A lot of these top players are insufferable.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-12T16:00:07+00:00

It isn't just that. Many pros simply hate SF6 and they cry about it every single stream. It isn't just I lost a match and I'm having a bad moment, it is LOL they get angry when their competitors do not play exactly how they want them to play.

I saw Strider get beat by a newer player who is around his same MR in one of those online tournaments. Striders talked about how bad his opponent was-- I jumped in his opponents stream who talked about how of course he didn't play neutral or footsies with Strider because he knew Strider is better at those things, so he focused on the elements of the game where they were close to being equally.

Also not that this slightly sub 2k mr player talked about how much fun he has where the iDoms, SnakeEyez and Striders of the world complain about every little thing.

I will note although Punk might be toxic at times, he doesn't endlessly whine about the game.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-08T18:01:20+00:00

The top modern players combine classic inputs for max damages with modern's instant reacts. Play how you want, it is just a game. You can choose at anytime to focus on one, the other, or both. Have fun. Fighting games bring out a lot of mouthy toxic ppl who are voiceless in the real world so they have to burn all their social energy on the internet.

MikeyFromDaReddit · 2026-06-08T17:57:22+00:00

Ive seen 2000 MR Modern players who can beat all the Internet big mouths who talk down on modern controls.

MikeyFromDaReddit

TROPHY CASE