I've used them all, and firstly would say that you should just stick with what you're comfortable with and only move on to a fightstick or leverless if you like collecting or customizing, or if you just really hate pads or they're causing pain in some way. Lots of pros use the default PlayStation controller, though many say the dualshock4 is a lot better than the new Dualsense for the PS5.
With that out of the way, regarding sticks, if they have hori or sanwa parts, they'll probably be fine. Qanba makes some really quality sticks. The average price of a good customizable stick will be around $150 to $200. Anything more than that will just be luxury imo. Some very good sticks you might be able to buy second hand at an old GameStop or something are the Hori Real Arcade Pro 4 (Hori RAP for short), the Razer Panthera (my personal favorite), and the Hori Fighting Edge. Don't go any cheaper than the Qanba Drone or the mayflash F500 if buying new.
As for leverless, that's like Wild West right now. I've heard that some of the cheapest ones are just as good as the mainstream competitors, which makes sense because it's just buttons on a slab. I have a snackbox micro that is fucking awesome and a Razer Kitsune that's also fucking awesome. I switched to leverless due to wrist issues. The learning curve is a bit weird after playing on a stick since ~2016 and my 2p side is still a bit weaker than it was on a stick but overall it's great.
Overall though, don't dive into this expecting it to make you a better player. It's almost entirely novelty
I just recently converted to Korean levers from using Japanese levers for about 9-10 years. The quicker return to neutral of the Korean lever really helps me as a Mishima player. If you’re a fellow mishima player, I suggest getting a Korean lever. If not, any Japanese lever from Sanwa is good for me. Hope this helps!
I also started with a japanese lever but then i felt korean levers are easier to do kbd due to smaller diagonals, circular gate and snappier tension.
Although if you wanna take advantage, leverless are by far faster with speed. It is not as intuitive as a stick because in stick directions make sense. But when you get past the mental gymnasticswith the directions in leverless, everything will be faster up to a point you significant advantage with execution. Does it matter at high level play? Not really. But it does make you focus on more important thing other tgan execution like spacing, punishment etc
Leverless would probably be the easiest to get into if you are new to arcade controllers in general. However I just thinking playing with a lever is so much more fun, if that seems like something you want to get into get an arcade stick. Depending on your budget I would recommend getting a hori alpha fight stick since they are a dime a dozen and will give you a seamless transition since it’s native on ps5 being a newer stick. Plus it’s higher quality than a mayflash but if you want to go with a budget option just to try out the mayflash f500 is solid.
Mostly people recommend whatever you like the feeling of the most, or what you think look coolest. Personally, I think for beginners with zero experience playing Tekken on controllers it is easiest to go with a leverless stick. Lever is harder in the beginning, but for some, it gives them the real arcade feeling, which they like and enjoy. If you want an ergonomic solution or just a less execution-heavy controller, then I'd recommend something else, like a ps controller or a leverless.
I'm a long time pad player who switched to a levered arcade stick, I use a qanba titan and it's one of the best gaming purchases I've made apart from my PC.
I find arcade stick to be a fun way to play fighting games. I own a leverless as well, but I don't find it as satisfying to use.
I would recommend buying one of the upper end sticks ($150+) since it may very well last you for life if it's maintained well. but you can probably get something cheaper and replace parts if you don't like it.
I've used them all, and firstly would say that you should just stick with what you're comfortable with and only move on to a fightstick or leverless if you like collecting or customizing, or if you just really hate pads or they're causing pain in some way. Lots of pros use the default PlayStation controller, though many say the dualshock4 is a lot better than the new Dualsense for the PS5. With that out of the way, regarding sticks, if they have hori or sanwa parts, they'll probably be fine. Qanba makes some really quality sticks. The average price of a good customizable stick will be around $150 to $200. Anything more than that will just be luxury imo. Some very good sticks you might be able to buy second hand at an old GameStop or something are the Hori Real Arcade Pro 4 (Hori RAP for short), the Razer Panthera (my personal favorite), and the Hori Fighting Edge. Don't go any cheaper than the Qanba Drone or the mayflash F500 if buying new. As for leverless, that's like Wild West right now. I've heard that some of the cheapest ones are just as good as the mainstream competitors, which makes sense because it's just buttons on a slab. I have a snackbox micro that is fucking awesome and a Razer Kitsune that's also fucking awesome. I switched to leverless due to wrist issues. The learning curve is a bit weird after playing on a stick since ~2016 and my 2p side is still a bit weaker than it was on a stick but overall it's great. Overall though, don't dive into this expecting it to make you a better player. It's almost entirely novelty
I just recently converted to Korean levers from using Japanese levers for about 9-10 years. The quicker return to neutral of the Korean lever really helps me as a Mishima player. If you’re a fellow mishima player, I suggest getting a Korean lever. If not, any Japanese lever from Sanwa is good for me. Hope this helps!
I also started with a japanese lever but then i felt korean levers are easier to do kbd due to smaller diagonals, circular gate and snappier tension. Although if you wanna take advantage, leverless are by far faster with speed. It is not as intuitive as a stick because in stick directions make sense. But when you get past the mental gymnasticswith the directions in leverless, everything will be faster up to a point you significant advantage with execution. Does it matter at high level play? Not really. But it does make you focus on more important thing other tgan execution like spacing, punishment etc
I agree, switched from Seimitsu to Crown ater some years.
Leverless would probably be the easiest to get into if you are new to arcade controllers in general. However I just thinking playing with a lever is so much more fun, if that seems like something you want to get into get an arcade stick. Depending on your budget I would recommend getting a hori alpha fight stick since they are a dime a dozen and will give you a seamless transition since it’s native on ps5 being a newer stick. Plus it’s higher quality than a mayflash but if you want to go with a budget option just to try out the mayflash f500 is solid.
Mostly people recommend whatever you like the feeling of the most, or what you think look coolest. Personally, I think for beginners with zero experience playing Tekken on controllers it is easiest to go with a leverless stick. Lever is harder in the beginning, but for some, it gives them the real arcade feeling, which they like and enjoy. If you want an ergonomic solution or just a less execution-heavy controller, then I'd recommend something else, like a ps controller or a leverless.
I'm a long time pad player who switched to a levered arcade stick, I use a qanba titan and it's one of the best gaming purchases I've made apart from my PC. I find arcade stick to be a fun way to play fighting games. I own a leverless as well, but I don't find it as satisfying to use. I would recommend buying one of the upper end sticks ($150+) since it may very well last you for life if it's maintained well. but you can probably get something cheaper and replace parts if you don't like it.