The "Help Using a Joystick" Thread

[RaveSage]

B C D T

A X X X

When using that layout what fingers do you have on each button? I put my thumb on A because i do not like using my pinky for the distortion. I have just started using the stick so i am not up to speed yet to the same level i was on a pad.

I got the hori real arcade pro ex. Is anything i need to know about this stick or it pretty good out of the box. i know it is a square gate and it looks like it is better just to stick with that for the long run.

You're right about the pinky thing. It's hard to use it for anything unless you're like super dexterity man or something. What I do is keep my hand raised above all the buttons. This is really important for Sanwas because of how sensitive they are. I tend to not use my thump at all as it tends to get in the way (large hands). Instead, I position my index, middle and ring finger in one of two positions. Note I play Type-B layout.

Position: 1 | 2

Index: D | A

Middle: A | B

Ring: B | C

Pos 1 gives me solo access to my drive, barrier, ect. Pos 2 for throws, rapids, 5C > 236B and such. It takes very little time to switch between positions and because I don't have to think about my thumb, I feel like I'm able to react faster.

Also, stick with square imo. Especially if you're sticking with hakumen.

[Feanor]

Unless your hands are big I suggest you stick to thumb to ring finger DABC layout, I think it's more natural than switching hands mid-combo. As for HRAP EX it's a great stick, I've got its PS3 counterpart. The joystick is a Sanwa JLF just like in the Japanese arcades, so it should last you for years to come, but be prepared to switch your buttons out for Sanwas or Seimitsus. If you like them ultra-sensitive like the Japanese do (or so I heard) buy yourself some Sanwa OBSF/OBSN-30s (and two OBSF/OBSN-24s for start and select). I ordered replacement buttons for myself a few days ago from Laugh at etokki.com - nothing beats his prices, especially since I'm European (so no lizardlick.com for me). Myself I'm still using the stock buttons but I can already feel the C on my stick not reacting as quickly as the other buttons (ah those sekkajins, Hazama's j.Cs and Hakumen's 4C/3C/6C/j.C spam). Be prepared to have to switch your buttons anywhere from 3 to 6 months in. As a last resort you could always swap the most used with one of the buttons you don't use at all, but them buttons ain't that expensive so I wouldn't fool around like that.

[MAdBater]

I am getting adjusted to Type A.

I was wondering which one type A or B is more used

[RaveSage]

I am getting adjusted to Type A.

I was wondering which one type A or B is more used

It all depends on your character and preference. I use B layout because Drive is important for Lambda. Not so much for Haku though so I'd stick with A.

[Feanor]

It all depends on your preference.

Remember you're probably going to pick up subs somewhere along the way and you need the same button layout for all characters, so just stick to what seems natural to you. From what I've seen a vast majority of players (pros and amateurs alike) prefers Type B layout and I must say I'm one of them. Having A under my thumb (strongest finger) seems like a bit of a waste for me, and in Type B I find myself pressing C with two fingers (ring and pinky) when I'm unsure I'll get input right. That's for playing with stock Hori buttons though, as soon as my Sanwas get here I'll be alright pressing it with just one.

But really, all the reasons in the world are just worthless theoryfighting, both layouts are pretty comfy (yep, tried using A for a while) so find the one that comes naturally and stick to it.

[ThunderboltZ28]

Hey does anyone know the difference between the JLF-TM-8T-SK and the JLF-TP-8YT-SK joystick? My friend just put one in his fightstick and we can't do anything with it. We're fine with the TE's TP8yT, but the TM8T doesn't seem to be getting quartercircles and dashing. I know the TP8YT uses a PCB and the TM8T uses microswitches, but I thought they were basically the same stick?

[Tachyons]

Wire the JLF-TM microswitches individually. That is, every microswitch must be wired to a signal and a ground.

Like so: http://www.chromesphere.com/coleco/coleco_Graphs/Microswitch_Close_Up.png

http://www.chromesphere.com/coleco/coleco_Graphs/Pushbutton_Wired.jpg

For the TE which has only one ground wire, you can daisy chain all the ground ends of the four microswitches and connect it to the TE ground.

[ThunderboltZ28]

So the TM and TP would feel different because of the microswitches and PCB? With the TP quarter circles and dashing are easy, but with the TM we have to scrape against the gate the whole way to get it to work.

[mr.mortified]

There is no difference between the two, its just that there's no pcb to hook up a 5 pin connector to. The stick still comes out the same height without that pcb. In fact, going to use a TM8T for a "special" project soon enough.

[ThunderboltZ28]

Then why is it so hard to use the TM8T? I figured they would be the same, but we're having so much trouble playing with it.

[mr.mortified]

maybe the microswitches aren't set properly?

I dunno man, take some pics of the thing because i'm not sure where you're going with this

[ThunderboltZ28]

Basically we're having trouble doing anything with the TM. While executing moves with the TP is easy. They're supposed to be same thing only one with micro switches and the other has a PCB yet they feel so different. I'm just trying to figure out if there really is a major difference between the two that could cause us to struggle so much.

There are about ten of us switching between the my TE and my friends fightstick with the Sanwa TM. It was pretty much whoever used the TE won. No one could pull off quarter circles or dash very well without really forcing it. Could it be the stick or the way we put it in? It seems like everything is working right its just hard to execute moves.

Sorry if I'm not being clear.

Edited December 21, 2010 by ThunderboltZ28

[mr.mortified]

most likely it was a mistake during the install. sounds like you may have not even screwed in the stick properly.

[ThunderboltZ28]

I'm not the one who put it together so I'm not sure. What would be the proper way of screwing it in and how does that effect the usage of the stick?

[mr.mortified]

if its loose it moves, hence a larger throw...

did hte stick shake in any way when you used it?

[ThunderboltZ28]

Nope. It is secure. It all feels right but for some reason its harder to use. With my TP and LS32 I can execute moves without ever touching the gate. But with the TM I have to move the stick all the way down to the gate, into the corner of the square, and slide it against the gate to the 6 position in order to do a quarter circle all the time. I can do it without touching the gate, but it only works once out of maybe ten tries.

Maybe it does have a different feel to it and requires a different way of play. We were under the impression that they were exactly the same stick only connected differently.

[mr.mortified]

nah it sounds like it just isn't broken in yet lol

[ThunderboltZ28]

Ah. I hope that is the reason.

[FF7Cloud]

Hello Im Cloud and im sort of new here. I really didn't want to post a new thread about this but I

needed some answers. Since Im having a little trouble with movement, dashing, IAD, jumping etc, Im

looking for a grip that some of you guys use and in your opinion suggest that is considered great for

Blazblue. I'm trying to stick with one so i can just continue to progress in the right way. Also, hand

placement for the buttons(yes its an odd question) but since Im new to sticks I really dont know where

to place my hands or which fingers to use for the buttons. I have been currently using the mid, and

ring fingers if thats right. but yea, mainly looking for a good grip that fits me.

[Supa]

The most comfortable one. End of discussion.

Seriously, though, if you're really struggling.... my own personal preference (everyone has a different one, I'm sure) is somewhere between Monkey and Wineglass. I play on, and own, bat-top style joysticks on wooden arcade cabinets. I don't remember who/what video names it Monkey and identified it as the "defacto way to play on battops" but I've used the grip since I was like... 10... long before Candy Cabs were mainstream and everything (minus Pacman) was a bat top. I completely agree with whoever made that video and named it Monkey.

Wineglass.... you should be familiar with. It's literally everywhere. Watch some EVO matches or something. Nearly everyone uses this grip now with a varying degree of hand rotation - some people play it similar to the orientation you would have with the Monkey grip above... some people rest all of their knuckles on the control panel.

Either way you go - the important part to remember is to make it comfortable and accurate for yourself. Keep in mind that Sanwa sticks will have their microswitches engage just barely a millimeter of movement. After some practice... try to keep the joystick from hitting the gate. New players on joysticks always like to try to ride the gate - don't.

For buttons... you'd do yourself a favor if you learned to play with 3 fingers between the two rows of buttons on your joysticks. BlazBlue will make you want to use D with only your thumb, but if you also plan to play other games (like Street Fighter) you're going to kinda gimp yourself if you're trying to hit the bottom row of buttons with only your thumb and pinky.

[FF7Cloud]

Thanks man. Yeah I was using the wineglass but it just was sort of hard to input dashes, jumping etc. Guess ill just have to get use to it. But yeah I have a TE stick and I just cant seem to pull of the right functions that I want unless I make a good effort with the stick which leads me to hitting the gate.

[MAdBater]

look in the using a arcade stick thread and check out the arcade stick grips video on youtube. otherwise practice with your favorite grip till you get it right. i use a wineglasses type grip and still adjusting to the arcade stick. if you have a square gate which is supposed to be the best jam the stick into the corners at first to get a feel for them. the stuff you are messing up with just keep doing that over and over until you get it right.

[ThunderboltZ28]

The most comfortable one. End of discussion.

Seriously, though, if you're really struggling.... my own personal preference (everyone has a different one, I'm sure) is somewhere between Monkey and Wineglass. I play on, and own, bat-top style joysticks on wooden arcade cabinets. I don't remember who/what video names it Monkey and identified it as the "defacto way to play on battops" but I've used the grip since I was like... 10... long before Candy Cabs were mainstream and everything (minus Pacman) was a bat top. I completely agree with whoever made that video and named it Monkey.

Wineglass.... you should be familiar with. It's literally everywhere. Watch some EVO matches or something. Nearly everyone uses this grip now with a varying degree of hand rotation - some people play it similar to the orientation you would have with the Monkey grip above... some people rest all of their knuckles on the control panel.

Either way you go - the important part to remember is to make it comfortable and accurate for yourself. Keep in mind that Sanwa sticks will have their microswitches engage just barely a millimeter of movement. After some practice... try to keep the joystick from hitting the gate. New players on joysticks always like to try to ride the gate - don't.

For buttons... you'd do yourself a favor if you learned to play with 3 fingers between the two rows of buttons on your joysticks. BlazBlue will make you want to use D with only your thumb, but if you also plan to play other games (like Street Fighter) you're going to kinda gimp yourself if you're trying to hit the bottom row of buttons with only your thumb and pinky.

I use the monkey grip.

[Kaigu]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsME37GrqjY

[FF7Cloud]

Yea I saw that vid awhile back. Just wanted your guys opinions. Thanks guys. i think Ill try Daigo's grip.