I use an 8-way gate myself and I much prefer it to the square. Even though I am quite able to use a square, I just feel I'm more consistent with the octo. Although I do get a lot of stick (pun INTENDED) from my mate, who maintains you should only use square. Just in case you ever play at an arcade or use someone else's stick.

I would recommend not using an 8 button set up though. 6 is the standard and those other two could become a crutch. Plus its easy to tap them by accident and waste meter. You'll be more skilled in the end if you go 6 button.

Switching to stick is cause for some initial loss in ability, but the real reason is your switching to AE as your primary played game. You can't expect to retain 3S skills if you don't play it, especially if the other game has much higher input leniency, as is the case with AE. 3S is my main game, but still those long sessions with you in AE end up giving me some temporary issues when returning to 3S.

When I was new to stick, I favored the octagonal gate, but after a few years, I can barely play on octagonal or circle. Everything but square feels unnatural to me now...

3rd Strike needs more attention, if this video doesn't show how amazing it is then nothing will.

Oh that Akuma is a sneaky little mother...

Picked up Chun Li when I picked up OE and I'm starting to get semi-decent with her. Learned her Super II cancels, with 2 HPs or 2 down MKs. I'm having a lot of fun with her, though I'm thinking of picking up a new character. Maybe Q because nothing is cooler than a dude in a trench coat, who breathes heavily and wears a mask.

Also have been recording some matches:

I somehow survived a Raging Demon.

Q's a fun choice, though it takes a lot of work.


And a kara Demon at that, don't see those much on OE.

Yeah, he was pretty good, though I was really off in that match. I kept screwing up simple inputs and not connecting hits into supers. I'm still surprised I managed to beat the guy in the final round, though Akuma's health did get in his way.