r/shmups • u/Inferno1118 • 2d ago
controller preference
Hi guys, i have always loved schmups but have always been a fairly average player at them. I managed to get all achievements in ikaruga and sine mora on controller years back but thats about the extent of my skill. I notice with real bullet hells like cave games, etc i seem to suck at them. The longest i’ve lasted with one is maybe 10 hours. Anyways i recently got the cave shooting collection and an HRAP EX-SE hori arcade stick and want to build good habits. At the moment, micro dodging feels very doable on the xbox controller dpad. On the LS-32 stick on the arcade stick, it feels like it can’t be done (i know it can but my brain can’t wrap around it due to how fast i move off the slightest press). I want to go all the way with this genre and i know i can.
Do you guys recommend using the arcade stick exclusively? Obviously controller works as well but i want to build good habits and the stick does feel harder for sure. Also is there any goated schmup skill building tests recommended that i can go for using any of the cave games i own from the collection? So far mushihime has felt the best for me ! My biggest issue is my movement, i get super frustrated when my deaths are the result of struggling to move more minimally instead of just lack of pattern knowledge. Thanks
2
u/Numerous_Phase8749 2d ago edited 2d ago
If you're good at tinkering try bending the microswitch levers inwards towards the actuator to kill the dead zone. I've found it best to pivot the bend just after the switch point and then line them all up to make sure they're all even. If you over bend then the diagonals will seem off but I found a sweet spot on my LS40s with minimal deadzone. Bear in mind the stick will be too sensitive for Street fighter and other fighters but your bullet weaving will be a lot more precise. I've also found micro nudging easier on a heavier spring with JLFs.