You were able to use the stick as efficiently as the d-pad you were using for 20 years in 2 weeks?
Sorry but I have trouble believing that.
I’m using a stick for almost 2 years now and I’m not even close to mastering that control method.
I guess “20 years with a pad” is a little misleading.
20 years with a pad is TRUE, however, I’ve probably spent more time playing fighting games in the past 6 months with a stick than I have in the past 19 years with a pad.
So if you wanna use total hours using each controller (which is probably more appropriate), then I’d say I have more hours logged with a stick (also include a few random hours in the late 90’s when arcades were still around, so it’s not like I’ve never touched an arcade stick).
But yeah, I got AE in April or May and played with a pad until August 16th when my stick came in the mail. It took about 2 weeks of using the stick to get to my pad level.
there are huge differences between pads though. Weight, size, ergonomics, buttons etc
Unless you’ve been using the same pad for 20 years!
TL:DR - Pad vs Stick is a matter of preference. One is not objectively better than the other; they both have advantages and disadvantages. That said, while the amount of time taken varies from person to person you can expect a minimum of 2-4 weeks to get back into the comfort zone with most things after switching input devices.