No. Use whatever is more comfortable to you. Either case your going to need to practice. You'll have just as much trouble at first on stick.

Nope. It's just your inexperience with fighting games.  
 
That being said, there is no way in hell I'd go back to playing with a pad, I'm too sticky now.

Yeah, fighting sticks aren't really necessary-Pessh has a stick but doesn't use it when playing SSFIV, I don't have a stick, and Vangief, who's a pro Zangief player, uses a Dual Shock 3 controller.

I bought a Fightpad and really liked it.  Then I got a stick on sale and tried using it for a month, but never got comfortable with it.  So I went back to the fightpad.  There are certainly some drawbacks, but I like it.

I prefer my stick, I started out terrible when I got the stick, but I easily got better than I was with a controller.

" No. Use whatever is more comfortable to you. Either case your going to need to practice. You'll have just as much trouble at first on stick. "

Don't buy one unless you really like fighting games. If you're playing with a 360 controller, you probably should get some kind of alternative gamepad because there is no good way to play fighting games on that.

As others have said, it's very possible to succeed while using a regular-ass controller, but not a 360 controller. The D-pad on the 360 controller is fundamentally flawed.

Fightsticks are really people that grew up playing at arcades and wouldnt dream of playing on anything else. That being said a FightPAD would be a step up if your on 360.

I used to use a gamepad, it was fine, i mean i played pretty well and could pull of some complex things like FADC ultras etc. Seriously, a stick can help, but it takes along time to transition from one to another. If you wasnt brought up on arcade sticks then it will take time to learn how to use one, same with a pad. Whatever is more comfortable for you, use that. I started using a fightstick, its been 2 weeks, been playing marvel 3 an hour a day, i can say that certain moves like fireball motions seem easier on a stick, compared to pad, but its personal preference really.

I don't have a stick and I do alright with a 360 Controller, at least on an execution angle (I can do Guile and Vega's ultra 1s consistently now). I don't use the D-Pad though. To do so would be folly.

" I don't have a stick and I do alright with a 360 Controller, at least on an execution angle (I can do Guile and Vega's ultra 1s consistently now). I don't use the D-Pad though. To do so would be folly. "

I picked up a used fightpad for 40 bucks. If you can swing something like that, and have the money to burn...go for it, dude. 

I play pretty well with a standard controller. Tried using a fight pad and a stick for awhile but, just couldn't get used to it. Just go with what's comfortable with you. Also find a character you like and PRACTICE. 

if you don't normally use one, it'll do more harm than good.

I use an Xbox 360 controller on the thumbstick. It works fine. I can do all the FADCs, charge ultras, dash charge ultras, 1 frame links ect. It has its drawbacks compared to a stick but I believe it can also have some advantages which I use and succeed with.

Don't buy one unless you really like fighting games. If you're playing with a 360 controller, you probably should get some kind of alternative gamepad because there is no good way to play fighting games on that.

*repeating what everyone says* 
Nope.  I've been a pad player forevers.  Just practice, know your limitations, and have fun.

I hit a wall using a gamepad. For most people to reach the next level, they need a fight stick. Your hands are a lot faster than your thumbs.  
 
But be warned, it will take a lot of time to get use to a stick.

Just practice youll get good and never turn back. Happened for me happened for everyone. 

It's only necessary if it's what you grew up with and what you're used to. I grew up with Street Fighter on the SNES, so I find that I play best with a FightPad. The arcade in my town was turned into a book store when I was a kid, unfortunately.

i use the 360 analog but i'm considering a stick...

A stick is not necessary, but I would recommend one. Everyone struggled with doing specials in the beginning, it has nothing to do with the controller. 
 
I recommend a stick if you enjoy the game to the point where you want to get really good and invest a lot of time into it, but it's not a necessity then either. There actually are some top players like Inthul and Wolfcrone that use either a standard pad or the madcatz fightpad.