The only time it makes sense (to me) to really think about using a different yoyo configuration based on style is when you’re comparing 1A vs 2A/3A/4A/5A/etc. Within 1A itself, there just isn’t a strong enough distinction in terms of the techniques and skills involved between “front” and “side” tricks to be basing yoyo decisions on it. I think this is especially true when you consider how many front tricks are also performed sideways.
As @andy569 mentioned, the conversation changes if you’re talking about horizontal play. Grinds and fingerspin tricks also put special demands on a yoyo’s design. But to my mind there simply isn’t enough difference in the nature of the techniques involved between, for instance, The Matrix and The Zipper to change the yoyo used for each.
A larger conversation could arise from this: how many different yoyos should you play with? Is it a good idea to just use one or two, potentially putting yourself in a position where you can really do well with only those throws? Or is it better to play lots of different configurations and be more versatile?
I quite like using offstring yoyos for 1A, and yeah, especially frontstyle. Offstring yoyos can do 1a as long as ur using a thin string so it isnt responsive. String wraps are hard though, as the gap is smol
