You can absolutely 1 stick with ANY sticks or attachment methods. Rappel rope and aider are the only thing that you really need to add to a stick, because no sane person would 1 stick DOWN and aider multiplies the distance you go up per movements. Some people argues that cam cleat is essential but I disagreed. I use the regular straps that came with my XOP sticks and it work fine as long as you tune your method, the buckle-less method is great for the XOP sticks IMHO. For a budget stick, your XOP sticks would work fine, some improvements are recommended but its like budget bow and flagship bow, both will work as long as you know the expectation.
-Consider using buckle-less method until you are at hunting height.
-Dont try to reach too far each movement, that's where people are making the mistake, reach as far as you're comfortable.
-Try different style, some people place stick on the side, other directly center, do what you feel is best.
-You dont need a mechanical ascender/descender, they helps make life easier but a figure 8 or ATC works great.