I started with a Saitek X-55 Rhino HOTAS which has a twist stick for rudder. It worked fine and you can tune the axis to suit your needs. I had no problem dogfighting or lining up on ground targets while flying a P-47, P-51, or Bf-109. Like anything else, it just takes practice.
Over time and as I had funds ,I upgraded to a higher quality HOTAS set with rudder pedals. It took a few weeks to change my muscle memory from trying to twist the stick to pushing on the pedals.
I don’t think beginning without rudder pedals will affect your enjoyment. Especially if someone has not used them before, but rudder pedals will make the experience more immersive.