u/musicalstuffhitter

I have a Switch 2 and I love it, but I want to start building my collection of games on GoG that I can actually own lol, and so I’d like a pocketable device smaller than my Switch that I can carry around.

I don’t play many graphically intensive AAA games, and I’m mostly looking for something that can easily handle modern indies like Neva, Gris, Ori, Tunic, Hades etc along with some older JRPGs (FF, Trails etc).

I really like the vertical form factor of the Anbernic RG477V, but I’m not sure if it would be powerful enough? The RP Nova looks incredibly enticing, and even though I know the RP6 would probably be better for my use case in terms of screen dimensions, I’m a sucker for that clear purple Nova colour scheme haha.

I looked at the Thor but I don’t see myself playing DS games much so it doesn’t feel particularly useful to have a second screen.

Not a requirement, but the handheld being able to run a custom OS other than Android would be nice!

The climb was rough with some fairy matchups being abysmal haha (Whimsicott is the WORST), but I learned a ton through the process. Here's a breakdown:

- Leads: Almost always Noivern + Chomp or Noivern + Arch (if I see fairies on the other side). I only drop Noivern if the opposing team doesn't have speed control, because Taunt is still useful to deal with Trick Room. Unfortunately, since there aren't a lot of supportive dragon mons (are there even any?), I feel like this team has only one mode, and that's just go hard and fast right from the off, so Tailwind is a must. Heat Wave is nice to break opposing focus sashes or multiscales, so Noivern's partner can deal with it.

- I'll usually have Gator and the other one of Chomp/Arch in the back. Mega Gator hits EXTREMELY hard as a lategame sweeper, but I usually need to clear a way for it with one of my leads. Dragonize Double Edge picks up an unbelievable number of unexpected OHKOs.

- Archaludon is designed to destroy Floette, although I have to be careful because if I Steel Beam into a protect, I'll destroy myself lol. Draco Meteor with Dragon Fang does a TON of damage and it's great into opposing Zard Ys, for example. Dropping Flash Cannon for Electro Shot felt a bit suspect because I don't have a "normal" attack with no downsides, but it dramatically improved my rain matchup, so it was worth it.

- Dragapult set is specifically for Sneasler (fun fact, -Atk nature Psychic Fangs still OHKOs) or if I see a ton of physical attackers. Draco is nice into Garchomp but otherwise its damage output it quite underwhelming.

- Drampa is specifically for weather, mostly sun haha. If I'm expecting a Venu + Zard lead, I'll usually lead my Noivern + Chomp, then t1 switch Chomp into Drampa and Taunt Venu to stop sleep powder. I feel like the pressure of Rock Slide should force a protect unless they're being risky. If Mega Drampa has the opportunity to go for even a single Calm Mind, it hits like a TRUCK. Gotta be mindful of losing weather control when mega evolving though!

- Stats-wise, every single one is max Atk/SpA and Speed. There's probably more room to optimize based on specific speed benchmarks, but I haven't done that yet. I also need Protect everywhere because I have no Fake Out of my own and Dragapult is the only immunity to it.

Loved building and playing with this team! I just hope Gen 10 introduces some good support dragons, because those are definitely a bit lacking.

Looking for a pocketable indie machine