I suppose my plan is to downgrade my emunand to 9.2, check it with downgrade_check, and update to latest firmware before downgrading. I do have sysnand backups, but I made them months ago and can't remember what state they were made in, so I'll play it safe.
I'm preparing to follow Plailect's guide and currently have a 9.2 N3DS XL with a downgraded mset on sysnand (from when it was the easiest entrypoint). Will this cause any issues with the downgrade/ flashing to sysnand?
You can run the gateway launcher and format an emunand with it without the gateway flashcart, then proceed to boot the emunand with RxTools. I've personally done this and use RxTools daily.
although i ended up accidentally changing my nand with no way of going back bc i didn't know you needed a gamecube controller to restore it (i have a wii minus/1.1, which doesn't have gamecube controller support)
and if i find the sd card i have my NAND backed up on, i can not only restore the NAND if i solder the right part in, but i can also put my NAND on dolphin, then i can play dolphin online, like PMEX Remix or MKWii Riibalanced